Seeing is the real thing

Well today marks the end of our "vacationing" time during the week. We went and visited our school where we will be volunteering and the afterschool one also. I was told that this was a very poor district and found out they just got running water 2 years ago, but you don't really know what to expect until you see it. It was a tough area for sure. There were no "real" roads with pavement rather sand everywhere; hence the name for our school: Arenitas del Mar (little sands of the sea). 

As one can see in the pictures it is not a high class area, rather very poor and in need of some TLC. We have been told by our program director as well as the people in our school today that we are not to travel outside our school area as it is dangerous and something bad could happen. This barrio doesn't see a lot of Gringo looking people and that could run us into some trouble if we were in the wrong spot. We just went to the school and got our barrings today on what we would be doing, I'm starting out with 3rd graders!, and we officially start tomorrow morning. We will get in our van at 7:30 am and head out for the 45-50 drive and leave at 6 for the 1-1:30 drive through rush hour. 

That is one thing that just baffles me about Latin American countries (more in South America), the driving. It is incredible that there are not more accidents than there are. These people have to have some intense form of training to drive because it's a mess out there. 6 lanes of traffic on main roads, people swerving in and out, cutting people off, ahh unimaginable driving. I even saw people using the shoulder as a lane and you can get so close to a vehicle that you can shake hands with people in other vehicle!! Kudos to the drivers that get us from place to place in this insanity of driving.

So yesterday we went to the beach in Callao, separate province, with our bro/sis and just spent time walking and talking. I of course had to skip rocks. What better way when instead of sand there is a mountainous supply of rocks. The water was very clear, cool/not cold, and I got quite a few 5 skippers from some rocks. We made our way back to our district and bought our lunch containers and came back for dinner. It's nice getting to know our host family. The daughter is Carla, 29, brother is Cesar (Curro), 31, mom Rosa. Cesar actually is dating an American, from good 'ol Minnesota, so I'll be giving him a list of places to see and do the next time he is in Minnesota! 

Yesterday as we walked on the beach and I got some fresh air and had a good conversation I felt better. I was feeling blue yesterday and now am better. I am feeling so cooped up. I arrived a week early in Peru to travel and get to know the city, as well as do things independently. I got used to going down to the beach in the morning to relax, walking around to Barranco, taking the buses to go sightseeing on my own, going up to the plaza at night and listening to the musicians or having a night time stroll. Since we have moved to our families, which are AMAZING don't get me wrong, we have been told to not go out at night as it is not safe for us and not much to do and the place our school is located in is not safe for us to venture out so.... I am starting to feel a little claustrophobic/restricted on what I can do now and I might be getting a little crazy for some countryside. I am super excited to get started volunteering and meet the challenges it offers don't get me wrong but some fresh air outside the city would be Chevere. 

We went to the mall today to kill some time and look around before we went to or school. I went to Casa de Ideas where I was looking for a pair of slippers that I had bought in Chile, 3 years ago, and hoped they had then but didn't find them. I waited too long. :) 

I bought a pair of pants that I would not buy in the states for sure, but was feeling them today, kind of jegging style. I am so impressed with myself. I have only bought those and one dress, besides food I've spent no other money! Good for me! 

Well here is to tomorrow and our first full day. I will be back soon to share the details!! Oh by the way, good job USA!!!! Gooooolllll! Crazy futbol lovers here in South America! Chau chau for now.