Well, the first week in Peru is behind me now...and it's been...interesting. A lot of fun for sure, but interesting, I guess. I don't know a good word for it, but I love it! It's going way good. The Spanish is definitely intense here...about 90 percent of class in is Spanish. Our teachers know a little bit of English. It's about 50/50 Latin Americans (Latinos) and Americans (Norte Americanos). Yes, they call us the Norte Americanos. It's cool. And we learned we can't call them natives...because that means like...jungle dwelling crazies, I guess...so it;s...offensive. I don't know why. I think I might take that as a compliment, personally. My companion is a cool guy from...somewhere outside of Cuzco, in southern Peru. Actually he is like...straight up Inca. He speaks Spanish and the Incan language. It's pronounced like Ketch-wah, but I don't know how to spell it. Oh and his last name is...Humuanañui or something like that. It took me a good five days to be able to pronounce it right.
Um...the food actually isn't bad here at all. I actually like it a lot . . . so if I can keep getting food like this my entire mission I won't be worried about losing 50 pounds anymore. Actually, I guess I might even get fat...?? Apparently that rice can work some magic with the human body. So...yes with all the Latinos around I am starting to pick up Spanish a lot better, and most of them are pretty funny. One of them knows English pretty well...from listening to American bands and watching movies. Cool eh? He is actually WAY American. He is from Chile, but is a skater kid, wears all the American brands and all that stuff. Very cool guy. My district is pretty cool again, too. We play soccer pretty much everyday...my only strength so far is goalie...trying to transfer volleyball skills over and block everything with my hands and what not. It's way fun. We get to play a lot today because it's preparation day. And yes, my P-day is Tuesday. We are only two hours ahead of you, but I really don't know whether I'll be sending emails around the same time each week. We'll see.
Saturdays here are going to be pretty interesting. We go out with our companions and contact people...teach members and stuff, so that will be cool. This Saturday will be our first time. Tell ya what, though...teaching in Spanish is a whole different ball game. I thought I did a pretty good job in English...but man...teaching in Spanish is so hard. The Latinos tell me that they can understand me when I am teaching...so I hope they aren't lying just trying to be nice. It's difficult because most of the American guys think they all know the gospel pretty well but we can't do it so well in Spanish. So, we're all in the same situation. And to be honest...not many of us know how much our companions know...and we're also pretty sure that our companions think we know absolutely nothing. Good times. Having that language barrier between us is challenging, but it'll come...so I don't worry about it.
Yesterday my companion had some kind of break down...which was weird because he is always so upbeat and excited...laughing and talking to everyone. He was really quiet before dinner and wouldn't tell me anything. It was tough because I wanted so badly to be able to help him but didn't really know the words to say. During dinner he buried his face in his arm and started crying... I think. He was pretty good at hiding it. I could tell he was embarrassed...and didn't want anyone to know he was sad or anything. It was rough. Before we went to bed I tried my best in my broken Spanish to tell him that I loved him and that if he needed to talk or any help from me I'd do whatever I could to help him. This morning he was still pretty down...but not homesick I'm pretty sure. The Americans had to go to the immigration office today without our Latino companions, and when I got back my companion was gone. His stuff was still here...and another missionary told me he was ok. He's back now . . . thank goodness . . . and seems to be much better...so...who knows??? But as long as he's ok...that's good enough for me. He's really funny, though, and very talented musically. He brought this flute/recorder thing that he plays, and a CD of hymns that he recorded himself on guitar and violin. Cool cool. So the MTC here is going great and I'm still loving it and still having an awesome time, and can't wait for more to come. I love it. The Church is true. I love you all mucho!
Elder Royal
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