Two More Weeks!

Maynalla! (Hola en Q'echua)

My mother is currently upset with me because I said I would write a blog the past two weekends and I didn’t, but I’m making up for that now.  Let’s see, last I wrote I had just received a blessing from the Bishop in Cuzco. Well it’s been more than 2 weeks and I have been feeling pretty good! I constantly have a stuffy/runny nose and a little bit of a cough, but overall I am feeling so much better. The past two weeks have gone by really fast, but nothing too exciting has happened … I don’t think. Well Majaida’s teachers begged Berta to ask me to teach Spanish at her school, so I’ve done that the past two weeks. I teach three classes, two classes of Kindergarteners and one class of First Graders. I like teaching the First Graders, they’re not too bad - but the Kinders…oh my heavens. I would tell you to remind me to never be a Kindergarten teacher, but I know I won’t forget, so reminding me won’t be necessary. Teaching at Alvaro’s school has also been going pretty well.

So this past weekend I went to church in Urubamba again. Part of the family of the Senior Missionary couple I met last time was there. To remind you, the couple is from Pleasant Grove. So as I went to meet their son who just returned from his mission, I realized, I already knew him, and his brother as well. Oh what a small world we live in. They both had worked at Tucanos, so we didn’t know each other very well, but definitely recognized faces. After church they invited me over to their home for lunch. They have a beautiful home and it was nice to eat something as American as egg salad. While talking, we also discovered that the parents do in fact teach English in Urubamba. And, well, what better way to teach English than by using Daily Dose? Haha, they couldn’t believe that I not only knew their sons, but my own Padre is the creator of Daily Dose. I asked them about Jodi’s parents but couldn’t remember their first names. They know some Harpers in Pleasant Grove but don’t know if they’re the same Harpers. Crazy to have so many connections, huh? And to find them all the way out here in Peru! What a ridiculously small world.

Hmm, what else? I don’t think anything too exciting has happened. When I was in Cuzco the other weekend I saw some guys in the plaza playing music. I stopped to listen and they invited me over to sit with them. They were pretty chill and invited me to hang out with them that evening. I agreed and we exchanged numbers. However, later I decided that it probably wasn’t a super great idea for me to go out alone with like 6 other guys I didn’t know. Plus, I have church super early so going to bed was probably a better idea. The guy I gave my number to would not stop calling though. Like until 2 in the morning, ugh. So that’s kind of weird and it’s probably a good thing I didn’t go with them.

Life is good here, for the most part. We had an awkward weekend because Thursday, Vito and Berta got into a fight, so Vito left early Friday. But now all is well and not awkward. The other day Alvaro and I hiked up into the mountains a little bit. It’s amazing how beautiful the landscape is … and how much trash there is up there. It’s ridiculous, honestly. I won’t miss that when I come home. And the smell, won’t miss that either. I will miss Berta and Alvaro though, very much. I can’t believe I come home two weeks from today.

Well, I think I’ll wrap it up here. Congratulations to my dear friend Josie Newell who is now happily engaged! And I’m very excited for Elder Zachary Pope who will be serving in Louisiana in Februrary! Thank you again for all your prayers and know I pray for all of you too! Every single one of you  :D

Con amor,

Alyssa

Happy November!

Hola Family and Friends,

Yes, I know it has been some time since I last wrote. This is not because I was eaten by a llama or fell off a mountain, I've just been very lazy. There isn't a whole lot to report on because I have spent most of the last few weeks in bed. Yes, I am still sick. I get better for a couple days and then something else hits me. I went almost a whole week without being really sick, but that's my record so far. But no worries, Berta takes good care of me and today after church I asked the Bishop for a blessing. I doubt my health will be perfect until my return, but I do know things will be ok.

 Rosanna has moved houses so I now have a new house in Cuzco. It's not too far, a little smaller, but very beautiful and in a very nice neighborhood. I still sleep at her house on the weekends for church. She no longer houses students but wants me to stay at her house when i come into Cuzco for church (for the money I pay her, I'm sure). My room is on the third floor and has a great view - I'll take some pictures next weekend.

Halloween was pretty fun as we spent it in Urabmaba. It's very similar here in that kids dress up, ask people for candy, and lots of people get drunk. I wasn't feeling too great that evening so we just walked around with the kids, watched a movie, and called it a night. 

Oh, that morning I went to church in Urabamba and met the senior missionaries who happen to be from Pleasant Grove! Crazy, huh? They don't know Dad and Susan and I forgot to ask them about Jodi's parents so I'll have to ask them that next time. Their kids are coming in a couple weeks to visit and they really want me to meet their son who just returned from his mission. Maybe he's a cutie...we'll see.  They were very nice and helpful though. The branch in Urabamba is quite large, but very inactive. There would hardly be a primary if the local orphanage didn't attend. 

After church we went to Moray! More ruins of the Incan people and so very awesome. While on our way there we met three people from Korea and shared a cab with them and hung out with them for the trip. The guy (there were two girls and one guy) kept wanting his picture with me. I think he was just being friendly and such but not Berta, she likes to tease me about it and how he had a crush on me. Oh and the Friday before Halloween the stake in Cuzco had another dance. I left with two roses and a guy's number - oh, it's fun here in Peru. 

Myrthe, Jin, and Michael (my friends from the language school in Cuzco), have all returned home now (well Myrthe is now in Bolivia continuing her Journey) so Cuzco isn't as exciting now on the weekends. I come in on Saturday for church and return Sunday. It's nice to have an evening to myself here in Cuzco, but I miss having friends to go out with. Hopefully I'll meet new friends but if not, that's ok. 


Teaching English at Alvaro's school has been going well. I'm getting nervous for the next few weeks because now we are past the very basics and well, I'm just not an English teacher. Things will be okay though as my dear mother helps me out and gives me advice via internet. So I have been talking with Berta and as soon as Alvaro turns 18 she would like to send him to the States to go to school. So I guess we're planning on him going to school in Utah and living with me. I'm ok with that as I adore the kid, but it is 7 years away.

Well, I'll try to write again soon and not leave you hanging for so long. I would appreciate prayers for my health and safety, and I pray for all my family and friends back home as well every night.

With love, Alyssa.