thank you

The week went by with flying colors. Thank you so much for all of the birthday wishes! One thing I have noticed here is that things never go as planned. For my birthday, some friends made plans to take me to this outdoor carnival/fair thing they just opened up...but the weather had other intentions. It was one of the darkest, rainiest, stormiest days since I came here. It was also another day of strikes. So I started off the day with a lovely tranquilo walk to work. Because of the strikes, the girls didn´t have school. Instead we spent the morning watching Bollywood videos that were dubbed in English and had Spanish subtitles. It was a fun cozy time filled with popcorn and blankets. While I was walking to my Spanish class I got a call from my family. We shared ice-cream over the phone (I got some interesting looks as I sat on the curb in the rain laughing and eating my ice-cream soaking wet). Spanish class turned out to be a suprised birthday celebration that my friend and tutor, Vaneza threw for me with her roommates. She lives at a home with five other girls who are in their early twenties. After some tasty treats and a few telenovelas, I went home to find another suprise. Herbert and Gladys were at my door with the most delicious chocolate cake to wish me a happy birthday! The cake was amazing! They left around 9 or so. After some more suprise calls from family back in the states, some snacks from birthday packages, and after winding down to the chill vibes of Nina Simone, I called it a night.

On Thursday, the workers at the Hogar threw a suprise birthday celebration for Hna. Teresa and me. Due to the fact that I didn´t know, I ate as I usually do with the girls at 11:45am. When I was called into a separate dining hall at 1pm for the birthday celebrating, I knew I was in trouble. There was no way I was going to fit another huge lunch and cake into my already full and rumbling stomach. But I am a tanke, so I succeeded. They sat me at the head of the table with the sisters. I pretty much had an oral Spanish test from Hna. Teresa. She drilled me but I think she was overal satisfied with what I have learned since my arrival. I was very excited that one of the workers from Kcauri had come, too. Kcauri is about two hours away. The sisters run a fair trade project there with the women from the area. The women only speak Quechua. Hna. Teresa asked if I would like to go with her to visit Kcauri on her next trip...yipee! I am not sure when that will be, but I am very excited!

Again, thank you so much for all of the birthday wishes and encouragement! I hope you are all doing well and in high spirits! lots of love from cusco!