Hi there,

I had a lot of things to deal with this summer that I hadn’t considered when I decided to study abroad.

My lease expired on the 15^th of August and with almost 4 weeks before my departure date I had to find a place to live. I have one semester left here in Wisconsin after I get back, so I also had to find a place to stay for that last semester. Luckily for me, one of my friends had just graduated and moved in to a lovely new apartment, and he has offered to put me up until I leave and again after I get back.

I’m also applying to graduate schools for the fall of 2011. That means I have to do all sorts of things for the applications that people normally do in September or October. I registered for the GRE, started asking for letters of recommendation, and began getting all the other paperwork together to submit the applications while I’m in Egypt.

I also have to worry about financial aid. The university doesn’t dispense its aid package until the 9^th, which is the same day we are leaving. I have to leave paperwork with a friend in Madison so that he can deposit my checks for me while I’m away.

Those are the most important things I’ve had to think about. But I’ve also had minor random things to deal with. I needed to get a laptop. I bought a camera, and some new clothes and linens and other supplies.

That’s all for now. The next video I post will be from JFK, just before I leave on September 9
James

^th.

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This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to Nasca, located in the desert about seven hours south of Lima. I went with two other girls from my program: Mallory and Claire. We left Lima on Friday morning, and just got home at 7:00 tonight. We arrived in Nasca on Friday at about 2:00 in the afternoon.

On the way to Nasca I was completely taken aback by the amount of poverty that exists in the countryside. I always knew that the campesinos were really poor, but I had never seen the conditions they live in. There are little towns that are at least thirty miles from any other location, and are in the middle of the desert. There is no running water, no electricity, no work. Nothing. The “houses,” if they are even worthy to be called that, are about the size of a master bathroom, maybe even smaller. I need to ask a local how these people survive, because it looks absolutely devastating. There are no schools around, and with no cars, I don’t know how the locals are capable of surviving. As you can see below, the houses are made out of thatched branches, and many of them do not have doors. It is definitely an example of extreme poverty and the strength of the human spirit.

Once we arrived in Nasca we first checked into our hostel, which was named the “Walk-On-Inn”. How clever. After we had checked in we decided that we wanted to do a tour that afternoon before it got dark. It gets dark here really early- about 6:00.

We were also definitely not prepared for the weather. Lima is cold. By cold I mean about 60 degrees, but it is still cold. Being the smart traveler that I am, I didn’t really check into what Nasca was. It happens to be in the middle of the desert. It’s hot. I only brought one short-sleeved shirt, as I was more prepared for Lima’s weather, but I survived.

It was such a great break to get out of the city. I had been in Lima for over three weeks, and needed a break from city life. Everything is so busy and hectic. It was really nice to just have a break from traffic, city lights, and to be able to see some scenery.

The tour we decided on took us to an aqueduct and some Incan ruins. It was really interesting and also amazing to think of how the aqueducts served not only as a water supply, but also as a means to control the people. Our guide explained to us that the “government” or the people that were in control would control the water. If an individual wasn’t willing to work or didn’t conform to the rules of society they wouldn’t give that family water, and they would then die. Talk about a dictatorship!

During our tour the guide told us that with the arrival of automatic pumps many aqueducts are being sucked dried, and that there could be a water crisis in Nasca within the next 15 years. I guess technology isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

We also went to the Nasca Arqueological Museum. It had been highly recommended by the tour books, but it was dreadful. The owners seemed like they couldn’t be more excited to get rid of us, and there wasn’t much to see… oh well.

That night we ate at a small restaurant in town. I had a salad for my first course which turned out to be a horrible idea. I was so sick the next afternoon. The lettuce was washed in regular water, so it just didn’t go over well with my body.. thank goodness for prescription medication.

Saturday morning we went on a flight over the Nasca Lines so we could see them. The pictures are really hard to see the lines, but you can actually see them in person. A lot of people felt really sick, as it is a little Cessna plane, and they make sharp turns so you can view the lines better. Thankfully I was fine.

There are thousands of different theories about how the lines were made. The “most common” belief is that the Nascan people made them as an offering to their gods. The Nascans believed that their gods flew around the cosmos, and hoped that their designs would attract the attention of the gods, and in return the gods would bring them rain and plenty of food.

These lines were created by digging into the sand, removing the rocks that are all over here, and exposing the lighter colored under-soil. The strangest part about the lines is that they are only visible from the air. The Nascans were never able to see the works they created, as they can only be viewed if they are flown over.

After the flight we had a few hours to sit around before my highlight of the trip. I convinced Mallory and Claire that we should go on a dune-buggy tour which also included sandboarding. (Snowboarding on sand). They weren’t thrilled about the idea but agreed to go because I was so insistent. I was scared they weren’t going to like the tour, but in the end everyone loved it. We first went to three arqueological sites; a cemetery, a different type of aqueduct, and a site that is being excavated.

The Peruvian government refuses to support arqueological digs in Peru, so there are Italian groups that are working on them. We weren’t allowed to enter, but it was really interesting to see the work they have done so far. In 15 years the Italians have only been able to uncover 1.5 pyramids out of the 32 that are thought to be in that area.

We went out into the middle of nowhere to do sandboarding. It literally was over an hour on dirt roads to get to where we went. I was just praying that our guide knew how to get back. After spinning around in the dune-buggy for a while, we finally got out to try sandboarding. I have done snowboarding about twice in my life, and broke my wrist the last time I tried. I was really hoping this wouldn’t be another occurrence. The first thing our guide told us was that it was better if we had never snowboarded before. Great. The difference is that in sandboarding you don’t make arcs as you go down, you have to just do a straight shot down. SCARY!

There are three different ways you can do sandboarding; standing, sitting, or laying down (going face first). Mallory and I both preferred standing, but Claire preferred laying down. It was a ton of fun, even though you leave completely covered in sand. (I am still finding sand in my hair and in my ears). We went to the top of the dunes to have a “competition” to see who could go the farthest while laying down. It was great because you go so far on the sand. The hard part is climbing back up. It’s exhausting, but a great workout!

We all had a great time- and were completely exhausted when we headed back into town. The first thing we wanted to do was shower. Those were some of the longest showers I think we have ever taken, as there was just more and more sand! My poor Nike shoes are probably ruined thanks to the sand. We had a great time, and we definitely ready to go to bed at about 9:30. Our hostal happened to be located right across the street from a family that raised roosters—on their roof. Needless to say, we didn’t get sleep either night.

Overall, we had a great time and are now starting to plan our “next great escape” from Lima.

As I sit here finishing up packing and reassuring myself that I have everything, I find myself wondering if the date on the calendar is correct.  It is hard to believe that the time has finally come for me to leave for Scotland for the semester.  It seems that it was just yesterday that I was sending in my Butler application, receiving my acceptance, saying goodbye to my friends for the summer.  The past seven months, time has simply flown by, and I hope that the next four months do the exact opposite.

Although originally I am from Colorado, I have only been home for roughly three weeks the past year and it’s hard to believe that it will be another four months before I see those Rocky Mountains again.  My time has been spent in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Thailand, and China.  It feels as though life has become one big cycle of packing, flying, unpacking, traveling, picture taking, repacking, driving, traveling, unpacking, working, repacking, traveling…. well, you get the picture.  And yet, as I reflect on the whirlwind that is the past year and the uncharted months to come, I could not be happier.  I have spend the last week back at school (Lafayette), and have seen all of my friends and somewhat gotten back into the groove of college life, despite not having any classes or a room to call my own, and although I am sad to be leaving the campus, lifestyle and people I love, I could not be more excited to begin a truly unique and exciting chapter of my life.

In many ways I already know first hand what it will be like to study abroad, having followed the adventures of four of my closest friends as well as my girlfriend last spring.  I was even lucky enough to travel to Europe for two weeks at the end of the school year to visit them and wet my appetite  for my own experience in a few months.  I picked up a few packing, lifestyle and travel tips as well as got a sense of some of the “college-age hot spots” of Europe.  I am looking forward to enjoying many of the same things and places they were able to experience with another of my best friends, Will Stern, as well as make my own mark across the continent.

However, of course studying abroad is not all about traveling every weekend and partying till dawn every night, though I do still plan on doing my fair share…  The main purpose of studying abroad is to do just that: STUDY abroad.  Though, as I said, I am thrilled to travel, meet new people, and try new foods, I am equally as excited for the studying part (and no, I am not saying this just because I was told to).  The academic curriculum that I will be following is really the reason for my study abroad program selection, ie University of Glasgow.  I will be taking a course called Functional Pre-Med Anatomy, a course which caters toward US Pre-Med students and gives them an opportunity to learn the basics of human anatomy through the study of actual human specimens.  Well, now that is just too good to be true and something that an at times overzealous future medical school applicant such as myself simply could not pass up.  Along with the Functional Anatomy course I will be taking Microbiology and Scottish Literature, a course to count towards my English major. (Pre-Med. English. Crazy, I know.)

Well, there you have it.  A little about me, the fun-loving intellectual and self-proclaimed travel guru, and a little about what my life the next few months will consist of.  I can’t wait to share my experiences with, as well as create a narrative for myself to look back and reflect on many years to come.

Next stop, Edinburgh, Scotland!

Once a year here, they celebrate all things rural in the middle of one of the world’s biggest cities.

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That is what my letter home would have said this week, if it didn´t cost nearly two dollars to send a letter home and three weeks for it to arrive. Thankfully, we all live in the age of email, facebook and blogs, so my mother received an email regarding the above statement the following night. Life is insane here. Everyday I have to remind myself that this is real life. Even the classes can´t make it feel like school.

Last weekend, I went with another girl in our program to Las Leñas, a well known ski resort in the Andes. It is a valley right in the middle of the mountain range, and it was beautiful. We had clearly just made it because even though it isn´t low season yet, the snow is quickly melting from the beautiful weather we´ve been having down here. Still, there was enough snow to make the snowboarding worth while, and I never imagined I would snowboard somewhere where everywhere you looked was a beautiful view of the Andes.

We had taken an overnight bus to get to las Leñas (about 6.5 hours), so we had all day to ski/snowboard. We stayed the night in a hotel 15km away called Los Molles, and were so excited that we got to return for a second day. Our hotel had a beautiful view of the mountains, friendly guests with whom we watched the Godoy Cruz soccer game (where a bunch of our friends from the program were) and played ping pong, and dinner. Dinner was three courses and one flat price. Empanadas, Chivo, and a choice of desserts. What is Chivo you ask? Well, I asked too. Our new friend tried to explain it to us, confused, asking his friends, how do I explain Chivo???¨ Finally, he was just like, ¨Es como cabra, sabes que es cabra?¨ Cabra= goat. It wasn´t the most delicious thing, but I made a sandwich with it, and could pretend it was a steak sandwich. Anyway, I crossed eating goat off the lifelist, though I never thought I would ever it a goat… haha. Also at dinner, we made quick friends with a couple that wanted to bring us to Las Leñas in their car. (it was cheaper for everyone involved).

In the morning, we met our new friends during breakfast and were on our way!! We even got to see a cool well called the well of souls. (Pozo de los Animes). No one has ever reached the bottom, so they think it connects somehow with the sea. Our second day of skiing was just as beautiful as the first, but a bit colder.

This week has been pretty awesome too. I tried out a new tango class which also teaches folklore and loved it!! There were three of us from the program in the class, and the girls studying dance seemed to enjoy helping us figure it all out. Not to mention that the professor was not only awesome, but very attractive. For next week, we need skirts and handkerchiefs, but a woman in the class is making them for us!!! Some people here are unbelievably nice. Tuesday, I went with a new Argentine friend to Cerro de la Gloria, which is amazing. It is a huge monument to San Martin, a true work of art. I was, however, unaware that ¨Cerro¨ de la Gloria meant that it was going to be on top of a small mountain. So, that was an interesting surprise when we arrived and the bottom and he was like, subimos (we´re going to climb it). Every day, a surprise. But, it was worth the climb.

¨Cuando alguien desea algo debe saber que corre riesgos y por eso la vida vale la pena¨-Paulo Coelho.

Tonight, a group of us are heading out of the city to Huaraz, Peru.  Huaraz is about 8 hours northeast of Lima by bus.  It is in the ANDES mountains and we will be doing some hiking and taking in all the amazing views.  I hope to return with lots of beautiful pictures.  We are staying at an inn which is actually situated in the mountains.

This was our second week of classes.  Monday, all the internantional students finally registered and I am officially taking Peru in Modern Times and Gender and Politics.  I am happy finally be enrolled in my classes, even though it meant waking up at 5 am to be at PUCP by 7.  Commuting to and from PUCP is still a chore, but I am getting used to the system.  Combis can be a very stressful mode of transportation, but they are cheap, can get you anywhere you need to go, and are always there when you need them.  Missed your combi?  Just lift your pinky finger and 10 more will stop to pick you up.  I also got the chance to ride the brand new Metropolitano bus which goes along the via expresa.  They are very nice and are a calmer alternative to combis.  They also remind me of taking the El in Chicago, which is a comfort.

My home and host mom are still wonderful.  We live on the middle floor of a 3 flat.  My room used to belong to her daugther and is the same color as my room at home.  I live in a district called Miraflores, one of Lima’s 43 districts.  It is a very nice place with lots to offer and most of the IFSA students live here.  There are many shops, parks, resturants, discotecas, movie theaters… anything you could ever need.  My host mom and I are getting along very well.  She is very talkative and caring.

As for the grey skies in Lima… I am getting used to them.  It makes me appreciate the little sun we get that much more.  Yesterday, we were able to sit outside and enjoy the sun while eating lunch on campus.  Hopefully, as we get closer to spring and summer, the sunshine will become more frequent.  I certainly look forward to it.

I will be sure to post video and pictures from the trip to the mountains soon!

Chau!

Three weeks till I leave the United States, and I’m already struggling with my number one problem: what to pack.
I’m an atrocious over-packer; even on short, three day family vacations, I was the scourge of comfort as I shoved my over-sized dufflebag into the back seat of the car, leaving little room for my brother and I on the long drive to our destination. My main worry is always that there may be some small chance that I’ll need a nice dress, or a raincoat, or a sweater…so I pack all of the above even when the likelihood of me needing the items in near zero. Both my freshman and sophomore years I brought piles of clothes with me to college, half of which I don’t think I ever even wore.
Now, I’m going to be in the United Kingdom for a little over three months, and can only bring what will fit into one suitcase and a carry on bag; the suitcase can weigh no more than 50 lbs (23 kilograms), and even the size of the carry on bag is restricted to basically the equivalent of a laptop bag. Thus, I can only bring what I’m really going to need, and this may be a problem for me.
My laptop is currently one of my top priorities, and that’s going in my carry on; there’s no way I’d risk losing the most expensive piece of my luggage, or having it damaged in transit. Even if the airline were to lose my luggage and offer me compensation, their policies clearly state that they don’t cover electronics. For the same reason, my digital camera will also need to be in my carry on; there’s no way I’d ever want to travel without it. At the same time, I’m somehow going to need to fit a spare outfit in my bag, in case anything happens to my checked luggage. I’ve been debating over whether or not to bring a book for the flight, but the airline we’re taking appears to have an individual TV screen on the back of every seat; it also doesn’t seem likely that any book I’d be interested in bringing would be luggage-space friendly.
That still leaves me with up to fifty pounds of checked luggage, and I have a feeling that I’ll be using nearly all of it. This is probably mostly going to be clothes and necessities that I can’t risk not being able to find immediately in London; for example, contact lens solution, which I hear is really expensive in the UK for some reason. A few pairs of jeans, a skirt, and one nice dress should get me by, as well as just two pairs of shoes. It’ll be difficult not packing all of the shoes and t-shirts that I’m accustomed to being able to choose between, but it’s not like I even wear most of them that often; I normally stick with my two most comfortable pairs of shoes, and wear a dozen or so of my favorite shirts constantly.
Many supplies, however, I’ll need to buy in London. For example, my university housing includes a shared kitchen, but it appears that we need to stock it ourselves with utensils and cooking equipment. I don’t see myself needing to pack cooking utensils, and other important items like towels, into my luggage when I’m sure I could buy them at reasonable prices in London. At the same time, there’s no way that I’ll be able to fit a comforter or pillows into my luggage, so I’ll have no choice but to buy them once there. Fortunately, a fellow Ifsa-Butler student will be one of my flat-mates, and we’ve been emailing each other about what we think we’ll need in London. One good idea we’ve had is sharing cookware; it’s not like all seven of us in the flat (aka apartment) will need seven separate sauce pans. Instead, we’ll probably be best off going shopping together, and sharing what we need. That way, we’ll be able to maximize needed supplies while minimizing cost.
—Lauren—

…which means life is completely hectic here in Lima. I’m only taking the equivalent of 17 credits this semester, but it seems like a ton. There is mounds of outside work assigned each day, all of which are in Spanish of course.

I am taking a theology class and a linguistics class, in addition to the two mandatory classes that each IFSA-Butler student has to take. The two required classes are Advanced Spanish Grammar, which is basically a writing class, and Peruvian Social Reality. Peruvian Social Reality seems really interesting, and I am very excited for it. One component of this class is working with a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) for at least seven hours each week and completing a research project based on this work.

I have decided to work with an organization named Casa de Panchitas. This NGO works with domestic workers, or maids that work six days per week with one family. Casa de Panchitas provides a place for these women to go on Sundays, their day off. They also provide legal support, cooking lessons, recreational activities, and sexual education.

I am going to be working specifically with minors. There are many girls here that are working as maids as early as 13. Most of these girls have been forced by their parents to go and find work to support themselves and to help support the family. It is a really sad situation, but Casa de Panchitas tries to help the girls continue their education and know their rights as workers.

I will be working with these girls on Sundays; helping them with their homework (These girls go to night class and then work all day). I will also be helping the girls with self-confidence through song, dance, and acting. I am really excited to get started. My first day is on Sunday and I am sure that the girls will be more than welcoming.

It is a relief to finally get into a rhythm and get more settled in down here. Let the semester begin!

… and I will be flying to Cancun, then catching a bus to Merida, and finally seeing the place that I will call home for the next four months.

Over the last few weeks I’ve read about the family I’ve been staying with, seen a picture of my house, room, and host mother.  I’ve looked at the map of the city and located the house I’ll be living in, and the IFSA Butler office.  I’ve listened to countless stories about the Yucatan from excited family friends who’ve been there before.  I’ve even read what seems like (though I’m sure it’s not) every post on the web about living in Mexico as a vegetarian.

Of course, it’s also just hit me that I have two days to consolidate my life into one large camping backpack, put together all the paperwork that IFSA Butler’s sent me, try to revive some ability to speak Spanish, and keep my fingers crossed that I won’t arrive at the airport only to discover that my passport is still sitting in my desk at home.

There are plenty of things I could be nervous about right now:

• The official plan for getting my visa, which seems to be asking the customs official nicely if they would please stamp my passport for 180 days, instead of 30.
• My plan for getting from Cancun to Merida, which, so far, is to get off the plane, then hopefully find a bus… somewhere.
• The tap water, which is not potable in most of Mexico, meaning that I’m going to be drinking and brushing my teeth with bottled/boiled water, peeling all my fruit, and avoiding salads for the next four months.
• The fact that when my parents and sister ask me how to say something in Spanish, the answer is “I don’t know” uncomfortably often.

And in some ways I am nervous -  It’s especially hard to say goodbye to everyone, and, all cheesiness aside, it’s a little scary (but also really exciting) to think that I’m going to be essentially on my own for such a big chunk of time.

At the same time, I’m eager to be out in the world on my own for the first time (this will be my first time flying completely by myself!) I’m looking forward to being surrounded by new people and places, getting used to a new bus system, learning how to navigate a city where the streets aren’t numbered the way they are in New York, shopping in a supermarket for foods labeled in Spanish. I’m even excited to experience all the culture shock everyone’s warned me about.

More when I arrive, my unfinished packing is calling to me.