Buenos Aires and stuff

I´ve been in Peru for awhile now. At this point life here feels quite natural, at least compared to my first couple of months here. The language comes more naturally. I can actually relax and listen calmly to the lecture that my professors are giving this semester, instead of being on the edge of my seat, turning my head and making sure that every piece of hair that was formerly covering my ear is now pushed out of the way so as to allow for optimal sound wave perception.

The food is all so familiar. And I've even gotten used to not eating dinner, since the lunches are so big. I consistently see the same groups of people, instead of meeting someone different every day like it used to seem. The transportation even feels simpler. I remember when I got here I thought I would never figure out how to get around this huge, bustling city. And now I feel as if I could go anywhere. Nice!
Things just feel more familiar. I feel like I´m a part of this, whereas last semester I spent a lot of my time feeling like an outsider, intruder or gringa wherever I went.

It's been neat. I still learn things all the time that surprise me though. For instance last week I learned that the president, Alan Garcia slapped some guy in the face for calling him corrupt in the midst of a crowd of people. And that wasn't the first time he had done something like that. Apparently in the past he kicked some guy during a parade. I heard that that act is on youtube. Wow. haha. A little violent there, Alan. But upon hearing things like that the public just kinda shrugs it off. But imagine if something like that happened in the US.
Politics here are so fascinating.

There's a lot that's been going on lately, but of course, I can never blog it all. But one thing that heppened this past weekend was a trip to Buenos Aires that Abby and I got to take with Melvin, our program director. It was great! Buenos Aires is so different from Lima. The architecture is beautiful! It's all very European. Argentina experienced a lot of European, especially Italian, immigration way back when, therefore they eat a lot of Italian food, the people are more European looking, and the rhythm within the way they talk sounds Italian. It's really neat. They also eat a lot of meat. A lot! On the second day we were there, we went out to eat and ordered a meat dish to share. It was overwhelming the amount of meat that we consumed. My tummy wasn't happy. And I don't think I'll mind being vegetarian for the rest of the week.

Another thing we noticed about Buenos Aires was that the city was very quiet compared to Lima. There's no honking! Or cobradores screaming out the micros. Wow..
There's buses, and a subway, and taxis that you don't have to negotiate with for a decent price. Oh, and there was sunshine. Haha. Different from what we are used to by now.

There are also bookstores everywhere. Yay books! There is a bookstore called Ateneo that is located in one of the old theaters of Buenos Aires. So beautiful. So just imagine a giant old, 3 story theater filled with books. And they were all books in Spanish! Cool :)

I also registered for next semester at UT. whoa! I come home in less than a month in a half. Can you believe it? It's going to be ridiculously hard leaving Peru. Peru's been a dream come true. But Austin is home, and it will be good being back :) There really is no place like home.

Learning a few things.

Hey friends!


I thought that I would share with you all some things that I'm learning right now:


I'm learning what it means to share life with others.


I'm learning how important sunshine is for my serotonin levels.


I'm learning what it means to be authentic with others.


I'm learning what it means to respect myself. This has been huge.


I'm learning that jello is still very much in style. Even to the point of making a rainbow cake out of the stuff :O


I'm learning how much I enjoy hugs, and pats on the backs, and snuggling up on the couch to watch a movie. There isn't a lot of that here :/


I'm learning to cherish the ability to communicate, since I've been debilitated in that area here. Simply being able to fluidly and effortlessly communicate is quite nice.


I'm learning how big of a focus point the US is to other countries. I didn't realize before how much others listen to American music, watch American movies, or strive to learn English.


I'm learning the importance of decision making, and the power we have to change the course of the day, or the course of our life. The importance of getting up and taking action instead of waiting on change to mystically come. And the danger in believing in 'destiny'.

I learned that cheese with fried bananas is Fantasic!


I learned that cows can survive in the jungle.
I also learned that there are really big, steep hills in the jungle.
I also also learned that cows like to climb these really big, steep hills.
I also also also learned that sometimes cows trip and fall and die off of these really big, steep hills
:)


I'm learning what that phrase "you have your whole life ahead of you" means.


I'm learning that I don't like Pisco, but I do like beer ;)


I'm learning how important it is to have a sense of humor and lightheartedness


I'm learning to have an interest in my own family history and culture.


I'm learning that the food you grow up with holds a lot of memories and meaning.


I learned to always check print preview before printing. JUST in case you unnecessarily print out 49 power point slides and jam up the printer in a computer lab that has a line of students waiting to use said printer :O


I'm learning how much having an attitude of confidence can change the situation.


I'm learning how much the culture you grew up in affects your habits and view of the world.


I'm learning that exercise is always worth the effort.


I'm learning the importance of having boundaries, and knowing when to say no.


I'm learning that I'm a morning person.


I'm learning to live one moment at a time.


I'm learning the importance of seeking truth and living in reality. In finding the truth about this life and being passionate about it.


I'm learning that Peru has a time warp that always sucks me in!


I'm learning that I miss Austin and all of it's wackiness :P


I'm learning that I miss my friends from Texas and all of their wackiness :P


I'm learning how much of a blessing it is that I get to live life here in Lima, Peru :)