Shannon comes to Ecuador!

Shannon, my sister, arrived in Quito without any problems and it was amazing to have her here. She used her Spring Break holiday to travel to Ecuador to see me. This presented many challenges for her: being away from her 11 month old daughter, purchasing an expensive airline ticket, being away from Jay, and not being able to speak any Spanish outside of a few words! But, being the sister she is, she still came to visit me! We toured a local water fall, a condor park with many types of birds, and we had a great time in Quito the night before she left. I think Shannon would agree with me though that the highlight for her was coming to school with me for one day. Despite the language barrier, the kids adored her, espcially one of the special ed kids, Brian. He could read in her the patience she has and the love she shares with kids back home each day when she teaches. We had a great time with the kids that day and Shan was taken aback by the kids: their beauty, kindness, and energy! I was so happy she could share a small piece of my journey with me. Further, her fourth grade class donated materials to the kids here at Muenala: stickers, markers, colored pencils, crayons, construction paper, decoration/crafts, books, etc. The kids have since made kites that they decorated with the feathers, fuzzy colorful decor, foamy stickers, and all the other awesome supplies she brought. Further, the kids have used the glue sticks, markers, and colored pencils extensively. Thank you to the kids and to Shan for these things, they will never know how much it means to these kids who never get to have anything outside of the essentials! Shannon left on a Friday morning and it was tough to see her go. She has given me more energy though to finish off my trip. Always great to have a family member come see you let alone your best friend!

Our school, Muenala

Wow! It has been awhile since I have posted anything and given I am in Quito currently awaiting the arrival of Shannon, my sister, I have an opportunity to finally access a wireless connection. Don't know if I will be able to post pics as the connection is slow but I'll try. I didn't think my journey could get any better and then I came to Ecuador! My host family is great: Pilar is the mother and is a very nice woman and great cook. Alfredo is the father and he is a manager for the Ecuadorian beer Pilsener! Jorge Luis and Mave are the two kids and it is nice to have them in the home as well. The school that I am teaching at is amazing. The name of the indeginous community we teach in is Muenala. I am teaching with Troy, a firefighter from Canada, Zoe, a human resource worker from London, and Kathryn a recent graduate from Chicago. The dynamic our group has is incredible and I feel we truly are a wonderful combination of people working with some truly remarkable kids each day. We drive forty minutes to Muenala from Octavalo each day and then we have an uphill hike that takes around twenty five to thirty minutes. The views are brilliant and one can see rolling green hills dotted with cows and horses as well as a wonderful view of a local volcano, Cotacaxi (it is snow peaked and high in the sky). The best part about school is the kids. The girls where single braids with beads around them and the boys have long ponytails that are braided in a very beautiful way. At first, it was very hard for me to tell the boys from the girls but all is clear now. Our group is actually blazing a path as we are the first group of volunteers in Muenala since GVI withdrew from the community almost two years ago. This presents challenges but our group has worked so hard and the energy from the kids transfers to the adults in our group each day. I am working with "the trouble makers" and "special ed" kids as well as Cesar who is the only fourth grader in the school. Another local teacher works in the class as well and he is a very nice man. He has been in and out of school as of late for teacher trainings and I have had the opportunity to lesson plan for individual kids. It is challenging but I have had days when the plans have worked out flawlessly and each kiddo is excited to learn more and eating up any positive feedback I give him/her. I must say, it will be so hard to leave this group of kids. We have kids ages 3-14 at the school and it makes for a very fun time. You'll have to look at the pictures to see the radiance and beauty that emanates from these faces I see each day. Hopefully it won't take me long to post the pics! Until later, buenas noches!

The EQUATOR

Before we left Quito, we made our way to the museum at the middle of the earth. I felt like a kid again as we witnessed some things that were truly amazing at the museum. First off, we were introduced to an indigenous tribe and their customs and the structures they lived in. Tracey informed us that the homes our families live in consist of much the same. Further, we saw an actual shrunken head from the days when this tribe decapitated important people after they were dead or the heads of their enemies. The members of the tribe would wear the heads around their necks as mementos! No thanks! Further, we saw some guinea pigs in the hut and we were told that if they made a lot of noise this was an indicator of a bad omen or spirit among the group. Fortunately, they made no obscene noises and it made me feel good that our group does not consist of any serial killers or madmen! Last, our tour guide had us walk to a red line that is literally the line that separates the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere. She poured water down a sink in the middle and the water rushed straight down into a bucket. Then, she took the sink to the Northern Hemisphere side and the water ran down the sink counterclockwise! And, as expected, the water ran clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Last, we each had a chance to balance an actual egg on a small nail in the middle of the world. The egg should be able to balance as the gravitational pull of the earth is much less at this special place. Some people were unsuccessful in balancing the egg but I luckily got the egg to balance. I must mention that it did not take me much time either! Those of us who successfully balanced the egg were awarded with stamped diplomas recognizing this great feat. My friend Kathryn and I joked that we should have received honors given the length of time it took us as well as accounting for the fact that our nail was the hardest to balance the egg on. Overall, a great little side trip and it was amazing to see how another example of our mysterious world. After the museum we made our way to Otavalo to meet our host families and start our six week tour of duty!

I'm in South America

We arrived in Quito, Ecuador on Friday the 13th! No bad luck with the planes, in fact TACA, the airlines we flew in on, was more than impressive in getting our bags to arrive with us and work out some other minor issues! Back home I feel that our bags would have been left behind and the airlines would have made it our problem to worry about. Flying into Quito was amazing! To see a large city nestled between the sierras of the Andes Mountains was incredible. It rained the entire weekend we were in Quito but our hostel was very nice and it was nice to relax, read, and get caught up on emails and to use the internet again. We met some new volunteers whom we will spend the next four to five weeks with in Octavalo. They all seem very interesting and nice and it seems we will have a great group. Food was a highlight of Quito and we spend most of our time in what the locals call “Gringo Land.” I ate Pad Thai and sushi and steak, etc! It was wonderful. Also, Tracey, our program director, briefed us on our assignments and what we could expect for the next six weeks. I will be teaching in a new school and helping to integrate the new students into the school experience. Also, we will be teaching English to the older children as well. It will definitely be a challenge but I think my group is up for it. Susan, Aviv, and Maya will all be teaching at different schools so we will have drastically different experiences to share. On Sunday, we made our way form Quito to Octavalo. The drive was amazing and the views through the Andes were brilliant. The views reminded me of Colorado with a lot more green! To begin this week, I will have Spanish classes on Monday and Tuesday and then we will begin school on Wednesday…can’t wait!

Esteli, Nicarauga and Stove building!

Esteli, Nicaragua is situated north of Managua and is larger than the previous two base towns we have been situated in. Esteli seems to be a major thoroughfare between Honduras, Managua, and Costa Rica. In fact we cross the Pan American Highway everyday .The actual town does not have the character that Antigua and Copan posses but the community we are building stoves in, Thompson, is a stark reminder of the poverty that can exist in Central America. Thompson is basically a shanty town and the homes consist of scrap wood, corrugated metal roofs, plastic and any other item one can find to help close out weather elements. Other volunteers and GVI staff have started a small school here and the kids are just as cute and bright faced as any of the kids we have seen in the past. Right now, the school consists of two walls with the other three sides left exposed to the elements. But, it seems that the volunteers and staff are doing a wonderful job and it’s very exciting that the community is embracing the new school. Yesterday, we split into teams to build the first two stoves. Rufus, Susan, and Maya formed one team and Aviv, Don Juan, Domingo and me made up the second team. Don Juan and Domingo are locals and the stove we are building will be used by Domingo and his family. I guess he is around 15 or 16 and Don Juan is in his forties or fifties. Immediately, Aviv and I noticed the kind face of Don Juan and he and Domingo have been a thrill to work with. They are very lighthearted and patient. I had trouble understanding them the first day as the Nicaraguan accent is very different, especially given our rural location. But, today was easier and I joked a little with Domingo and understood Don Juan’s directions for the most part. It was fun to listen to the radio and hear Domingo sing and hear Don Juan’s laughter. Aviv did a great job today and we have nearly constructed our first stove. The stoves are made of cinder block, cement, ribarb, soil, tiles, etc. The stoves are much more energy efficient thereby allowing the family to use less wood; less work for the family and obviously better for the outlying environment. Also, the stoves are equipped with chimneys and this will allow for zero smoke inhalation by the family as well as a safer cooking area for the mother. She will not be faced with the prospect of burning herself anymore and there will be no risk of an open fire spreading throughout the house. Overall, just a wonderful project that GVI has started and each of us donated a stove through the money we paid to join this program (we each bought the materials for one stove). Domingo and his family are very happy with the stove thus far and his mother offers us coke, coffee, popcorn she makes, or crackers each day. The weather is very, very warm and it will be a huge change to go to Ecuador this weekend. All of us wish we could stay longer as we feel a connection to this desolate and poverty stricken pueblo with wonderful inhabitants who are all happy and supportive of our presence here. Rufus, our project leader with the stoves, has built hundreds of them and is a real pro. Fortunately for us, Rufus will be travelling with us to Ecuador as well! Here are some pictures of the stove and the community!

Adios Copan!

Good Bye to Copan. As usual, it was extremely difficult to leave this wonderful and special place. I want to write some random things about this place that make it special and that make it a memory to last forever in my mind. The giant hill Maya and I have to walk up every day. We call it Puta Diabla, not a nice word in Spanish J The sickly and starving dogs that walk the streets of Copan. The pretty girls in the streets and Gabriela or Gaby. Watching Honduras football (the real football). Dona Elena, my Mama of Honduras. I will miss her dearly but will see her again one day soon. She is a woman of strength and endurance who continues to love those around her amidst 10 hours of work each day at her Bed and Breakfast/Restaurant. Nelly, the best Spanish teacher in Central America. My dear friend and a remarkable woman who has had a difficult life but has persevered and who spreads happiness and joy each day. Ellen or Gringita! My Gringa Honduras friend who I will always stay in touch with. I will miss her funny stories and motivating journey. Ixcel, Dona Elena’s dog and I must mention the healthiest dog in Honduras. Tuk Tuk rides, Isiayis, Alexander, Maria, and Mercy; I love them all. The ride in the back of Edgar’s truck each day to school, the smiles and positivity of the children in San Rafael. Holding the hand of a child full of optimism and strength who battles poverty each day and thinking, what does his/her future have in store? Football games with Mario and Pablo, two of the craziest kids in Honduras. Can’t help but love them though. Café VillaMil and the wonderful people that work there. Papa Changos and the crazy nights it brought, Sapo Rojo-drama and good drinks, Balleadas, stepping in a lot of dog crap, Hacienda San Lucas, Wes-a wonderful person and someone with a brilliant mind and future. Katia-a Quebec friend and a wonderful Spanish student and a future pharmacist, Britta-a new friend and someone I hope to hang out with many more times in the future! My local eating buddies who put up with my bad Spanish! A lot of honking in the streets, Tuk Tuk corner, the best Spanish school ever-Julia and the others there! Salva Vida, Uterus shots, and jellyfish shots, our song by Foreigner-this will not leave with Copan, Snickers bars, the food at Dona Elena’s, tamales, climbing the fence with help from Maya, Utila and life under the warm and clear water, Picante’s restaurant in Utila, Sophie and Traci, two new friends and great GVI Interns, Pamela and Erick, new friends and two people I want to stay in touch with. The Christmas Tree in the Park and the song that needs to end, fishing in the river, the amazing Copan Ruins, coffee and more coffee, hanging out at the Spanish school and parties at the Spanish school, bus rides, building the pila, my room at Dona Elena’s, my view at Dona Elena’s, Dona Elena’s family-all remarkable people, walking from school when Edgar was late, working on my Spanish, greeting people in the street, New Years, Skyping m family, hanging out with Dom and eating at Momo’s, long chats with Ellen, seeing the pain and suffering that is life for some humans, feeling guilty about eating so much, days that last forever, no stress, siestas, saying really stupid things in Spanish, watching the sunrise one morning, roosters and more roosters sounding off way before sunup, the kindness and friendliness in Copan, riding horses, pushing a Tuk Tuk in mud, meeting so many cool people, vowing to come back someday. And, of course my compatriots and my family during this journey: Susan, Aviv, and Maya! I’m sure there’s more, but this is a start.

Ellen Finn!

Ellen Finn…one of the most remarkable people I will ever meet. She is a former social worker and is also a professional jazz musician. She feeds all the amazingly unhealthy and sad dogs that live in the streets of Copan and works tirelessly each day to help the adults, children, and animals and everything else she comes in contact with in and around Copan. To add, she is comical, witty, and a smart aleck! Sounds too good to be true, it is not. This lady is for real and I had the absolute privilege of getting to live next to her and spend some time with her. Ellen moved to Copan almost one year ago with a mission. She wanted to help the kids and families in the poverty stricken outlying communities near Copan. She has raised money through donations to improve schools, bring joy to families, improve upon structures, raise awareness and help to improve dental hygiene, health, etc, etc in these small pueblos. Most importantly, she has shared so much love with these people and they not only love her, but respect her and her work. She calls herself Gringita (little gringo women) but she is so much more than that to the people here. Her Spanish is wonderful and it has come through hard work and because Ellen talks to anyone and everyone in Copan and outside of Copan. I loved to see Ellen sitting with four of five local men during lunch. She would have those men laughing and would embarrass them and she was the center of attention in this macho laden culture. Ellen is not here for herself or because she is running away from problems back home. She is here to help and she has dedication like I have never seen. Also, she does not just provide handouts. She collaborates with the communities and it is understood that they need to work also to earn the things Ellen can help them with. We will all miss our Gringita. It warms my heart to think what a wonderful ambassador we have out there. She is a remarkable human being and I will miss her dearly and will need to return to Copan one day or wherever Ellen is to meet up again. She has connected us with a remarkable family in Llanatios and has helped me connect with locals whom I would not have known because of my poor Spanish. You can learn so much from people and Ellen Finn has been a blessing in my life. She has given me advice and wisdom that I hope I can understand more and more and follow each day. If you are interested in helping this amazing person in her mission please email her at: Ellenlfinn@hotmail.com. She is a woman full of passion, compassion, and purpose. She feels these people’s joys and sorrows every day and is probably working on improving someone’s life as you read this!