No time to waste!

Hi friends! I have been so busy with my group and have been having a great time! I wrote another group blog post about our time in Otavalo if anyone is interested...

http://www.carpediemeducation.org/blog/2013/02/adios-otavalo/

And a quick picture....

Check out the group blog!

Hi friends, if anyone is interested I posted to the shared group blog which can be found here...

http://www.carpediemeducation.org/blog/category/sam-peru-and-ecuador/

Brief Rant- internet cafes

So lots of awesome things have happed here in Ecuador, but I am going to be silly and choose to spend my rareish computer time ranting about how much I hate internet cafes.

They smell. There is always someone looking at porn. The chairs always suck. They never have bathrooms. People stand behind me and watch what I'm doing. They don't always have Google Chrome, so I have to wait for it to download. They are always ancient computers without SD slots.

But mostly, they are SO SLOW.

Yesterday I spent an hour and 45 minutes trying to upload about 90 pictures. And at that time, they STILL weren't fully uploaded, and the store was closing (another thing I hate, they all close at 6). Thankfully I was smart and did it in two halfs, so at least some of my pictures were saved. The other half, all that time for nothing. And now of course, about 25 of those pictures and a brief video clip aren't on my SD card and I've now I've lost precious pictures twice. Thankfully they were all scenery pictures, sucks to lose them but they're not super personal.

If you're taking time out of your day to read this silly post you probably already know this, but additionally, a lot of my pictures that did "upload" turned out like this...

Well that sure is pretty huh? Seriously. 

Okay, well sorry to complain so much. It's hard to come up with blog post topics so today I just spit up what was on my mind. Speaking of spitting up, I love bananas, I really do. And I love that they cost about 12 cents here. But lately, I've been just eating my banana and all of a sudden I start to gag. I think if I had a normal gag reflex I would actually throw up. I have no idea why this keeps happening, I like bananas and they are good! 

Okay now I am still ranting but at least in a little more positive way. Last night I talked really fast to the 60 year old English lady who is living in the same house, she got a kick out of it. I also tried talking to the cab driver at the same speed in Spanish but he didn't understand me, but that was probably moreso because of my accent and poor grammar. 

Some thoughts for my family

Hello everyone. This blog is mostly for my immediate family but I figured it couldn´t hurt to share it with everyone. Originally I was going to write an email but I like having everything organized in this blog. Hope everything is going well at home, happy almost birthday Cassie! Don and Bernadette, made any wedding plans? 

Here are some thoughts I want to share...

I love traveling. I have meet so many people who have been all over the world and I am so jealous. I will be doing lots more traveling. Wanna come with? Or take me somewhere? ;) I used to say/think that I would really only ever travel through Latin America, I didn't want to waste my money on a place other than a country that speaks Spanish. I think that is slowly changing, the world is just so big and I want to see it all. I'm still pretty hesitant about Europe, but all the other continents sound great.

Last Sunday I climbed Cotopaxi! It was so so hard, but I had an absolutely wonderful time.

                 

With that, I am wanting to do more adventurey things. I was imagining myself stuggling through all these hikes and mountains and camping, and realized I am not good with this stuff and have no experience with it. But, I know someone who does! Jerad, I know we never really hang out, but I want to travel with you. Not just for your outdoorsy skills, but I think you would be a really good travel companion. Lets hitch hike to Colorado and camp our way up a Mountain, or go to the boundry waters, or the Grand Canyon. I really want to climb the volcano here in Ecuador, Chimborazo, with you. Also, there is this Galapagos volunteer work my awesome Spanish teacher was telling me about...you work on a farm during the week and have weekends to explore the islands. You pay the flight and enterance fee (total $650), and then for a month it costs only $300. In total that is signifigantly less than my time on the "mainland"! So get a job and lets go to Ecuador. 

I hate this internet cafe. Actually, I hate them all. The retired women from England in my house has an iPad and I am so jealous of how much easier her life is with it. But with all the theft here. (its unbelievable how common it is), I feel like it would be really silly to buy a fancy gadget for my future travels. I do know that I want a smart phone when I return home though, no compromising there. So it's very silly for me to be a spoiled American with a laptop, smartphone AND tablet. But oh how nice they are...

Speaking of spending all my money, I've been reminded here of how much I LOVE stickshifts. Dad, while you're car shopping for me, keep them in mind! I want to learn so badly, I really couldn't tell you why. I would love a stick shift. 

Question for you all, what's worse in a bathroom? No soap, no toilet paper, having to pay for it, or one that's co-ed? I regularly experience all of these things, but the worst is when it's a combo. No 25 year old Dutch freak, just because I am waiting in line for the same bathroom as you does not mean I want to chat with you while you use the urinal. And no paper AND no soap? I can deal with one of the two but both is gross. 

Another thing I still haven't gotten used to is the kissing. In Mexico and other parts of the world people greet each other with a "kiss" but there´s generally two inches of air inbetween the faces. Here they are real contact kisses and it's rude not to make contact. It's okay with me when its a middle aged women, or someone I actually know and like, but when some twenty year old guy I just meet comes up and kisses me on the cheek in the same way a couple in the states would I am not a fan. Twice now I have watched a guy kiss a girl on the cheek, I assume they're dating, than a minute later I see him kiss another girl and I freak out in my head, "what is he doing?! Terrible person! Oh right...everyone kisses here"

Okay, those are my slightly unorganized, poorly spelled thoughts, while I was waiting to upload some pictures. I've wasted almost two hours of daylight just for 90 pictures or so, once again, I hate this internet cafe. 

Some change in plans

It's been an emotional last few days!

On Tuesday, I found out that the school I had been at would be starting their mid year vacations on Thursday, and so yesterday was my last day with the kids. I totally wasn't expecting this, and I was (am) heartbroken. I was not mentally prepared to say my forever goodbye, did not have enough pictures with them, and I wasn't excited to spend a week somewhere other than this school.

Thankfully everyone was there the last two days (their all absent a lot, no idea why). On Wednesday I told Cristhian at least three times that if he slept in his house tomorrow I would cry, please be here on Thursday. (I'm quite proud that I was able to communicate all that!) I got the Alba's phone number (picture of her below) and was invited to the school cook's mother's house in the country (??). The last day was fun, we spent a lot of time with the kids who are blind dancing. I danced individually with all my kids and told them my good byes verbally in English quite fast. Klever wouldn't let me take his hands while we were dancing but he did give me a big hug. Cristhian was very unhappy to be dancing with me, but when I was talking a mile a minute to him he just nodded his head laughing at me and pretending he was listening. Lesly too was funny when I was talking with her, they all had never really seen me use my voice to communicate. I loved that I could tell them just how much I cared for them and everything they had taught me. Usually I'm to self conscious to be that honest with people. We also got put in the room with the blind man to sing, but instead of spending my last day yelling at them to do the actions, I just sat on the floor and hung out with them while belting out the songs so the blind man thought we were working. It was quite fun for me and Cristhian, but the others didn't realize how weird it was that I was totally slacking off.

Cynthia and my little friend who's name I only know in
Sign Language showing off their work to Cristhian

These kids are so much different than any other kids I've ever gotten to know before. I visited the daycare I'll spend a week at today and was reminded of how kids are kids everywhere. They have snot dripping from their nose, they rush to show you the little boat they made, they love water, they're hard to understand, and they are always oh so cute. Each of them is beautifuly unique, and so very valuable. But when it comes down to it, they are all so similar through out the world. In my mind, Pato, Stephano, Klever, Cristhian, Alba and Lesly were different though. The combination of their uncommon language, the fact that they're Ecuatorianos, their disabilities, and their age (not really kids) made them so different and so memorable.

So I guess I'll be spending next week at a Guardaría. This daycare is funded by the government for families who otherwise wouldn't be able to pay for childcare. There are at least 100 kids, all under five. It's for sure not what I signed up for but I love kids and I really am happy to serve where ever I'm needed. I'm glad I get to explore another part of the city, learn how to take the bus, and actually practice my Spanish. It should be fun!

The same day I found out the terrible news, there were some other changes in plans, but this time for the better. I am going to the JUNGLE. Woot!

Some pictures of where I'm going from their Facebook page

I had been looking and looking and emailing for something to do after my time with this organization ended and for when my group from Carpe Diem arrived. I finally decided that being independent and not asking for help are NOT the same thing, and so I mentioned my dilemma to my coordinator. He knows this organization, has been on this same trip, and the dates line up perfectly. It sounds like so much fun. Birds, anacondas, monkeys. Swimming in the lagoon, beautiful sunsets, hammocks, taking a canoe to get there, no electricity, piranha fishing.

Sunday, I am going to the mountain Cotopaxi. (or Volcano, I can't keep straight which is which). So many changes, but I am excited to experience all these new things!

Just a quick hello

Hello! I have an almost nasty cold so I decided to spend an hour or so in front of the computer instead of exploring the city like I usually spend my afternoons. (Specifically I have been on a quest to find a long sleeve tan dress shirt that cost less than $15, no luck yet. Most of the clothes are really expensive here because it's imported, and I'm generally not brave enough to go into the stores that have clothes made in  Ecuador). 

Like I mentioned on Facebook I got to go to the Middle of the World as it's called on Sunday. It was an okay trip, too expensive for my taste, and since I was sick and it was at least 90 degrees I was just sleepy the whole time. I have no regrets that I went though! I did not flush toilets on opposite sides of the equator but I did see a basin of water drain on each side as well as right on the equator (no funnel, it goes straight down). Also, we tryed walking on the equator, it was really hard! I don't understand the science behind it, but it's pretty cool.

I've been trying to find something fun to do after my volunteer work ends and before my study abroad group arrives. My last day of work is Friday the 8th, I'm kicked out of my host family on the 10th, and my group arrives on the 13th, late in the day. I really really want to go to the jungle but I haven't had the time/patience to find a trip that fits my dates. Anyone want to look for me? :) There are dozens of travel organizations, but they generally don't have the dates posted.  It's Carnaval here in Quito on the 11th and 12th, so I don't know if that makes it easier or harder to find something, but I do know I want to be doing something because apparently the city shuts down and is quite boring. 

I really am curious as to who reads my blogs/what you think/questions/advice, anything! I probably won't have the time to reply but I really love contact. And I wanna know who reads my blogs :) So please, I'd love to read any comment you have! Oh and, to all of you who love proper spelling (Alennah), I have been too lazy to figure out how to set the spell check to English and my spelling is terrible, so please don't be too hard on me :)

The most beautiful sound

Before my trip, if you had asked me what my favorite sound in the world was, I would have confidently said the sound of children's laughter. Now, that has changed a little, as I have found the purest and most joyful noise.

I have been helping out at a school for kids who are deaf or blind. It's a little different than I anticipated, but that is partially because I chose to stay in one classroom to get to know the same kids instead of switching around. There are classes for very small blind children, a class for slightly older blind children who also have disabilities, and classes for children who are deaf, and then my class where they needed the most help. I have been with six older children/teenagers who are deaf and also have cognitive disabilites. Cristhian, Lesly, Stefano, Klever, Patricio, and Alba, with an age range of 8-16.

Cristhian is the oldest and his disabilities are the least visable, and he's my buddy. We started off a little rough, he just didn't seem to want anything to do with me...all the other kids hugged me, smiled at me and would find ways to voluntarily interact with me. Cristian on the other hand is a typical teenager, not a child, he wasn't going to be instant friends with this random foreigner, let alone touch me or try and communicate. It was really weird for me at first, it's usually so easy to get kids to like you, I hated his apathetic attitude towards me. (Looking back, I was quite selfish). I didn't know how to deal with him, I didn't know how to get him to at least accept me, I generally hang out with small children. As I got to know him by watching, I realized I needed to stop thinking of him as a kid. No, he can't do academic work like most 16 year olds, but he still wants to be treated like and adult, or rather be my equal. That has been my mentality, and it has been great. Instead of (attempting to) ask him dumb questions to interact with him, I genuinely ask him for help (and man do I need it!). We play checkers and the dot game and I don't go easy on him. Also, we cheat if someone is too slow :) Our thing this past week has been to point and pretend there is something interesting than laugh when the other person turns to look. It's fun but Thursday I genuinely wanted to point out the guinea pigs running around the garden but he didn't believe me. He helps a lot with the other kids, especially Alba...

Albita is a beautiful beautiful girl, and she always looks so joyful. But the absolute only thing she likes to do is bother other people. Shaking the table, pulling ears, drawing on their paper, touching them, it never ends. Usually if the teacher isn't around Cristhian with go and sit by her because she doesn't even try to bug him, she knows he won't let it get to him. Her mom is a very sweet women who sometimes spends her whole day at the school and usually kisses me four times a day. I love how Alba "talks" to everyone. Sometimes she'll take my hand, bring me to a stanger and just started making noises and hand gestures pointing at me, showing how excited she is to have a friend. It's very sweet. I love Alba, but she definitly is tough to work with.

Not the best picture of either of us, but this is me and Pato

Patricio is also a chaos started, but usually he his motivation is trying to be apart of the group or wants something someone else has. The poor boy is significantly smaller and younger than the others and desperatly wants to be their friends. He can be the hardest to get to work, Alba will just sit and smile and "talk" when you're trying to get her to do something, it's not stress inducing. But Patricio, for the smallest things will scream and run away, it really wears on your patience when it's such a big deal for the tiniest things. There have been many times I was trying to get his attention to show him something cool but he thought I was mking him work or something so he just screamed at me and ran away. On the flip side though, he can be the sweested boy ever if he wants to. When he takes my hand and smiles at me it melts my heart. His affection is so much more valuable to me than most children's because I know just how hard it is to win him over. I am so grateful for the times his sweet side comes out.

Stefano is also very emotional, usually for the best, he's a hugger.  He gets so so so happy and enthusiastic when you give him praise. He does pretty well academically in comparison to his classmates, so he gets a lot of it.There is of course a "but," he is so crushed by negative feedback. One day our teacher was going to be busy all day so he and the other two more mature students spent thier day with a professor who is blind. So yes, the blind leading the deaf, from what I have seen that is definetly worse than the old saying the blind leading the blind. I'm not entirely sure what happened, but the teacher got very angry with Stephano and he still is talking about it with so much emotion and ends up crying. He is a good kid, loves everyone. He and Alba are both very affectionate, so everyone (including them) says that they are in love. Stefano also spends most of recess with Patricio, which is very kind of him. He is one of the three who can read and write a little, although its mostly copying things from the board.

The most academically advanced is Lesly. She really has a strong drive to  learn and do things well.  She reminds me of all the wonderful qualities in my cousin Cassie, although I can't quite figure out excatly why she makes me think of her. Lesly never ever cause or participates in trouble, is friendly to everyone and really trys so hard to do everything correctly and throughly. She is very uncomfortable when the others are misbehaving, but doesn't (yet) step in like Cristhian. I believe that as she matures and grows, she'll change and become a very strong leader who will help teach and model good behavior to the other kids. Like Cassie, she has gorgeous, long, thick hair.

Klever! This is our classroom

Last but not least we have Klever. I feel like I know him the least of all the kids, but he does make me smile a lot. He frequently trys to talk to me in signs and I never have any idea what he's saying. I always feel like he's telling me something like "haha look at that what are they doing? That's not how you do it, silly silly silly." Klever lives at the school during the week and over all is pretty mellow.

My "favorite" kid who is  blind, Adonis. Picture taken candidly by Cristhian

Sometimes I help with the blind kids across the hall, the day this picture was taken was quite a disater but a great adventure. Of the four kids, three cryed, two hurt themselves, and overall they were just very unhappy with out their  "Profe! Profe! Profe!" (Think mom mom mom mom mom). Although I think I'd rather be alone with these kids than mine! Twice now I've been put in a room with them and a blind man with an accordian to "sing." The second the door shut the kids went CRAZY. When I finally had a little bit of control (thank you Cristhian) and started a song the blind mand kept stopping the song to correct the words I was singing...but THEY'RE DEAF! T'was quite an adventure...

During recreo I hang out with 4 of the smallest deaf kids (or course). We usually play checkers. Here are three of them being crazy for the camera...

The kids at this school, especially these four niñitos changed my mind as to what the most beautiful sound in the world is...The laughter of deaf children. It is the purest and happiest sound you will ever hear. Joyful uninhibited and oh so loud! I had a great time one Friday with my kids, experiencing just how good it feels to laugh like they do. I really love them so much, and they have taught me so many important life lessons.

Please, brighten your day, and laugh with out changing it. Laugh when you want, don't try and control it, let the joy escape you, and then maybe you will get a glimpse of what the most beautiful sound in the world is.