Just the beginning...

I can't believe I'm finally here. After 15 hours of traveling, uncomfortable half-sleeping on an overnight flight (that served us 'dinner' at 1 AM!) and nine hours of waiting in airports, I woke up during the descent from Lima to Cusco, looked out the window and saw countless, snow-capped mountains around me. I probably looked like the biggest idiot, being a “gringa” on a plane that was 98% Peruvians, looking out the window with the biggest smile on my face. Then when I finally stepped off the plane into a 100% Spanish speaking atmosphere, my happiness doubled...if it was possible. I was waiting for my luggage, however...and waiting...and I waited some more...until the man came and changed the sign in front of the baggage claim from my flight number to a different one. Apparently in Lima I was supposed to claim my baggage, go through customs, then re-check it so it would make it to Cusco. I was not aware of that. So the first day here I was without a change of clothes or shower for a good 36 hours...it was pretty yummy, especially after all that traveling. The luggage ended up being delivered the next day though...speedy delivery here in Peru.

The landscape here is mountains, mountains and more mountains. There is one huge one right in front of my house with houses covering it completely. At night it is so gorgeous with all the lights. The weather is really comfortable during the day, 70's, but it gets absolutely freezing after sundown because we're so high up...about 12,000 feet.

I went out to eat on Thursday with other volunteers and most were Medical School students here working in hospitals. They gave some gruesome details I'll spare you...but basically you do NOT want to get so sick here that you have to get medical attention. They even said in the maternity ward they keep iodine and other supplies in recycled ketchup and mustard bottles...just makes you thankful for all the things we take for granted in the US. It turns out, one of the guys volunteering here lives ten minutes from my house in VA...go figure!

Friday, I went on a trolley tour of the city and saw all the history here...which is pretty much everywhere you look. There are cathedrals and building from the 16^th century. And it turns out I picked a perfect time to come here because there are non-stop festivals here from now until the end of July (me encantan fiestas :). The 24^th of June is a day celebrating Cusco and the whole month of July they celebrate Peru. Here's a link to all their excuses to party: http://www.aboutcusco.com/cusco/eng/festivals.asp. The plazas are a constant flow of people, some tourists and a ton of school aged kids practicing their dances for the parades. There are also tons of floats with different designs of virgins and other Catholic paraphernalia. The people get real excited for this, and even since this is their “winter,” it is the biggest tourist season, too.

The people are great here, all very hospitable and friendly. I have to admit though, my vice here will be shopping. Everything is so cheap thanks to the US dollar to Sol conversion...a typical meal that would be $12 is equivalent to about $5 here. Christmas shopping will no doubt be done here... :)

I start working volunteering on Monday, my schedule will be 9-1:30 in the rehabilitation clinic and 4:30-7 in the orphanage. Miss you all, hope to talk to you soon! Skype me, babies.

                                                             Which one doesn't belong??

                                                   See what I mean with all the mountains?