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Well, I made it to Cuzco.  After a couple days of traveling, it´s really a great feeling to have a home base.

My flight left Logan airport right around the scheduled 9:45am departure time, followed by a couple hour layover in Newark, and then on to Lima, landing around 10:10pm.  To my surprise, I encountered no trouble clearing customs and shuffled right on through.  Because of my extended stay, I was almost certain I would have some issues as from what I had read, the longest temporary visa they issue is 90 days (I´m here for I believe 132).  I just assumed they would stamp me for 90 and I would have to exit and re-enter the country to have it renewed.  But before I knew it, the customs agent was stamping my immigration card with a fat 182!  This was great news! 

 

Señor Carrasco, a man associated with Nexos Voluntarios, was waiting outside of baggage as planned, with sign in hand: ´Scott Wood´.  He was as kind as could be and led me to his car where we departed for Miraflores, Lima, Peru.  We chatted a bit during the ride and I was surprised to find that I could actually comprehend a decent amount of his Spanish.  My speaking abilities, on the other hand, are definitely rusty.  I guess that´s why I opted for 3 weeks of Spanish lessons before I start volunteering.

 

After about a half hour of Nascar-style maneuvers through the reckless streets of Lima (seriously, those roads are not for the faint of heart), Sr. Carrasco dropped me off at Flying Dog Backpackers hostel, which I had also arranged ahead of time.  My name was on the list and I was shown to my bed (top bunk of 1 of 3 sets).  Oh, and did I meantion the tremendous heat and humidity?  All I can say is I´m glad I won´t be spending all of my time in Lima.  Hot, humid, polluted, and overcrowded are 4 things that generally don´t fully agree with me.  Regardless of those factors, and the bumping bar scene below my room, I managed to fall asleep at some point.  6am, however, came a bit too soon for me.  I showered quickly and was met once again by Sr. Carrasco who was to bring me back to the airport for my flight to Cuzco.  As a pleasant surpise, he was accompanied by Maricarmen, the volunteer coordinator who I´ve been in constant contact with for the past several months, and a British woman named Helen who is currently working with her in Lima.  The company was much welcomed and they even walked with me right to my flight check-in location.

 

After some more boring airport scenery, I hopped on the lovely STAR Peru flight to Cuzco.  The condition of the inside of the cabin assured me that they must spend all their money on the inner-workings of the plane, so I felt quite safe and unconcerned with the torn seat pockets and scratched up walls.  After a quick 1-hour flight, I was on the ground in Cuzco and being greeted by a representative from Amauta Spanish School.  She introduced me to another student, Tobia (sp?), from Switzerland.  She was very nice and I felt absolutely terrible that her luggage was nowhere to be found…  Apparently she was told it would be transfered in Lima to her flight to Cuzco, but she was clearly mistaken as no one seemed to be able to give her any idea what-so-ever as to where, exactly, it might be.  Nothing like being in a foreign city with zero changes of clothes and no clue when, or if, you will ever see your luggage again.  I offered her some clothes, but we both knew there was no way in hell they would do her any good.

 

Around 11am or so I was dropped off with my host family, the Marin´s.  The family consists of the mother - Sara, father – Oscar, and daughter – Katherine (note: all name spellings are guesses).  All I can say about them is… thank the lord.  They are the most amazing, incredible family anyone could ever be placed with.  Within seconds of being introduced, Sara gave me a big hug and told me that I will be her son for the next few weeks.  I have never felt more welcomed in my life.  She told me when I call or write home that I must send lots of hugs and kisses from her family to mine and to assure my family that I am in good hands.  She and Katherine speak just about zero English, but are amazingly patient and incredible at explaining things in simpler terms when necessary.  We were conversing freely over some hot coca tea (helps with the acclimation process – Cuzco is at around 10,000ft) in no time.

 

After an amazing lunch of chicken, rice, and some raddish-potato dish, I walked with Oscar through Cuzco.  He owns a tourism agency right in the heart of the city and, after showing me some sights and where my Spanish school is, pointed me in the direction of a good internet cafe.  Which gets me to now.  And, althought there are many other details I left out, I have to get going as I am meeting Oscar back at his office in 5 minutes to head back home.

 

I miss you all and hope everyone is well.  Please keep in touch.

 

Scott

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