So much for rice and beans.

I am one week into my peruvian adventure and here's some of what I've learned so far: 

• Cow heart (anticucho) not that bad, and actually really delicious
• I can eat tripe (cau cau or cow stomach) without throwing up, but the texture was not my favorite...I'll stick with the anticucho
• I really like peruvian food.
• Peruvians really don't eat beans, just lots of potatoes and rice
• Pisco sours are good, but maracuya (passion fruit) sours are better.
• Inka Kola is quite delicious
• Peruvians really like their food and beverages. 
• My spanish is better than I expected
• I still do not enjoy spanish grammar lessons

I've learned plenty more than that but those are the food hightlights for you.  I am still only one week into my three weeks of spanish language school, so no volunteering just yet.  I'm currently staying with a wonderful family in the Miraflores district of Lima, and boy, are they feeding me well! I've met a family friend that has already shown me and Michael around some parts of Lima and we have plans for next Friday to go out.  Last night was also my first time with a group of ladies who get together once a month and call it Women with Wine. My friend Allison, from MN (!!!), invited me, and it's just a bunch of American ladies getting together and sharing conversation and wine. It was wonderful to meet a bunch of ladies who are extremely gracious and open.

Language school is really interesting and kind of intense.  4 hours a day. 2 on grammar, 2 on conversation and only 4 people total in my class.  Talk about a lot of one on one attention!  It is nice to have this opportunity to better my spanish before I'm thrown into a whirlwind of chaos down at Ciudad.

Speaking of Ciudad....Michael and I went down there this morning to visit the kids. This weekend is their Olimpiadas (olympics), so all of the boys were divided up into different colors, and they had tug of wars, sac races, foot races and foot relays today. Tomorrow is futbol (of course) and a marathon (not really, but that's what they call it).  I am currently in a states of reserved excitement for moving to Ciudad.  I know it is going to be a lot of hard work, but after seeing all the love down at Ciudad, it's hard not to be excited. I guess I'll just have to wait and see ;-) If you want more information about Ciudad, here's their website: http://www.ciudaddelosninos.com.pe/

Thanks for all the continued support.  This week has been relatively easy, all things considered, so I'm thankful for the prayers being sent my way! God bless!

besos,
J