¡Que perfecto!

So, my faithful readers, I´m officially in love with Arequipa. Here´s a not-so-short recap of the last few days for you:

After some delays in Newark and Miami, I arrived on time in Arequipa and was greeted by my GVI project manager, Chrissie, and Alison, a volunteer my age from Canada. We went to the Casa de Avila, which is the home base hostal for the Spanish classes I´ll be taking for two weeks and the home of GVI´s partner, Armando, and his family. I dropped my things off in my temporary room and left right away to eat lunch with Alison. We had some delicious (and cheap) sandwiches and then met up with the other five volunteers, who are all older than me (40ish) and from England (with the exception of Andrea, who is 24 and from Canada). I tagged along with the group as they went shopping for birthday gifts for the children who have birthdays in May. They will celebrate their birthdays this week in the two schools; for some students, this will be their first birthday party ever.

Later that evening we had a BBQ at the Casa de Avila with Armando and all the guests of the hostal. Armando made some traditional dishes, incluing ceviche, which is basically raw fish in a lemony sauce. I loved it (you would too, Dad). We hung around in the garden area for a while eating and chatting, and then I went to bed around 8:30, exhausted from a full day of traveling and walking around Arequipa.

The next day (Sunday) the new volunteers had orientation with Chrissie. The four of us learned about the GVI project, who\why we are helping, the city of Arequipa, our Spanish classes, host families, etc. We all went out for a wonderful lunch (again, very cheap, and when I say cheap I mean about 15 soles for a very nice and satisfying meal, which translates to about 5 dollars) where we finished our paperwork and then headed back to the Casa de Avila where we were to meet our host families.

I absolutely love my host family! My mother´s name is Sonia and my father is Raul. They have two sons: Sergio, who is 29 and lives in Cusco with his wife and daughter, and Alonzo, who is 23 and studying in Lima to become a priest. Sonia´s sister lives next door and is hosting Vanessa, a GVI volunteer from England who is 43. She barely knows Spanish, but she´s learning very quickly, and it´s really nice having someone so close to walk to school with. I have my own room and bathroom and can come and go as I please. It´s wonderful. I´ve been speaking so much Spanish at home with my mama y papa; I can already notice improvement.

Today (Monday) was my first day of Spanish classes. They´re from 9am-1pm. I have two teachers, two hours per teacher. Today we conversed in Spanish, got to know each other, and got an idea of my ability level. For the next two weeks, I will have class every day, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon I will visit the school and meet the children and get to know the processes of how things work. The rest of the day is for homework, a late lunch, and exploring the city.

Well, it´s about 9:15, and I´m heading to bed. I don´t think I´ve been to bed as early as this in a looooooooong time. I would love to post a few pictures, but my camera cord was stolen from my suitcase...so those will have to wait. Keep me in your prayers; as much as I love it here, it´s still a bit dangerous for a ¨tourista¨ like me.

Love you and miss you all so much,
Jenna

PS FYI, the time is an hour behind here.