Arequipa esta en fiesta!!!

I am in Arequipa!!!

In the last few days, I have been on my first, second, and third airplane rides. They are pretty cool. I learned that it is -57 degrees farenheit at an altitude of 37,000. That's super cold!

Upon arriving in Arequipa, we went to the University to meet our host families. Tita and Vincente are my host parents, and Andrea is my host sister. They are lovely people!!! After settling in a bit, Tita took me to the fiesta. This week is Arequipa's 472nd birthday! To celebrate, that night there was a huge concert going on. I haven't quite figured out what Andrea's boyfriend's job is, but he was involved in planning this fiesta, and so we had VIP passes to this huge Arequipan concert! It was fun! Though, I had a really hard time understanding anything. The only phrase that I could make out during the entire fiesta (other than "Arequipa esta en fiesta!!!") was "viva la jamon", which I must have mis-heard, because that means "long live the ham" and I really don't think that is what they were singing about.

The fiesta continued today. I went with Andrea and her boyfriend (I really need to learn his name) to a parade. Again, we got special passes and I sat in front of the Bolivian dignitaries and the mayor of Peru kissed me on the cheek (that's how everyone greets one another here). After the parade, we went to a seafood restaurant, and I ate squid and octopus. I think I also ate raw fish that had been marinated in lemon juice.

My experiences of the last 48 hours have led me to make a conclusion about the rules of the road here in Peru. There is one rule: go. All the time, go. Stop lights are merely suggestions. I have learned that the painted dashed lines on the roads are purely decorative and that it is actually quite easy to fit three (or four) cars across on a two-lane road. 

Arequipa is beautiful!!! When I got here last night it was dark out, so I couldn't see much. But when I woke up this morning and looked out my bedroom window, it looked so awesome!!!!!



THIS IS WHAT IS OUT MY WINDOW!!!!!

 Father, thank You for providing safe travels. Thank You for my host family, and I pray that You would bless them and my relationship with them. I can hardly believe that I am here!! God, prepare me for classes that start tomorrow. Guide me and help me to trust You, Jesus!! Amen!