Here are some videos from my class´s performance on Tuesday. I think they did a kickass job, and looked great doing it...don´t you?
Anyway, I hope all of you enjoy these videos, and that you let me know what you think!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Quito it is, apparently
So, today I finished my project with a solid performance from my group of kids. The music class is set to evolve into a regular club, to continue what I started, which is AWESOME.
Onto the update. We´ve decided to move to Quito and do tings here. We found an affordable homestay that would start in the 2nd week of September, and there´s a cool organization that does lots of great work with street children, which sounds really cool. We´re back at Casa Bambu right now, and 2 of our friends from the last time are still here, which is nice, and we met another person today who reminds both of us INCREDIBLY of our good friend Mikey McSnortSnort. It´s actually scary.
I plan on taking it easy for the next few days at least until I KNOW I´m fully adjusted to altitude. The things I said recently about being 100% healthy jinxed me...I have a little bit of some chest congestion going on right now, so I definately want to take care of that.
I´m really glad to be FAR from Santo Domingo right now. It was one of the most depressing of all cities, and there was nothing worth going there for, except we had to for our food. We did see Batman there though...
We got back to Bua VERY early on Friday morning, and on Saturday there was a whole lot of hooplah going on...until the wee hours of the morning,and we actually decided to go to Santo Domingo just to get away from the drunks who were still awake and drunk at 7 am blasting music...ugh...
That´s over now. The last week in Bua wound up being a lot of fun...Michelle bought a rainbow Tsa´chila skirt, which makes her pretty happy, and I had my performance.
I´m happy to be back in Quito now.
Onto the update. We´ve decided to move to Quito and do tings here. We found an affordable homestay that would start in the 2nd week of September, and there´s a cool organization that does lots of great work with street children, which sounds really cool. We´re back at Casa Bambu right now, and 2 of our friends from the last time are still here, which is nice, and we met another person today who reminds both of us INCREDIBLY of our good friend Mikey McSnortSnort. It´s actually scary.
I plan on taking it easy for the next few days at least until I KNOW I´m fully adjusted to altitude. The things I said recently about being 100% healthy jinxed me...I have a little bit of some chest congestion going on right now, so I definately want to take care of that.
I´m really glad to be FAR from Santo Domingo right now. It was one of the most depressing of all cities, and there was nothing worth going there for, except we had to for our food. We did see Batman there though...
We got back to Bua VERY early on Friday morning, and on Saturday there was a whole lot of hooplah going on...until the wee hours of the morning,and we actually decided to go to Santo Domingo just to get away from the drunks who were still awake and drunk at 7 am blasting music...ugh...
That´s over now. The last week in Bua wound up being a lot of fun...Michelle bought a rainbow Tsa´chila skirt, which makes her pretty happy, and I had my performance.
I´m happy to be back in Quito now.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Cuenca
So, we are in Cuenca, in the southern highlands, right now. We´re still in the process of looking for volunteer positions, and at the same time, looking for work. Cuenca is Ecuador´s 3rd largest city, with a large student population (when University is in session). However, university is not in session yet, and for the most part, despite the attractive streets and buildings in Cuenca, it is not as wonderful as everyone made it sound. Don´t get me wrong, it´s a nice city with lots of places that can help us out, but it lacks the vitality that Quito does. However, Cuenca has a really cool organization that would be wonderful to volunteer for. Everything else, however, such as the hominess of Casa Bambu, the backpacker scene, and the presence of MANY gringo oriented places to find work are absent. I do, however, have one possibility here at a bar/restaurant in a few minutes, so we shall see.
Also, I am now looking forward to leaving the Santo Domingo area once and for all, and finally settle down in a place that doesn´t depress us. Also, if wherever it is we settle down involves a job for money or a place to live, all the better.
I was a little sore today. 8 hour bus rides at night will do that to a person, as will walking around practically without stopping.
Another positive Cuenca thing- it´s pretty easy to find vegetarian food.
Anyway, we shall see what happens in the next few days...
Also, I am now looking forward to leaving the Santo Domingo area once and for all, and finally settle down in a place that doesn´t depress us. Also, if wherever it is we settle down involves a job for money or a place to live, all the better.
I was a little sore today. 8 hour bus rides at night will do that to a person, as will walking around practically without stopping.
Another positive Cuenca thing- it´s pretty easy to find vegetarian food.
Anyway, we shall see what happens in the next few days...
Sunday, August 17, 2008
We made friends! Holy crap!
After nearly a month of trying in vain to make friends in Bua, last night Michelle and me decided to go out, and at one bar we met a fun Ecuadorian couple. They were really nice, we had some good Spanish practice...and the two of us realized that we can not keep up with them!
There is a type of liquor here called Aguardiente. It´s basically fermented cane juice into a really nasty tasting swill that resembles under-kitchen-sink products...alas, I did not want to be rude and refuse, as the tab was on them (!)- we were their guests, he said.
But, we danced, we talked, we all generally had a good time. And afterwards, we had a little slice of home- there´s a pizza place in the Mariscal that sells pizza by the slice...and I don´t have to tell them that we don´t want pizza with ham on it. That´s the default topping here, and it´s nearly impossible to get a just-cheese pizza, which is the most frustrating thing ever. Anyway, we got pizza after we left the disco, and went back to the hostel. Alas, my internal clock is still on Bua time, so that means I was up by 8am today. Not fun.
Anyway, I have an interview tomorrow with an English school. It would be clutch to get a paying job, though I´d still be doing some volunteering. Sidenote, we had meeting with Andy (director) and Azalia (worthless project coordinator) to discuss some problems with the project. Azalia completely ignored our issues and basically insulted us for being Westerners, saying that we need to do things that we were already doing, ie, talking to people. She offered us no help whatsover, while Andy is probably going to help find some other cool opportunities. I´d like to stay in Quito, and the fact that we have friends makes it even more attractive an option.
Anyway, I think we´re going to do some sightseeing today, so some pictures will be up in the near future. Until then, stay tunedddddddd
There is a type of liquor here called Aguardiente. It´s basically fermented cane juice into a really nasty tasting swill that resembles under-kitchen-sink products...alas, I did not want to be rude and refuse, as the tab was on them (!)- we were their guests, he said.
But, we danced, we talked, we all generally had a good time. And afterwards, we had a little slice of home- there´s a pizza place in the Mariscal that sells pizza by the slice...and I don´t have to tell them that we don´t want pizza with ham on it. That´s the default topping here, and it´s nearly impossible to get a just-cheese pizza, which is the most frustrating thing ever. Anyway, we got pizza after we left the disco, and went back to the hostel. Alas, my internal clock is still on Bua time, so that means I was up by 8am today. Not fun.
Anyway, I have an interview tomorrow with an English school. It would be clutch to get a paying job, though I´d still be doing some volunteering. Sidenote, we had meeting with Andy (director) and Azalia (worthless project coordinator) to discuss some problems with the project. Azalia completely ignored our issues and basically insulted us for being Westerners, saying that we need to do things that we were already doing, ie, talking to people. She offered us no help whatsover, while Andy is probably going to help find some other cool opportunities. I´d like to stay in Quito, and the fact that we have friends makes it even more attractive an option.
Anyway, I think we´re going to do some sightseeing today, so some pictures will be up in the near future. Until then, stay tunedddddddd
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Quito
So, not too long ago today, we arrived in Quito for the weekend. We decided that we should come back to Quito, talk to Yanapuma about other volunteering options, and see about volunteer or work options, and options as far as living cheaply.
The hostal we´re staying at right now is proboably the best hostel I´ve ever seen. The rooms are fantastic, hot water, kitchen use, book exchange, rooftop terrace, movie lounge, etc...and it´s really cheap. I plan on looking to see if they accept volunteers, or offer discounted rates if I stay there for the long term. I´m also looking into a cheap homestay so I can practice my Spanish, but that has yet to be decided.
However, things are going okay in Bua. I´m starting to figure out what they react to as far as what they like doing, etc. It´s still weird because I´m not so sure what they need me for outside of supervision. I´m thinking if I can get them to perform by either the end of next week or the week after that, I feel like that would be a good time to call it a project. I did have fun beating on a drum while Richard (the only student who responds to questions) played marimbas and the other students danced.
My project is going okay, and the community is really pretty and I like walking, but as I said the last time, I´m not speaking much Spanish, and there´s really nothing to do in Bua, and I hate Santo Domingo. It´s an affair that´s expensive and not worth it.
Also, I have concluded that I am, have been, and always will be a city person. If I can find something worthwhile in Quito, I´m going to do it, and might actually wind up saving money. We´ll see how it goes. Until next time, ta ta!
The hostal we´re staying at right now is proboably the best hostel I´ve ever seen. The rooms are fantastic, hot water, kitchen use, book exchange, rooftop terrace, movie lounge, etc...and it´s really cheap. I plan on looking to see if they accept volunteers, or offer discounted rates if I stay there for the long term. I´m also looking into a cheap homestay so I can practice my Spanish, but that has yet to be decided.
However, things are going okay in Bua. I´m starting to figure out what they react to as far as what they like doing, etc. It´s still weird because I´m not so sure what they need me for outside of supervision. I´m thinking if I can get them to perform by either the end of next week or the week after that, I feel like that would be a good time to call it a project. I did have fun beating on a drum while Richard (the only student who responds to questions) played marimbas and the other students danced.
My project is going okay, and the community is really pretty and I like walking, but as I said the last time, I´m not speaking much Spanish, and there´s really nothing to do in Bua, and I hate Santo Domingo. It´s an affair that´s expensive and not worth it.
Also, I have concluded that I am, have been, and always will be a city person. If I can find something worthwhile in Quito, I´m going to do it, and might actually wind up saving money. We´ll see how it goes. Until next time, ta ta!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Guaya-killin´ Time
Well, in a drastic improvement over Santo Domingo, we arrived in Guayaquil last night at around 10pm.
Things are getting a little awkward in Bua. First of all, because we are cooking for ourselves (at the request of the family), we don´t eat our meals with them, and our contact with the family (in other words, Spanish) is a little limited. Plus, all of the other volunteers (except for a new, very unhappy seeming girl) have left, so no one is at the cultural center; even if we spent more time there, apparently it is very much a split group, with volunteers on one side of the table and locals on the other. The cultural exchange that we think we would get apparently does not exist.
We go to the school two days a week, for about an hour each day. I´m getting a little worried about my class; the group seems not to have any interest whatsoever in the class. I have one kid who answers every question I ask, and it is only through him that anyone else in the class does anything. I´m wondering if they actually want to be there. Though, to be honest, their music is less than stellar...
I really like Guayaquil. Despite not being the capital, it is the largest city in Ecuador. It is also their center of commerce, and their ¨central park¨ is the massive, beautiful Malecon 2000, an urban waterfront renewal project. It has so much cool stuff to see. In addition, there is a cool little historic district/neighborhood called Las Peñas, where there are also lots of little cool shops and bars and restaurants.
We are thinking that we will try to travel on the weekends; after all, we have school only Tuesday and Thursday, with lots of time off to do other things. There´s just really nothing to do in Bua- everyone our age is married with children, and all the men do is get uselessly drunk and play pool. Not very good to practice Spanish. Fortunately, our favorite toilet town (santo domingo) has a bus terminal, and we can get to all of the best places in Ecuador: Guayaquil (here now), Quito, I think we can go back to Otavalo if we wanted, Ibarra, Baños, and Cuenca. I´m really excited about the last two, they seem like a lot of fun.
Anyway, I will post more as more things happen. Ta ta!
Things are getting a little awkward in Bua. First of all, because we are cooking for ourselves (at the request of the family), we don´t eat our meals with them, and our contact with the family (in other words, Spanish) is a little limited. Plus, all of the other volunteers (except for a new, very unhappy seeming girl) have left, so no one is at the cultural center; even if we spent more time there, apparently it is very much a split group, with volunteers on one side of the table and locals on the other. The cultural exchange that we think we would get apparently does not exist.
We go to the school two days a week, for about an hour each day. I´m getting a little worried about my class; the group seems not to have any interest whatsoever in the class. I have one kid who answers every question I ask, and it is only through him that anyone else in the class does anything. I´m wondering if they actually want to be there. Though, to be honest, their music is less than stellar...
I really like Guayaquil. Despite not being the capital, it is the largest city in Ecuador. It is also their center of commerce, and their ¨central park¨ is the massive, beautiful Malecon 2000, an urban waterfront renewal project. It has so much cool stuff to see. In addition, there is a cool little historic district/neighborhood called Las Peñas, where there are also lots of little cool shops and bars and restaurants.
We are thinking that we will try to travel on the weekends; after all, we have school only Tuesday and Thursday, with lots of time off to do other things. There´s just really nothing to do in Bua- everyone our age is married with children, and all the men do is get uselessly drunk and play pool. Not very good to practice Spanish. Fortunately, our favorite toilet town (santo domingo) has a bus terminal, and we can get to all of the best places in Ecuador: Guayaquil (here now), Quito, I think we can go back to Otavalo if we wanted, Ibarra, Baños, and Cuenca. I´m really excited about the last two, they seem like a lot of fun.
Anyway, I will post more as more things happen. Ta ta!
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