It’s been 5 days since I arrived in Peru. The climate is exactly what Kim, my mother, would die for. Cool, dry, and not even the slightest chance of humidity. My first few days were insanely foggy, though. That seems to be a norm for this time of year. By day 4, the skies were completely clear and I can see the mountains that surround us on all sides. The mountains here are nothing like the Blue Ridge. They’re tall, gray, and rocky. We hiked into them yesterday to see Los Geoglifos de Yanacoto, a 3,000 year old archeological site, thought to have been created before the Incas. The site was a formation of rocks, tucked into the mountain side, likely used for rituals and ceremonies way back when. Our tour guide spoke entirely in Spanish, so I really only caught half (maybe 1/4) of what he was saying.

On that note, I am completely surrounded by Spanish, and I can already feel my confidence skyrocketing. My family speaks only Spanish, most of our instructions at the training center are entirely Spanish, not to mention the day to day necessities like getting a SIM card, registering my new Peruvian bank account, and catching the bus twice a day.

Onto my host family, I could not have lucked out more. There are 8 people in my house, including me, though I really only see my host mom, Isabel, and her two granddaughters, Emily (9) and Mia (3). My number one wish was to have little kids in my house, and sure enough, I do! And I finally got the sisters I’ve been dying to have my whole life! Emily is a very sweet, calm, mature 9 year old. We played chess in my first 2 hours there. Mia, on the other hand, is a stubborn riot (but so sweet, a combination only a 3 year old could pull off). In my first day, she was going through my stuff, trying to help put things away, opening my retainer case, messing with chess pieces …. and I couldn’t be happier about it. Periodically, Emily or Isabel tries to take her out, which results in Mia screaming and crying. I can’t help but be flattered.

I pay my host family S/ 50 per day (pronounced sol-ays) which covers my lodging, and 3 meals a day. For the most part, my meals consist of rice, eggs, potatoes, or all 3. I have to say, every day is carb-loading day. Campbell would be very excited about that (except for the fact that everything is touching). Other common foods are sweet potatoes (yes, more potatoes), avocado, and chicken.

Today, Monday, is my first full day of training. Last week was full of logistics – medical, banking, etc. Each day our cohort comes into the training center, it’s a bit like elementary school, with everyone asking “What did your mom pack you today?” Our host moms send us with packed lunches each morning, which is such an intimate, homey touch to the whole Peace Corps experience. They really make it feel like home.