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Published: September 19th 2010
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The house has taken on a different vibe. When I arrived we were 10: a handful of British kids, one other American and an older Australian couple. At the house now there are only 5 of us (all Americans...we are infiltrating!)...but before everyone left, we took one little trip to nearby Baños where we also met the other teaching coordinator, Rachel. Baños was a nice break with good food, an active nightlife, hot volcanic baths and hiking. Only a few of us went to the thermal baths, where you soak in jacuzzi temperature pools and then switch to icy cold waters for an exhilerating feeling. Jeremy and I taught an Ecuadorian family the joys of chicken fighting and we dominated the game, naturally. The father was pretty hysterical and continually would count to 3 in English and jump into the freezing cold pool...talking us into joining him too! Cannonball!!! After a night of drinking, Jeremy and I supringly got up early the following day and had breakfast in the local market. While we were sipping hot choclate and eating a cheese sandwich the locals were chowing down on some kind of meat and rice plate...a bit early for me personally. Somehow
the hangover I was expecting never hit and we were able to hike up in hopes of seeing the nearby active volcano. Unfortunately it was too cloudy but still a wonderful way to wake up.
The school year has started and classes should be falling into a swing sometime soon. We attended the teacher meeting last week and found out that support amongst them varies. Some directors really appreciate our presence while others see us more as a minimal help...which is what we should be. Hopefully with Rachel and I both here for the semester we can make a difference and change thier minds. Each of the 8 schools present very different challenges...from no boards to write on, the responsibilty to teach a computer class (in spanish) without an actual computer, to having children that don´t know how to write in classes with children that can. These are of course compounded by the typical behavioral problems expected with children and our own presonal logistical challenges. Also, one of the schools is farther away from the main road and the majority of the children there speak a mix of Spanish and the local language at home. They seem to have problems
differentiating Spanish, English and Kichwa.
On Friday, Rachel and I went out to Independencia for the first day of classes. The school contained roughly 8-9 kids divided into 3 different levels. We arrive to see two girls pulling large insects out of a lunchbox and eating them...somehow I found the power to decline such a delicious invitation. Well, after 4 hours of classes we head out to the car, which is 30 years old. It was full of all the trash from the house (and had been baking in the sun all day) and dirty laundry. We had high hopes of dropping off the school´s director, driving to Puyo to drop off the dirty stuff/trash and catching a bus to Quito to spend the weekend. Of course things never go as planned as that would be too easy! The car didn´t start. There was absolutely no noise. So after running through our checklist of potential problems and getting the 8 children to help us try and push start the car, we reluctantly call our boss, Nick. He thinks it has to do with the car battery not being charged. So we disconnect the battery and carry in about 30
minutes to the local oil campnay, which is a self-sufficient town. We put on our best smiles and ask for help. The heavily armed guards not only call for a mecanic with an airconditioned truck but also give us COLD water and cookies. Within 4 hours of finishing teaching we are finally on our way to Puyo...and only had to stop once to let the radiator cool down. I cannot tell you how wonderful it has been to spend these last 2 days in Quito...we were able to find a camera, eat Indian food and relajarnos!!!
At the house our jungle T.V. room has been finished and is now another dorm room...if only we could get some new volunteers in!! The cooking has been getting a bit more creative, and even if it is not so delicious we have purchased a variety of hot sauces to mask any unpleasant tastes. We have had a few nights of utter darkness lately, which just add to the experience. The generator keys accidently were taken into Puyo the other day, leaving us with 2 nights of only candlelight. One coincided with our weekly adult class, which coincidentily did not have light. To top off the night, the car battery randomly disconnects, which it did as we desecnded our hill (only 1 km to the house). Paul was a hero and guided us safely to the driveway using the a handlamp out the window. You can imagine how nice it was when the keys were returned!
I´ve also taken up to running...something that is no easy task here, especially not after a few months of lacsidasical travels, food and cocktails. I think one of the volunteers is intersted in getting a routine going which would be very nice. No matter which way we turn out of the house we are faced with a hill covered in rocks...the choice lies in either up first or down first. Also, the other day I saw my first tarantula in the house. It was only about the size as my palm and I didnt think it was as imposing as people say. However, on a solo run the other day I actually had to stop and let one cross the road. It was about the size of my hand!!! Now all I can think about is crawling into bed and feeling its furry little body against my toes. eeeeek!!
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laurel Parrish
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UUUUGGGH
FUCKING Tarantulas!!!!! Jessie this is so much fun reading these entries!!!!!!! Please lets skype as soon as possible!! i love you and im so happy your happy!