I'm sure I speak english!

In the year before leaving home, I was asked 3 times where I was from because I sounded American, here I have been asked if I am English and South African....

I've always thought that I don't have a 'typical' NZ accent, or if I do its certainly not a thick one.  So I find it quite odd when living in a house of Americans, Canadians, Germans an Australian (and one other Kiwi) that  I occasionally have to get translated!! what's with that??

At the project they are taught things that I don't recall learning at school, in English we were taught Shakespeare and poetry etc, not past perfect particable.... So occasionaly I get stuck on which sentence is past perfect ect. To be fair I'm not the only volunteer thats been confused. 

Funny story - one of the guys I tutor was stuck on pronouncing 'Romantic' we broke it down and went over and over it. But by the time he got it he was totally saying it with a Kiwi accent- not my intention!

This weekend I went with some other house members to Ollyntambo a ruins town in the Sacred Valley, we took a taxi (which was actually very new) there which only took an hour and a bit. However on the way back we had to take the bus which was not nearly as comfortable and much slower. So the hour there turned into 2 hours plus return trip. But it was still worth it.

Tomorrow I start with a tandem language exchange. So that should be good, it will force me to work on my Spanish. When  I got out my books today I found that I had left me dictionary at the project. I hope its there when I get there soon!!! 

The real Cusco...

So this week didn't quite pan out how I had thought....

Long story short I didn't sign up for a tandem language exchange, and due to having no Spanish classes this week I decided to have a laid back week. Which was actually GREAT! It felt like the first time in a while that I could just hang out, (holidays are a different kind of 'hanging out' as there are still things to be done, cooking, places to go etc) I didn't have to worry about cooking or cleaning or doing dish's. Its been awsome.

However I haven't just been sitting around watching DVD's....well I have watched a few. On Wend I went (with some other people from the house) walking around town and into the suburban hills of Cuzco. It was great we got some awsome views of the city.   As well as visiting one of the Cathedrals which was really quite spectacular. Yesterday there were plans to go white water rafting but due to weather it didn't go happen. And today we went out to one of the  ruins in the outskirts of the city. Those Incas had some pretty amazing skills when it came to stone masonry. We also visited a town that is famous for bread. And I can see why. It really does have nice bread! And for about $2.70 I brought a wheel of bread that is literaly about as big as a steering wheel.   Crispy on the out side, sweet and kind on aniseedy on the inside.

So it occured to me that while I've been writing a lot about my adventures. I don't think I've really said much about Cusco itself. My initial impression of a city either half constructed or half deconstructed still stands. There are lots and lots of stray dogs running around the city. Some are more scared of humans, some bark worse than they bite, but the rest actually want to bite! And considering I didn't get a rabies shot, I try and avoid all dogs at all cost! 

The town square (Plasa de Armos?) is very safe even at night. It may be because of the strong security presence though. We have a few security guards that roam the neighbourhood as well I'm not sure what would happen it the event of needing help though. Im pretty sure the two largest forms of employment here is security and taxi drivers. There's thousands of them, and they all drive cars that were built in Korea for use in factories only. They are similar to a Dihatsu Chirade, small boxy and no suspension, which you really notice on these streets that are half ruined or half constructed. Occasionaly  a nice car comes along, usually its a new/ newish Hilux that is part of a security company or police.

The polution is really thick here, so bad you can taste it. When walking around town I often have a burning sensation in my nose (which I hope is from pollution). 

Before coming here I was warned about the street kids pick pocketing. Well I'm glad to say that no such thing has happened (Yet!) There defenatly arn't bunch's of kids trying to rip off the gringos. But I'm still cautious.  However 'gringo tax' is prolific - where gringos are charged more than a Peruvain would be, my spanish teacher taught me how to say 'Please, my father is Peruvian'. It hasn't worked yet... but I'll keep trying.

There are plenty of homeless people who literally live on the street or where ever you might go to spend money resturaunts ect. I find it a constant battle every time I pass someone  who has their hat out. On one side I struggle with the fact that I will go home to a warm house, dinner on the table and clean cloths and money in the bank/ pocket. But on the other hand, I cant save the world and I certainly cant help every one that has their hand out. 

Well I better get ready to go to my project. Have a good 1 

The Highs and Lows of Cucso

So on Thursday I and another house member went for a walk up to one of the hills behind the house. It was a fair walk and still quite hard given the altitude. I think that at the top we were either higher than or very close to being higher than the highest mountain in NZ!. Once we got to the top there was  a great view of Cusco (see profile pic), it was good to put things into perspective and see how the city is put together. It helped me to understand why I get woken every morning by what I now know are planes given that the airport is so close!!

So that was the up, now for the down... I came down with some form of sickness. It was not pleasant at all. I'm told its an 'initiation' to Cusco. However I can think of many more enjoyable initiations. Thankfully it passed relatively quickly, someone else had something for 4 days!! So by last night I was 95% which was good as we had our international party at the language school. Which was a bit of fun.

Today I went out to Pisac market which was about 45 mins outside the city. It was nice to get out into the country and get a taste of the more local/real Peru. Well at least away from the heavy pollution! 

So now I head into another week, a more settled week. At this stage I only have night project. But I will sign up for a tandem language exchange, where I meet up with a Peruvain who's learning English and we help each other learn the opposite language.  

Have a great week

Its a Peruvain life for me

So its now about midday on Thursday.
And I have to admit that after a few days here I am in a much better place (mentally/ emotionally) than i was last time I updated.

Now that I am familiar with the area (well more familiar) and know a few people things are going well. After orientation on Monday I went to my project that night. At first I wasn't that happy with it as we had about 5 volunteers to about 10 students and we start at 6pm and finiah at 9pm. And considering that the class is all much older than me its not quite what I expected. On the first day our role was to assist the students with learning. They pay a small fee which goes towards the ´kids shelter´where the classes are held. The shelter is for street kids from 6 or 7 to maybe late teens. Where they pay half a sole per night to sleep on the floor (which I think is about NZ$0.25)
But the last 2 nights we have been doing tutoring which has been alot more interesting. So its more 1 on 1, and so far the students have been reading from a provided book and I help with pronounciation which in some words when they dont have the same sounds is very hard for them. But probably no different for an English speaker trying to pronounce Spanish words.
So far I have been walking to school for Spanish class and then home (20 mins each way) and then home to project (40 mins) however due to the darkness I take a taxi home at night for about NZ$1.50. So its pretty good.
At first I wanted to change the project as it wasnt quite what I had in mind and was a little inconvienient, given that at the house dinner is served at 7. But after consideration I decided that an attitude like that was probably a little selfish. And now have the previous nights dinner before going to project. Now I am considering doing a second project in the after noon. But I will see how my days are next week when I have no more spanish class's.

The house- man sometimes I feel guilty I wake up and breakfast is on the table, a chef cooks me eggs. And I have a bowl of fruit. The house keeper makes my bed, even though I make it she always remakes it!! At one point I tryed to ask her not to worry, but with her limited English and my limited Spanish, I couldn't get my point across. So just left it.
After class i come home to a waiting lunch, and like yesterday watched T.V in the afternoon while the chef cooked dinner!! - but to be fair, I have paid a lot of money to be here when you consider local rates. However on consideration I dont think I´d want to live with a local family.
Its really cool in the 'family house' to have other volunters to hang out with or just talk to in English!

So I think its time for me to walk home to my waiting lunch!!!

Hope your all well

WHY DIDN"T SOMEONE TALK ME OUT OF THIS AHHHH!!!

Well at least that was what I was thinking as we came in to land!.....

Flying over Cusco was very beautiful most what you might expect from Tuscany or something. But a lot more hills and mountains!  As we came into land it was a completely different story. My first impression was a city of either heavy deconstruction or reconstruction. Buildings looked half finished roads were either being  rebuilt or  never built in the 1st place piles of rubbel everywhere and mangie dogs all over the show.

You know how sometimes you get 'butterflies', man I had like Eagles flying around as we came in to land. I had no idea where I was heading, I didn't have an address or a contact. (I didn't get a chance to print it before I left) I didn't even know if any one was going to pick me up!! So by the time we landed I was very tired and 'frasseled' maybe to say the least. 

After getting my bag my tension went through the roof when there was no one to meet me. And wether it was related or just the altitude but my heart was beating pretty fast. So after a few minutes of probably looking like a possum caught in the head lights. I asked someone in the best Spanish I could muster and was told to go out side.

When I saw a guy with my name it was like a mountain lifted off my shoulders. So we jumped in a cab which was pretty rustic and probably wouldnt get a NZ W.O.F. Its probably like a Diahatsu Chirade. 

As we drove through the streets to the language center i was in a constant roller coaster of "What have I done" and "this wont be soo bad". 

So we made it to the language center where I was overwhelmed with names and information, and as we traveled through town I was on another rollercoaster. For some reason we went through the longest way and every turn I was stoked with the hice houses, we'd turn a corner and hit rough houses and i'd freak again. That happened like 5 times.

Once we got to the house  I had breakfast and pretty much fell straight asleep for a few hours. 

So once i was rested and met a few other people at the house. Things looked alot brighter.

On my first day, I pretty much rested all day just adjusted and now i'm so glad I came here early to adjust. Yesterday we went to a few markets and to day we saw a local soccer game and the town center. But I was still pretty washed out and a mild headace from adjusting to the altitude.

So now I feel much happier and comfortable with where I am. And tomorrow I have orientation day.....

Hope your all well.

WHAT AM I DOING!!

So I'm now in Lima (I actually have been on the last 2 blogs - i just broke them up for eaiser reading) But I landed at like 12 (local time) and leave at like 5. its 3 now although I think my body says its 12 (L.A time). Its all very confusing especially when I tryed to work out the NZ time.

The flight was fine. Except the attendants didn't like to speak english very much and had a lot of attitude. Once I got to Aneheim and realised how many Spanish there were I thought I should have practiced more. Its funny how they would almost look down on you for not speaking Spanish. HOLA TURISTA TOWN!!
So it was only when I started seeing the lights of Lima that I started freaking out (slightly) I was like 'what am I doing!!??' I dont speak spanish and I dont even know if ill be picked up in Cusco. Which reminds me I should probably find the contact for them....
Once cleared through customs (for a moment I thought I was going to get bounced for not having some information, turns out they are pretty laid back and I was over reacting) I had somthing to eat and calmed down. Now I feel a little more confident about the next leg of the journey..... i just have to stay awake for another 2 or 3 hours....

update soon.

hope your well

L .A

Man, what a big city.
I kind of agree that Disney land could quite possibly be 'the happyest place in the world' or maybe I've just been brainwashed by hearing it a thousand times a day at Disney.

After getting to the hotel, the room wasn't ready so i went to try and find lunch. I found Subway (eat fresh..) but never again in the U.S it was Gaustly (as Mr S Turner would say). And soon enough went to DISNEY!!! what a cool place. Because Sunday was busier i just walked around and took a few photos. I dedcided to wait untill monday to do the rides when the lines would be smaller. It was a good plan. Although I got there later than I would have liked on Monday i went to as many rides as i could. However I thought that it would close at 12 like the previous night so planned my day around that. But it actually closed at 10! talk about being ripped off. I didn't get to go on the ' Small world ride' it will have to be next time. But it turns out being a 'solo rider' has its advantages. On the Indiana Jones ride I went from the gate straight to the front of the line and onto the next ride. passing people that had probably been waiting for half an hour.

Tuesday was Universal. now thats an interesting place, its funny how things look in real life compared to film.

Wensday was a city tour which was soo cool to see a few movie places. Like the hotel that Arnie rides his horse down the elevator in True Lies. Or go to Hollywood. Which I thought was a little disapointing. quite run down. the only nice bit was where they have the Oscars. Rodeo drive = avarage. theres a few empty shops which makes it too look pretty run down. Saw Johnny Depps house which was cool. And Santa Monica Beach- wow thats a beach, for those playing at home you may recognize it from Baywatch. I even did a little life guarding there with tips from the 'Hoff' (via baywatch)

And today has been prety much traveling to Peru.

Leaving home

So I'd like to thank mum for the party, Laurna for the help and everyone for coming. Although i initially didn't want one. Now i'm glad I did.

Sunday turned out to be pretty busy, but we got to the airportin the end. And obviously i made the flight! Thanks to all those that came to the airport it was great to have soo many great friends to see me off. I really thought there'd be more tears mainly from me though....

The flight to L.A was nothing special I did have a few panic/ anxioty 'attaks' where i was freakin out thinking 'what have i done' but once i landed and was at the hotel all was well.

Before leaving people kept asking ' Are you excited to be going?' and to be honest for the most part I really wasn't. More nervous about losing something (like a passport) or getting lost. But i think thats just the throws of travel.

What I am expecting though is:
To have my boundaries/comfort zone pushed
To have some very different experiances
meet all sort of interesting people
to have a lot of fun!

The Day Before

So its Saturday (7Th March) morning, I have just started this. And need to get on and finish packing!!

No time to blog now!