Hola! Thanks everyone for the comments. It’s great to know that I’m not simply sending random text across the internet to to a non-existant audience.
Yesterday afternoon, another student arrived who will also be staying with my family. Her name is Stephanie and she’s from San Fran, California. It’s nice to have someone else English-speaking to confer with for certain translations. Last night we had a city tour organized by Amauta, our Spanish school. The city of Cuzco is really beautiful and full of incredibly ancient history and architecture. Many of the walls were constructed by the Incas themselves.
After the tour, we headed back for a light dinner and got to bed pretty early since we had an early morning coming today. This morning at 8am I had my placement exam/interview at the school which helps to determine your current level of Spanish in order to place you in an appropriate class. There are about 10 new students starting school this week with me. They hail from France, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, and the USA from what I have heard. All are friendly and interesting to talk with. I got placed in a class with 4 other people, one of which is Stephanie, my housemate. Should make things more convenient since we will likely be traveling to/from the school together.
The school itself is very nice. It has a beautiful roof-top terrace that looks over the city and surrounding mountains. There is also a dorm here if you choose to live here instead of a homestay, as well as free internet which is what I am making use of now. I have pictures that I wanted to upload, but considering these machines are a bit outdated and don’t have USB ports, I’ll have to hold off and do that at an internet cafe somewhere.
Okay, time to head ‘home’ for almuerzo. Then it’s back to the school for my first class at 2:30.
Hasta luego.
Hi,
Glad to hear things seem to be going smoothly for you – that must be a relief. Have fun and be safe!
xoxo,
Heather
By: Heather on March 23, 2009
at 4:34 pm
Scotty –
We are happy to hear all is going well.
The girls miss you, I do not, but the girls do…
Be safe!
Johnny
By: Johnny on March 24, 2009
at 6:42 pm
Glad to hear things are going well! Do me a favor and tell everybody you meet not to cross into the US via Laredo. I will be standing at the border like Dalton (Patrick Swayze) in Roadhouse.
By the way, what exactly are you doing in Peru again?
By: Mike on March 24, 2009
at 8:50 pm
Hey dude,
Roadhouse = one of the most underrated movies ever
To answer your question, I´m taking 3 weeks of Spanish classes in Cusco and then volunteering in a smaller rural town, Urubamba, for 3 months working on a public health project.
I´ll be sure to tell all the drug-smugglers I meet that you´re a friendly agent and that Loredo is their best bet at getting through unscathed. Hope your 3 months there fly by!
Take care,
Scott
By: scottwood83 on March 25, 2009
at 1:46 pm
What is this I hear about you teaching a sex ed class? (BTW, I figured out how to add a comment).
xoxo
Meg
By: Meg on March 25, 2009
at 8:18 pm
Yup. From what I know, the majority of my work will be focused on implementing reproductive health education programs into the schools, and similar programs elsewhere, in Urubamba. I suppose you could abbreviate that by saying ¨I´m teaching sex-ed¨.
By: scottwood83 on March 28, 2009
at 6:59 pm
scott –
i just added your blog to my favorites. when do you go to machu pichu?!!!!! are you reminiscing about mr. santoro and snrta. madrigal??
By: Amanda on March 26, 2009
at 12:33 am
haha, oh Spanish teachers of our past… I´m pretty sure I´ve learned more in this past week than I did in all my years of Spanish classes in Medfield. I won´t be going to Machu Pichu until July when Meg, KJ, Mcka, and whoever else (you?) come out. I´ve been looking everywhere for Snrta. Madrigal, but to no avail.
By: scottwood83 on March 28, 2009
at 7:02 pm
Haha!! Is your program going to be called, “La Vida de la Familia”? Remember…Family Life at St. Edwards?!?! You’re gonna be like that lady! Or is it more like a Mr. Faroba/Ms. Fahey approach?? Make sure to pull your gym shorts up way high. (Remember Farobics??)
I’m glad you’re doing well! Miss you!
And, p.s., they can definately get through in Laredo….softy Dalton will definately cave!!
By: Lindsey on March 29, 2009
at 10:29 am
haha… hmm… I don´t remember this ´family life´you speak of, but I certainly remember Farobics. Epic.
By: scottwood83 on April 2, 2009
at 5:21 pm
Everytime someone says “Mr. Santoro”, all I can think of is him demonstrating “montar a caballo” on a stool in front of the whole class…
OK, I’m going to go disinfect my mental eyeball now….yuck
By: Heather on March 31, 2009
at 10:58 am
Hey Scott! I’m glad to hear things are going well. Your host family sounds like a real blessing. Are you trying to immerse yourself in Spanish or do you cheat to have some chats in English with Stephanie?
You’re missed back here dude. I think Jess needs to be a member of a “3 amigos” band, because now she’s with Julie and Kerri! Annnnd she’s going to yell at me if she ever sees this…
I hope your experiences there continue to be fruitful and rewarding to the utmost degree. I will be checking back often!
Peace,
Nathan
By: Nathan on April 1, 2009
at 12:37 pm
Well doesn’t look like any of my comments make it to the site…anyways no update in over a week? Nothing going on down there or are you hitting the books?
By: KJ on April 1, 2009
at 8:26 pm
I just wanted you to know that every effort is being made to save your precious plant (see picture).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/buerstat/tehplantshalllive.jpg
By: Nathan on April 2, 2009
at 8:58 am
hahaha, Henry! Wow, you got him a pot and soil??? You´re on the right track. That´s the healthiest he´s looked…. ever. Thanks dude.
By: scottwood83 on April 2, 2009
at 5:20 pm