Yo soy un tomate...

After a wonderful 45 minutes in the sun today, I had the sad realization that I now closely resemble a tomato.

Despite the fact that I am very sunburned, I had a wonderful and relaxing day at the beach - about a 5 minute drive from my house. I didn't swim much because the current was too strong, but I enjoyed lying of the shore with my host mother, Maria. After today, I have finally gotten over the fact that I do not need to talk to every street vendor yelling, "Helado, helado, helados..." over and over again. At first I felt guilty not to acknowledge them, but after a while it became a bit annoying. I am also getting used to the constant noise and chaos of Lima and am starting not to feel quite so overwhelmed all the time.

Other little blips about my past few days in Lima:
- Last night I unknowingly ate cow heart (anicuchos). It is actually very delicious.
-On wednesday night I went to my first Peruvian get together in La Molina - the nicest distrcit in Lima. I was at a house which has a huge glass tube for walls, with a pool half in and half out of the house. The people had 2 maids which were constantly running around filling up drinks and bringing more food. I don't think that I will ever really get used to this.
-Nobody in Peru has air conditioning or clothes dryers, but somehow the house always stays cool enough and clothes dry in less that two hours in the baking sun.
-Many people in Peru don't eat dinner, only a big breakfast and a HUGE lunch.
-I am being fed all the time. This is great, because the food is amazing, but I may be signing up at a gym in the near future.
-Everybody that I have met in Lima is very friendly, except when they are driving. It seems like everyone turns completely crazy behind the wheel, but most of the time they are always willing to help you out.
-Lima is perfect! It has taken me a while to be able to see past it's size. Now I am able to appreciate all of the colors and sounds of the city. It is practically overflowing with energy!

Tomorrow I will be off to Wong (the Safeway of Peru - there are atleast 30 in Lima alone) to buy some SPF 70 sunscreen...
much love, Sierra

My first day in Lima

Right now I am sitting in my cozy little bedroom on the third floor of my new house in Lima. So far, everything has gone perfectly. My family picked me up from the airport last night, and after a quick tour of the neighborhood and a midnight snack of some ice cream I finally got to bed at about 3 in the morning.

My family is wonderful! I have a host grandpa and grandma, mother, aunt, and sister (who is about 30 years old). They have all been very kind and welcoming to me. My grandpa is very sweet and loves to tell stories and work in the garden. So far I am closest with my host mother and grandma who took me around Miraflores this morning. We went to the beach which is the most beautiful aqua color, despite the fact that it is so close to a city of 10 million people. We also walked around the main shopping center, Larcomar, where we sat and ate lunch while looking overhead at the para-sailers gliding on the wind above the ocean.

Everything still seems a bit surreal, but I am already beginning to get used to the constant noise of the city. I have never seen so many people in my life! The roads are completely crazy because nobody pays attention to stop signs, lights, or street lanes. There is honking from every direction and yelling from car window to window. It is both overwhelming and very exciting!

Today I forgot my camera when i went out, but pictures are soon to come!

p.s. for those of you who know me well, you will be proud: for breakfast today I ate a bowl of fruit! chau :D

Getting Ready

After months of preparation and a last minute problem with the people that I was going to stay with, I am OFFICIALLY going to Peru!!! I am driving down to San Francisco in exactly a week, and will fly out the next morning, on January 30th.

It has been a challenge not to know whether or not I would be going for sure up until a week before I am supposed to leave, but it has definitely taught me that nothing is ever permanent and all you can do is try your best. In the end I also realized that wherever I am, I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

My new host family lives only two blocks from my school (San Jorge de Miraflores) and also just a 10 minute walk from the market and main shopping center in Lima. They seem like absolutely wonderful people, and are excited to have me in their home despite the fact that it was so last minute. I feel so lucky to be able to stay with them!

Well, I am off to go pack... I am planning to update my blog when I arrive in Lima and then once or twice a week, but we'll see how well I keep up that :)

Thank you to everyone who has helped me to put my exchange trip together during all the chaos and confusion. I am very grateful to you all, and will miss you!