Day 29- Cuzco

Today was overall really fun and successful. During our first two hours of classes, we listened to a Spanish audio of Phantom of the Opera (minus the singing). After every few minutes, we each took turns summarizing what we had just heard.

During our history or culture portion (not sure what to call it anymore...), we walked to a somewhat nearby cemetery. Do I even need to mention that we passed another parade on the way there?

The cemeteries here are very different than in the States. Almost all of the tombs are above ground, stacked in rows and with glass displays in front. The displays contain the names of each person, personal items that demonstrate things they love (we saw plenty of cervezas), and lots of flowers. Bottles of water often sat next to the flowers to keep them hydrated. The loved ones' families have to pay an annual fee (usually between 200-300 soles) for the cemetery, and the top rows are the most expensive and most secure.

"I'm not dead; I'm sleeping. I will die when you don't come to see me."

Here, as in many countries besides the US, death is not mourned; rather, the loved ones' lives are celebrated. Peruvians believe that the deceased are with them everyday. They also visit them often, sometimes as frequently as every week.

By the time we took a cab back to the school, it was time for lunch. I used my computer for a few minutes, letting other people make plans since I had every intention of exploring a bit more on my own. I walked a little beyond the Plaza de Armas, in search of a restaurant where I could spend no more than 12 soles and get soup and an entree. Once I found a place that offered 5 different set menus, each for 9 soles, I was ready to eat.

The restaurant was very full, with a really long table full of children whom I'm guessing were on a field trip. The only available seat was at the same table as another man. My waiter asked me if I minded sitting there; I told him as long as the other man didn't mind, I didn't either.

I ordered the set menu #5, which included huevo a la rusa (basically a Peruvian version of potato salad that is really good), mushroom soup, spaghetti and tea or a soda. About halfway through my soup, the man sitting across from me asked if I spoke Spanish. I always tell people "un poco" 1. because I don't want to get their hopes up and 2. I have my bad days and my good days (my bad days are usually when I'm tired or just need a mental break from Spanish). We started speaking and he soon told me I spoke very well.

Ángel is from Mexico but is spending a year in Peru. We discussed my school and my studies both in the states and here. We shared our travel experiences and talked about the drug war in Mexico and terrorism in Peru. Basically, we just talked a lot and I was able to understand almost everything. It was really fun; to me, some of the most valuable experiences here are when I just talk to hispanohablantes. Since I'm here to learn the language, I benefit the most with one-on-one conversations. It was nice to hear that my Spanish skills are up-to-par. I also enjoy having some time to explore by myself and choose my own restaurants, activities, etc. At the end of our meal, he offered to pay for me. I told him he didn't have to do that, but he insisted. What a sweet gesture.

We parted ways and I found another Yajúú, the juice bar I went to yesterday, which is apparently a chain and has a location right in the Plaza. I got an amazing pineapple and orange juice to go, then walked to the school where I'd left my things so that I could work a bit more.
After getting some work done, I ran into Rachel and Karlayne at the school. We decided to go to McDonald's since they got better wifi there. I didn't bring my laptop and instead just hung out and relaxed. Once it was almost time for our 6:45 class, we walked back to the school and waited for everyone else to show up.