June 14, 2012: Two Days In

For the past couple of nights I've had to stay in the city at People of Peru's headquarters because there is a lot of flood damage at the orphanage so there is no room for me. But it's been nice here at the headquarters because I'm with people who speak English and I am still able to talk to my parents and friends, which has been a good way to SLOWLY accumulate myself to this culture that is so different from what I've lived in for the past 22 years. Peru is one of the poorest countries in the world and it shows in almost every way possible. Just my first two days have been an experience. From walking through Belen, the poorest part of the city, to just the different language. This is definitely something that will take awhile to get used to. For one, I'm going to have to get used to taking cold showers as my new norm. Sometimes it's nice because it is so hot here but every now and then a warm shower would be nice. Did I mention that it's hot here? Because it is, and the acronym AC does not stand for air conditioning here. It feels like its 100 degrees and its supposed to be winter. I can't imagine what it's going to be like come November when it's actually summer. It's also a little hard to believe that I will ever get used to the smell here. I don't know what it is but it's pretty distinctive and it's everywhere, not just in the air. My clothes already smell like it and it's only been two days. Also, the language barrier is more overwhelming that I originally thought it would be. It's almost like moving to a new middle school in a small town where you don't know anyone and everyone else grew up together. Oh wait, I've done that too but this is worse because you still don't speak the same language as them. So half the time, you're starring at them, smiling like a doofus cause they're talking and laughing but you have no idea what they're saying or what is so funny. This adjustment is going to be a tough one and right now there's little confidence in myself. However, eventually it'll get better (hopefully).