Feels like summer!!!

The time keeps flying by...I can't believe I'm already starting my 6th wk here. We continue to have lots of problems with power-outages scattered throughout the city. They can be brief or last a few hours. Oddly enough I packed a flashlight with me when I came here and it has been very handy lately!!!

The weather is also getting noticably warmer, especially in the afternoons. It's hard to gauge an exact temperature, as there really aren't crazy weather reports here like there are in the US, but I would say it's at least 80 for a high. I might have to start running in the morning if it gets much warmer; the combination of heat and altitude is a tough mix. I keep getting lots of emails too about how tan I must be. I think I will return with a tan that resembles my normal summer one from landscaping: tan arms, tan calves, tan face, and that's it!!! It also hasn't rained at all since my first wkend here and things are starting to look DRY.

We have another new student living with my host family and I. Her name is Linda, and she is an American woman from Boston who is in her early 60s. She used to be an english teacher in the US and now enjoys studying spanish for a hobby. Her spanish is incredible and she is a very interesting woman....very active and friendly...and I enjoy having her around too. Because of her moving in, I switched to the other student bedroom at the house. It's just as nice and I still have my own bathroom and lots of storage space. I also have wireless in my room, which is really handy for studying!!!

Today I had a very interesting day at the clinic. I first have to say that my luck getting to and from isn't improving: I took the wrong bus this AM. When i realized this it was too late, and I got off at a random stop and walked about 15 mintues to the clinic. Luckily the clinic is up on a steep hill and it's easy to spot from just about anywhere in the next valley over from where I live. On my way home, I realized that I only had a 200 peso bill ($15 USD) and they don't give change on the bus. There also are only banks near the city center, which is near my house, so I had no other choice but to walk home. I'm not complaining and enjoyed the walk, but it was a good 45 minute hike!!!

At the clinic there was hearing screening today. I actually helped the doctor make hearing devices for patients. We took this clay-like substance and packed it into people's ears to make a mold. After it solidified, a small hole was drilled through and a tube was placed. These individual molds can then be "hooked up" to a hearing aid receiver for use. Although these were nothing like the technology we have in the US, such a simple device is enough to make a big difference to the people here.