I’ve been here 48 hours, and I think Peru is starting to feel like home. It’s amazing how quickly we can adjust and learn the new routines and structures which make a person feel safe and at home. And, it’s also easy to forget how many things which seem so normal and commonplace in our culture may be different elsewhere. So, here’s my list of things I’ve had to figure out to adjust to my life here.

1. The first day as I went to shower (which I can happily report that I do have hot water which is a luxury in many parts of Peru), I locked myself out of my bedroom. As it common in many poor countries, every door locks behind you for safety sake. It was a bit of an embarrassment having to go find the program director to then go find the maintenance man to open my bedroom door as I am dripping wet from my shower. But, I guess it could have been worse had it been in the middle of the night- not sure what I would have done then!

2. As one might guess, punctuality is a strange concept here that I still don’t have figured out. More specifically, the first day I was told to be ready to go to the school at 2:40 (as we all take the taxi to school together) as the afternoon session started at 3:00. As of 3:05, we had yet to leave so school just didn’t start that day until 3:30 and ran 30 minutes late and no one was phased by this. However, meals (which we eat as a group) are often 5 minutes early. Very confusing as I’m not sure when to be on time and when to be late!

3. I love doing laundry here as I don’t have to! The laundry man comes each day at 7:00 to see if you have any laundry that needs to be washed. You put it in a bag, and it magically comes back clean and folded the next day all for about $1 / kilogram (yes- I’m having to learn the metric system here) which averages about $2-3 for a week’s worth of clothes. It’s a luxury that I will definitely enjoy while here!

4. We also have a cook who makes us lunch and dinner. Again, a luxury which I completely enjoy after many years of being the main cook in my home. Almost every meal comes with rice and potatoes and the cook (who also serves us) must think that everyone needs a lot of food as portions are significantly larger than at home (very surprising!). I feel bad not eating everything as I know how precious food is here, but even when I ask for less, her definition of less is still more than I can eat.

4. I went exploring today to find the supermarket and found the local McDonald’s on my way. (Of course- doesn’t every city have a McDonald’s and a Starbucks- though I have yet to find a Starbucks here.). However, what made this McDonald’s unique is that is only sold ice cream- no burgers and fries here- and it’s cheap! So, when I have the craving for home, I think a $1.00 McFlurry may be in my future!

5. Finally, as is common in many cities with Spanish influence, the city is built around a plaza. Our neighborhood’s plaza is about 2 blocks from my house, so I went to see it around 4:00 today. What I great place as it truly is the place where the community gathers! People were reading the newspaper and chatting while the kids were playing. There also were food stands, and people walking around with their carts selling food. It just had a feeling of camaraderie. And, as many of you know, I do try to walk 5 miles / day. It’s hard here as the roads are very narrow and dusty. Well, I think I found my walking place as the plaza is clean with a nice sidewalk around it, so I could go around and around until I got my 5 miles. (Now, I do wonder if the local people were commenting on the strange American lady who kept walking in circles around the plaza but hey- I was enjoying myself!)

So, needless to say, I am adjusting quite well to life in Peru. I am fortunate that my fellow volunteers are very nice people and that has made this experience so much easier. It reminds me that it really is the people in one’s life- not the things around you- that matter. We can adjust to our life circumstances if we are surrounded by good people. So far, I am lucky to have good people around me here.

Tomorrow- all about the school and kids which really are the highlight of my day!