Hoy

I am adjusting well to life here in Peru. My house is starting to feel more and more like home. Laura is always willing to have a conversation about anything, and her soft smile is full of amusement and patience when I make errors. She seems to be a very strong woman, and has certainly passed this trait on to her daughter, Laura (Laurita). Laurita is a professor at the university in political sciences. Yesterday at orientation she gave all the international students a talk about security and how to live safely in Lima. She did indeed scare the crap out of us, as she had promised, but she gave good advice which I intend to follow.
Today I went on a tour of downtown Lima with my companera, Monica. She speaks very quickly, and it is difficult for me to understand her as well as the other students. I spoke with another student, Saul who seemed to want to practice his English more than anything. Our conversation consisted of him speaking in English and me speaking in Spanish; this seemed to draw many a strange look while we rode the bus back to Miraflores. He lives very close to me, and knows a place where we can watch Star Wars for free. Allll riiight!
Downtown Lima is very beautiful, full of old colonial buildings as well as newer ones. I wanted to go into the Cathedral, but it costs 20 soles. Monica said it's either free or less expensive on Sundays, so maybe I'll check it out then.
The sun here is very strong, and in spite of my wearing sunscreen everyday, it seems my skin is still suffering. Eating ice cream helps though. Yum!
This is our last weekend before classes start, and then it'll be all work and no play. Well..okay mostly work and some play. I've got to live it up after all!
Hasta nuevo,
Abby