Hola,
The day started off slowly. I woke up to the beating sound of a knock on my hotel room door to indicate that it was time to wake up and get some breakfast if I could. However, I chose to rest for a little while longer and check to make sure I had packed everything a couple times over. Unfortunately, I did not pack my pelican bone that I found on the beach in Paracas out of fear that I would be questioned about it at the airport on our way to Cusco. So I left that behind, but nothing else as I packed up, loaded it into the van, and went on my way to the airport.
Upon arrival, we unloaded everything and went to check at the counter for our boarding passes. When we got those and made our way to the security station, where we made sure to have our passports ready and have everything we needed out of our carry-ons out and ready to put through the scanner. I, though, forgot that I still had my belt on as well as many other items in my pockets, but the nice lady at security kindly reminded me to take off my belt and empty my pockets.
Our flight did not have a gate assigned to it by the time we all had made it through security so our brave leader, Professor Jacqueline, asked someone and we eventually made our way to Gate 10. Now, we were traveling on Peruvian Airlines, who is apparently notorious for delayed flights and they held true to their name. It was only a 30 minute delay so it wasn't very long, and in the meantime, Angie played the ukelele for us on the floor of the airport.
As the plane landed in Cusco, I was just amazed at what I was seeing. It was so beautiful! The mountains surround the city and make it feel nice and secluded, and the buildings here are just magnificent. After we met up with the ProWorld people, I helped lift everyone's suitcases up a ladder to a man who was placing them all on top of the van. With the amount of heavy bags I had to lift (with some help on the very heavy ones I should add) coupled with the very thin air that is here, I grew tired pretty quickly. However, not too long after, we arrived at our hotel and ate at a very cute and delicious restaurant (I had the shrimp soup and fired chicken with french fries and chica morada). When we all had finished eating a few of us decided to go to a little market close to the hotel to see what they had. I ended up buying a really soft, warm jacket made with llama fur.
Around 4 PM, we had our orientation of the basic do-and-don'ts of the city as well as safety and health information. We also received our peruvian cell phones which are pretty basic, but they get the job done. Then, at 6:30 PM, soon after I called both Amy and my mom, I was picked up by my host father. He is a very sweet man and I was able to meet his wife and son pretty soon afterwards. We all sat down for dinner, chicken and rice, and then I was asked by my host mother, Ruth, if I would like to go dancing with them later that evening. Being very tired and having a small headache from the altitude, I went ahead and said that I would go with her. How many chances will I get to go to an authentic, non tourist, discoteca with the people that know them the best? After much time passed, Ruth got me and we got in the taxi and went to "Caos" on la Avenida del Sol. As soon as you walk in, the stairs go over a giant fish tank and so I was pretty impressed. We met with some of Ruth's friends and danced together. One of the ladies taught me how to salsa dance and we all had a great time dancing, singing, and being Peruvian. However, being tired and then not going to bed until around 2 AM do not get along.
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