Getting Settled

Before I opened my two little eyes this morning I could never have predicted the weekend to come. Nothing was what I had expected but in one way or another everything was absolutely necessary for my survival here, at least for myemotions. Before I put you all right smack dab in the middle of my first weekend in Chincha I will enlighten you on what has been going on & how I’ve been adapting.

Before today:
I haven’t showered since Canada.
My goal today: is to learn how to shower the Peruvian way.

My phone is already out of minutes.
How do I get them on my own?

I am without Internet.
WHERE the heck is the Internet?

I’m a continuous flow of waterworks, I eat one meal a day with two buns in between, there is no running water, I have seen many bugs, I’m running out of Kleenex, I’m dirty, whineyand basically pretty annoying – even to myself and that’s a problem.

Before today I was 90% sad & 10% uncomfortable. I couldn’t get enough sleep, I was nervous meeting new people and if it were possible I would remain in bed all day & shut out all that is around me. However, my family is like many Peruvian families.. and they wouldn’t stand for any of it.

Saturday morning I woke up to Lita & Hernando singing songs; putting all of our names into it, including mine to get us out of bed. Before I knew it I had the whole fam-jamily curled up on top of my bed asking me how I was, how I slept, if I was cold, hungry, missed home and any other question they could think of asking. This weekend has flown by faster than I could have thought. I have had little time to blog, or do anything that wasn’t with my temporary family. Saturday was a day of cleaning and boy did we clean. The house here gets dirty quickly because of all the loose dust coming in and out from the ‘streets’ so we wiped down everything moving around the living room and dining room. After cleaning, Milla showed me how to do my laundry here and after that Milla & I helped Lita make lunch.

So far, I’ve made it to 21 successfully, however I’ve never really learned to cook. I get by on a whole lot of pitas, falafels and tomatoes on toast. I don’t complain, I’ve gotten used to my lack of culinary skills and I label it as ‘simplistic vegetarian eating.’ Here, things are a little different. I am included in everything, absolutely everything & if I haven’t mentioned it before I am never alone. I hope to come out of here not only a little more fluent in Spanish but also able to cook a few tasty dishes. That won’t end up giving anyone stomachaches in the process.

Saturday Night was also another interesting night, as they all are here. While you were all getting your drink on, dancing on the dance floor and eating that ‘after-the bar’ indulgence I was drinking fresh strawberry juice with my family while watching Canada vs. Peru on the TV. Canada lost the volley ball game, but it was a great time with everyone. It turns out Popcorn is international, as is the competiveness with sports!

After finding the Internet, washing some underwear and getting minutes for my phone I feel more connected, and a little more comfortable in my new surroundings.