Los Informes: N° 5 - Enero

Daily Life: After speaking with the Youth Exchange Chairman for district 4300, it was revealed that the change of families will take place towards the end of February, beginning of March: 6 months into the exchange, instead of 3. This is fine with me, as I am now orientated within the city and my current host family's main house is close to all my classes, of which I will speak shortly:

 Photos from the roof of the house. See Psa 19.

 On a clear day, looking to the East, mountains can be seen (click on the image to see a bigger picture).

Day at School: I have been attending the Universidad Privada de Tacna's language institute for a few weeks now in order to learn Portuguese. É uma lenguagem muito fácil de aprender se você sabe espanhol. However, it will not be taken during the month of February (everyone wants to go à praia) - it recommences on the 5th of March.

 I also just started to take cooking classes at Esdit. I'll eventually learn Bread-making, Pastry-making, native Peruvian food and much more.

Problems: I have been trying to figure out how much longer of a student visa I have. Sra. María Torres, a lady who works at the Governmental Immigration Office here in Tacna, told me on the third week of January that I only have "24 days left". When I asked about the "+180 (days)" stamp on my passport, which is added on whenever a non-Peruvian citizen leaves the country and re-enters, she said "it doesn't have value" and "it doesn't matter". She then instructed me to go to the Chilean border (40 minutes away) and ask to change to a "tourist visa" (upon which an extra 180 days will be added). When I asked if she had any of this written down (in a pamphlet, etc.) she said "no". According to the senior members in my Rotary Club, she was lying and was just trying to make me pay more for a tourist visa. So, my councillor (my real one) is going to bring me to the border and back in February to get another +180 (day) stamp, which they say does have value. So I'll just wait for that day, and when I get more information I'll relay it back to anyone interested.

How's your Rotary Club?
It's been doing well! Not much to say I guess. Although I presume I will need to start thinking about my next presentation soon!