I'm in Peru, holy crap!

We are the 13th PC group to come to Peru since they re-entered the country in 2002. This is the wonderful  welcome we got at the training center:

I have made it to Peru in one piece. Made it throught the seminars at the retreat center, and now am at my host family's house, where I will be for the next 11 weeks during training. It was kind of weird leaving the other Trainees, since we've been together since Wednesday all day every day. 

My luggage for 2 years. It was 94 lbs plus the smaller blue backpack, which weighed probably another 20-30 lbs: 

I brought too much stuff. I think more nice clothes than I will need. I hope that I can use some of this stuff in site, b/c right now it's just taking up space and making my duffle not fit under my bed. My host family is wonderful. I have a mom and dad, and 2 sisters, who are 15 and 5. My parents both work as teachers and are eager to help me with my homework and offer me advice for Youth Development. Our house has two stories and my room is probably the same size as my room at home in NJ so I have lots of space. There is a living room and dining room downstairs along with the kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs are 4 bedrooms, a sitting area w/ tv and the washer. I have internet IN MY ROOM! One of the other trainees is living with my host Uncle, so she is my cousin. Other relatives all live nearby.  I kind of miss carpets. Our floors are concrete and at the retreat they were tile. 

5 year olds are a lot. I was unpacking and the youngest of my sisters kept popping in, asking que es esto? what is this? She loved my Swedish Fish. I had to cut her off at two (the big fish) otherwise she would have eaten them all. She is learning to read, so I got to listen to her read a bit. She also wanted to watch me type this. I told her it would be in English, and she wouldn't understand it, to which she replied that she can read in English also. Cutest little thing. 

It is hot here. Like a hot Spring day. There is a nice breeze once and awhile, but I won't be wearing that sweater or hoodie I packed. Yesterday it was chilly at times and I put on my light jacket, but today the sun is out in full force, which I'm told is the normal weather. Here, by the way, is Yanacoto. It's outside the training town of Chaclacayo, which is about 1 hr from Lima. 

Our plane was held up in Miami, about 100 yd from the terminal for FOUR HOURS. There was a storm and they closed the gate because of lightening. Then, when they opened it, they realized the plane in front of us was carrying the luggage of a passenger that never showed up. So we had to wait for them to unload ALL the luggage and find that persons luggage. In the process, it started lightening again. So, we were supposed to land in Lima at 9:45 Friday night. We landed at 2am Saturday, and got to our retreat center at about 3:30 am. Then had to be up for breakfast that started at 7:30. And sessions went until about 7pm. 

I'm sorry this is so scatter brained, I'm just typing as I think. 

I found out today what our walk-around stipend is during training: 8 soles a DAY! 3 soles= $1 so, thats a little more than $2 a day. 

Oh, Andrea- at the retreat center, there was a sign that said ChachiKart. It made me think of you. I had someone take a picture of it since i didn't have my camera on me.

ok. I'm going to play memory with my little sister for a bit. and look at pictures of my family.