Saludos de Paysandu!

So we have been in Paysandu for over a week now, and are finally beginning to settle in. Elizabeth and I found a great apartment that is being rented by a friend of one of our hosts, and decided to go with it. It was only used as an office by her husband, so it was semi-furnished, but between her and our hosts they totally furnished it and set it up for us, so we have everything we could need. It is a surprisingly modern building, and from the 7th floor we have the most amazing view of the city and the river between Uruguay and Argentina, we are very very lucky. It is also right between the two schools where we are working, and within walking distance of most things we need. It is pretty wonderful to have a kitchen again. Unfortunately we don't really have working internet, so I will still try to buy a modem sometime soon.
We have been going to the teacher's college and the elementary school and observing/talking with the classes, and have learned a lot about things here and how they compare to the U.S. People are so interesting and personal, I really love it. They have no problem getting to know you right from the start, and will ask and answer all sorts of personal questions, which is a nice change from a lot of the U.S.
We've been taken care of down to every detail by our hosts (our hosts meaning the teachers we work with who are 'hosting' us through Fulbright)... they are always looking out for us! When Elizabeth got sick this weekend, they were all very concerned, it's amazing how sweet they are. We have also been making some friends at the teacher's college, and last night went out with some of them for the first time. It's nice to go out with other young people here, less pressure perhaps, especially since they also want to practice their english. We went for a traditional 'asado' (sort of bar-b-q) at one of our host's houses today, and it was so lovely to be with her whole family (parents, children and grandchildren), to really feel a part of things and a part of people's lives.
I have been starting to feel a bit more homesick, especially not having regular internet to be in touch and perhaps being a bit past the 'honeymoon' period of being somewhere new, but I am hoping I will settle in fast. The kids at school are very funny and the students at the college are interesting and interested, which is wonderful, and of course all the teachers and professors just couldn't be more welcoming. Sometimes I am surprised by how smoothly things have been going so far.
This week has started the "Semana de la Cerveza," or "Beer Week", and every night they have concerts and a fair and lots of events. I've gone to the philharmonic and several other events so far. Next week we are going to Salto to visit the other Fulbrighters from Tues to Thur (hopefully to the thermal baths), and then they are coming here, so that will be nice to be altogether again. Hopefully I will get the chance to post about that next week. Hope everyone is doing well back in the states!