After wandering around Lima, I hopped the bus and slept most of the way.  Sadly, there were no chickens on the bus but you can´t have everything I suppose.  I arrived and was promptly wisked away by the taxi that Peter from Otra Cosa, the volunteer agency, had arranged.  I was brought to his house and then Peter came with me to the place I would stay. 

The Urcia family consists of Senior Urcia, a fisherman and very gracious host, his wife Rosie, a wonderful cook, their three sons, all top surfers in Peru, and their 6 year old daughter, a future world class surfer to be sure.  The downstairs is their house/surf shop.  Upstairs, thay have built about 5 rooms where the two oldest sons live along with an ever rotating cast of travellers and volunteers.  Somehow, I managed to get the room in front that has a small window with a view of the beach about 100 yards away.  We all share two bathrooms, one with an electric water heater that may or may not shock me at some point, the other with cold water. 

As far as volunteering goes, I’m looking forward to it but I’m scared.  We visited the school yesterday and the children were very excited.  Another volunteer and I will teach two one hour classes of 15 students four days a week.  I really think it will be fun and hopefully rewarding for all involved.  I may also get involved with a zoo that is about two hours away by bus.  I think I will at least pay a visit.  I fear it may be a little too much for me to handle because I´m a softy but if I can help somehow I think I should.  We´ll see.

Beyond teaching english there is learning Spanish and surfing.  Learning Spanish happens with everyday interactions as it is the common language between the Dutch, Swiss, Japanese, and Peruvian friends I have made.  On the way here I thought about how cool it is that an American and a guy from Sweden were conversing in Spanish on a beach in Peru.  Beyond the everyday interaction I am working with one of the sons of the family where I´m staying.  He speaks a little English and we´ve decided to help each other.  On top of that I plan to take lessons from a local instructor to make the most of my time here.

Which leaves surfing.  The break is 100 yards in front of where I stay.  I can see it from my window.  I’ve arranged a long term rental deal with the Urcia family and my goal is to go every day and so far I’m three for three.  The water is cold so we wear full wet suits but it’s not as cold as home.  The first day I got cocky and took out a smaller board than I should have.  Lets just say I got taught a lesson and went in early.  Day two went better on a longer board and as I sit here my shoulders are sore from paddling.  After surfing, we stagger back to the house and wash the sand off.  Not bad.