My new home . . .

After spending a few days shopping in Arequipa for household necessities, I arrived at the bus terminal with 8 bags stuffed into a mini taxi and a mattress perched precariously on top. No problem, we just transferred all the stuff to the back of the bus. And when I got off at my site, I found a taxi to drive the stuff to my house for me, where my new host madre made her sons shlep it up the stairs into my room.
Setting up my room has been going well - I bought a couple bookshelves to put clothes, books and food on. I was coming back from the provincial capital yesterday in a combi with a desk and bookshelf strapped to the top, then got dropped off in the plaza of my city. I could see my house from where I was standing, holding my bag of pots and pans next to my bookshelf and my table. I´ve been warned enough times not to trust people with my things, so I pulled a superwoman move and picked the bookcase up with my left hand and wrapped my right arm around the table. There were all these grimy guys just sitting around watching as I carried both pieces of furniture all the way across the plaza and to my house. At least I can say I´m making them question traditional gender roles . . .
Today I am going around town and introducing myself to some of the leaders. I went to the police station to meet the chief and I found him in a tank top and shorts scrubbing the bathroom floor. He was so embarrassed not to be in uniform. I´m glad that each time I venture out to meet someone new it seems like new events are added to my ´social´ calendar as well. And by social I really mean chances for me to appear in public with a proper introduction and meet more of the population. Today is the National Police Day, so I am invited to their celebration, and on Sunday there is an inauguration of the new program that is like a neighborhood watch. One event a day, that´s all I need. I have a new cell phone and address now, so send me an e-mail if you want to get that information from me.