Hola!!

So I arrived safely in Bogota, having gone through Newark, New York and waited for 3 hours to get on the plane bound for Colombia. I was met at the airport by the wonderful Abi and her family Roberto and Arora. We went back to their house as it was 10.30ish at night so I staye with them the first night. I was hungry so Arora made me Arepa (maize, circular, thin bread) similar to a rice cake but nicer, with cheese and eggs- yumshush! I also had a oat flour type drink, which was hot and surprisingly nice! After this I just crashed out and had a very decent sleep!

The next day i was treated to hot chocolate for breakfast along with cereal, papaya, milk and then eggs. Abi and I relaxed and went for a walk in the park later on. We saw the animal police at a sort of rescue centre with a sloth, a snake and some puppies and it looked like there was a news report on it or something like that! We went to the Simon Bolivar Park, which was beautiful- the weather was also gorgeous. In the first park there was a lot of roller blade practice and there are actual groups who train etc, so that was quite funny to watch! Also volleyball is big here, as is football- neither of which I am any good at! Later that day I came to my host family's house and met them and this is where I have stayed.

My host family are wonderful and have made me feel so welcome already. I know I will settle here well and get on with them. Lejia and Fabio are Mum and dad, with Mateo who is 10 years old and Juan Esteban who is about 19/20 years old. There is also Rito who is granddad who lives in the house. They have an older son, Daniel who is married to Leena and they live in the next block. Photos are on!

So some of the differences about Bogota, if they have a house and a car, they park it in the house, as it's not safe to leave it out- like literally in the house! Toilet paper goes in a bin not in the toilet, lunch is the main meal and dinner is smaller. They like hot chocolate at breakfast and eggs…lots of eggs! I am learning things all the time about this culture and the thing I love is how openly loving they are to each other. Last night Juan was sat on the chair, and Mateo went over to his and sat on him. They were openly showing love to one another, as was Fabio to his son's and it was so nice to watch.

Today I slept in a bit and then spent time talking with the family in dodgy Spanish using my dictionary. Juan then took me for a walk of the local area, which was nice and we had a mixed English and Spanish conversation. Later on I went through photos with the family and Abi came over to go through some things with me. It's been a good day so far. I'm finding it a bit frustrating not being able to communicate what is in my head, but I know in time that it will come. I have a bracelet (Pulsera en Espanol) with the words from Proverbs 3:5-6 which was a gift before I left from a good friend who recognised that this is one of my favourite verses. Lejia asked about it earlier, so I showed her the verse in my Bilingual Bible. It was a good reminder to trust God in everything and to seek Him always. He sent me here and I know that He will get me through all the difficult times. It is overwhelming being surrounded by a language you don't understand and having to rely on other people and things. It's a far way from the independent person that I was in Bristol, but I think it's a good thing to have to go back to being dependent on others to remember that we do need people around us and actually most of all we need God. For me this is a good lesson to learn, all things here are out of my control except the boldness I have in practicing Spanish, but again I need to trust God in that to. I have to give God control and what a way to learn this lesson.

Tomorrow I have my language exam to see what level I go into the institute in. I will keep you all posted.

Love to you all,

Un abrazo (a hug)

xxx