Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Arriba a la montana (Up to the Mountain)
The 3rd of December at 8 o´clock in the morning and I was having a pretty non-typical day for me, yet experienced a very typical morning for a Peruvian mountain cattle herder.
That morning I decided to wake up at 5: 30 in the morning and go hiking up in the mountians. I wanted to wake up earlier but sleep held me for a half hour longer. I didn´t wamt to get up, but I am so glad that this morning my desire to go hiking beat out the desire to sleep in. It was very worth it.
I decided to go hiking past the point where I had gone a couple of times with other people already in the beautiful mountians surrounding the valley we lived in. By 6:00 I made it to the edge of the neighborhood and started hiking up .It wasn't too long till I had past the first hill that most of us had hiked to previously and as I continued up I was thoroughly glad that I woke up early and had visions of a lovely breakfast of sweet bread, beautiful views, and peaceful presence in the mountains. After a while I decided that even though I wasn't at the top yet I would take a break for a while. Just then behind me I hear, "Buenos dias, Senorita!" A man hiking behind me thinking I was lost took the time to direct me on to the right path to make it to the top. That was all the encouragement I needed to not ake a break and continue hiking, and as it turned out he waited for me and I got a hiking partner.
After talking for a while he invited me to breakfast. How could I refuse that opportunity? A hot breakfast in the mountains... yeah, doing it. I was a littlensure because I knew in theory following a strange guy up to his mounatin home is a poor choice, but he wasn;t creepin' so I figured his intentions were out of pure hospitality that I just don' normally see inthe states, but is very normal around here.
So over the river and through the woods... it was far but not out of the way. I did get a little bit nervous and almost asked if he had a wife and children (just to make sure) but as well ascended the last hill I saw small safe community. As soon as we got near I was introduced to his friends(neighbors) and I settled down to have a large breakfast with his friends and family.I started out with a large bowl of hot soup and then I got served another heaping bowl og rice and potatoes. SO, for those of you who might be worried that I am losing weight... don't because I am not. I am on a full carb diet. All we eat is bread, potatoes, and rice... sometimes with a little veggie, fruit, or meat thrown in the mix.
Though small I do value this event greatly. I was encouraged emmensly with my ability to communicate and create my own personal unique experiences in South America. It was wonderful to witness and be a part of an authentic Peruvian mountain herders morning. They all readily and warmly accepted my presence. As i left to desend the mountain I was joined by various others from the community as they all headed down the hillside with loads of donkeys, cows, and sheep. I was in their company the rest of my early morning making it into town at 9:45 with the rest of the day ahead of me.
That morning I decided to wake up at 5: 30 in the morning and go hiking up in the mountians. I wanted to wake up earlier but sleep held me for a half hour longer. I didn´t wamt to get up, but I am so glad that this morning my desire to go hiking beat out the desire to sleep in. It was very worth it.
I decided to go hiking past the point where I had gone a couple of times with other people already in the beautiful mountians surrounding the valley we lived in. By 6:00 I made it to the edge of the neighborhood and started hiking up .It wasn't too long till I had past the first hill that most of us had hiked to previously and as I continued up I was thoroughly glad that I woke up early and had visions of a lovely breakfast of sweet bread, beautiful views, and peaceful presence in the mountains. After a while I decided that even though I wasn't at the top yet I would take a break for a while. Just then behind me I hear, "Buenos dias, Senorita!" A man hiking behind me thinking I was lost took the time to direct me on to the right path to make it to the top. That was all the encouragement I needed to not ake a break and continue hiking, and as it turned out he waited for me and I got a hiking partner.
After talking for a while he invited me to breakfast. How could I refuse that opportunity? A hot breakfast in the mountains... yeah, doing it. I was a littlensure because I knew in theory following a strange guy up to his mounatin home is a poor choice, but he wasn;t creepin' so I figured his intentions were out of pure hospitality that I just don' normally see inthe states, but is very normal around here.
So over the river and through the woods... it was far but not out of the way. I did get a little bit nervous and almost asked if he had a wife and children (just to make sure) but as well ascended the last hill I saw small safe community. As soon as we got near I was introduced to his friends(neighbors) and I settled down to have a large breakfast with his friends and family.I started out with a large bowl of hot soup and then I got served another heaping bowl og rice and potatoes. SO, for those of you who might be worried that I am losing weight... don't because I am not. I am on a full carb diet. All we eat is bread, potatoes, and rice... sometimes with a little veggie, fruit, or meat thrown in the mix.
Though small I do value this event greatly. I was encouraged emmensly with my ability to communicate and create my own personal unique experiences in South America. It was wonderful to witness and be a part of an authentic Peruvian mountain herders morning. They all readily and warmly accepted my presence. As i left to desend the mountain I was joined by various others from the community as they all headed down the hillside with loads of donkeys, cows, and sheep. I was in their company the rest of my early morning making it into town at 9:45 with the rest of the day ahead of me.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I have been reading 2 Corinthians and Paul´s poetry has been rocking my life...
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is suffienct for these things? For we are not, like so many peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in sight of God we speak in Christ."
Monday, November 30, 2009
Part of the circut
This last week has been a filled one. There were a lot of activities for the kids, I got sick, and it seems as if the rainy season finally got permission to let loose.
The volunteers set up a fundraiser for La Casa to sell cakes, crepes, and waffles in the center of town. So, the day before we had all the kids help make the batter, that was a tasty mess. It was a job itself just to keep the kids from devouring all of the batter before we could do anything with it. Before E and I went into town the next day to sell the yummy treats in the afternoon we went with all of the kids to a small fair on the other side of town. It was full of gmaes and prizes and the kids loved it.. it got very, very hot. And it so happened that I was lucky enough to watch Christopher. He is one of the littler niños that the señoritas assign one volunteer to watch in paticular. It turns out that he is quite the tempermental handful, and very exhausting to follow around all day.
When we eventually made it up the hill with the kids, we grabbed some sunscreen and headed back into town on the bus to help with the fundraising. There I felt like an authentic Peruvian peddler on the street. I was actually quite surprised that I sold anything being a gringo, but I sold my whole platter, not without the the casual inquiry of my marital status by the security guards though.
We had to stop because the terrential rainpour was starting. We barely made it up the hill to La Casa in our taxi. It had only just started raining and the car was struggling to ascend from being pushed by the current of water in the street. When it rains it pours.
Earlier in the week we set up a neighborhood activity right outside La Casa that could be view as both successful and unsuccessful depending on the outlook. We made (tried to make) juggling balls from balloons, flour, and rice. I really am not sure we got more than six actual balls made, but the kids had a wonderful time making a complete mess... that is what they are good at. I was watching Christopher on this day as well and he had his fair share of floury tantrums.
Yes, I got the flu for a couple days (fever, hot and cold chills, no sleep, but my stomache was fine) and went a little crazy confined in my yellow hostel room. But I survived even though Erika has to still put up with my snoring from a stuffy nose.
Our time here is coming to a quick end. We only hae four more days of working!!! Whoa. As I leave I can,t help bu think of the volunteers that have come and gone before me leaving and interesting cycle of people the kids come to know and then have to say goodbye to. We all have such good intentions, yet we still have to leave. I am glad the niños have Papa Gil and the Señoritas for a constant family. It is still quite interesting, however, for kids who desire such consistant love and attention and in need of stability that they get such a predictable circut of nonconsistant gringos coming in and out of their lives. I wonder what kind of stamp this place and these niños will have on my heart as I continue on.
The volunteers set up a fundraiser for La Casa to sell cakes, crepes, and waffles in the center of town. So, the day before we had all the kids help make the batter, that was a tasty mess. It was a job itself just to keep the kids from devouring all of the batter before we could do anything with it. Before E and I went into town the next day to sell the yummy treats in the afternoon we went with all of the kids to a small fair on the other side of town. It was full of gmaes and prizes and the kids loved it.. it got very, very hot. And it so happened that I was lucky enough to watch Christopher. He is one of the littler niños that the señoritas assign one volunteer to watch in paticular. It turns out that he is quite the tempermental handful, and very exhausting to follow around all day.
When we eventually made it up the hill with the kids, we grabbed some sunscreen and headed back into town on the bus to help with the fundraising. There I felt like an authentic Peruvian peddler on the street. I was actually quite surprised that I sold anything being a gringo, but I sold my whole platter, not without the the casual inquiry of my marital status by the security guards though.
We had to stop because the terrential rainpour was starting. We barely made it up the hill to La Casa in our taxi. It had only just started raining and the car was struggling to ascend from being pushed by the current of water in the street. When it rains it pours.
Earlier in the week we set up a neighborhood activity right outside La Casa that could be view as both successful and unsuccessful depending on the outlook. We made (tried to make) juggling balls from balloons, flour, and rice. I really am not sure we got more than six actual balls made, but the kids had a wonderful time making a complete mess... that is what they are good at. I was watching Christopher on this day as well and he had his fair share of floury tantrums.
Yes, I got the flu for a couple days (fever, hot and cold chills, no sleep, but my stomache was fine) and went a little crazy confined in my yellow hostel room. But I survived even though Erika has to still put up with my snoring from a stuffy nose.
Our time here is coming to a quick end. We only hae four more days of working!!! Whoa. As I leave I can,t help bu think of the volunteers that have come and gone before me leaving and interesting cycle of people the kids come to know and then have to say goodbye to. We all have such good intentions, yet we still have to leave. I am glad the niños have Papa Gil and the Señoritas for a constant family. It is still quite interesting, however, for kids who desire such consistant love and attention and in need of stability that they get such a predictable circut of nonconsistant gringos coming in and out of their lives. I wonder what kind of stamp this place and these niños will have on my heart as I continue on.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
learned facts
Learned Facts:
- Just like the people here, the dogs do not like getting their picture taken and will get aggressive.
- Simply because a guy is young and Peruvian doesn´t mean he can play soccer well
- No one can say my name right, even though one of the other volunteer´s name is Casey and one of the little girl´s name is Dacey.
- People really like loud noises, for instance random fireworks that make car alarms go off.
I went to the circus last night with the kids. What a crazy, wonderful event. The was everything that you would think including acrobats, hulahoopers, lions, and even a skeleton marionette that moonwalked and hip thrusted to a Michael Jackson song. On the way home we stuff 6 adults and 12 children into a taxicab. That is pretty much how driving around in South America goes, you stuff as many people as you can into any sort of vehicle.
More interesting events and facts to come..
- Just like the people here, the dogs do not like getting their picture taken and will get aggressive.
- Simply because a guy is young and Peruvian doesn´t mean he can play soccer well
- No one can say my name right, even though one of the other volunteer´s name is Casey and one of the little girl´s name is Dacey.
- People really like loud noises, for instance random fireworks that make car alarms go off.
I went to the circus last night with the kids. What a crazy, wonderful event. The was everything that you would think including acrobats, hulahoopers, lions, and even a skeleton marionette that moonwalked and hip thrusted to a Michael Jackson song. On the way home we stuff 6 adults and 12 children into a taxicab. That is pretty much how driving around in South America goes, you stuff as many people as you can into any sort of vehicle.
More interesting events and facts to come..
Friday, November 6, 2009
First Impressions
Alright, Erika and I have been at La Casa for 6 days. We didn't work the first two, but have been volunteering the following days since.
The way the week runs is that it is six days out of seven volunteering for half a day in the morning till lunch or lunchtime till the evening. I really like what they have set up here. It seems like a very effective and well run place by people that truly love the children and are deeply invested. There are about twenty-seven children, seven Lupes (disabled children), about three or four small children, and the rest Grandes (the older children). Papa Gil and a team of wonderful women we call the señoritas run the place and do a great job. Us volunteers, come in beside them an help out and play with the children.
The volunteers consist of another girl from the States, a guy from Scotland, and the rest are all native French speakers from France, Belgium, or other close-by countries. They are all great people and I am learning more about them, but it is quite frustrating and overwelming to be in a room where everyone is speaking French and I am left in the dark. So it happens to be that Spanish is our common language which is pushing me to learn more... and I can be thankful for that.
This is for sure the poorest area I have even been in. Dusty, dirty, rocky roads leading past buildings made with shanty brick. The first night we stayed in a very poor house.. which actually is the house given to the volunteers to stay in. You enter through a blue gate door into an open space with two cement sinks against the house, run down tables, and very worn down and some broken chairs for our leisure. Waiting for us is a mama dog and her four one month old puppies, who are unfortunatley not inviting to pet. The toilet is literally a hole in a cement floor with a bucket you fill with water to "flush." There is also an outdoor shower that is not more than a hose. The room we stayed in that first night only had a sheet for a door that went into the kitchen and a telephone that sits in our window that got used very frequently. Well, it is good enough and very cheap, but after a rough night of sleep we chose to move the the nearby hostel where a handful of other volunteers are staying. Our hostel has a proper bathroom with a flushing toliet and a locking door, so we are set. It is still taking us a while, however, to get used to the rooster that crows outside our window starting at 4:30 each morning and the nonstop barking dog all throughout the day and night.
All of this isn't supposed to be a complaint, but more or less just trying to paint you a full picture.
This afternoon I am going to take care of the small children. Yesterday and the day before I was caring for the Lupes (disabled children). I basically spent all of my time with one boy, Yacner, he is severly disabled so I held him all day, sang to him, and fed him. While I was with him I had my thoughts to swim in, yet i was full of peace. It was very awesome to take care of him and have his smile take care of me. At that moment I felt encouraged and that I was in the right place. Maybe I can be a benefit here even though my Spanish is very broken. Even though I know this next month will have its ups, downs, and inbetweens, I am glad to be here challenging myself and providing another caring face for the children.
The way the week runs is that it is six days out of seven volunteering for half a day in the morning till lunch or lunchtime till the evening. I really like what they have set up here. It seems like a very effective and well run place by people that truly love the children and are deeply invested. There are about twenty-seven children, seven Lupes (disabled children), about three or four small children, and the rest Grandes (the older children). Papa Gil and a team of wonderful women we call the señoritas run the place and do a great job. Us volunteers, come in beside them an help out and play with the children.
The volunteers consist of another girl from the States, a guy from Scotland, and the rest are all native French speakers from France, Belgium, or other close-by countries. They are all great people and I am learning more about them, but it is quite frustrating and overwelming to be in a room where everyone is speaking French and I am left in the dark. So it happens to be that Spanish is our common language which is pushing me to learn more... and I can be thankful for that.
This is for sure the poorest area I have even been in. Dusty, dirty, rocky roads leading past buildings made with shanty brick. The first night we stayed in a very poor house.. which actually is the house given to the volunteers to stay in. You enter through a blue gate door into an open space with two cement sinks against the house, run down tables, and very worn down and some broken chairs for our leisure. Waiting for us is a mama dog and her four one month old puppies, who are unfortunatley not inviting to pet. The toilet is literally a hole in a cement floor with a bucket you fill with water to "flush." There is also an outdoor shower that is not more than a hose. The room we stayed in that first night only had a sheet for a door that went into the kitchen and a telephone that sits in our window that got used very frequently. Well, it is good enough and very cheap, but after a rough night of sleep we chose to move the the nearby hostel where a handful of other volunteers are staying. Our hostel has a proper bathroom with a flushing toliet and a locking door, so we are set. It is still taking us a while, however, to get used to the rooster that crows outside our window starting at 4:30 each morning and the nonstop barking dog all throughout the day and night.
All of this isn't supposed to be a complaint, but more or less just trying to paint you a full picture.
This afternoon I am going to take care of the small children. Yesterday and the day before I was caring for the Lupes (disabled children). I basically spent all of my time with one boy, Yacner, he is severly disabled so I held him all day, sang to him, and fed him. While I was with him I had my thoughts to swim in, yet i was full of peace. It was very awesome to take care of him and have his smile take care of me. At that moment I felt encouraged and that I was in the right place. Maybe I can be a benefit here even though my Spanish is very broken. Even though I know this next month will have its ups, downs, and inbetweens, I am glad to be here challenging myself and providing another caring face for the children.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Here we come Peru
This is the organization that we are going to be volunteering for in southern Peru:
http://casahogarlosgorriones.org/english/fotos.php
This is just a short update... We have been in Columbia for a couple day now and it is completely gorgeous and tropical, even in the mountains. The food is way better here and surprisingly the people are wonderful. Erika and I have felt completely safe as we have been here.
We got to get a tour on a coffee plantation which was so amazing, and I feel like I can officially be a coffee snob. We even got coffee certificates. Nerdy, maybe.
So, yesterday we got a response from an orphanage in Peru that we emailed and decided to not go up to the Carribean anymore, but rather hurry down to Peru to finally do what we have been seeking after. The position looks amazing and it is right up our alley. The next couple of days we are going to be in buses treking our way down through three countries. Pray for safe roads, smart drivers, not cramped legs, and non crazed minds.
Love
http://casahogarlosgorriones.org/english/fotos.php
This is just a short update... We have been in Columbia for a couple day now and it is completely gorgeous and tropical, even in the mountains. The food is way better here and surprisingly the people are wonderful. Erika and I have felt completely safe as we have been here.
We got to get a tour on a coffee plantation which was so amazing, and I feel like I can officially be a coffee snob. We even got coffee certificates. Nerdy, maybe.
So, yesterday we got a response from an orphanage in Peru that we emailed and decided to not go up to the Carribean anymore, but rather hurry down to Peru to finally do what we have been seeking after. The position looks amazing and it is right up our alley. The next couple of days we are going to be in buses treking our way down through three countries. Pray for safe roads, smart drivers, not cramped legs, and non crazed minds.
Love
volunteering
We are finally getting to be involved in an organization that needs us and that we are really interested in. We are going to be travelling for the next couple of days and then I will update you all.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Where next?
Alright, prayer would be helpful. The school that Erika and I were signed up with to work at the end of this month fell through. They ended up not having the ablility to take anymore volunteers... completely full. So, we are back to searching for where to go next, and continually hoping that we land in a place that can really use our abilities and hearts.
We have already sent out a ton of e-mails and we have gotten responses trickling back. Most of them have been positive responses and some great ideas have come our way. The next day or so will be spent praying and solidifying our plans. It is almost coming down to what country do we want to go to next...
Other than this bump in our road I am doing quite well. I really like spending time in Cuenca, where we were taking spanish classes. It was a great experience, learned a lot, still having language stuff sink in, and met some great people. Our classes turned out great, and after my one day of feeling completely defeated... I recovered and now am simply trying to memorize words and practice.
Part of what helped encourage me and give me a break from language school was going to Cajas National Park last weekend. We decided to go very much against the opinions of our spanish teacher. She told us scary stories of people getting lost and dying and how the weather can turn at any minute. Really, it wasnt very scary at all and the trails were very well marked... I am glad that she didnt scare us into not going because though it was massive was so incredibly gorgeous and worth going to. We got a group together of people staying in our hostel and traveled up to about 4000 meters... something freaking high in feet. It was a bit cloudy and kind of cold, but it was still very majestic and I felt like I had jumped into a storybook land. I will try to add some pictures soon.
I will keep you all updated as we figure things out. Thank you for your prayers.
We have already sent out a ton of e-mails and we have gotten responses trickling back. Most of them have been positive responses and some great ideas have come our way. The next day or so will be spent praying and solidifying our plans. It is almost coming down to what country do we want to go to next...
Other than this bump in our road I am doing quite well. I really like spending time in Cuenca, where we were taking spanish classes. It was a great experience, learned a lot, still having language stuff sink in, and met some great people. Our classes turned out great, and after my one day of feeling completely defeated... I recovered and now am simply trying to memorize words and practice.
Part of what helped encourage me and give me a break from language school was going to Cajas National Park last weekend. We decided to go very much against the opinions of our spanish teacher. She told us scary stories of people getting lost and dying and how the weather can turn at any minute. Really, it wasnt very scary at all and the trails were very well marked... I am glad that she didnt scare us into not going because though it was massive was so incredibly gorgeous and worth going to. We got a group together of people staying in our hostel and traveled up to about 4000 meters... something freaking high in feet. It was a bit cloudy and kind of cold, but it was still very majestic and I felt like I had jumped into a storybook land. I will try to add some pictures soon.
I will keep you all updated as we figure things out. Thank you for your prayers.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Cuenca
Hi All, check out E's blog consistantly too.We are gonna try to write about different events. She has some photos up.
erikatrott.blogspot.com
So, we finally made it to Cuenca!! (refer to Erika's blog for details)
I have been taking Spanish lessons for two days now amd it is quite overloading. I keep soaking things in like a sponge, but it only slowly leaks out when I want to talk. I am definatley improving, but also see where everyday practice and forcing myself to step out and risk messing up in coversation is going to make a night and day difference. Our teacher is really great. She teaches mostly in Spanish which is harder to process but helps my mind to starting thinking in spanish rather than translating.
I am statring to get into somewhat more of a groove. It helps to be in one city longer than two days. I have been taking time out of my morning to do some yoga, tiny bit of a workout, reading, and praying. It is so very refreshing to be in a place where even though I am surrounded by things I am unfamiliar with and don't have any control over, I can still center myself and find peace and familiarity. In other busy and chaotic cities it is way harder to find peaceful time in the morning.
Time to study for my afternoon class!
¡Ciao!
erikatrott.blogspot.com
So, we finally made it to Cuenca!! (refer to Erika's blog for details)
I have been taking Spanish lessons for two days now amd it is quite overloading. I keep soaking things in like a sponge, but it only slowly leaks out when I want to talk. I am definatley improving, but also see where everyday practice and forcing myself to step out and risk messing up in coversation is going to make a night and day difference. Our teacher is really great. She teaches mostly in Spanish which is harder to process but helps my mind to starting thinking in spanish rather than translating.
I am statring to get into somewhat more of a groove. It helps to be in one city longer than two days. I have been taking time out of my morning to do some yoga, tiny bit of a workout, reading, and praying. It is so very refreshing to be in a place where even though I am surrounded by things I am unfamiliar with and don't have any control over, I can still center myself and find peace and familiarity. In other busy and chaotic cities it is way harder to find peaceful time in the morning.
Time to study for my afternoon class!
¡Ciao!
Friday, October 2, 2009
whirlwind
Well it has been a whirlwind thus far. E and I hung out with Casey and Ethan for a few days and adventured non-stop. It was very fast paced but amazing. We stayed in Quito the first night and the next day travelled to Latacunga and made it in time for their huge annual festival called Mama Negro. Seemingly very unPC but actually it is a crazy energetic parade of sorts full of tradition, dancing, men carrying whiole roasted pigs on their back, people doing spiritual cleansings (limpanzas) where you get sprayed with sugar cane alcohol, and random people from the parade offer up their personal alcohol mixture for anyone and everyone. There was a lot of booze. The parade ended at a field full of vendures, a large stage with a band of about 20 people, and a fireworks show. It was the most dangerous and exciting fireworks show I´ve ever experienced. Sparks and fireworks were flying everywhere and they had huge towers with all sorts of fireworks attached. It was a gong show, but I love fireworks.. so I was very pleased.
After the fiesta in Latacunga we went to an animal and craft market in a nearby town and then headed over to Quilatoa were we hiked around the rim of a volcano that has since created a crater lake. It was a gorgeous hike. Casey posted photos on facebook ; please check them out.
It was a wonderful welcome in to our trip to have time with the boys. Erika and I had a chance to get a small vision on what traveling around looked like and what to expect. As we sent them off in Quito however, it started to feel more like our big trip was finally beginning.
Since then, we have sent time in Baños (which means bathroom... hmm). Actually, the name is referring to the many pools/baths they have heated from the volcano that the town is at the base of. Anyways, Erika and I spent about 4 days there, hung out with some great people from Israel, some Brits, and two guys from the states who are biking all down to the tip of Argentina. One of the guys started a year ago in Vancouver, B.C. Pretty amazing.
To get into Baños, however, was a bit of a trip. We met the Israeli couple I mentioned earlier in Quito and we all traveled to Baños together. On our way down we ran into a protest demonstration outside of Ambato. The roads were blocked and our bus was about to turn around and head all the way back to Quito, so we had to get out and hike through the protest and catch a bus on the other side. Initially, the idea of going through the protest was a bit scary, but it was completely safe. There were a ton of police around and they actually looked very bored.
The reason for the protest... the indigenous people are protesting because the government is selling the rights to their water supply to independent contractors and such. It is a civil protest and usually the way they have "riots" are blocking the streets. As far as I know the protests are still happening, but we are farther from Quito now so things are less in our face.
As time goes on and we aren´t volunteering yet I feel in limbo and without much purpose. It is hard to still be in transition and figuring things out. Erika and I do have plans however to volunteer for a school between Baños and Quito starting in the last week of October. It was hard for me to admit that the trip isn´t presicely how I had planned, but it was heathy for me not to surpress those thoughts in trying to be okay with everything. Now which recognition E and I can move forward.
Tomorrow we head to Cuenca, which E and I are really excited about. We are going to pursue language classes there for a week and have heard great things about the city that will hopefully suit is well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
After the fiesta in Latacunga we went to an animal and craft market in a nearby town and then headed over to Quilatoa were we hiked around the rim of a volcano that has since created a crater lake. It was a gorgeous hike. Casey posted photos on facebook ; please check them out.
It was a wonderful welcome in to our trip to have time with the boys. Erika and I had a chance to get a small vision on what traveling around looked like and what to expect. As we sent them off in Quito however, it started to feel more like our big trip was finally beginning.
Since then, we have sent time in Baños (which means bathroom... hmm). Actually, the name is referring to the many pools/baths they have heated from the volcano that the town is at the base of. Anyways, Erika and I spent about 4 days there, hung out with some great people from Israel, some Brits, and two guys from the states who are biking all down to the tip of Argentina. One of the guys started a year ago in Vancouver, B.C. Pretty amazing.
To get into Baños, however, was a bit of a trip. We met the Israeli couple I mentioned earlier in Quito and we all traveled to Baños together. On our way down we ran into a protest demonstration outside of Ambato. The roads were blocked and our bus was about to turn around and head all the way back to Quito, so we had to get out and hike through the protest and catch a bus on the other side. Initially, the idea of going through the protest was a bit scary, but it was completely safe. There were a ton of police around and they actually looked very bored.
The reason for the protest... the indigenous people are protesting because the government is selling the rights to their water supply to independent contractors and such. It is a civil protest and usually the way they have "riots" are blocking the streets. As far as I know the protests are still happening, but we are farther from Quito now so things are less in our face.
As time goes on and we aren´t volunteering yet I feel in limbo and without much purpose. It is hard to still be in transition and figuring things out. Erika and I do have plans however to volunteer for a school between Baños and Quito starting in the last week of October. It was hard for me to admit that the trip isn´t presicely how I had planned, but it was heathy for me not to surpress those thoughts in trying to be okay with everything. Now which recognition E and I can move forward.
Tomorrow we head to Cuenca, which E and I are really excited about. We are going to pursue language classes there for a week and have heard great things about the city that will hopefully suit is well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
As we go...
I live such a blessed life. As I am in transition between one extraordinary life shaping adventure to the next, it is easy to to see the love and support that embraces me by family and friends. Thank you all who have been a benefit in helping plan, give ideas, being a sounding board, and provide contacts for Erika's and my trip. Mostly I've felt great encouragement and excitement (even through the necessary parental worry) that has affirmed our decisions to go.
I continually desire the presence of those I love and who love me to be invited into Erika's (probably refer to as "E" from now on) and my adventure to South America. That is why I decided to start this blog. I've never done any sort of blog before, so please excuse the sloppiness and maze of thought that I am sure will ensue. This blog I will in no way reflect my wonderfully appreciated and well-paided-for education as it becomes a sprall of words, but I hope you would feel as much a part of my experience as you can and at least get a laugh or two.
As E and I have gotten prepared for our trip we have decided on similar goals and thoughts to remain centered on . So, the following is our intention and where hopefully our learning hearts will continue to stay grounded as we enter into mystery.
I continually desire the presence of those I love and who love me to be invited into Erika's (probably refer to as "E" from now on) and my adventure to South America. That is why I decided to start this blog. I've never done any sort of blog before, so please excuse the sloppiness and maze of thought that I am sure will ensue. This blog I will in no way reflect my wonderfully appreciated and well-paided-for education as it becomes a sprall of words, but I hope you would feel as much a part of my experience as you can and at least get a laugh or two.
As E and I have gotten prepared for our trip we have decided on similar goals and thoughts to remain centered on . So, the following is our intention and where hopefully our learning hearts will continue to stay grounded as we enter into mystery.
So. Am. Mission Statement
With all obedience to both subtle and direct promptings of the Spirit, we go with respect and intentionality. Learning to expect and see the beauty and truth of God shining through the people we encounter and the communities we form.
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