June 12,

Up and about – we readied for our last Spanish class! It’s kind of sad, but at the same time we are both ready to be done for a while. Anyway as we were getting ready to make breakfast we heard the tamale man, “Tamales!” – the ringing of his bell, followed by repeating, “Hot(maybe?) Tamales!” We looked at each other and decided today was tamale day! Jeff quickly put on his shoes and grabbed his wallet as I ran to our balcony to catch the tamale man. I shouted, “Hola!” He didn’t hear me. So I shouted with my hands cupped at my mouth, “Hola, tamales!” He heard this time and turned back. Jeff met him, buying four. So we had pollo X2 and pollo con pescado X2 (which is two chicken and two chicken with fish). They were tasty!

We went to our Spanish class. Maria, the director(? – she’s the one we paid the first day) had everyone line up and did a “photo shoot.” That reminds me I never said the cost of the class – it was 1,140 PEN or $335.25 for both of us. Not too bad once you consider that it was 20 hours of private lessons for both of us. We also booked a cooking class from Maria for this coming Tuesday. Anyway, class commenced as Kelsy said we would end with Progressive Present! Okay… I was hesitant, but it was good and we learned quite a bit. Then we had our 30 minute break and came back with Lorenzo going over pictures of “frutas” (fruits) and “verduras” (vegetables), which was helpful. He also had us read about the Peruvian Dances, finishing that poster picture. Then the class time was finished, before we knew it. So overall, we feel we have benefited from our classes.

When we arrived at our place, we unloaded and “celebrated” by going to Popeyes for lunch. There is a Popeyes in the nearby mall that we discovered. We shared a table with a couple and their child, Diego. The dad and I talked some. He knew some English and I had to use Google translate mostly, but was able to say some stuff. Anyway, the dad introduced Diego, but never gave his name. Diego was probably five years old and cute. Then the mom came with their food from KFC and Jeff came with our Popeyes food, and that ended our conversation. The Popeyes was great and we had a couple of pieces of chicken for leftovers. We did go to a grocery store at the mall then returned back to our place.

In the afternoon Jeff was researching language apps that we could use to continue our Spanish speaking with, and I blogged. For supper we had a Greek-type salad – to balance our lunch out a bit – with wine. The rest of the evening was more research, but for upcoming places.

     June 13,

We did not have to get up early! I slept in… Well, I still only had my eight hours of sleep, but it was nice to not have to be somewhere specific. Our classes were a bit like a job! We had our Javas and breakfast of French toast with fruit/nut bread that tasted great. Then we did a load of laundry and I blogged as Jeff read.

Around 1300, we went out for lunch. On the way to the restaurant we chose we passed by the bull statue and took a photo op. Lorenzo had told us that Arequipa used to have bull fighting, but it is now illegal. This statue and another one we have seen pay tribute to that past culture. Anyway we went on. There have been sushi places all around South America and we have seen them here as well. So we went to Misti Sushi Fusion. The menu proudly states that they “pay homage to Japanese delicacy and Peruvian intensity”. Jeff had a Dragon Roll, which was salmon and cucumber rice wrapped log topped alternately with slices of smoked trout or avocado and drops of spicy garlic. I had a BBQ Roll, which was cream cheese, avocado, and bell pepper rice wrapped log topped with seared tenderloin and BBQ sauce. Both orders were very tasty and just the right amount. We enjoyed them a bunch! I had a glass of white wine and Jeff had a beer. The bill was 83 PEN, or $24.41.

After we finished we went to the mall – got some steps, and went to the grocery store, acquiring everything on our list. Then we walked back to our place. Afternoon turned to evening…for supper we had our leftover Popeyes chicken and salad that we had made.

At 2330 I was still awake – hearing and then seeing real fireworks. I woke up Jeff and told him but he did not get up. I don’t know why they were going off or what was being celebrated, but I enjoyed them!