My New Home in 3 de Octubre

Yesterday I moved in with my host family for training and I feel like I am really living in Peru for the first time.  I am in a small neighborhood called 3 de Octubre, aptly named because it was founded on the third of October.  I live with my host mom Dora, her husband Santiago, their son Samuel, their daughter Sara and Sara's family - her husband, 16-year-old daughter Stephanie and 3-year-old daughter Ariana.  Dora and Santiago have 5 children total so there are more sons and daughter-in-laws I have met but who do not live in the same house. 

Yesterday was Ariana's third birthday so we celebrated with a big Minnie Mouse fiesta fit for a princess - complete with una torta grande (a large cake), sweet treats like arroz con leche, a clown who I think is off of some game show on tv, and a real live Minnie Mouse.  After three hours of the dancing and games last night, I was incredibly tired but the young children were still up and going!  All the children thought I was hilarious since I speak English and not Spanish.  

There are 5 other volunteer trainees in my community just a block or two away.  It is really nice to be with my family but have other volunteers so close - especially one who is already fluent in Spanish.  He  is able to help me communicate a little better with my host mom and the neighbors.  

I feel like I hit the jackpot of sorts with my host family.  Dora's son Samuel speaks English and used to be an English teacher.  He is super helpful in my learning and communicating with the family.  He is also very well read about the states and has even traveled to Charleston before so I have enjoyed getting to talk with him about South Carolina and the US.  

My family has wi-fi, a real rarity that I am so thankful for.  So as long as I am not traveling, I have no excuse not to keep in touch and update the blog 

We also have hot water for my shower, though I have not tested it out yet.  I am extremely thankful for this after taking a freezing shower at Villa de Paz.  I do not yet know what my host family situation will be like for my two years of service beginning mid-August but I will certainly enjoy the Internet and hot water while I have it.  

I have already learned why girls in the Peace Corps tend to gain weight.  Peruvians love their food and they eat a lot. Like a ton. I finally told them last night I had no more room in my stomach for more food!!  A fact my family found most hilarious.  I have already had more rice and chicken than ever before.

I have a nice room to myself on the second floor that you can get to from outside and it opens up to an open veranda so I love that. It is nice to have a little privacy while leaving with a big family.  I have a twin bed, a small desk and chair, and a pretty neat semi-built in dresser and shelves.  I will post pictures to Facebook soon to share my home and my community.  

Later this afternoon there is going to be a procession from 3 de Octubre of a cross up to a hut up the mountain.  Apparently, the cross came down on May 1 for the people to pray over for a month or so and today it will be taken back.  I have been told by a neighbor there will be live music and fireworks to celebrate so I'm pretty excited for that. 

 I also start training at the Training Center tomorrow - all day 5 days a week. 

I look forward to sharing more later in the week!