Peru: Spanish Intensive and Cultural Immersion

The end of a fantastic trip.  Very sad, though I look forward to my education classes that start… ah! Monday!First of all, I would like to thank the people of Peru for their hospitality, and for never robbing, or trying to rob me.  I had virtually no, none, zilch, nada problems with regard to personal safety or the safety of my belongings.  My Lonely Planet guidebook initially had me distrusting everything, but their warnings were overstated, and I learned that pretty fast.I would like to thank everyone involved at Fairplay in Cuzco, especially John, Nayut, and Carmen.  I would like to thank Lake Titikaka for being so enchanting, and thank God for waiting to dump rain on Peru until after I left Machu Picchu.  I really did get lucky.And now, in these final moments before I rush back to my hostel where my bag is being stored, grab one more quick shower and head to the airport, where are my thoughts concerning all that has just transpired(question mark)I am grateful.  It is absurd that my college is intelligent enough to award credit for such an academic adventure.  Every traveler that I told my circumstances to was in awe that I get the opportunity to go to college at such a unique place.  Thank you Prescott College.Peru differs from India and Nepal in that it feels much less exotic, and the culture seems closer to the United States than in Asia.  I could live in Peru, and judging by what Ive heard about the need for English teachers, I just might at some point.I am invigorated to go back home, and complete my teaching degree.  My Spanish has improved a lot, and I will continue my attempt to grasp the language once I return to the US.Thank you to everyone who followed along on the blog, I apologize for the lack of entries for the week or so that I was on the beach.  This is a big, beautiful world we live in, and I feel blessed for the opportunity to meander about it.Cheers.Salud.

 Sadly… spanish classes in Peru have come to an end, after 56 hours of instruction.  Pictured at left is Carmen, my Practica teacher, who led me around the city and helped me run errands when I needed a fluent speaker by my side.  On the right side is Nayut, my classroom teacher, who painstakingly ran me through the schools Basico I,II and Intermedio I program in three weeks.  It was difficult to say goodbye, after seeing them nearly on a daily basis for almost my entire time in Peru.

Before class I ran to the artesan market and hunted for gifts for my profesoras.  With the first money I´d given her, Nayut had bought earrings she thought were silver, only to find out that they were an incredibly cheap knock off after a few days wearing them.  I found her new earrings.  I bought Carmen a very nice white scarf, which may or may not be made from Alpaca.  While the two presents were being wrapped, I saw how uneven the sizes of the two presents were, and was sure that I would be interrogated if one present was larger than the other.  Quickly, as I was already late for my last day of class, I bought some knitted gloves for Nayut and threw them in with her earrings.  The wrapped presents were nearly identical in size.

They appreciated their presents, and we had heartfelt goodbyes throughout the morning.  As our last mission, Carmen and I went to a photo shop and printed two copies of the picture above.  One for Carmen, and one for Nayut.

I shall say goodbye to my host family over drinks tonight, and then head to the Plaza de Armas for my last look at the main square of the city.  I leave for Northern Peru tomorrow morning.  Until then, cheers!

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