Yesterday, we started Spanish classes at the Academia. I was placed in a class that is pretty close to my Spanish level but is still very challenging. Today we started working on Preterites (past tense) which was something I had never learned before. Yeah. It was bad. Plus, the teachers here only speak in Spanish to the students so that we're immersed in the language, so it can be dificult to catch what is going on. I felt really bad because I felt I was holding the rest of the class back. We did some singing today and we have tarea para manana and para Thursday. Our host family is using a lot more Spanish and encouraging us to use it more.
We were given a tour around the city of Cusco, which was entirely in Spanish. Even though I was only able to catch about half of what was said, it was so interesting to see the vast history that is here. On Avenue del Sol, there was a giant mural of the history of the Incans, which is absolutely beautiful. We were also able to see the walls built by the Incans. The rocks were shaped differently and in different sizes and slanted to protect against earthquakes. They used bronze nails to hold and grasp the rocks and there is no mortar between the stones. It is really intersting how they have small, medium and large rocks interspersed and patterned for stability. And we think we know so much about construction!
Many of the streets here are made of slate orriverstones or cobblestones, and they wind every which way and are narrow, especially going uphill. The sidewalks are also very narrow and not smooth. No ADA here. I think it would be a nightmare for a civil engineer like Stephen.
We were able to see the Plaza de Armas and the Plaza de Blais. The Plaza de Armas was once the center of Cusco and full of religious ceremony, but when the Spanish took over they built their own cathedrals. Each different order built a church. The best understanding we got was it's similar to how for protestants there are methodist, presbyteriean, etc, churches everywhere.
While here, we were able to see the national Peruvian flower, the Cantu,which comes in many colors. The Plaza de Blais is a center of the arts and also has an old Catholic cathedral. Pedestrians do not have the right of way here, so it is an adventure crossing the street. I like to think of it as playing Frogger everytime you cross the street.
Today, we are going to the market. If you have any souvenirs you would like, please leave a comment so I know what to get you! Tonight we are going to learn how to salsa. I t should be interesting since I am not good at swing dancing or keeping a beat.
In Lima, we stayed in a very nice hotel and ate at Norky's, a place that is famous for their chicken.We drove around Lima but didn't actually tour the city due to lack of time. It was very big and busy, though! The next morning, we boarded the plane from Lima to Cusco where I was whisked away by Monica. She and her husband work in the tourist industry. She hosts students from all over the world year round. As soon as we got here, she made us koka tea so we could adjust to the high altitude. She made us a delicious meal of spaghetti with soy meat today--she's actually a vegetarian, which is great for chelsea. In Peru, they eat a light breakfast and a heavy lunch. She says that she generally does not prepare dinner. She has also lent me the use of her computer, which will be very helpful.
Right now, Peru is going through presidential elections which is really interesting. Once you turn 18 here, you have to vote or you get fined. There are five candidates right now but they go through a series of run-offs. The actual election is June 1. It's exciting to be here when Peru is going through a change in history. One thing that surprised me was how American advertisements are. There are some neat Coke ads.Last night I saw a commercial for ramen noddles.
Last night we went out for pizza. It was muy delicioso! I didn't have any cerveza, but many people did. I had some amazing frozen lemonade. i was happy to finally be able to drink something cold and with ice. It is so odd to have to buy all your water. Normally, we see water as this cleansing healing element, but for the next few weeks, it is kind of a love hate relationship. I need to have the water to survive, but the water here will make me sick. It is so different and has kind of made me think. Also, hot water is a luxury. Electricity is expensive and things are conserved differently here.
There are so many different sights and smells. Not all good or bad. Yesterday we went to the Cusco market. We really take for granted going to the grocery store and buying meat or produce. But...dried salted meat or cow heads on the ground or in the wheelbarrow was almost too much for me. Or the dogs eating the piles of meat on the floor. There are many thousands of different types of papas or potatoes here too. And lots of different fruits.
Well, I think this has been long enough. I am going to go find Chelsea and see if she is ready to head off to the market.
Peace and grace,
Elisabeth
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