Well then. I'm finally here, taking advantage of what is likely to be a unique spare moment, as the rest of the week is jam packed with orientation, school, and explorations of this beautiful city! I arrived last night, and despite what seemed like the longest trip through customs ever where my bag was searched and I had to re-fill out the same form three times, I eventually made it safely and soundly into the arms of my homestay family. I am living with a retired couple, Manuel and Emma. They have three grown children and five grandchildren who are in and out of the house several times a day, and after some embarrassment I think I've finally picked up everyone's names.

As I finish unpacking and settling in, I can't help but be surprised by how normal this all seems. Admittedly, I was a little freaked out when I arrived in the Houston airport all by myself yesterday with no way to get ahold of anyone at home, in Mexico, or on my next flight. As soon as I ran into Bradia and Briana, two girls from my program, however, I immediately recovered my cool. Somehow the fact that we were all a little freaked out served to calm me down. I was free of nerves for the entire two and a a half our flight to the Oaxaca airport, and even when I stepped out of the airport and was whisked away from my traveling companions by Manuel and his son Victor, I was surprised by how calm I felt. When we arrived at the house, I was immediately greeted by Emma with a welcome cup of coffee (my only "meal" since a snack in Houston hours earlier). I kept waiting for the moment to hit me when I would realize that I am in a foreign country, speaking a foreign language, functioning basically on my own... but as of now that moment has yet to come. Maybe this transition will be easier than I anticipated (knock on wood)!

This morning I was awakened by a bird in my bedroom. Yep, that's right, a bird - in my bedroom. I'm not sure how exactly to describe our house, but I guess what distinguishes it most from my house back home in Salt Lake is that most of our casita is not covered by a roof. Only the bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen are, and they all open into an uncovered atrium by means of numerous doors and windows. Hence, the bird in my room. After that incident, I dined with Emma on a "light" meal of coffee, freshly squeezed juice, melon, tamales, and mole. SO delicious! Anyways, the reason we weren't supposed to eat much this morning is because we were invited to a four-year-old's birthday party later in the day, where we snacked on more fruit, popcorn, mayonnaise-slathered corn, bread soaked in vinegar and onions (not my favorite), cake, jello and, wait for it, chicken nuggets (I guess things aren't so different after all). Everything, of course, was covered in chili sauce. After eating and watching four-year-olds whack at giant piñatas for a good four hours, Manuel took me on a mini walking tour of the city. Although I am no more oriented than before (and perhaps even a bit more confused), I have a tremendous appreciation for how beautiful it is here! All the buildings are brightly colored, and every block is filled with colonial architecture. I am particularly enamored of the cathedral in the town's centro and this old, greenish aqueduct that runs through the city.

Ok, well, the entire extended family just showed up, so it's time for me to go! I'll stick some photos up soon!