I'm still not used to it

Well I've been in Peru for three months now. How long does it take to acclimate to living in a foreign (and developing) country? I expected to be adjusted by now; I've been in Peru for a three month stretch before, so I thought I'd be fully integrated into my new environment. But the other three months were only temporary. I had my plane ticket, and knew I was just visiting and would be going home. This time it's been different, knowing that I'm actually living here, even if it's not permanent. It's permanent for now.

My stomach isn't used to it. The food I eat is good, fresh, and generally healthy. I don't eat very much either, I think doing pilates has made me less hungry. But sometimes the food lets my American stomach know that its still foreign food, with annoying results. And as it's nothing I can pinpoint, I keep on eating what I like and take my chances.

My hair isn't used to it. The humidity hovers around 50%, so we have a dehumidifier in the apartment (the tray in this machine needs to be emptied of water twice a day - I don't understand). After blowdrying and straight ironing my hair, I step outside and poof! In my past life I wouldn't have cared about poofy hair as much, but I can't wear my Penn State baseball cap to work. Besides the humidity, now that it's winter it's been misting in the mornings and evenings. Not enough to use an umbrella, but enough that everything is wet, including the baseball cap.

My mind isn't used to it. Lima is so loud! It starts at daybreak with all the birds, and I love birds, but I don't remember them actually waking me up back home. Then as soon as I'm drifting back to sleep, I hear the street sweeper in front of our apartment, actually sweeping the street with a broom. Who knew a woman sweeping a street could be so loud? I'm sorry that I'm a bit bothered by her because she's just doing her job. After she moves on down the street, the vehicles start, slowly at first and with increasing frequency, until finally it's just a steady stream of motors, horns, and screeching tires. Two hours of this, right below my bedroom window, is not my favorite. 

Sometimes my mind gets tired of listening to Spanish. I'm speaking and understanding more every day, but sometimes when I'm focusing on a conversation between other people my mind gets tired and starts drifting. And everything that's written is in Spanish. Newspapers and magazines, food labels, any sign or billboard on the street or a building. Definitely not like the US where so much is in both English and Spanish.

My patience isn't used to it, but I'm trying. Shower water here is very inconsistent, and you just have to live with it. Either too hot or very cold, with a small window of warm. But I know that there are a lot of people who don't have any hot water at all. I miss my car, and the independence it allows me. I'm not brave enough to take a combi, which is a small van that gets crammed with people because it's really cheap, or even a normal size bus because I don't really understand the system. While taxis aren't that expensive (especially compared to the US), it's still something to be considered, especially now that I go to pilates and work, which is four taxi rides, costing more than I make. I'm fortunate that Kiko will often take me places or pick me up, or make arrangements with a family member to help me out. A high percentage of Peru's population must take public transportation because that's all they can afford.

I guess my heart isn't used to it either. Honestly, I miss my house, my family, my friends and my church. I'm glad to be here with my husband, and very happy that he has so many business opportunities. I'm glad that my dogs are here, too. I truly want to take advantage of all the opportunities that I have while living in Peru. I hope I get used to it soon.