Photos of the first day - A quiet Sunday in Miraflores and Surco.

My bedroom. There's a big closet to the left to put my 'five' articles of clothing.

The upstairs hallway.

My very own bathroom for two weeks.

Bathrooms: In this one, I have to turn the hot water on to the shower if I want to use it.  There's a circuit breaker-like switch on the wall.  Also, all toilet paper goes into that small trash bin.  Similar to Korea, Thailand and Cambodia, no tissue -not even toilet paper- is flushed down the toilet.

Not a very good picture, but this is the house from the outside.  I have five different keys on my keyring! There are two different gates, two locks on the front door, and one on my bedroom in case I want to close it.

My host mother, Edith, took me on a walk to show me the way to the school, and also to give me a mini tour of the area.

ECELA: My school in Miraflores, Lima. My host family's house is right on the district line between Miraflores and Surco, so it's a pretty short walk to the school.  It takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on how many traffic lights I miss to cross the streets in the morning rush hour.

The drivers here honk at EVERYTHING!  Even when you have the green pedestrian sign telling you it's OK to go, if a car is coming it is NOT OK for you to go.  Cars have the right-of-way no matter what.

I love tea! I'd like to go here when it opens.

I walked by this store during my break before the cooking activity today, Monday.  Unfortunately it was not a cafe, but instead a shop to buy teas and mugs for home.  Oh well.

A church in Miraflores in-between Kennedy Park and Central Park.

A decorative fountain in front of the park.

On Sundays before 1:00 PM they close off this street for families with children.  Everyone was out in the street riding bikes and playing games. I thought it was a great idea!

La playa. The beach.

Beautiful beaches.

A bowl of fake fruit on the left, and some Peruvian lunch in the middle.  Tuna and celery sandwiched by delicious potato, topped with tomatoes and mayo.  This is a recipe even I could do.  I'll ask for it before I go home. :)

Dining room.

Living room/hallway.

Outside patio and garden.  That's my bedroom window on the top right!

If it were warmer I'd be studying out there.