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Hey guys :)

Okay, time for me to update again. So first, I'll cover my flights home.
The flight from Lima to Miami was fine, kinda long. There was a lot of security, they checked your carry-on as you were boarding the flight.
We landed at Miami around 2 I think. We got off the flight and there were some police officers who looked like they were just hanging out in the hall.
Everyone just kinda picked a cop and got in line, they looked at your passport for a second, then looked at you-then gave you your passport and waved you through. :) Very casual.

So we all followed the signs that said "passport check" and we walked.
And walked.
And walked.
And walked.
And walked.
You're probably thinking that you have the idea by now but you don't.
We walked.
And walked.
And walked.

I was walking next to a girl-it's funny how you kinda group together with people when you're traveling--or maybe only I do that :)
But we kept walking then the hallway we were following led us to some bathrooms...she finally said "where are we even going?!" and the construction worker in the hall said "to the left of the bathroom"
So we walked to the left and through some glass doors.
Finally!
We were there!...so i thought.
but no.
We kept walking-walked right out through the other end of the glass doors.

We finally reached customs and there was almost no-one there. I walked up to on man who said I needed a blue and white card and that I needed to go to the back of the room to fill one out, and if there was a line when I got back I could cut to the front.
I filled out my card, and went to a different line because there were like 4 people without any lines at all.
So I got through that and went through a door and down an escalator to a baggage claim area---I didn't realize beforehand that I would have to re-check my baggage-I hadn't had to on the way to Lima.
So I waited for my bag, and waited, and waited--I looked at the clock 2:20
My flight boarded at 3:05.
My bag FINALLY comes through and I follow the crowd out the door.
I walk past some people and hear them talking-all of the sudden I hear "Ma'am!" so I turn and she checked my bag-I think they spoke to me in Spanish first, which is why I didn't turn around.
She told me to "follow the yellow dots" so I did, and walked and walked and walked-although that walk was not nearly as far as the walk to customs :)
So the yellow dots came to an end, and they took my bag from me and told me to follow the blue dots, which I did. I then ended up going up some stairs and in a large room--It looked like you could check bags and buy tickets in the area.
I have no idea how to get to my gate.
I don't even know what gate I'm supposed to get to-it wasn't on my boarding pass.
I stood there staring at my boarding pass when a man with an American Airlines ID badge walked up to me and said something in Spanish. I smiled and looked at him blankly.
He then said
"You lost already?"
"Yeah."
I don't remember the details of the conversation, but he pointed me to a lady in a red jacket to get my gate number.
He asked me when my flight was.
"3:05."
"You've gotta get a move-on girl!"
I got my gate number and then he instantly took off.
"Follow me."
We walked quickly around, he had just gotten back from Ecuador, and liked to casually swear in the middle of his sentances. He had an accent of some kind but I have no idea as to what kind it was.
At some point I clarified that I was not a Peruvian :)
We walked through some glass doors very similar to ones that I had walked through before, if they were not the same ones-But the interesting part was that the mat on the floor said "Do Not Enter"
He told me to have my passport out.
He showed his ID badge to a lady, and she glanced at my passport, didn't take it from me or open it, and waved us through.
"Short-cut" was all he said.
He led me to security and told the lady at the beginning of the line that I needed to get to my flight and asked if I could go to the front of the line or something.
She sent me through Priority Access.
I got through security okay and didn't pause to put my belt or coat back on. I finally got into the terminal area with signs to the gates.
THIS I knew how to navigate through!
I stopped to quickly tie my shoes and then started for my gate.
Of course it was at the opposite end of where I was. :)
I didn't run, but I came close to it.
I finally got to my gate and asked a guy what time it was.
"10 'till 3"
YAY! I MADE IT!
The plane didn't end up boarding until 3:15, so I had had plenty of time anyway.
Then I flew to St. Louis. and I knew that part of the airport.
I flew over church and that was cool, and from seeing church and then seeing where I worked, I could sort of figure out where my house was. :)

I had a great time in Peru :)

So, I work tomorrow at the Fireworks Stand and at QT, then I head over the G-ma's house, gonna spend the night and then hang out Friday.
Saturday I work Fireworks stand and QT,
Tuesday QT,
Wed, Fireworks,
Fri and Sat- Fireworks and QT.
Then Sunday is camp already.

Then Tuesday I get my wisdom teeth pulled. BUSY!
But it should settle down some after that...I hope it does anyway, that is a LOT.

Then I have to be in Pensacola Sept 5!
Alrighty, I think I have updated enough for tonight.
I need to go clean my room.
Night all!

Oh yeah,
I GOT MY DIPLOMA TODAY! :D :D


Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

Pics from Peru!

That is Rachel's school, the building next door is being rented by the military, if you look very closely at the upstairs opening in the picture, you can see two soldiers.

I was giving this young man a first grade math test.

This was at a mall overlooking the ocean.

That is me with Fabricio, Carolina, and Hemana. Carolina was four and I got to hang out with her a lot.

The place we at lunch had some traditional dancing.

See picture below....

That, is Cuy (coo-ee) or Guinea Pig in English.

This I took when we went to the farm. I think it's my favorite picture from Peru.

A street vendor.

Me and Ceci.

Not sure the name of this place, but I saw the catacombs there.

Prayer

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 15-16 Recap

Okay, not much to report.

Yesterday was school, I got to help out some, I graded some papers for the 1st and 2nd grade teachers.

Ironically enough, the papers I was grading for first grade were, writing pages-as in- I was grading how well the first graders did their cursive writing. :D

Then I did some pages for the second grade teacher.

Last night was the ladies Bible study, that ended up lasting till 11, and I fell asleep upstairs around 10. :)

Today was school, I gave a couple of tests to two first graders, then I just sort of wandered, took some pictures, then hung out in Rachel´s music class cuz no one needed anyhelp.

stupid swine flu. I could´ve been at the school for two weeks. Oh, well, God´s in control, so, I

don´t really mind that much. He knows what He´s doing better than I do :)

Went to the mall today, picked up some last minute things, and I got some Ice cream. :)

Just so you all know

Peruvians eat a LOT. Large portions.

Well, it probably isn´t as much as it seems, but it´s at lunch, and the rice is really, really filling.

Small breakfast, and a snack in the evening, but it´s they make up for the absense of food at dinnertime and breakfast at lunch.

Rachel and Ceci will probably make fun of me for that...

Well, I am all packed, just waiting, I fly out at 7.05 and get to STL at 5.15.

Long day.

But I´m happy I only have to flights.

Okay, Talk to you all later, Can´t believe my two weeks are up already.

Thanks for following :) I´ll do one more Peru update when I get home.

Thanks for the prayers.

Night.

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 14 Recap

Hey guys ! :)

Okay, first off, last night after I had already posted, we went over to Ceci´s parent´s house. Everyone (with the exeption of one person) who had been out that afternoon, plus Ceci´s parents were there.

We had yucca which had been boiled, then smashed like potatoes and then filled with cheese and fried. I can´t remember what it was called. We also had some fresh Guabana juice (some of the best juice I have ever had!) I also got to try just the fruit, it was so good!

I also tried some coffee, and my taste for that has not changed, it´s still nasty stuff :)

The yucca tasted like potato to me, it was okay.

I loved the juice!

After we had eaten, Ceci, Carolina and I started playing a game that we had played earlier in the afternoon.

You go in a circle naming animals, colors, countries, whatever you want really. Eventually Juan and Isabel joined in and then Rachel and Ceci´s dad. Caro ended up leaving halfway through. :)

It was a fun night.

Today was awesome to.

Went to Lacomar, a mall facing the ocean, it was pretty cool. Had a chicken sandwich and fries, a fried banana and Inca light (light is the word for diet).

The fried banana was fantastic. mmmmm :)

Then we went over to the market and bought souveniers. That was a lot of fun too :)
We headed over to the fountain park after that, it´s so cool! The water was in time with the music, and the colors were awesome! It was a lot of fun.

Alrighty, that´s all I´ve got for now, Rachel is at Ceci´s so I´m just hanging out.

Talk to ya later!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 13 Recap

Note: Rachel and Ceci will have to check my spelling on some of these. :)

Today was FANTASTIC!

We went out to a farm with Ceci´s family, and we got to see a whole bunch of different plants, we got to see some harvested, it was very cool.

Saw banana trees, Yucca, Lucuma, Strawberries, Watermelon, Avacado, and...guanabana?

The man who owned the farm, not sure on his name, spoke some english, and had studied at John-Hopkins. He and his wife were very,very sweet. He even gave me a Lucuma! I do have pictures, I probably took over 200 pictures today, but you´re going to have to wait until I get back to my computer to see them. :)

Then we drove out to a place I´m not sure how to describe. It was outdoors, you could buy food, there was music, there were soccer fields, and playgrounds. Not sure what it would be called, I´ll have to ask Rachel.

We ate lunch there, I had Cuy, and I tried some pork, and some Conejo.

Which is Guinea Pig and Rabbit.

The Rabbit was really,really good, The Cuy was really, really, moist, it had a very different flavor, didn´t care for it a whole lot.

Unfortunately we lost the car key, and so we had to tow Rachel´s poor little car back to her house. So, a series of complicated steps later, she found her key, which is a good thing, but then she had to get rid of the guys who came to make her another key. :)

Got to spend a little time with Carolina and Hemana today, they´re both so cute!

Going to go to the fountains pretty soon!

Night all!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 12 Recap

Went up into the mountains today! Absolutely beautiful!

The car ride was fun, It was me, Rachel, and Juline, who got here yesterday.

Went up to Ticlio, which has the highest rail way crossing in the world.

Then went back down to San Mateo, which is now one of my favorite places. It was a smaller town, it had a very neat Plaza, and one of the houses was crazy colorful. We were walking through the town, and we heard a band, so we went to see, and it was the day to celebrate their patron saint.

My camera died on the way up, so, had to use Rachel´s camera...then it died too. So, I do have Some pictures. :)

Have to say, I have not been nervous with the driving in Lima, but on the mountain road, I closed my eyes a couple of times.

Then came home, got some movies, and Rachel and Ceci and I watched 8 Below.

It was a fun day!

Can´t believe that It´s already Friday.

Still not quite ready to go home.

Night all!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 11 recap

Hey guys!

Got up a little eariler today, talked with my sister, let the maid in, then went to school with Rachel.

I must say, crossing traffic is a little scary. I don´t like traffic in the states, so here...whoo! Crazy!

Went to Isa´s (Ceci´s sister) house for lunch, it was fantastic!

Got to talk to her a little bit, but Rachel had to translate for us.

Then went outside and played with Carolina and Mei Shing. That was way fun, love Caro!

Going to try to make it to Ticlio tomorrow, Rachel´s got her car back, and it seems like it will be able to handle the road!

Not much else going on. Just hanging out with Rachel tonight.

Have a good week guys!

Went to the grocery store and got stuff for lunch tomorrow.

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 10 Recap

Okay, Quarantine ended today! YAY!

Went to Rachel´s school and hung out in her classes. The school itself is a pretty cool building, with the hallways outside. It´s a neat area.

The third graders were so cute!

The fifth graders were a piece of work! :)

I don´t know if i could be a teacher or not.

After school, we went to the doctor with Ceci.

Then came home and had ice cream and cake, and hung out for a while.

Tomorrow is school, and I don´t know what else we´re doing this week. I´ll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for your prayers, and please keep praying!

Night all!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 9 Recap

Hey everybody, what´s up?

Nothing much happened yesterday, stayed at home and read mostly.

Then Rachel had her Bible study, at which I also read, since I don´t speak spanish. So, I´ve made it through two books in about 3 days.

Today was kinda the same thing. I read, and watched and episode of Robin Hood online, then Rachel came home and she slept, and I read, and halfway watched another episode of Robin Hood.

Then we went to Ceci´s house, then to Jockey Plaza-a mall-and got cinamon rolls, yum, and leftovers for breakfast.

We nearly got into a fight with a taxi driver, but I wasn´t nervous, Ceci seemed to know what she was doing, even though I couldn´t understand everything that was said.

I did pick up that he was unhappy.

Wasn´t nervous though, I don´t know, I was just observing everything that happened and keeping my eye on the guy in the street, in case he decided he was on the taxi driver´s side.

Got to spend a couple of hours at Ceci´s house just listening to her and Rachel talk.

It was a Lot of fun!

my ´quarantine´ends tomorrow, and I can go to school.

Carolina, Ceci´s niece, has decided she likes me, and she picked me to sit next to her in the van :)

Alrighty, nothing else to say.

Night all!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 7 Recap

Church was today!

Went to church at 10 o´clock, it was cool, I LOVE hearing people pray in other languages, gives a glimpse of God´s supremacy, His awesomeness.

Could pick out a word here and there in the sermon, but...pretty much just looked at the outline and read those passages.

There were 14 baptisms!

After church we had a BBQ, that was a lot of fun and it was in Enlgish! :)

Tomorrow, don´t really know what´s going on, Rachel will be at school for some of the day,

don´t know when she gets back, she has a Bible study that night.

I´m done with my ´quarantine´on Wed. so I´ll be able to go to school with her then.

Think that´s about it so far, leaving Thurs. to head up into the Mts. so.

Alrighty,

Thanks for your prayers!

Night All!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 6 Recap

Hello all!

Went to downtown Lima again today, went to ¨the nuns¨and ate lunch, it was very good. Then saw the Inquisition Museum and the Catacombs.

The lady giving the Catacombs tour was adorable, she ended about every other sentance with ¨Yes?¨way cute, her English was pretty good too. She seemed eccstatic to be giving tours.

Came home, then ran up to see Daniela, she seems to be doing pretty good, and seemed to enjoy ¨the Magicians Nephew¨I forgot how much I like the Chronicles of Narnia.

Came back home then walked to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things for a bbq tomorrow.

Then hung out with Rachel, watched TV, ate some oatmeal and a chocolate crossiant. yum.

I feel like I´ve been here forever-not a bad thing :)

Church tomorrow, then the BBQ-birthday party.

Alrighty, I am off, gotta clean up a bit, then going to bed.

Night all!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 5 Recap

Okay!

What did I do today???

I rode the busses with Rachel and we went and had lunch. Chicken and Fries, it was very good, I tried a couple of the sauces*Rachel and Cece will have to remind me what everthing-every place is called.

Went to see downtown Lima, very cool! Saw the Plazas and just walked around. Very pretty.

Tried a doughnutish food, can´t remember the name, have to tell you all later. It was pretty good. Then went to the mall and got Ice cream, Cece got her picture taken with a soccer player :) And I got to meet more of her family and See her sister and her neices again.

Tomorrow gonna see more of Downtown, and get to see Danella.

LOVING Peru, LOVING all of the people! Even the Lady I met in the airport was awesome!

Alrighty, that´s really all I´ve got for now.

Gonna try to put up some pics.

Night all!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 4 Recap

Today went by fast.

Went to the grocery store and bought some stuff, We (Me, Rachel, and Cece) made taco salad for lunch Yum!

Then Rachel and I went to visit Danella in the hospital, she was going in for surgery (she´s doing well) Rachel talked with her mom for a while, and her aunt tried her best to talk to me, so we exchanged names, and ages.

I really need to learn more Spanish than Gracias... Cece´s neice was helping me some tonight.

Carolina, absolutely adorable!

We babysat her and her little sister for a little while.

Then we came back to Rachel´s place and I tried some kind of fruit, it was okay, very unusual, i´ll try to get some pictures up tomorrow.

Alrighty.

Night All!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19

June 3 Recap

Everything went very well!

Got through Security and everything in St. Louis pretty quickly, and then walked to my gate.

Have to say, walking through the airport by myself was pretty cool...

Got to the gate and a plane to Charolette was there, was confused for a little bit, but I was just there really early.

When the Plane was getting ready to board for Raleigh, the people at the gate were asking over the speaker for a minor, then asked for a Passenger Smith, so I got up and headed over. The lady looked confused and asked if I was travelling with papers.

What?

was my intelligent reply.

What´s your last name?

Smith.

Your first name?

Hannah.

Okay, never mind.

Turns out they were looking for a 9 and half year old Kaylee Smith, going to see her dad.

Hated the flight there, small plane, I wasn´t feeling good on that flight. Closed my eyes and half dozed through it.

Landed at Raleigh Durham and took about 20 steps to get to the next gate I needed. 

That was a cool little ariport.

The flight to MIA was much better. Sat in MIA for a couple of hours, but it wasn´t too bad, it wasn´t that difficult to find my gate either, even though I had to take the train out.

Walked with and elderly catholic lady going to Lima to visit some ´sisters´ that were down there.

It was fun to just watch people.

Sitting next to me were a family of four, going to Machu Pichu and Cuzco, Across from me was a German family (i spent probably 7 minutes trying to figure out what their passport said) The dad was listening to Michael W. Smith on his Ipod.

Sitting right next to me was Isabelle, from Peru. She has four sisters, one lives in FL and one in TX, she had been in FL for two weeks for her Nephew´s wedding. We held a relativley decent conversation with regards to the fact that I speak no Spanish at all. Her English was very broken but she was able to get her questions across. Love her. She told me when I come back to Lima, I need to go in the Summer. She was also the first person (not counting the flight attendant over the speaker) to welcome me to Peru when we had landed.

On the flight to Lima, I sat next to a man who was originally from Zambia, and now lives in Jamaca. He is an Irrigation engineer, and also a New Age Spiritualist.

He was very friendly and very helpful, helped me navigate through immigration and baggage claim.

Immigration actually didn´t take very long, the line moved pretty well, baggage claim took longer, or at least it seemed to, because I couldn´t find my bag.

Got through baggage check pretty quick and then walked through one set of doors, then another into a huge room with a massive amount of people, I walked slowly looking and listening for Rachel and there she was! I made it to Peru!

Started my day around 6.15, fell asleep around 1.30. It was fun though.

Now I´m sitting in Rachel´s house, updating. She´s at school and will be back shortly.

I´ve got Mythbusters in Spanish on in the background, for some noise, and I need to go find a spot for everything I brought.

By the way Melissa Ham, you are considered a hero for getting all of my stuff and Rachel´s stuff into that suitcase! Thanks so much for your help!

Alrighty, that´s all I´ve got for now.

Talk to ya all later!

Go ye therefore and teach all nations... Matthew 28:19