Tenemos Tanto Para Estar Agradecidos

Translation: we have much to be thankful for.

This was one of the songs that Cara, Christa and I sang at our Thanksgiving mass last night at Miguel Pro and I found it very appropriate for both the time of year and what I've been feeling my first couple weeks here. The mass (and turkey dinner!) were held in the teacher's lounge at school with maybe 30 people present, and for the homily Fr Fred had us all go around in a circle and say what we were thankful for. I guess that's a pretty typical pre-Thanksgiving dinner tradition, but for whatever reason those moments of sharing in each other's gratitude really touched me, and made me feel so fortunate to be here and a part of this community. Many of the teachers expressed their love for this Miguel Pro family, and I can already tell it's going to be a really wonderful place for me to work. I've hardly been here 2 weeks and so many of these teachers have already taken me under their wings and done so much to make me feel welcome here, from giving me teaching advice to helping me with dance steps to dubbing me with new nicknames (the 3rd grade teacher has taken to calling me Blue Eyes, and sings this song called Ojos Azules whenever she sees me). Apparently they dont see blue eyes very often down here.
My community mates have also been so helpful, showing us around Tacna and explaining all the ins and outs of life here, introducing us to all of their friends and inviting us to various lunch parties and get togethers, and doing all they can to make us feel comfortable and at home. I'm really looking forward to moving into our house next month and finally starting real community life.
And of course living with a host family has been wonderful, always having someone to take care of me and little sisters to hang out with. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my host family, and having them as a constant source of support and friendship throughout my 2 years in Tacna.
So indeed I have much to be thankful for, between all the communities that I just left (but carry with me wherever I go!) and this new very special one that I am just joining. For all of this, and all that is to come, gracias Señor! Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone!!

And now I'll leave you with a few interesting tidbits on Peruvian customs I've learned so far:

1. No bus is ever too full for more passengers, even if they're toting several oversized grocery bags, gas tanks, or multiple small children. Also, there aren't really any bus stops here. You have to flag them down when you want to get on, and yell baja, baja if you want to get off. Always keeps you on your toes.

2. Watch out for cars, they don't stop! And not just the yellow ones either. I've had several near death experiences walking around downtown Tacna because I assumed being in a crosswalk gave me the right of way but apparently they don't teach that rule in drivers ed down here, if they even have drivers ed...

3. Toilet paper cannot be flushed down the toilet, and tap water must be boiled before drinking.

4. When you live in the desert, sometimes the water gets turned off during the day to conserve. That means no showers, no hand-washing, no toilet flushing, and you better have saved up some drinking water from the day before.

5. If you ride in the trunk of the colectivos (like taxis, but they pick up more people until they're full) you only have to pay 50 cents instead of 1 sol!

6. Almost every Peruvian school begins each week with lunes cívico, during which all the students line up outside by grade, some marching happens, and then everyone sings both the school song and the Peruvian national anthem.

7. Simpático means attractive in Peru, not nice...that led to some confusion in a conversation I had last week.

8. The only milk I've seen here has been evaporated which means I don't drink it unless it's mixed with Nescafe...which is the only coffee we have. Hint hint if anyone wants to send me Christmas presents....

9. This was the case in Spain as well, but never show up on time for anything! You'll end up waiting at least half an hour for things to get started.

10. When people invite you over they expect you to eat, and potentially to stay the entire day. This one I really like, as it really shows the value Peruvians place on family, friends, and spending time with the people you love. I can't tell you how many times I've already heard the phrase Sírvete, estás en tu casa (literally: serve yourself, you're at home). We've enjoyed many wonderful meals with many wonderful people over the past 2 weeks, and I know there are many more to come.

Ciao amigos, y cuídense mucho! And hopefully by the time I write next I will have memorized the Peruvian national anthem.