First, I must say that this past month has flown by. I remember the first week here was the longest and now I can't believe that I am almost halfway through my training. So much has happened, so I apologize that this will be kind of lengthy.
- I've kind of started a routine in my training town. I wake up every morning at 6am and have class all day, work on the youth group project with my fellow trainees, watch my telenovela at 6 with my host mom (yes, I've become addicted to a telelnovela called "Abismo de Pasión". Never thought I'd see the day) have dinner at 7 and am in bed by 9-9.30. Just to do it all over again the next day. Apparently, it is really dangerous to be out past that time. From certain stories I've heard, I believe it. Not to mention, there is not much else going on after 9pm.
- I've taught 3 classes so far. It is still turning out to be quite a challenge for me but the great thing is that the PC gives us a plethora of resources to work with so I am thankful for that. My second day in the classroom I used permanent marker on the whiteboard.... of course! Quite embarrassing. Especially, because no one noticed until I had one of the students come up to the board to write down his answers and he stops mid-sentence to try to erase his work. This is when he tells me, 'eh, es permanente' (meaning "uh, it's permanent). Good times!
- PC took us Nica 61ers to the Masaya Volcano, of course after sitting through a full day of PC lectures (they call them 'charlas'). It was pretty sweet and extrememly hot. Unfortunately, we couldn't hike up because there was a recent fire. After sitting through a full day of lectures (from 8am-4pm) and then spending an hour in the hot sun next to the volcano, I arrive home wanting to take a shower and take a nap. But........ my counterpart is waiting for me in the kitchen, chatting it up with my host mom. She wants to go out dancing! Of course, that was the last thing I wanted to do but she is sitting there all dolled up and ready to go out so I couldn't say no. It turned out to be quite fun even though we were home by 8.30. Hahaha! Oh, how my night life has changed!
- Went to the beach with some family members and it was amazing because it was a residence and we had the beach to ourselves. As it turns out, the man that was living in this house on the beach lived in Greece for 15 years. He obtained his Bachelor's in Athens and can speak Greek fluently. Of course, we hit it off and I was able to tell him some Greek phrases I learned this past summer with my Greek friend! What a small world!
- Semana Santa came and went with some interesting festivities in my town. It turns out my town is famous for their tradition of the procession of "Los Judíos", which means Jews. Where they have all these young men dress up in odd clothes, run around with chains and then tie the chains to "La Juda" which I think means Judas and drag this person around town. It is extremely interesting and not as dangerous as one might think. They guy they drag around is wearing some type of suit that protects him a bit more. Here is a photo I found on the internet to give you all an idea. My photos didn't come out as well.
- I've kind of started a routine in my training town. I wake up every morning at 6am and have class all day, work on the youth group project with my fellow trainees, watch my telenovela at 6 with my host mom (yes, I've become addicted to a telelnovela called "Abismo de Pasión". Never thought I'd see the day) have dinner at 7 and am in bed by 9-9.30. Just to do it all over again the next day. Apparently, it is really dangerous to be out past that time. From certain stories I've heard, I believe it. Not to mention, there is not much else going on after 9pm.
- I've taught 3 classes so far. It is still turning out to be quite a challenge for me but the great thing is that the PC gives us a plethora of resources to work with so I am thankful for that. My second day in the classroom I used permanent marker on the whiteboard.... of course! Quite embarrassing. Especially, because no one noticed until I had one of the students come up to the board to write down his answers and he stops mid-sentence to try to erase his work. This is when he tells me, 'eh, es permanente' (meaning "uh, it's permanent). Good times!
- PC took us Nica 61ers to the Masaya Volcano, of course after sitting through a full day of PC lectures (they call them 'charlas'). It was pretty sweet and extrememly hot. Unfortunately, we couldn't hike up because there was a recent fire. After sitting through a full day of lectures (from 8am-4pm) and then spending an hour in the hot sun next to the volcano, I arrive home wanting to take a shower and take a nap. But........ my counterpart is waiting for me in the kitchen, chatting it up with my host mom. She wants to go out dancing! Of course, that was the last thing I wanted to do but she is sitting there all dolled up and ready to go out so I couldn't say no. It turned out to be quite fun even though we were home by 8.30. Hahaha! Oh, how my night life has changed!
- Went to the beach with some family members and it was amazing because it was a residence and we had the beach to ourselves. As it turns out, the man that was living in this house on the beach lived in Greece for 15 years. He obtained his Bachelor's in Athens and can speak Greek fluently. Of course, we hit it off and I was able to tell him some Greek phrases I learned this past summer with my Greek friend! What a small world!
- Semana Santa came and went with some interesting festivities in my town. It turns out my town is famous for their tradition of the procession of "Los Judíos", which means Jews. Where they have all these young men dress up in odd clothes, run around with chains and then tie the chains to "La Juda" which I think means Judas and drag this person around town. It is extremely interesting and not as dangerous as one might think. They guy they drag around is wearing some type of suit that protects him a bit more. Here is a photo I found on the internet to give you all an idea. My photos didn't come out as well.
Also to celebrate the festivities, my dad killed one of my little brother's "pet chickens" and we ate him for lunch in a delicious soup. I tried to talk him into killing the largest and extremely annoying one, which is the rooster that crows every morning at 6am and sometimes other odd hours. He said we will have him the next time.
- I found out that my mom goes running every morning at 4.30! Finally, I decided I would try going with her. I figured I wouldn't have any trouble keeping up with her because she doesn't look super fit. Well, I completely underestimated her because she ran my butt into the ground. We were going up and down hills and I was dying by the end of it. She even slowed down so that I could keep up with her! Hahaha! I decided I am going to go with her every morning!
