A Recognized Member of the Barrio

Buenas a Todo,
I am now in the full swing of things. I am about to have my second placement test for Spanish and with out a doubt will be at a sufficient level to go in to the field. So really all have to do is keep a positive attitude and power through training. I started my classes at the university with a section on organic farming. For sure if any of you visit me I will have a fully functional garden going. The second part of my studies is learning how to raise pigeons, guinea pigs, and rabbits for foods and guano. I am really excited. I am still getting along with my family although I have run in to a couple of problems. Every day I am thankful for my time in the Dominican which really has prepared me well.
So I have a great story for everybody this entry. This last weekend was the anniversary of my barrio (3 de Octubre). The other volunteers and I have been paying in a soccer tournament that ended on the day of. About eleven in the evening we were all drinking and dancing when the President of the local government called me out to come up on stage. I was not sure what to think, but I had no choice. As I got up on to the stage the local government all shook my hand and handed me a large package. The president told the crown how happy they were to have us in the barrio, and handed me the microphone for an impromptu speech. As I looked out to the crowd I realized that I was speaking to at least 300 Peruvians and most of my Peace Corp group. Any of those who know me know that I am never short of words, but usually if I use enough of the I can articulate my point. I do not have this luxury in Spanish. My speech went something like this:
" Thank you. Thank you very much. I want to thankful for everything. Thank you for permit us to live with you. AHHHHH. Thank you very much."
I have had better speeches to say the least. The Peruvians are a very fore giving people. I received a round of applause and left the stage.
When I opened the gift I was amazed. The barrio had bought replica Peruvian National soccer jerseys with our names on the back. We all put on our jerseys and continued to party. About an hour later once again my name rang out over the load speaker. There was no way after that last speech that they were going to have me come up there again. Boy was I wrong. This time they awarded me a diploma for competing in the tournament.
I was a bit more prepared this time. I was able to tell them that we were very grateful, but much more than that. I was able to explain that it is very difficult to go somewhere so different, but with a community so nice and accommodating it really feels like home.
I left the stage this time feeling a lot better for myself and my representation of the group.

This is all for this entry, I can not figure out how to get the pictures up yet, but will continue to try. I will try to get a entry in before I leave to the north in two weeks. We have a trip to see what kind of environment we will be living in.
Chau,
Mateo Alejandro Oeste