Whew!!!!!!!!!

First of all... sorry to anyone who has been worried. I´m here in the city of Arequipa safe and sound. I arrived yesterday morning and it´s been nonstop ever since. Let's just say that time here is different... I told everyone yesterday that I really needed to get to the internet to communicate that I arrived safely... it's now 5:30pm the next day and I'm finally here telling you all is well! More than well, actually, my biggest problems are no curtains and too many people trying to "help" me! Not too bad I would say.
My first two days have reminded me greatly of my time in India... if only for the fact that things are overwhelming, people want to protect you, and my apartment is dirty and cold water is the norm! BUT, what a HUGE difference knowing the language makes... SO MUCH!!!!!!!! Now, I am struggling with my Spanish, but to be honest not as much as I thought I would be. It's much easier to understand some people than others, but I just look to those kind people with simple slow Spanish to be my translators. I can't wait to update y´all on all the happenings, but I don't have time right now... I'm headed to El Centro or Plaza de Armas with my new best friends, Arecely and Jaime. They are twenty somethings that live in a apartment attached to the house next door to the school (the rent from the lady who owns my school). They have a one year old baby and have really taken me under their wing! I spent all day yesterday and today with them and they were showing me various parts of the city and pointing out "lugares para turistas, " places for tourists... implying I wouldn't want to go there... cause they were showing me the real Arequipa!
I can't even get started on everything, but I do have to say that they took me to a celebration of the virgin rosa de lima yesterday (it was an all afternoon affair... and as I understood it, was going until about 1am). I saw tons of cultural dancing from different parts of Peru and meet some of Jaime´s family. Oh, and they haven't stopped feeding me since I arrived. I can't say as any of it thus far is my favorite, but I've tried a lot of things and eaten more onions than I probably have in my entire life! :)
I start at the school tomorrow morning... did I mention my "apartment" is part of the school... as in looks like a converted classroom! SO... with no curtains and very large windows (and the sun comes up about 6am) it is necessary, I've found, to rise, shower, and dress before any students arrive... meaning by 7:30! Yikes... I really need to buy curtains! :) I also have no refrigerator or really kitchen appliances - a hotplate and sink, that´s about it! BUT, it seems most people eat out or at least buy already prepared food often anyway, so... and at least it's inexpensive.
Ok, I gotta run! I promise I will write more soon when I get a schedule and life is a little more predictable and I know a few more things!
Love y'all!