Weekly Report Dec 10-19

Monday December 10

Mike's birthday! Called in the evening to wish him a good one. Volunteered at a different hospital today. Went pretty smoothly. Today was apparantly a slow day, but it was still
alright. It was nicer than the other hospital because there were kids there to play with and costed me twenty US cents to get there... as opposed to the two US dollars that it takes me to get to the other hospital. Went to the Plaza with another exchange student to do a little shopping but didn't end up getting much. Overall good day I guess.

Tuesday December 11

Went to class today. I decided that I want to finish at the University with my friends and then continue with volunteering. It is only this week and maybe a day or two the next so I won't miss much volunteering. Went to class and gym. Pretty boring day.

Wednesday December 12

Thought that I had class today. Went to a friends house where we always meet then head to class, but when I sat at the table her parents said that she was still sleeping and that she didn't have class today. She ended up being awake and came out to tell me that she had forgotten to tell me. I ended up staying there for a while and helping set up their (fake) Christmas tree. While we were setting up the tree I was invited to stay for lunch. It was still early and my friend had to study for her exam that was the next day so I went to the gym for a couple
of hours. After I ate with them and talked for a bit then went home. I didn't sleep well last night and my cough came back to I'm not feeling to great today. I really hope that I get better before the weekend though because Lizzie comes Friday and Saturday we made plans to go out with a bunch of friends. Went to the mall for a bit with a friend. Planning on going to bed relatively early tonight, feeling pretty tired.

Thursday December 13

Class. Gym.

Friday December 14

Lizzie arrived today. Didn't get to talk to her but we had already made plans for Saturday so it's all good. Nothing else... Normal day.

Saturday December 15

Found out today that I would be going to Tacna, a city even further south than Arequipa, and for a day that I might even go to Chile. Sounds very cool can't wait. Went and say Lizzie today. It was really nice to see her again. I went over to her house and hung out for a bit and met some of her family. A little while later her boyfriend came, we all ate a bit, and left for a party with some friends. After that we went to a club in the center until around two o'clock in the morning. Went to bed not looking forward to waking up at five the next day.

Sunday December 16

To Tacna we go! Left at six in the morning hoping to arrive in Tacna within five hours. We arrived and found our hotel then headed out to see a bit of Tacna. Went for ice cream that was pretty amazing I must say. The reason that we went to Tacna in the first place is because there was a soccer game that was for the I believe the National title. We were rooting for Bolognesi and the competition was Melgar. It was a pretty exciting game that ended in a 2-0 win for Bolognesi. Before the game I had gotten to meet and shake hands with the goalie of Bolognesi, that was pretty cool. After the game we went to the hotel then back out again for some festivities. Went to bed relatively early.

Monday December 17

To Chile we go! We were headed to the city of Arica, Arica the city just across the border where one can find lots of nice cheap contraband, a beauty beach, and where most exchangers who don't go to school and can't get the proper papers go to get their Visa renewed for another three months. We looked around for a bit at the beach and at a few places along the way then headed for shopping. I bought a swim suit because my host mom said that I would want at least two for the beach in February. Went into several other places and then went out to eat at a pizza place. Walked around for a while after that and ended up getting ice cream. Back to Tacna for the night.

Tuesday December 18

First we went to a couple of markets that are always really cheap and have decent stuff. The only things that I was looking for were sunglasses and plain white shirts, but unfortunately I didn't find anything. Back to the house, and then to the beach! We went to a place called Boca del Rio, the Mouth of the River. The little town was completely deserted. We and a couple of other people were the only ones on the beach. There were lots of rocks where we were so the water has lots of yellowish foam on top but it was still nice be at the beach. There for a couple of hours, out to eat, then headed to Ilo to find a place to sleep. We didn't end up finding anywhere there in Ilo to sleep so we headed out to Moquegua. There we found a hotel and relaxed for the night.

Wednesday December 19

Left very early this morning. My host brother wanted to get to his school as soon as possible because there was something going on. It was a two and a half or three hour drive back to Arequipa. We arrived at nine due to some traffic. Shower, breakfast, and making some plans for today.

It was a pretty boring week until Saturday when I finally got to hang out with Lizzie and I found out that I would be going on vacation with my family for a few days. Now I can say that I have been to Chile too! I still want to go down and visit Giorgio though. Homesickness hasn't been much of a factor at all yet. When I happen to think of family for some reason yes, all of
the memories do come back and it pains a little to know what I am missing back home, but with the weather being so different here my body and mind just don't feel like it is Christmas. And my host parents already gave me my gift, just to make this Christmas just a little weirder. They gave me the equivalent of about 35 dollars, enough to get two pairs of jeans and help with new shoes, all of which I was in dire need of. So this is going to be a very odd Christmas. No party, real family, Xmas food, carols, presents, brunch, all of that stuff I love about Christmas.
Sorry about this report being late. I didn't find out till Saturday that I would be leaving at six in the morning Sunday for vacation. The next one will be short, and then the one after that will include... Christmas. That is so weird to say. Christmas is next week. My body and mind are so screwed up because of the weather here. When I do leave Peru by body will just feel like I've had a very very long summer and now everything is back to normal. I left on the first of September and haven't a clue when I'll get back, but it will be sometime during the summer,
and the weather here is just like summer everyday. So basically, it is just one long summer.
Anywho, I hope that everyone is doing well.

Love,
Jack