By ESTELLE MEHEGAN

I could say so much on my life in Peru, yet so little is possible. I can only start out by saying it was the greatest experience I have ever had in my life. I realize it can never be recreated, which is a sad thought, but I wouldn't have given up my chance to go to Peru for anything.

Not only did I get a chance to learn about history and customs, but I also went to the two universities in my home town, since it is their winter. Within the two universities I discovered the different feelings and attitudes that existed among the two places. The schools were rivals and it was fun hearing them cut each other down. However, the people were the same; good students and bad students; people I liked and didn't like; fun people and serious people.

Although I kept busy, some of the things I did in Arequipa were the same day to day things that we all do here. I went to Peru, which sounds very romantic (it still does to me) but still there was the very unromantic happenings like eating fish‑eye soup or finding a chicken foot sitting in the middle of my plate. Eating in my home was never appreciated on my part. Oatmeal every morning and soup and potatoes and rice every afternoon and evening got to be tiresome. Fighting with buses, going to movies, and taking walks and picnics in the country were all a part of my life also. But whenever things used to get me down I remembered I was supposed to consider everything as a part of the AFS experience, both the good and bad parts.

Parties are very popular, and several are usually held each night. My parents were always understanding, and my three sisters and I went to parties two or three times a week. My sisters always got me to ask for permission from my parents to go to the parties, because they usually said "yes" to me.

Everyone goes in small groups or by themselves and then meet their friends at the party. They have parties to dance, so they are usually held in one of the many clubs with one of the popular groups. American songs are popular, but they have their own type of dancing, which took me a while to get used to.

No drinking age limit exists in Peru. Because of this cocktails or beer was served at most of the parties and meetings. The Arequipanians pride themselves on being the area who consume the most alcoholic content in a year in all of South America. One of the two main factories in Arequipa was a beer factory.

Drugs are not too common in Arequipa, but there is some drug traffic from Chile. I wasn't asked questions about drugs. However, some of the other kids, especially the guys, got the feeling that the Peruvians had the stereo‑typed image that we are all drug addicts.