some first impressions

The Andes Mountains are always visible when you look to the north; good thing when you have a poor sense of direction.

It will be some time yet before I can say I have successfully taken public transportation on my own here.

The ground is cold and I am wishing I had brought some slippers (I think slippers is my new favorite word in Spanish - pantuflas).

The sun is hotter than any I have ever felt before.

Even with car horns honking and trucks rumbling by, the city feels peaceful.

I feel surprisingly normal here, whatever that means. It hasn't been a shock to my system, it has not been jarring, and while I make many mistakes, even speaking in Spanish does not feel all that strange.

Gracias a Dios, I arrived safely and am now with a warm and welcoming family. This week will be full of visiting, meeting, adjusting, and familiarizing. Prayers for a smooth visa application process (part II) and for an open mind to all the newness of this week are appreciated. I'll share more later, when more has happened.