The Classic

Well, I went to my first ever soccer game yesterday and it was intense. It is called the Classic and it is between two club teams from Lima; Alianza and Universitaria. These two teams are big rivals and so it was a pretty important game. It took us an hour to get there because the traffic was so crazy and no taxi driver actually wanted to take us, but we finally found one that would and then we started to realize how crazy this game was going to be. I went with five other girls, three from my program and two from PUCP. There were about 3000 police there to control everything and everyone but there were still some fights and a few fires, nowhere near the section where we sat though. We left 20 minutes early because we had heard stories about what happens after the game, so we missed the end, which wasn’t that great afterall because it was 0-0, but we got out safely and it was a lot easier to find a taxi. Overall, it was a great experience and I am happy I went but I would prefer that my next soccer game is much calmer.

Otherwise life has been pretty chill. I had a test last week and I think it went well but won’t get the results until Tuesday. I have another test this coming week in the same class and then midterms start the first full week in October. Last Saturday, I went to The Corner, an American Bar near my house, for the Iowa @ Arizona game and even though Iowa lost, it was nice to actually be able to see the game. It made me feel like I am not completely missing Iowa Football this season. Every Tuesday at the movie theater near my house we can see movies for 6.50 soles, which is a little over $2, so I went last week and saw Amor a Distancia, or Going the Distance in English. It was really funny and cute. Plus, it was nice to hang out with a couple friends from another study abroad program who are in my International Relations class. Also, volunteering is going really well. The kids are adorable and they love having us there to help them.

Today I went to church again with my friend Abby. It is called Alianza Cristiana Misionera and it is a very nice service. During today's service, we got to see members get baptized and it was awesome to experience this with them. We sang Amazing Grace in Spanish last week but we haven’t sung any other songs that I know yet. But it is still nice to be singing in church again. Alright well I better go start on my homework that is due tomorrow, because we all know how much I love to procrastinate.

<3 aj

Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Well it has been almost two weeks since I went to Cusco and Machu Picchu and I haven't written about anything...whoops! But it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life and I honestly don't even know where to begin describing it.

We left Lima at 7:30 am to fly to Cusco and once we got to Cusco we could see the sun and enjoy fresh air! Also, I could definitely notice the altitude change between Lima and Cusco (450 ft to 11,000 ft) but I didn't get sick or anything like a few others in my program, I kept hydrated and took it easy just wandering around Cusco. Cusco is an amazing town and our hotel was beautiful as well. On Saturday we did a tour of the Sacred Valley and then headed to Aguas Calientes which is the town closest to Machu Picchu. We woke up early Sunday morning and headed up the mountain, and by early I mean like 6, because some of the kids in my program got up at 3 to climb Huayna Picchu but I was not up for that challenge. We spent about 5 hours there and it was awesome. I got some sun and some time to think. And I was able to spend some quality time with people from my program.

Anyway, now it has been 4 weeks since classes started and everything is going pretty well. I was supposed to have a test today but it got postponed until next Thursday, which is fine with me because I can definitely use the extra time to study. I have been making Peruvian friends in my classes and they are pretty helpful in correcting my Spanish, so it is slowly getting better. Tomorrow I start volunteering at a place called Deporte y Vida. It is kind of like an after school program that helps kids with homework and then we just hang out with them. We went there once already to get orientated and it seems like it will be a fun time.

More to come later!
<3 aj