I know why I'm here...

Hellooooo...

Well, yesterday - our free day - we traveled to Red Rock... which if you haven't looked up... you should. It is beautiful, and I took many pictures. They also have a natural ampitheatre there... which is cool, because many a famous band has taken the stage with the natural acoustics.
We also went grocery shopping, which in itself was an intersting experience. Trying to find things that all of us knew, and that we could together combine to make edible meals...haha...we had many good laughs.
It is neat... we went swimming, and the people at the pool knew of UWP. So did the woman behind us at the grocery store. When they hear my roommates talk with their accents, they inquire as to where their from and why they are here. When we say UWP, so far we have gotten nothing but positive responses. In fact, of all the people who mentioned it... each one is looking up our schedule to attend a show!!! How exciting is that!?!?!
Mayke and I made dinner tonight... it was pasta primavera with fresh tomato and basil sauce!!! We included zucchini, red bell peppers, mushrooms, yellow squash, etc... Neele and Barbara loved it... which is good! Pum, you would have been proud ;-)
Okay. So as for the title of my post. Tonight totally reminded me of why we are here. We had our orientation show, which means that the members of past casts who are now on staff, perform the show for us so we can see what we are in for. Most were in tears by the end of the first song. The lights dim, and one by one, the countries which our cast represents are announced. As each one takes the stage, the kids from that country cheer... as do their host families, who are so supportive of their *kids*... after every country is called, the flags wave, and the cast sings about everyone having a place in the world. And you are just filled with overwhelming pride for your country, and your cast... which is this incredibly diverse dynamic of almost 100 people from an array of backgrounds and cultures, and lifestyles. Then they went around with microphones, and asked cast members to volunteer to tell why they joined UWP. Hearing your fellow castmates, all with their unique accents... articulate why they chose to sign on... to give five months of their life to try and make others better... just made every doubt disappear. These people are so amazing. They are selfless, and concerned, and educated.. and haven't yet lost hope that we can change... the capacity of this cast to make a difference is incredible. The world better watch out.. we are on a mission ;-)