May 14th, 2018 - Braden Buck


Today served as a day of rest and reflection primarily. We still had morning class, but it was very different. Our instructors pointed out the very important fact that there was tension between some of us and that there were students who wanted to get to know one another personally. By bringing these facts to light in an obvious manner, it was the push in the right direction that people needed. This resonated deeply within me because I was one of those people who wished to get to know others on a deeper, more personal level. I thought about what to do for a while after class and decided to get the ball rolling by starting a poll/conversation in the group chat about the possibility of having group discussions in which we got to know each other better. A plan is in the process of being made, so nothing is set in stone yet. However, I am very pleased that work is underway to make such things a reality. I have had the fortunate pleasure to get to know some people personally, and I look forward to being able to get to know the others on a deeper level.

I also had the fortune to be able to walk around and chat with Dante, Bri, Lauryn, and Lauren (after arriving fashionably late of course). We went to some of the shops in Plaza De Armas, and I had fun. It was nice to be able to talk with them using some of the leisurely down-time that I had today. We all ended up buying at least something. The vendors seemed particularly up-front in their approach tonight as well. We had more than one person stop us from leaving and offer varying prices for something. It was a little intense, but we managed. At one point in time Bri got caught by this guy selling art. He asked her if she wanted to see his art, and she accidently said yes. I thought it was kind of funny. To help out, I walked up to her said excuse me in Spanish, motioned toward my wrist as if looking at a watch, and then we all continued. I know it wasn’t that impressive, but I liked my performance nonetheless.

Near the time that Bri, Lauryn, and Lauren had to leave to go back to their respective homestays, Dante and I met up with Josh to go have dinner. We looked at a few restaurants until we found one where it wasn’t painful to look at the menu pricings. I had alpaca meat and vegetables, Josh had guinea pig and rice, and Dante had beef in the shape of a sheet with rice. We all took turns sampling each other’s food, and talked about various series and movies, “thank you” in multiple languages, and other things. It was really fun to be able to sit and talk about random things while eating food that was delicious. Today was definitely nice and laid back; I enjoyed it.


Too hungry to wait for a picture.


The three bromigos.


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