Last Leg

Ok, way too tired to type anything. Ill see yall in a couple days. Im alive, just did Machu Picchu, Lake Titticaca and Colca Canyon in like 5 days, havent showere since wednesday, now i got a 15 hour bus ride to Lima in a tiny tiny tiny seat. Neeeed sleep. Hokaibai.

Cuzco

So Im ready to leave, haha. So many gringoes, over priced food and tourist attractions everywhere. I met up with my friend Ben this weekend which was really great, and am heading up to Macchu Picchu later today, seeing it tomorrow morning. Unfortunately my camera is still broken, so I wil be counting on my friends to take plenty of pics for me. On wednesday night I head to Puno for a 2 day tour of the lake, were staying on a hostel on a lake the first night which Ive heard is spectacular. From there Ill go to Arequipa and try to make a day trip to Colca Canyon (second deepest canyon in the world) and then make my way back to Lima the 12th or 13th and hang out with Scot, this crazy hostel owner Neto and Ellie know. Excited to see new things and to see everyone soooo soon, but really wishing I was back in Huancayo with my kiddoes. Miss and love you all! See you in 9 days holy crap!!

Goodbye Huancayo

Wow, so much to say for the past week. Our numbers have gone from 3 to 10 volunteers and everybody who comes is so interesting and fun, its going to be so hard to leave. Today was my last day at school and it was a special sports day which was so great because everyones parents were there and I could hang out with all the kids. The director called me up in front of the school and they all clapped for me and then gave me a beautiful alpaca gift. After I kicked the first goal during the opening ceremonies and then watched sports all day, hung out with kids and took photos (although my cameras broke luckily another volunteer was nice enough to lend me hers). Anyway, its been a really sad day to say bye to all the kids and leaving tonight will be veyr hard, but its time to move on. I will miss everything so much but will cherish all the great memories I have had here and how much Ive been able to grow. Now, 7 hours to Lima and a 2pm bus to Cusco (21 hours). I really just dont want to leave this place, but there are other things to see and do here. Until next time, nos vemos.

Packing Up

So the past week has been pretty awesome. 2 new volunteers arrived (finally) just in time for me to leave. Its been super nice to not tag along with the other couple here and have some other volunteers to make friends with. We went out dancing saturday and one of the new volunteers taught me how to salsa, and last night we went to a Cumbia concert (more or less salsa) and danced with some local Peruvians. Today and yesterday were Peruvian holidays so no school unfortunately, but I have 2 days left of class and then I depart thursday night for Cuzco via Lima. Going up to Macchu Picchu 5 and 6, Puno the 7 and 8, Arequipa 8 to 12 and return to Lima the 13 in time for my flight home. In total, 80 hours on the bus. Phew. Well, still cant believe Im getting ready to leave Huancayo, Im very much going ot miss this place and the kids, but, will be excited to see you all again and share all of my stories. Nos vemos.

What a Day: Bobby es un perro loco

So our family dog here is crazy. His name is Bobby, he is most defnitely an Alpha Male, but is also about 30 pounds soaking wet. So I'm about 10 minutes into my walk to school today when I heard a dog running behind me. Lo and behold, it's Bobby. Maybe I should have explained something first. Bobby is racist. Bobby likes gringoes, a lot. He is the most loyal dog in the world, but only to white people, its a paradox. So, hes following me, and Im already late so I cant carry him back to the house and he refuses to leave my side so, he comes with me. Along the way, the entire hour to school, Bobby picks fights with eveyr single dog we come across. I pick him up at one point and this man comes out and asks me "Are you peruvian or american?" Taken aback I say Im from the US, but my dog is Peruvian. He burts out laughing and starts telling anyone who will listen theres a gringo with a dog (on my way home I heard people saying "Thats the gringo with the dog"). Yeah, great, thanks Bobby as if I dont stand out enough. So then of course he refuses to stay outside and follows my every move in class. When we go out to play pato, pato, pavo (literally duck, duck, turkey (no geese in peru?)), every time I get picked and start running around the circle he sprints with me at my heels. The kids got a kick out of it. Yeah, so, thats my story. Im sick of typing, Im never going on the internet again. Love you all. Hasta luego.

Otros Voluntarios No Existe

So we were supposed to get 2 Candian volunteers this week and found out this morning that they were afraid the bus schedule wasn't going to work out for them so they switched their flights and went home 2 weeks early instead of coming here. LAME! Hoping that we get new ones this week as is planned, it would be nice to see some new faces although all is well here and we get along most great. Until next time....

Another Week Down

Wowza half of my time here in Huancayo is already up. Said goodbye to some friends last weekend and have been lonesome with the three of us left this week. Were hoping to add two more volunteers tonight and Neto and Ellie return tomorrow. I had a full week at school (minus monday as my bus never showed up) and taught 3/4 grade, 5th, and 6th grade, all sorts of things ranging from clothing and colors to simple verbs. My daily schedule is walk an hour to school, teach for 3.5 hours, walk the hour back, eat, hang out and read on the roof, and then go play with the kids again from 3 to 5. Its really a great setup I have here. Dont have a whole lot to say except that I hate that ref who called back our goal today, but I miss and love you all! See you in 4 weeks!