things have continued to be going well since i returned from home, i guess its been over 2 months, almost hitting 3 months! I've been making some ground on the same work projects. My counterpart of the banana company and I have finally submitted our application for a small business grant through Peace Corps and now we are waiting the wait to hear back. One year and a half of working with this man and I finally feel like i have earned his trust and dispelled his belief that i am as useful as a blubbering 5 year old.
things continue with the girls at my school. its been an interesting few weeks for studying maps, learning country names etc. I was shocked, and still am, at how little they understand the concept of a map and telling direction. Even the most basic ideas such as which are continents versus which are countries are abstract ideas. but it makes me glad that i have chosen to teach them maps and to do a World Map project with them at the end of the trimester, so even if they don't ever learn anything at least they'll still have a reminder of what a map is!
weekend have been full of adventures and i've been posting pictures on facebook if you haven't had a chance to see. One weekend included a backpacking trip to a group of beautiful lakes with a friend. However, the lakes were WAAAY up in the mountains, at about 3500 meters (thats higher than the highest point of Mt. Hood) and were very difficult to get to. After taking a 3 hour ricktey rural bus ride filled with indigenous mountain folk returned home after buying their goods in town, we finally got dropped off at the entrance to the lakes greeted by nasty weather which felt like someone was perpetually throwing snow in my face. despite how unprepared we ended up being (no water, little food, limited clothing etc) it ended up being a great trip and the lakes are absolutely breathtaking. i defiantly recommend a visit but make sure you have your own car.
i also just got back from a fun weekend in Quito, the capital city. With two friends, I went and visited a company that makes dehydrated fruit amongst a variety of other products which was a great learning experience and a super fun day. they are growing a fruit called Uvillas, in english its something like Physalis
Later in the evening we ran a 10k race (La Ruta de Las Iglesias/the route of the churches) which goes through the old town and past 11 different churches. We ran this race last year as well and had such a good time we decided to do it again. This time however we were "Team America" with decorated shirts and obnoxiously colored red, white and blue running tights. I finished in 14th place for my division in 53 min, 10 minutes faster than last year! whoo whoo!
next weekend i am headed to the beach with 2 friends from the Municipial to watch the whales migrate. i am super excited and my friend and i have been trying to plan this trip since i got back. we are both very happy that the weekend is finally so close! well this is short but hopefully it means more people will read it and not intimidated by its length! I hope you all have a great labor day weekend!! love love.
