Hey! I'm really enjoying Cusco so far! I feel like I've been here longer than 4 days. Yesterday was my first day volunteering at the elementary school. This was a great challenge since my Spanish isn't all that great and the teacher and students don't speak any English. There are 27 students in the class and they are around 10 years old. They are patient when I try to speak in Spanish and correct me when I say something wrong. They love to hear me talk in English and are very willing to learn. The teacher was out of the class for most of my first day and I taught the kids English words for animals, colors, and numbers. It was a lot of fun! The school is a ten minute walk from the volunteer house which gives me enough exercise for the day since I have a huge hill to climb.
The food is amazing! I haven't had a bad meal yet! They eat a lot of bread, fruit, vegetables, chicken, and rice. Breakfast is usually small with bread and fruit. Lunch is the largest meal in Peru which includes soup, the main part of the meal, and then some fruit. Most Peruvians don't even eat dinner because lunch is so large. I, on the other hand, am usually hungry for dinner and have been going to different restaurants with other volunteers each night.
This weekend I will probably explore some more. Cusco is full of history! Machu Picchu won't be until the second or third weekend.
Hope all is well with everyone!
It sounds like so much fun! I am so happy you are having such an amazing time. I didn't realize the school was within walking distance? That is pretty cool! Did you try the guinea pig yet? It just gives me shivers even thinking about it. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day and thank you for posting. It is always so wonderful to hear how you are doing. I love you!! Miss you bunches!!! Mom
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of fun! I haven't tried guinea pig yet, but I might tonight. I guess it's really expensive though. Love you too!
DeleteNot quite sure why I'm "unknown" I guess I didn't sign up correctly or something...lol
ReplyDeleteThis all sounds great, Weston!! It is so good to be able to read your blog-thanks for taking the time to post. That is cool that you are so near your school. I bet it is fun working with the kids. Keep having fun and we will watch for another post. We love you lots!!
ReplyDeleteWeston it is sooo cool to hear about your adventures! Love it! So happy you are having fun! Can't wait until you are home ;0)
ReplyDeleteI love you!
Auntie T.
Hi Weston--Glad to hear that you are enjoying all the creations in geography and culture that the big guy made! Travel is a great way to realize where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there--lots of learning in it all. Glad that you are using your gifts and abilities to teach and learn! The best to you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Weston! I'm so excited for you to be in the classroom. What a challenge huh? Hahaha! Do you have a lot of picture cards when you are teaching them English? I was wondering if they have the capabilities for us to skype each other's classrooms. Let me know k, cuz that would be an amazing cultural experience for both of our classrooms. I am also relieved that you love the food I think that would be my challange hahaha! Well, love and miss you so much and look forward to reading more about your experiences there. Love ya! Aunt Deanna and family :)
DeleteGrandma & Grandpa: I'm glad I am able to post on my blog while I'm down here. Very excited to share everything when I get back home! Love you!
ReplyDeleteAunt T: I'm excited to share all my adventures when I get home! Love you!
Aunt Deanna and family: It has been a great challenge, but a lot of fun working in the classroom! I only use the whiteboard when teaching English. No picture cards. I don't think they would be able to skype. They don't have all that much technology in their classrooms. That would be pretty cool if they could! Love you!
Hi Weston! It's been great seeing some of the pics and reading your blog. It all sounds and looks amazing. Can't wait to hear and see more. I bet you are loving the kids and they you. So exactly how far are you from Machu Picchu? I bet you just can't wait to go there. It must be cool to get to know the other volunteers and where they came from. Let us know how the Cuy is. lol
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to protect you and be your guide! Love and miss you lots. Dad
Hey! Glad I'm able to share everything on this blog! Machu Picchu is only a half an hour to an hour away from Cusco. I'm very excited to go! I might not get to do the trail since it takes 5 days which would require me to miss some days at the school. They don't really like volunteers to miss days. So I might only go for a day trip and take the train. I'll have to come back again to hike the trail. The train is cheaper anyway. It is really cool meeting all the volunteers! Most are from Germany and Holland. There is one from Brazil, France, and Switzerland too. There are only about 5 Americans out of the 25 volunteers here. It makes the volunteer house an interesting place with all the different languages being spoken. Hope all is well at home! Love you too!
DeleteGrandma B. just told us that you had the laundry thing all figured out and that you brought enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry. You're too funny! But, seriously...where would you do your laundry if you needed to? Does the volunteer house have laundry facilities? Just wondering. :)
ReplyDeleteWell kinda...I'll make it work. I ain't paying to have someone do my laundry for me. I could go somewhere in town to do it myself, but it's too much of a pain. I brought a lot of clothes so I don't think I'll smell too bad by the end of the month. lol
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