Horse Race, the Cinema, and Monopolio!

Wow, I have never been to a real live horse race before (the Kentucky Derby type), but while reading the newspaper some friends and I saw an advertisement for a big one and decided to give the opening of the new facility here in Arequipa a shot and go bet on some horses! It was a beautiful new track and stands and especially since it was opening day that crowd and emotion was awesome! It sucked cause they weren't open to take bets, but in the end it was probably better, cause I would have only won on one race! hahaha!
Then later that night, Luis asked me if I would like to brave the crowds and attempt a movie in Spanish at the theater! This is a big deal because there is all of ONE movie theater in all of Arequipa (one million people), and sat. and sun. it is a zoo! However, I was thrilled to be asked because I've been wanted to go see a movie here since I arrived! Now, let's just say it was hilarious because three out of the five movies being shown were in English with Spanish subtitles (the others were dubbed), two were sold out, one was a children's cartoon, another horror, leaving our only real option a comedy called "Death at a Funeral." HAHAHAHA! It got even funnier when the movie started (the theater competely FULL... every seat), and it was a British movie with Spanish subtitles. There were two English speaking guys (probably from US) somewhere behind us, who just groaned and said, "Really, it's British? MAN!" It ended up being pretty funny and Luis even enjoyed it despite having to read subtitles the whole time!
I got invited to my first family game of Monopoly yesterday and I WON! Luis and his brothers were so mad... kept saying... "I just don't understand how she won... with only one monopoly and the railroads..." Haha! After two hours I took over the world! So fun! I was a little worried about playing a game completely in Spanish... wasn't sure if I could keep up with everything, but in the end it was perfectly fine and did I mention, I WON?! woo hoo!
Now it's time to think about work again... starting my third month at the institute... can't believe it's December! Yikes!
Kate