Two special girls

This week I've been very lucky indeed.  I've had the chance to go to not one but two birthday parties!  The Arevalo family with whom I stayed for my first two weeks in Lima have two little girls and both had birthdays this past week.  So that meant plenty of cake, Inca cola (Peru's national drink) and endless cups of tea with Charmian who is British and understands the need for a cup of tetleys from time to time.  

Emily turned 8 on Tuesday and Little Franchie was 4 yesterday.  We had a party for each of them with all the extended family and I was privileged to be invited along.  We played the usual party games and just had a lovely time together.  It made me realise how fast time is passing.  I can very clearly remember being 8 years old and although it only feels like a year or two ago, it's times like these that remind me that it was a long while ago now.  Coming to Peru wasn't even a distant dream back then yet here I am!

Black forest cake known as "torta de la selva"
jungle cake in Peru

Birthday girl no. 1

Birthday girl no. 2

       

 Princess cake for Franchie

School is going very well and I'm kept nice and busy.  Everyone is now settling into a routine there even me.  I spend most of my time with 1st and 2nd grade which I love because the kids are so affectionate and make such an effort to learn.  I still get many questions a day about where I'm from! The Scottish tourist board should be paying me for promoting Scotland!  There's a little fellow in 1st grade who's favourite phrase is "but why?" and likes to repeat everything you say.  Our conversations go something along the lines of: 

Me (waving our two english puppets about) : Ok class I have two friends here... 

Moses (jumping out of his seat) : No you don't have 2 friends!

Me: Well, no but I do here with me just now.

Moses: No there's not two!

Me (trying to be patient) : Um...yep Moses there is. Now...

Moses (jumping out of his seat again) : But why?

Me: Moses please stop asking questions and let's do some work.

Moses (gravely serious) : But you don't have two friends you must have more than that!

Me (defeated) : Ok, ok! Lets just pretend I've only got two then.

Moses (rolls his eyes): Oh no!! Not pretending!

I'm the first to give up on this kind of conversation.  He has something to say about most things.  He is such an inquisitive little thing but he wears myself and Vanessa (the teacher) out.  He is so so cute and I guess its not a bad thing to ask questions...just not all the time!

I've had some exciting news this week.  Firstly one of my very close friends from school is getting married soon after I come home from abroad and has asked me to be a bridesmaid! It'll be my first time and I'm quite excited although slightly worried about fitting into my dress with all the nice food there is here.

Also, my mum and sister have finally taken the plunge, after much persuasion, and are coming out to visit me here in Peru.  They arrive on Saturday night!  I can't wait to show them the country that has slowly been becoming home to me over the past few weeks.  The school have very generously given me time off to spend with them and we hope to visit Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.  I'm especially looking forward to spending time with them since home and family seem very far away when there's 6000 miles and the Atlantic Ocean separating you!  Our time is precious.  Most of all, I'm looking forward to their reactions to life in Peru and all the differences there are.  I'm sure there will be plenty of hilarity and chaos as I try to translate and they adjust to life in a country that seems to know nothing about health and safety or a nice cuppa.