My Thoughts on Public Transportation

Ok. So I know I talk about this a lot but its a HUGE part of every single day here for me...riding the bus. At first, it was really scary. The bus system is really chaotic and you can pretty much get on and off anywhere you want. Its just crazy and you really have to be on your toes and know what is going on...my host brother was telling me the other day that he has had his cell phone stolen out of his pocket twice while riding the bus. I don't think it happens too often, but its still something I kind of worry about when I'm packed in like a sardine and can't really watch my pockets and my purse.
Yesterday was probably the worst ride home I've had so far. We got on the bus and it was REALLY crowded. I was basically smashed in between two women and a man. Every time the bus started or stopped, we would all kind of fall against one another and then have to readjust. It was really uncomfortable. Normally the bus clears out a bit after about 20 min. and you can generally find a seat then. Last night, though, we had to stand the entire hour bus ride home except for about 10 min. at the end. It was a looooong ride. My legs and arms were really tired when I finally got home, from bracing myself against the constant stop-and-go of Lima traffic.
Today was a little better but not by much...I was in a seat right by the door and when they started packing people in, I basically had a bunch of people's butts right in my face and I was pushed so far up against the side of the van, I had to stick my arm out the window. The whole ride home I was worried that I was going to get my arm cut off by some rogue vehicle!!!
Its crazy and dangerous and I have never been involved in so many near-accidents in my life, but I don't know what I'd do without it. It gets me from place to place without having to worry about driving myself in this crazy city! AND it only costs me 50 cents to get to school! As much as I hate riding the bus here sometimes, I guess I really can't complain.

In other news...things have been really busy for me the last few days! MY PARENTS GOT HERE ON SUNDAY! I was so excited to see them! My host mom and brother went with me to the airport to pick them up and we took them to their hotel. The next day I took them around the neighborhood and in the evening they came to see my house and meet my host sister and Bethany and her host parents. It was really odd to have my two families meet! Like two very different worlds colliding. But it was really really cool.
They are in Ica and Paracas right now and are coming back on Thurs. Then on Sat. the three of us are heading to Cusco for a whole week!!! I am really really really excited for that. I love traveling with my parents. My mom is absolutely amazing at planning trips. She always manages to find the coolest places to see and things to do. She really has a talent for it. I don't think we've ever been on a family trip that wasn't fun! And my dad is always reading about the places we are going, which is really cool because he is constantly telling me interesting facts and history about where we are. Basically my parents are great to travel with. :) I love it when they talk about all of their experiences traveling. They've been to so many places. I really hope I can travel as much as they have and be able to share the same kinds of stories with my kids someday.

Oh goodness! I forgot to write about about last week! We went to Mancora for the week and it was positively wonderful. It was a really really great thing to just be able to relax on the beach and not have to go to classes! ;)
The house we rented was GREAT! It was perfect for the nine of us and right on the beach. It was a few minutes away from the town of Mancora if we took mototaxis (which are bascially little mopeds with seats for three people on the backs of them).
Mancora is a really cool town. Its SUPER laid-back and people just kind of hang out all day. There were lots and lots of hippies there! :) It was fun to be in such a relaxed and relaxing place. The food was amazing there, too. We ate at a new place for every meal and pretty much all of them were great. My new favorite food is fried yuca, which I had every single day we were there!
I think my favorite part of the trip was that I was the earliest riser of the group. I would get up at about 8 or a little before, while everyone else slept until 9 or 10. It was so nice and peaceful to have that time to myself every morning. Not that I didn't like spending time with my friends! But I would just walk along the beach or write in my journal or read or just stand and feel the warm ocean water washing over my toes.
It was a great trip to paradise and I really hope I can go back there again!