so many things to write about..

THere are always so many things throughout the day that I remember that I forgot to blog about.. and so many things that I think of.. then I get on here and dont remember any of it!

I can tell you what I did today though.. and hopefully will think of the things that I seem to forget. Today we split up into 2 groups, first my group went to a museum.. it was pretty cool.. but a lot of it was pottery and more pottery so it kind of looked the same.. we got to go at our own pace so then after we left there, we walked around the plazas and went into some shops. We tried going to the market (we all love the market!!) but then we were hungry so we ate instead. We found a restaurant and had pizza and pasta. The pizza is definitely different than American pizza (a lot less cheese and bread) but it was really good! After lunch we walked around and made our way back to the hotel to meet the group at 3. I bought another memory card because I already took almost 200 pictures and I only have room for like 300 more on my card. So now I am prepared for the hike because i know I will be taking a million of Machu Picchu!! After we met with the whole group, my group went to 2 cathedrals in one of the main plazas in Cusco. You couldnt take pictures of the inside but they were beautiful! One of them had 24K gold EVERYWHERE inside.. there were so many things made of gold. It was cool. After the 2 cathedrals we got on the internet and then went back to the hotel for a meeting. Then we went to look for dinner. We went to McDonalds because one of my friends here is really picky. But then we went to a restaurant in a plaza and had some yummy spaghetti and fettuchini alfredo. The fettuchini alfredo here has ham in it usually, but mine also had mushrooms. We then went to mcdonalds to get mcflurries for dessert. funny I know.. but we gotta get some american food in! Now it is after dinner and we are back at the internet cafe. this cafe is better than the other ones. the internet is faster.

Tomorrow we are in 2 groups again, one group is going horseback riding to some ruins! But I am not doing the horses until Thursday. Tomorrow my group is going to some ruins, then having a free day in Cusco. We are going to go to the market!! I cant wait.. I want to buy so much stuff.

I dont know if I am going to like Lima so much when we get back there to live with the families and go to class, it is just so pretty here! and it is foggy all the time in Lima.. maybe it is prettier without the fog. I want Jimmy and mom to get to come to this area when they visit!!

Lindsey, yes they have shot glasses.. I havent bought you one yet though. I am waiting to find the right one!

Oh, most of the hotels here don´t have heat. Last night was definitely the coldest. We had a sheet and 3 wool blankets, then a comforter. I slept in my warm fleece and was still a little cold.

No one has said anything else about presents! I have bought a warm alpaca hat, 2 scarves, gloves, and a bag so far. And I am going to buy more tomorrow :)

I think once I get to Lima I will upload some pics.. after the hike. The hike is coming up soon, I am so excited! I am glad not to have gotten sick.. a lot people have. I hope I dont. The air here is different because of the altitude.. and you run out of breath easily, its really weird. The air is really dry and my throat feels like I have a sore throat kind of but its just the air. Lima is very humid though, but not here.

Oh, there is a strike going on here tomorrow from the farmers of Cusco. Apparently strikes happen all the time.. so maybe I will get some pics.. they said they arent violent so it is nothing to worry about, but they said it might affect our plans for the horseback ride. But I am not doing it tomorrow anyways so it wont matter.

Well I always seem to write so much. but there is so much to say. I have been journaling too. I can understand a lot of spanish but it is much harder to speak it than to understand it. It is fun though. Well its about time to head back to the hotel.. this place closes in 10 min.

Talk to you soon!