First Impressions...

Lima. This place is, is, is…man, I really can’t explain this city. It’s a hectic mix of an urban city (with plenty of that oh, so appealing smog/pollution) and a quiet, serene beach city. Lima’s natural resources were first stolen and used for profit when it was first conquered in the 17th or so century by the Spanish, and that tradition has returned in the form of tourism. Every beautiful thing in Lima has a price, or a logo, or is in some Lonely Planet book. I suppose that’s how it is in any country that people often visit but it seems to me like “los limenos” could do without it. Tourism is widely accepted in most countries, but I can’t help but feel like every time someone pays for a trip to go see Macchu Picchu, a piece of Lima’s soul is lost. Young people leave school in order to work at the airport, or in a hotel, or as a tour guide, and completely forget about their education, which is ironically the only way to escape poverty. I know, I feel like I’m writing a report, but those were just the thoughts that have been running through my mind all day…

As always, however, I contradict myself in saying I can’t WAIT to go to Macchu Picchu and the Galapagos, and Lake Titicaca, and Brazil, and Argentina, and do it all. At least, I’m being a conscious tourist by knowing I’m only buying into what is becoming Lima’s much too strong hold on American/1st world tourists. J

I arrived in Lima this morning at 7:30, 2 hours late, to the most oppressive humidity I’ve ever felt, short of the July in Florida. That was not at all the best thing to fly into! Laura, our resident director, picked me up at the airport with her mom and they both greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. That immediately put me at ease. We drove about 30 mins into the city center, Miraflores, and passed the San Miguel district. Known in Lima as lower middle class, that place could pass for Hell in America. I started fearing what I was getting myself into! I was so scared that I had made the wrong choice but about 15 mins into the trip, Laura turned around and asked me if I wanted to see the ocean. I needed to see the ocean. That’s what brought me to Lima, and I knew that if THAT disappointed me, I was in for the worst semester of my life. Thank God my fears were never realized. We turned the corner to what must have been the biggest difference in scenery I’ve ever seen in a 100ft. distance. Lush, green cliffs overlooked clear blue water, with waves crashing over rocks. Stuff you see in pictures. AMAZING. Just behind the views of the cliffs was the upper middle class neighborhood of Miraflores, and let me tell you, I know I made the right choice! We drove closer into the town and the streets were filled with newly constructed modern houses, the type of houses you’d see in Venice, California. Big windows, straight lines, ultra modern and hip. Brand new Jettas and Toyotas lined their driveways. *PHEW!* A bigger weight could not have been lifted off my shoulders. After a quick nap, 3 of the girls on my program and I explored the city of Miraflores. It’s beautiful. The smog, I’m not so happy about, but hey, I’m in South America, what the hell should I be complaining about?

I tried the best ceviche today! And I totally plan on trying Cuy when we go to Cuzco to see Macchu Picchu next month. The food here = UNBELIEVABLE! And so cheap, it’s amazing. My ceviche was 20 soles, about 7 dollars. And it was considered an expensive restaurant. Saaaaweet.

Right now, I’m waiting to go out to dinner; in South America, they don’t eat dinner till like the middle of the night or something, so we’re just killing time before we go out.

Oh man, what a day. What a freaking 24 hours.

Orientation/Spanish immersion begins tomorrow. SO scared.

<3

The only thing running through my mind:

I hope I haven't signed up for more than I can handle.

The anxiety is literally killing me...

I have exactly 3 weeks until I depart for Lima, and I feel just so ready to go. I've been talking about studying abroad for so long now that I need to do it already! Everyone else who went through the anxiety of the application process and the "junioritis" that results after knowing where you're going the next semester have already begun their journey. But I'm here, home, twiddling my thumbs, and awaiting the start of the Latin American school year. 

I've spent the past 2 months not really doing a damn thing. I've worked (and I use that term very, very loosely) at Best Buy, hung out with my friends, and let's see...not really much else! I've tried to stay out of trouble because idle hands....what's the rest of the phrase? Well, idle hands aren't a good thing. During my break, I've tried to see as much of California as I can because as senior year looms, I must make a decision as to where I want to move after college. I'm definitely moving back here but the real dilemma is North or South? We visited SF a few weeks ago and I loved the east-coast feel, but SoCal will always have my heart. I just came back from a few days in San Diego, visiting Kat and experiencing a typical Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in her world. Hectic! But anyway, San Diego is a phenomenal city. It's definitely on my list as well. 

I feel like I'm rambling.

I wanted to start this blog before I left to write down all of my thoughts and hopes. 

I hope I like the girls on my program. I hope I pick up Spanish easily when I get there. I hope I made the right decision. I think I'll never want to leave. :)

I'm sorry, readers. Get ready for some supreme cheese. 

Just got home after a 2.5 hour drive from SD. A 3-11p shift awaits.