Lauren Wille

When I arrived at O’Hare Sunday morning at 8:45, I was sure that I was going to miss my flight. It was scheduled to leave at 10:35, boarding began at 9:50, and I was  300 deep in the baggage check line. I have no idea how to act at an airport, or what’s going on, but it was okay because my dad was there to monitor my every move. Fortunately I found out that I could check my bag on a computer, and didn’t have to wait in line. Security took all of 15 minutes, and once again, good old Dave stood on the sidelines until I made it all the way through. All the fluster for nothing I suppose, my plane didn’t take off until after noon. When I landed it Miami, it was a dead dash to the next terminal, scheduled to leave in 15 minutes. But if I learned anything from this trip thus far, it’s that you’re always gonna have to wait. I took advantage of this time by eating a Toblerone chocolate bar.

Upon arrival in Lima, Peru, I was surprised to find out that the airport’s foodcourt was entirely American. Papa Johns Pizza, some fast Chinese, and two separate McDonalds; one for greasy, and one for ice cream. Here in the states we just eat sweets and cow all at the same time. I have also claimed this McDonald’s superior to home because the meals are called “McDoubles” and the desert one had a cone that was half chocolate and half vanilla, a personal favorite of mine.

I waited in the airport for the rest of the crew until about 1:00 am. We took a taxi van to the hotel, which used to be a house, but was renovated into a hotel some years ago. I am convinced it is haunted, as I am with many other locations I encounter. On top of its creepiness, the beds seem to be made for infants and the pillows are horrible. I walked in on our cleaning lady. She was cleaning. I told her I was making sure she wasn’t stealing. She told me she didn’t speak English…in English.

I was told to meet the class in the lobby at 8:45 this morning to begin class at 9:00. When I got downstairs 15 minutes late, I realized I had missed out on free breakfast. I convinced everyone to wait for me and my roomie to eat, and was told by my professor that if we sat down someone automatically served us. To my dismay my roommate was served a platter of fresh fruit, bread with jam, OJ and cup of tea, and I got nothing. I was later told that black people are favored in this country, and a motto of their’s is “black is beautiful.” That’s fine. I respect that. But why should I go hungry.

On my walk to class, I passed a newspaper stand. In Peru, it is perfectly normal to have a naked hooker on the front page. I am told this is not weird. I am told not to gawk.

There are many differences between the United States and Peru. Besides the playmates amongst breaking news, I noticed that people do not clean up after themselves at restaurants or food courts. You leave the tray and all the trash on the table for someone else to dispose. They have employees who’s job is to hover around your table until you leave your mess behind. You do not leave tips here. In fact, a waiter or waitress may find that rude. If people in their own country do not leave tips, they don’t need Americans flaunting their money.

The weather here is nice. 80 degrees, humid and clear skies. I met a hippie chick. She’s cool but a bit off her rocker. Right now we’re friends but I don’t know how it will progress. Most of the kids on the trip are cool. One got violently sick from drinking the water. I miss everyone. I love Boomer.