Just to start off, my head hurts from the high altitude and learning so much Spanish, my nose hurts because of breathing all the pollution, and my stomach hurts because I ate some fruit last night. Apparently, due to the elevation, you’re (by that I mean tourists) not supposed to eat fruit in the evenings, only in the day time...I know, it doesn’t make sense to me either but whatever. Good thing I love being here so I don’t really care about my body hurting. I started school yesterday, it’s going well. I learn Spanish for about 8 hours a day. I’m at the school (or near it) for 10 hours, with a 1½ hour break for lunch, and two 30 minute breaks in between. So I only have class for 2 hours at a time, each time with a different teacher in a different classroom focusing on different parts of Spanish, so it’s really not too bad. It’s all one-on-one with the teacher, no other students, so it’s very personal. Yesterday was an overload, but today wasn’t too bad. Today my teachers were Sandra, Wendy, Yenifer, y Carlos. Carlos is definitely the most difficult teacher, he puts a lot on me and it’s all grammar, but he’s nice and pretty patient with me, so it’s all good. The school is right down the street from Plaza de Arma, which is the main plaza here in Cusco. It’s pretty amazingly beautiful. I took pictures for you all, but alas, my camera is missing in action! Did I mention that? Speaking of the Plaza de Arma, I’m pretty sure that’s where my camera got stolen. Sad day. Anyway, Plaza de Arma is beautiful so I usually go there on my breaks. Everyday for lunch, I get to have lunch with one of my teachers. They’re all very nice, but I kind of like the time to myself. I kind of wish I had that hour and a half to just wander and get to know the city and eat by myself. I have time after school, but by then it’s pretty cold and the sun has already set. The sun sets here by 5:30 or 6, so by the time I get out of class by 6:30 it’s already dark.
Let me just tell you, the men really are quite forward here. It probably wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t white. But because I am, I get hit on quite often. Yesterday, while chillin’ in Plaza de Arma on my break when a guy came up to me to try to sell me his paintings. This is very common, people come up to me probably every few minutes trying to sell me something. This guy, however, didn’t even really show me his paintings. He was just trying to get me to go dancing with his the whole time. He kept saying “It’s just dancing! Come with me! I buy you dinner after! Please Bonita? Ok, no? Ok, you give me kiss? Just one kiss pretty lady!” haha it was pretty funny. After a few minutes of that I realized I had to get back to class; he was pretty bummed. Silly men. Even though they’re pretty forward and obnoxious, jeez there are some attractive brown guys here! It’s not a bad sight :)
I’m getting pretty used to rejecting all the people on the street that want me to buy everything. I’ve also learned to not even glance at anything they’re selling on the street, otherwise they think I’m interested and won't leave me alone. I’m starting to get used to all the little differences here, they’re quite interesting. Little things like the street lights, the traffic rules, the common phrases of etiquette, how the restaurants work, the stores, etc. I feel quite comfortable here; besides struggling with the language, I don’t feel like a tourist at all. And as for my language, it’s improving every day. Speaking of Spanish, I have homework so I probably better get to it. Love you all!
P.S. I’d love to hear from you! My email address is alysanicole47@gmail.com. I actually have internet quite often (that is until I go to Ocongate), so I have plenty of time to read and respond. Keep me updated on your beautiful lives!
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-Alyssa Nicole Escalante-
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