Orientation and Such Things

Hello Hello. I don’t start volunteering or going to Spanish class until Wednesday so I have a bit more time on my hands and therefore time to keep you updated! Cusco is more beautiful every day. It reminded me very much of Reynosa, Mexico when we first arrived. Although, walking around this morning, I would not have made that comparison at all. Maybe the sleep deprivation was playing tricks on my mind. Cusco is in a valley so at any given moment you can look up and see civilization fading away into the mountains and hills. From a different perspective, looking out from out roof-top terrace (yeah, cool huh?), which is about four or five stories high, it appears as if the city has absolutely no organization. There are buildings perched close together, far away, precariously on the side of hills, and lights everywhere. Despite its appearance the city is actually pretty organized, grid style. The majority of the roads are cobblestone. I am actually quite surprised that I haven’t twisted my ankle in an effort to avoid being hit by a car. Pedestrians defiantly do not have the right of way here.

I had orientation this morning with lots of other people, including a big group of dental students. I found out where my volunteer placement was although the name has totally slipped my mind. One of the directors is taking me there tomorrow to introduce me to the staff and show me how to get there on my own. Then I met up with Andrew, the one from my plane, and we went with his roommates (he is living in a house with 4 other volunteers) to a travel agency to book a trip to Machu Picchu for this weekend. It is so easy to meet people! I now know people from Canada, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, England, and lots of northern states. After being up for a mere four hours, it was quite necessary that I go back to sleep. Between traveling, a late late night (there is always a reason to go out and celebrate- last night my housemates excuse was “There are new volunteers in the house!”), and the altitude (it really does mess with you), I have been quite exhausted.

Our entire house goes to pub charity on Monday and Wednesday nights. I’m not sure who owns the restaurant, The Real McCoy, but if was full of foreigners. My group teamed up with two guys from Argentina who were super nice. We didn’t place though. : ( I think a group from Australia took first.

Oh, and one last fun fact. Peru has over 3,000 native types of potatoes. So yes, we have potatoes with every meal. Sliced potatoes, grilled potatoes, cut up potatoes, fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, you name it. Also, lots and lots of beef. Yum Yum!