For this week, my schedule changed again. But I've been at the school Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Here are some thoughts from today...
Today's chapel message for the Elementary kids at ECA (the private school) had to do with fruit salad--with not blending our unique traits, talents, and personalities into juice when they could be a delectable fruit salad of uniqueness. Good reminder. I love that I am made to be something completely único, and that living in the fulness of that is a surefire way of bringing the glory to God.
After that, we went back to the classroom for prayer time.
I am struck by the prayers of these children--they pray simply, sometimes with incorrect grammar, and for requests they repeat day after day. They never forget who they have on their heart to pray for. Someone with an illness, a pregnancy, a journey, or a struggle never gets forgotten one day to the next in the mundaneness of classroom life. Nothing's too small to approach God with. Their prayers are often nearly inaudible, muttered with the occasional unsure tenderness of six- and seven-year-olds.
But just hearing these prayers on the earthly end, I know that they are delights to the ears of the Father. That he cannot wait for the morning prayer times of this (or any) first grade class, and that he surely hears the burdens on the hearts of the children.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
P-R-A-D-O
Uuuuuuuuuuuish. :)
First of all, that is a very Colombian exclamation if you'd like to pick it up.
Second, and more importantly, the reason I said it was that this weekend's road trip to Prado was honestly a trip to one of the top three most beautiful sites on this earth I've ever had the privilege of seeing.
We left Bogotá on Friday night, about eight o'clock. (This allowed us the freedom of driving without fear of being pulled over for pico y placa--the attempt at traffic control, a system imposed by the city for alternating days of who may drive, based on license plate's last number.) I was headed there with Mr. and Mrs. A, my friend (and tour guide) N, and two new acquaintances: K and his cousin B. Me and a bunch of muchachos, headed for an A family adventure.
It was a lovely drive to Prado--about 4 hours southeast of Bogotá. We piled our stuff and ourselves into the As' iconic Land Cruiser with Mr. A's beloved extra tricked out lights. He is a hoot...
Anyway, making our way to the south, we got to have some good conversation time, and see some lights, and live through a Mr. A driving experience. Wow. Mom and Dad, I am alive. Let's get that straight before I launch into a description of how fun it is to drive with the As. ;)
I was in the middle row of seats, in the middle seat. In Colombia, only the front two seatbelts are mandatory, while all others are basically superfluous. Fine by me. Way more comfortable. So anyway, nothing truly exciting happened until we started to approach the mountains, and had to subir, go up. Then, I soon realized just how fast we were taking the curves, and how Mr. A feels no need to avoid passing other cars while careening around curvas peligrosas, and how convenient all those extra lights he has really are.
When we were mid-way through the mountainous segment, upon having rounded a curve, Mr. A exclaimed that he had heard a piece of the luggage drop off the roof.
What?
He was for real. This man has the ear force of Dumbo, but with normal human-sized ears. He had just heard a soft backpack fall off the roof rack of the car, over the roar of a serious engine, while going at probably fifty-ish miles per hour around a mountain curve.
He ripped around a k-turn, and headed back, driving like lightning, and lights blazing. I caught sight of it, pointed it out with a little shout, and he swerved to the roadside to park, jump out, and grab it out of the roadway. Meanwhile, one passenger got out quick and got sick. All this at once. What chaos! It was certainly thrilling, to say the very least.
Then we were back on the road again, and pretty soon were through the mountains and continued on south. When we arrived at the town of Prado, we were whizzing past a fisherman statue when the wake board came loose from the roof and pegged the window closest to K. Thank heavens it'd been closed--both of our faces would have been rather in sorry shape with the sharp edges and blunt force of the thing. It was soon picked up off the ground and replaced inside the car, and we drove a block and a half to the hotel of the night.
Instantly upon getting down the mountains, we had noticed the temperature difference. I had been able to take off my super mega jacket and let the heat outside regulate my body temperature instead. Mmm exquisite. Upon getting out of the car, we unpacked the roof rack, got settled into our rooms, and passed out asleep.
The next morning, we packed up and got ready, and then went out to breakfast in the town of Prado. We also went grocery shopping and worked on setting up the boat with its recently re-upholstered seats. Let me tell you, thinking on the breakfast now, that passionfruit juice in milk (basically an idyllic smoothie) is sublime. Your tastebuds should now be jealous.
The rest of the day was spent in the following manner: driving to the port, getting the boat into the water, packing ourselves in like sardines, admiring mountains and water and sky and bird sounds, getting to the island, unloading luggage into our cabins, applying sunscreen and bug spray, getting out onto the water with the wake board, falling countless times in an attempt to conquer the board, swimming in warm fresh water with the two daughters of the cabins' caretakers (nine and ten years old, fabulously adorable), laughing, eating, joking, playing dominoes, playing Boggle, drinking fresh fruit juice, talking, laughing, swimming a 45-minute swim between islands with Mrs. A and the boys, more time on the lake and the board, eating well again, viewing the immense sky and the brilliant stars from the lake in the boat with everyone's (plus the girls') lovely company, and chilling in the exhaustion of a day well spent.
We slept well that night. And I was up by seven Sunday morning, due to my body clock saying enough is enough! You've had a luxurious nine hours, get your rumpus up!
I was happy to sit in the hammock and fashion some friendship bracelets as parting gifts that evening for the girls, all the while jaw-dropped in awe of the mountains and water and flora and fauna that surrounded me. I got the privilege of doing braids in the girls' hair, of playing early morning dominoes, of listening to the parrots around us.
Breakfast was the tastiest caldo de costilla ever, and we also had fantastic fruit, juice, eggs, and arepas. Mmmm. Then we spent some time doing private devotionals, and then I got roped into homework help with the nenas, M and C. I helped her with her Bible homework (from a secular school), showing C how to look up Bible verses, and then was able to segue that into sharing some of my own favorite verses--Jeremiah 29:11-13. Look them up.
Next, our group got back together spent our time thanking God for something for all the glory around us, and fashioning a semblance of a church service from each person bringing a little bit of something to share. A very island, vacation style worship. Loved it.
After that, we were off on the lake again, swimming and skiing and wake boarding and teasing the bejeepers outta one another. I also winkled a neck massage out of a new friend...wake boarding packs a punch on the old shoulders. Lovely day. Lunch again was delectable, and so satisfying. More fruit, more juice, more plátano, more Colombian yumyum in general.
During a shortened version of Mr. A's siesta from the night before, I played dominoes with the girls again, and this time with B as well, and I believe I won.
After the siesta, we went into the boat again to explore a bit--the lagoons and sort of winding mountain-navigating rivers around the area. Incredible. Beautiful. Breathtaking. I saw a Heron--for those of you who know what that means to me, it was incredibly special to see one in this place. God keeps affirming things. How awesome that he can do that through his own creation for me!
Before I knew it it was time to return to the island to pack and have an empanada y avena snack before we bade our farewells, I gave the bracelets to M and C, and then we piled into the boat again. We dropped Mrs. A off at the port, and then the rest of us--muchachos, Mr. A, and I--headed to peek at the Waterfalls of Love. Awesome. I love the power of water. Also the ever-predictable need of the male gender to climb things that look dangerous and risky. Yes, the boys climbed up the waterfall-side path to get up to where the water fell from. There are some rather macho photos of those lovely goobers up there. Yours truly, photographer, as they had left me behind down below.
Toos soon our tour time was up, and Mr. A came to find us. The boys had committed the error of leaving me alone, he made sure they knew. I had had some inklings it wasn't the wisest thing...but I survived. Thanks, Señor!
Then we zoomed back to the port at top speeds. I had seated myself on the top of the back of the boat seat, arms spread wide like wings; closest I could come to the graceful white egrets I saw flying a few feet over the water multiple times over the weekend.
When we got to the port, we talked with the Marines for a while, then got the boat on the trailer, then packed that car back up, then leapt in, and we were off to the boat parking lot. Once we left the boat, we were headed back to Bogotá, a little after seven o'clock this time. I still enjoyed the night drive immensely; especially with Mr. A's crazy driving and all my new friends. And the stop for fruit salads, and (apparently) for being mocked by Mr. A. He is ruthless, and very funny. Our group had a really neat dynamic. It was a really precious time, from outset to finish.
I love Colombia.
xox
First of all, that is a very Colombian exclamation if you'd like to pick it up.
Second, and more importantly, the reason I said it was that this weekend's road trip to Prado was honestly a trip to one of the top three most beautiful sites on this earth I've ever had the privilege of seeing.
We left Bogotá on Friday night, about eight o'clock. (This allowed us the freedom of driving without fear of being pulled over for pico y placa--the attempt at traffic control, a system imposed by the city for alternating days of who may drive, based on license plate's last number.) I was headed there with Mr. and Mrs. A, my friend (and tour guide) N, and two new acquaintances: K and his cousin B. Me and a bunch of muchachos, headed for an A family adventure.
It was a lovely drive to Prado--about 4 hours southeast of Bogotá. We piled our stuff and ourselves into the As' iconic Land Cruiser with Mr. A's beloved extra tricked out lights. He is a hoot...
Anyway, making our way to the south, we got to have some good conversation time, and see some lights, and live through a Mr. A driving experience. Wow. Mom and Dad, I am alive. Let's get that straight before I launch into a description of how fun it is to drive with the As. ;)
I was in the middle row of seats, in the middle seat. In Colombia, only the front two seatbelts are mandatory, while all others are basically superfluous. Fine by me. Way more comfortable. So anyway, nothing truly exciting happened until we started to approach the mountains, and had to subir, go up. Then, I soon realized just how fast we were taking the curves, and how Mr. A feels no need to avoid passing other cars while careening around curvas peligrosas, and how convenient all those extra lights he has really are.
When we were mid-way through the mountainous segment, upon having rounded a curve, Mr. A exclaimed that he had heard a piece of the luggage drop off the roof.
What?
He was for real. This man has the ear force of Dumbo, but with normal human-sized ears. He had just heard a soft backpack fall off the roof rack of the car, over the roar of a serious engine, while going at probably fifty-ish miles per hour around a mountain curve.
He ripped around a k-turn, and headed back, driving like lightning, and lights blazing. I caught sight of it, pointed it out with a little shout, and he swerved to the roadside to park, jump out, and grab it out of the roadway. Meanwhile, one passenger got out quick and got sick. All this at once. What chaos! It was certainly thrilling, to say the very least.
Then we were back on the road again, and pretty soon were through the mountains and continued on south. When we arrived at the town of Prado, we were whizzing past a fisherman statue when the wake board came loose from the roof and pegged the window closest to K. Thank heavens it'd been closed--both of our faces would have been rather in sorry shape with the sharp edges and blunt force of the thing. It was soon picked up off the ground and replaced inside the car, and we drove a block and a half to the hotel of the night.
Instantly upon getting down the mountains, we had noticed the temperature difference. I had been able to take off my super mega jacket and let the heat outside regulate my body temperature instead. Mmm exquisite. Upon getting out of the car, we unpacked the roof rack, got settled into our rooms, and passed out asleep.
The next morning, we packed up and got ready, and then went out to breakfast in the town of Prado. We also went grocery shopping and worked on setting up the boat with its recently re-upholstered seats. Let me tell you, thinking on the breakfast now, that passionfruit juice in milk (basically an idyllic smoothie) is sublime. Your tastebuds should now be jealous.
The rest of the day was spent in the following manner: driving to the port, getting the boat into the water, packing ourselves in like sardines, admiring mountains and water and sky and bird sounds, getting to the island, unloading luggage into our cabins, applying sunscreen and bug spray, getting out onto the water with the wake board, falling countless times in an attempt to conquer the board, swimming in warm fresh water with the two daughters of the cabins' caretakers (nine and ten years old, fabulously adorable), laughing, eating, joking, playing dominoes, playing Boggle, drinking fresh fruit juice, talking, laughing, swimming a 45-minute swim between islands with Mrs. A and the boys, more time on the lake and the board, eating well again, viewing the immense sky and the brilliant stars from the lake in the boat with everyone's (plus the girls') lovely company, and chilling in the exhaustion of a day well spent.
We slept well that night. And I was up by seven Sunday morning, due to my body clock saying enough is enough! You've had a luxurious nine hours, get your rumpus up!
I was happy to sit in the hammock and fashion some friendship bracelets as parting gifts that evening for the girls, all the while jaw-dropped in awe of the mountains and water and flora and fauna that surrounded me. I got the privilege of doing braids in the girls' hair, of playing early morning dominoes, of listening to the parrots around us.
Breakfast was the tastiest caldo de costilla ever, and we also had fantastic fruit, juice, eggs, and arepas. Mmmm. Then we spent some time doing private devotionals, and then I got roped into homework help with the nenas, M and C. I helped her with her Bible homework (from a secular school), showing C how to look up Bible verses, and then was able to segue that into sharing some of my own favorite verses--Jeremiah 29:11-13. Look them up.
Next, our group got back together spent our time thanking God for something for all the glory around us, and fashioning a semblance of a church service from each person bringing a little bit of something to share. A very island, vacation style worship. Loved it.
After that, we were off on the lake again, swimming and skiing and wake boarding and teasing the bejeepers outta one another. I also winkled a neck massage out of a new friend...wake boarding packs a punch on the old shoulders. Lovely day. Lunch again was delectable, and so satisfying. More fruit, more juice, more plátano, more Colombian yumyum in general.
During a shortened version of Mr. A's siesta from the night before, I played dominoes with the girls again, and this time with B as well, and I believe I won.
After the siesta, we went into the boat again to explore a bit--the lagoons and sort of winding mountain-navigating rivers around the area. Incredible. Beautiful. Breathtaking. I saw a Heron--for those of you who know what that means to me, it was incredibly special to see one in this place. God keeps affirming things. How awesome that he can do that through his own creation for me!
Before I knew it it was time to return to the island to pack and have an empanada y avena snack before we bade our farewells, I gave the bracelets to M and C, and then we piled into the boat again. We dropped Mrs. A off at the port, and then the rest of us--muchachos, Mr. A, and I--headed to peek at the Waterfalls of Love. Awesome. I love the power of water. Also the ever-predictable need of the male gender to climb things that look dangerous and risky. Yes, the boys climbed up the waterfall-side path to get up to where the water fell from. There are some rather macho photos of those lovely goobers up there. Yours truly, photographer, as they had left me behind down below.
Toos soon our tour time was up, and Mr. A came to find us. The boys had committed the error of leaving me alone, he made sure they knew. I had had some inklings it wasn't the wisest thing...but I survived. Thanks, Señor!
Then we zoomed back to the port at top speeds. I had seated myself on the top of the back of the boat seat, arms spread wide like wings; closest I could come to the graceful white egrets I saw flying a few feet over the water multiple times over the weekend.
When we got to the port, we talked with the Marines for a while, then got the boat on the trailer, then packed that car back up, then leapt in, and we were off to the boat parking lot. Once we left the boat, we were headed back to Bogotá, a little after seven o'clock this time. I still enjoyed the night drive immensely; especially with Mr. A's crazy driving and all my new friends. And the stop for fruit salads, and (apparently) for being mocked by Mr. A. He is ruthless, and very funny. Our group had a really neat dynamic. It was a really precious time, from outset to finish.
The group, headed out to the island.
Mr. A and N in the hammocks.
I stole this stylish chapeau from Mr. A.
PG didn't stop smiling the whole time he boarded. :)
K and B on the boat.
M and I. <3
C and I. <3
Dominoooooooes. Or Papa John's.
Colombian pride hammock...zzzzz.... :)
Tricky Nicky.
Me in the wind.
Farewell, Prado.
I love Colombia.
xox
Day...not gonna count anymore. Too sad. Not many left!
Bests since we've last talked: PRADO.
Worsts since we've last talked: pocos mosquito bites.
__________________________________________________________
Well, it's been almost ten days since my last post. I do apologize. Life's just meant to be lived, and blogged about later! The past week has been a whirling dervish, choc full of fun experiences and exhaustions.
Monday morning of last week was dedicated to the development of my skit with JRV (1st grade parent) for Día del Idioma. In the afternoon, I switched my schedule around--as I was already at school--and stayed with first grade. Tired in the afternoon, I went home and chilled. At least I think. Can't remember.
Tuesday I went, as usual, to the Fundación Internacional Maranata, where I worked alongside PG (a friend from my town and high school who is also Gapping here) with the kids. I read them the story of the parable of the buried treasure, and how the kingdom of God is the most valuable treasure anyone could ever encounter. Therefore, the ensuing craft was obviously a necklace, with its "jewels" made up of rolled newspaper strips and some glue. Symbolic treasure; lots of fun.
Wednesday I was planning on being back at the Fundación in the afternoon, and I went to JRV's house for breakfast with he and his wife, and to perfect some of the skit. We ended up working on it all day, and due to the time crunch of Language Day being the next day. It was fun. At one point, to take some pictures for the presentation, AV (Mrs. V) and her sister did my makeup, and doted on me as if I were some sort of beauty queen in training. Yeah, right. Anyway, I'll post one of the best shots so you may gauge for yourself.
Thursday I went to school, and managed things with the first grade teacher and teacher aide for the morning, and then the afternoon was dedicated to the performance of this skit. In the end, it really was a masterpiece, I must say. It all came from this book JRV had seen advertised in the newspaper--Colombianadas, or Colombianisms, Colombian sayings. In a nutshell, this author took it upon himself to hilariously and intentionally mistranslate all sorts of Colombian sayings into English. The interpretations were often so nonsensical or pushing naughty that I laughed out loud.
J and I worked out a brilliant powerpoint to match the word(s) in Spanish with the witty translation in English, and added in pictures to aid us in getting the point across. Also, costumes were even a feature. I was dressed all as the campesina, the country girl, in a black swingy skirt and a white flowy top, and trenzitas (braids) in my hair. JRV wore a USA shirt (several sizes too big--of course...haha) and a baseball cap and some tennis shoes.
The parents really liked the skit! It went over quite well, even though we had more content than time allowed. Several parents and even a few students approached us afterwards to say how much they'd enjoyed it, how clever it had been, and how much they were impressed by my Spanish. It was fun! Worth the effort. :)
Thursday afternoon I left school and went home to spend some time with Diego in the afternoon (we chilled in the park next to the apartment for an hour or so) and then the gorgeous LB came over for a sleepover. She's the student (a senior) at ECA who gave me those marvelous earrings a few weeks back. Yeah, we had a lovely time, stayed up later than advised, laughed ourselves silly, and generally rocked it. Also, LB, I just found one of your earrings today. I'll bring it to school tomorrow!
Friday was a lovely day of normalcy. I could finally be done with the planning, prepping, and presenting of the skit, and enjoy the time with my first graders. The V's and Diego surprised me, stopping by the classroom to see the first graders on their way to see the Vs' oldest daughter Sofi perform her dance for the Día del Idioma. It was fun to get to show my friends what the science project was--dioramas of how lakes are formed. And, of course, all the beautiful children.
I must interject here to share with you one of the most perceptive pensamientos of first grader Santiago during the discussion of lake formation prior to above science project.
Santiago: How do the fish get into the lakes?
Does God throw fish?
:D I love first grade minds. Gorgeous. How do fish get into the lakes, anyway?
Friday after school I went with the V family and Diego to the Santa Fé mall near my house, and we got ice cream at Crepes & Waffles and then took crazy photos (the two girls, Diego, and I) in a photo booth. They came out marvelously--I hope to have a scanned copy soon.
Then it was about time for me to head to the As' house for my TRIP TO PRADO. That was an adventure so amazing, so grandiose, so inolvidable that it merits its very own entry... :)
xox
Worsts since we've last talked: pocos mosquito bites.
__________________________________________________________
Well, it's been almost ten days since my last post. I do apologize. Life's just meant to be lived, and blogged about later! The past week has been a whirling dervish, choc full of fun experiences and exhaustions.
Monday morning of last week was dedicated to the development of my skit with JRV (1st grade parent) for Día del Idioma. In the afternoon, I switched my schedule around--as I was already at school--and stayed with first grade. Tired in the afternoon, I went home and chilled. At least I think. Can't remember.
Tuesday I went, as usual, to the Fundación Internacional Maranata, where I worked alongside PG (a friend from my town and high school who is also Gapping here) with the kids. I read them the story of the parable of the buried treasure, and how the kingdom of God is the most valuable treasure anyone could ever encounter. Therefore, the ensuing craft was obviously a necklace, with its "jewels" made up of rolled newspaper strips and some glue. Symbolic treasure; lots of fun.
Wednesday I was planning on being back at the Fundación in the afternoon, and I went to JRV's house for breakfast with he and his wife, and to perfect some of the skit. We ended up working on it all day, and due to the time crunch of Language Day being the next day. It was fun. At one point, to take some pictures for the presentation, AV (Mrs. V) and her sister did my makeup, and doted on me as if I were some sort of beauty queen in training. Yeah, right. Anyway, I'll post one of the best shots so you may gauge for yourself.
Thursday I went to school, and managed things with the first grade teacher and teacher aide for the morning, and then the afternoon was dedicated to the performance of this skit. In the end, it really was a masterpiece, I must say. It all came from this book JRV had seen advertised in the newspaper--Colombianadas, or Colombianisms, Colombian sayings. In a nutshell, this author took it upon himself to hilariously and intentionally mistranslate all sorts of Colombian sayings into English. The interpretations were often so nonsensical or pushing naughty that I laughed out loud.
J and I worked out a brilliant powerpoint to match the word(s) in Spanish with the witty translation in English, and added in pictures to aid us in getting the point across. Also, costumes were even a feature. I was dressed all as the campesina, the country girl, in a black swingy skirt and a white flowy top, and trenzitas (braids) in my hair. JRV wore a USA shirt (several sizes too big--of course...haha) and a baseball cap and some tennis shoes.
The parents really liked the skit! It went over quite well, even though we had more content than time allowed. Several parents and even a few students approached us afterwards to say how much they'd enjoyed it, how clever it had been, and how much they were impressed by my Spanish. It was fun! Worth the effort. :)
Thursday afternoon I left school and went home to spend some time with Diego in the afternoon (we chilled in the park next to the apartment for an hour or so) and then the gorgeous LB came over for a sleepover. She's the student (a senior) at ECA who gave me those marvelous earrings a few weeks back. Yeah, we had a lovely time, stayed up later than advised, laughed ourselves silly, and generally rocked it. Also, LB, I just found one of your earrings today. I'll bring it to school tomorrow!
Friday was a lovely day of normalcy. I could finally be done with the planning, prepping, and presenting of the skit, and enjoy the time with my first graders. The V's and Diego surprised me, stopping by the classroom to see the first graders on their way to see the Vs' oldest daughter Sofi perform her dance for the Día del Idioma. It was fun to get to show my friends what the science project was--dioramas of how lakes are formed. And, of course, all the beautiful children.
I must interject here to share with you one of the most perceptive pensamientos of first grader Santiago during the discussion of lake formation prior to above science project.
Santiago: How do the fish get into the lakes?
Does God throw fish?
:D I love first grade minds. Gorgeous. How do fish get into the lakes, anyway?
Friday after school I went with the V family and Diego to the Santa Fé mall near my house, and we got ice cream at Crepes & Waffles and then took crazy photos (the two girls, Diego, and I) in a photo booth. They came out marvelously--I hope to have a scanned copy soon.
Then it was about time for me to head to the As' house for my TRIP TO PRADO. That was an adventure so amazing, so grandiose, so inolvidable that it merits its very own entry... :)
xox
Sunday, February 19, 2012
fotos
The mountains on the drive.
Some of the city of Zipaquirá from the mountain as we ascend.
Beautiful trees.
Stunning mountains and clouds.
Cactus and flower.
Me on the bridge.
A street in downtown Pacho after lunch yesterday.
Luna and her Chelsea jersey!
Day 32
Bests: weekend in nature with Diego and his parents, coming home with rosy sunshined cheeks, adventuring in the cold river this morning.
Worsts: another complication with the salary from Buenos Aires--tax forms. Life is so much simpler when you just volunteer all the time. ;)
________________________________________________________________
This Saturday, I was picked up by the C family (punctually--a rarity in Bogotá ;) ) for our two hour, mountainous, curvy, northward drive to a small town called Pacho.
That is where the Cs have their finca, like a ranch house that they make the drive out to stay the weekend in, every so often. It was such a massive treat! The drive to the finca, as well as the entire time we were at the finca, was so naturally stunning that I just about laughed with joy at its glory.
The moment we made it into sight of Pacho, we all rolled down our car windows to take in the fresh, countryside, non-factory-spoiled air. Mmmm. We made our way down the perilously potholed streets, and bought water, and tried desperately to keep Luna (the schnauzer) calm just a tad longer. Dad, she was wearing her Chelsea jersey. :)
When we got to the finca, we checked to see how the house had kept up. Then we went into the back garden. There, for the first time in my life, I saw real live orange trees (two varieties--one for juice, one for eating), mango trees, avocado trees, guava trees, as well as other floral plants. SO cool how anything grows here. :)
After a snack bought at a nearby store, Diego and I ventured down the lane and down a hillside to a cool bridge, suspended over the river. It was gorgeously sunny, and there was nary a cow to bother us. So nice to just breathe cleanly, smell the vegetation and the water, and listen to the river scramble and rush its course.
We drove up to the town for lunch, at a typical Colombian restaurant, la Olla, and there I tried a couple new things: freshfreshfresh orange juice from right there in Pacho (the Orange Capital, as Mr. C aptly calls it), and Cola y Pola--a beer and soda combo drink. They were both quite tasty! Obviously, fresh squeezed orange juice is hard to beat, so it was my favorite of the two. Still, both were yum. For lunch I had a chicken and meat plate, with yucca, salted potatoes, little bit of salad, and guacamole. Mmm. So full. So deli.
After lunch, all feeling satisfactorily stuffed, we walked through the plaza to get bread for dinner and breakfast, and then hopped into the car to go back to the house. There, we all enjoyed a magnificent naptime. :)
After napping, Diego and I headed downhill to a different part of the river. It looked just like one of my favorite hikes in the Lake District (England)! I was pleasantly surprised to find this little haven of familiarity, in the midst of a landscape already quite similar to the rolling fells of the Lakes, just magnified into mountains.
When we got back to the house, we played dominoes with his parents. I am a whiz at dominoes, let me tell you. It was super fun. :)
For onces, like Colombian tea time (but obviously with café, not tea), we went to the house next door--which Diego's uncle owns. We talked about many things, and laughed quite a bunch. I guess I covered my gringaness well enough; his uncle assumed I was a classmate from Diego's university. :) After some tinto, afternoon coffee, some desired coca cola, so I went to the little store with Diego to get it.
Problem is, the men from surrounding houses were already welllllll into their happy hour, and a young gringa on their turf...hmmm... smart. I waited for Diego in the street, distanced from their drunkenness. One man started trying to yell out the door to me, or started gesturing. I completely ignored him, still taking note of my surroundings enough to know an escape plan. While the lady storekeeper dilly-dallied with our coca cola, this man decided to stand up and head out towards me in the street.
Um...hello, frightened, racing heartbeat.
I made use of the divinely placed car at my side to put some obstacle between the man and I. After what seemed like an agonizing 20 second delay, Diego appeared from the doorway, walked right up to me, and led me away safely. Phew. God is good.
The rest of the evening was spent playing Parques--Parcheesi--and dominoes back home. While in dominoes I frequently was able to chalk up victories, in Parcheesi, not so much. The first game, Mrs. C won soundly, and I was second or third. The second time...uuuuuuuuuush. Within twenty minutes or half an hour, Diego won. MEANTIME, sending my fichas, game pieces, to jail approximately 7 times. The game proceeded to take an hour and a half for the next person to win, and I was nearly constantly with pieces in jail. It was hilariously tedious and amusing. We all laughed a lot.
In the morning, I slept in, as did Diego, and then awoke to a yummy breakfast of tamales, bread, freshfreshfresh orange juice (from the backyard oranges), and hot chocolate. Mmmm. It wasn't bad. :)
Diego and I headed down to the river again to do some more rock scrambling, and then back up the hill for packing up. Luna did not like going back into the car. After all, she'd been quite the main attraction for all the chico dogs in the neighborhood. They would literally make repeated--nearly constant--efforts to enter the finca fence to get a chance. Not so lucky.
Then we said goodbye to the lovely finca, and headed back towards the city. The mountainous drive this time made me sleepy, so I dozed until we got over the mountains into Zipaquirá for lunch. We got tasty chicken, yucca, cornbread-like-something, potatoes, platano, and Sprite. All super tasty.
Then we continued our drive into the city. It's pretty nice to be back, rested and relaxed and sunkissed, ready for a new week. Every day here is a treasure. I keep my ears and eyes open as much as possible, and continue to find more and more great sites and people and foods and flowers and things.
Enjoy a few pictures! Que estén bien. xox
Worsts: another complication with the salary from Buenos Aires--tax forms. Life is so much simpler when you just volunteer all the time. ;)
________________________________________________________________
This Saturday, I was picked up by the C family (punctually--a rarity in Bogotá ;) ) for our two hour, mountainous, curvy, northward drive to a small town called Pacho.
That is where the Cs have their finca, like a ranch house that they make the drive out to stay the weekend in, every so often. It was such a massive treat! The drive to the finca, as well as the entire time we were at the finca, was so naturally stunning that I just about laughed with joy at its glory.
The moment we made it into sight of Pacho, we all rolled down our car windows to take in the fresh, countryside, non-factory-spoiled air. Mmmm. We made our way down the perilously potholed streets, and bought water, and tried desperately to keep Luna (the schnauzer) calm just a tad longer. Dad, she was wearing her Chelsea jersey. :)
When we got to the finca, we checked to see how the house had kept up. Then we went into the back garden. There, for the first time in my life, I saw real live orange trees (two varieties--one for juice, one for eating), mango trees, avocado trees, guava trees, as well as other floral plants. SO cool how anything grows here. :)
After a snack bought at a nearby store, Diego and I ventured down the lane and down a hillside to a cool bridge, suspended over the river. It was gorgeously sunny, and there was nary a cow to bother us. So nice to just breathe cleanly, smell the vegetation and the water, and listen to the river scramble and rush its course.
We drove up to the town for lunch, at a typical Colombian restaurant, la Olla, and there I tried a couple new things: freshfreshfresh orange juice from right there in Pacho (the Orange Capital, as Mr. C aptly calls it), and Cola y Pola--a beer and soda combo drink. They were both quite tasty! Obviously, fresh squeezed orange juice is hard to beat, so it was my favorite of the two. Still, both were yum. For lunch I had a chicken and meat plate, with yucca, salted potatoes, little bit of salad, and guacamole. Mmm. So full. So deli.
After lunch, all feeling satisfactorily stuffed, we walked through the plaza to get bread for dinner and breakfast, and then hopped into the car to go back to the house. There, we all enjoyed a magnificent naptime. :)
After napping, Diego and I headed downhill to a different part of the river. It looked just like one of my favorite hikes in the Lake District (England)! I was pleasantly surprised to find this little haven of familiarity, in the midst of a landscape already quite similar to the rolling fells of the Lakes, just magnified into mountains.
When we got back to the house, we played dominoes with his parents. I am a whiz at dominoes, let me tell you. It was super fun. :)
For onces, like Colombian tea time (but obviously with café, not tea), we went to the house next door--which Diego's uncle owns. We talked about many things, and laughed quite a bunch. I guess I covered my gringaness well enough; his uncle assumed I was a classmate from Diego's university. :) After some tinto, afternoon coffee, some desired coca cola, so I went to the little store with Diego to get it.
Problem is, the men from surrounding houses were already welllllll into their happy hour, and a young gringa on their turf...hmmm... smart. I waited for Diego in the street, distanced from their drunkenness. One man started trying to yell out the door to me, or started gesturing. I completely ignored him, still taking note of my surroundings enough to know an escape plan. While the lady storekeeper dilly-dallied with our coca cola, this man decided to stand up and head out towards me in the street.
Um...hello, frightened, racing heartbeat.
I made use of the divinely placed car at my side to put some obstacle between the man and I. After what seemed like an agonizing 20 second delay, Diego appeared from the doorway, walked right up to me, and led me away safely. Phew. God is good.
The rest of the evening was spent playing Parques--Parcheesi--and dominoes back home. While in dominoes I frequently was able to chalk up victories, in Parcheesi, not so much. The first game, Mrs. C won soundly, and I was second or third. The second time...uuuuuuuuuush. Within twenty minutes or half an hour, Diego won. MEANTIME, sending my fichas, game pieces, to jail approximately 7 times. The game proceeded to take an hour and a half for the next person to win, and I was nearly constantly with pieces in jail. It was hilariously tedious and amusing. We all laughed a lot.
In the morning, I slept in, as did Diego, and then awoke to a yummy breakfast of tamales, bread, freshfreshfresh orange juice (from the backyard oranges), and hot chocolate. Mmmm. It wasn't bad. :)
Diego and I headed down to the river again to do some more rock scrambling, and then back up the hill for packing up. Luna did not like going back into the car. After all, she'd been quite the main attraction for all the chico dogs in the neighborhood. They would literally make repeated--nearly constant--efforts to enter the finca fence to get a chance. Not so lucky.
Then we said goodbye to the lovely finca, and headed back towards the city. The mountainous drive this time made me sleepy, so I dozed until we got over the mountains into Zipaquirá for lunch. We got tasty chicken, yucca, cornbread-like-something, potatoes, platano, and Sprite. All super tasty.
Then we continued our drive into the city. It's pretty nice to be back, rested and relaxed and sunkissed, ready for a new week. Every day here is a treasure. I keep my ears and eyes open as much as possible, and continue to find more and more great sites and people and foods and flowers and things.
Enjoy a few pictures! Que estén bien. xox
Friday, February 17, 2012
Day 30
Bests: parent's night at the Foundation, having fun with the first graders today, bandeja paisa for lunch today at school, receiving Valentine's roses from Marv & Judy, and from two high school girl friends!
Worsts: exhaustion at the end of a long week, and some substantial ankle pain this evening.
__________________________________________
I have been so contentedly busy here as I near the halfway point of my time in Bogotá. Tuesday was spent at ECA (the school), working with the first graders as normal. The Elementary principal did pull me aside and ask if I would like to get some time in with the middle school classes, or even to observe high school, for some amplified experiences. Sounds like a great deal to me. I don't want to write off education just because elementary, particularly the batch of first graders we have, is not my full passion. So I'll let you know what I do with that in coming weeks. Also on Tuesday, we in first grade had a marvelous Valentine's day, and they all enjoyed the Tootsie Rolls my mom had sent from the States with my dad. :)
Wednesday, I went to the Foundation. In the morning I was translating a video testimony from Spanish to English...which was HARD! It involved much political history of Bogotá (which very much interests me, for some reason), and so I learned a lot. Not only that, but the way people blend words when they speak often makes for a puzzling time on the translating end for me. But, all the same, fun. :)
In the afternoon I helped three of the Foundation mothers to prepare the food for that evening--they were having a parent workshop (along the lines of how to do homework help), and also were expecting a youth mission team from Canada. So, after a fun afternoon helping dear N in the kitchen, I got to help be translator for the kids as we monitored them during the meeting. Then we all ate, and the team, the As and I went to Cafe & Crepes (of Mr. A's brother) for dessert. Mmmm. Chocolate hazelnut crepes. YUM.
Thursday found me back at the school, helping with reading (it's so fun to watch them learn how phonics work), lunch, math, and other things. After school Thursday, I went to the house of the first grader I tutored that one week, whose family goes to the Puerta Abierta church--JV. Her father and I are preparing a skit for "Language Day", which is next week. It's centered upon hilarious intentional mistranslations of various VERY Colombian sayings. Should be a hit, I hope.
Friday...arrived at last. Haha. What an early morning! Plus, I did not sleep well last night, rather confused and pensive. I had been thinking about extending my time here in Bogotá, but soon found it to be less convenient for the other internship I am going to have in Chicago. So, I arrived to school this morning confused and tired still.
But God met me in the hallway--in the form of the school nurse.
Now, I have to pause here for a minute, and just state that of all the schools I've been in, I think the nurses are the most fantastic, supportive, wise, helpful, and generally maternal figures in the building. They have changed my life before; another one, SI, did it again today.
I told her how I hadn't slept well, and why, because I know her from church and school--in my book, well enough to share things with her when I know she is gifted in counsel and encouragement. So she just spoke straight to my heart about the uncertainties--of staying longer, of future major, future job, future spouse, future place of residence. All culminated with her sharing this Word with me:
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Encomienda a Jehová tu camino y confía en él, y él hará. Salmos 37:5
Bingo. That's it, Lord. And just like that, I found peace.
So, that's my second story this week of God speaking. I am learning to hear his voice, and TRULY love and yearn for it! It's lovely. Wonderful. He is our Wonderful Counselor, after all.
No matter when my return date to Colombia is, I know that I always have a welcoming community. The other teacher's aides put in good words for me, as did Miss W (first grade teacher). And besides, I don't have to live my whole life right now. Let's save some of the goodness for later, shall we? Something to look forward to whilst writing papers and such. :)
Tomorrow I travel to Pacho for a relaxing day-and-night at Diego's family's finca, or like ranch house. It will be lovely to see other parts of Colombia, however close it may be (2 hours drive). I'm ready for a road trip in the mountains! :D
xox
Worsts: exhaustion at the end of a long week, and some substantial ankle pain this evening.
__________________________________________
I have been so contentedly busy here as I near the halfway point of my time in Bogotá. Tuesday was spent at ECA (the school), working with the first graders as normal. The Elementary principal did pull me aside and ask if I would like to get some time in with the middle school classes, or even to observe high school, for some amplified experiences. Sounds like a great deal to me. I don't want to write off education just because elementary, particularly the batch of first graders we have, is not my full passion. So I'll let you know what I do with that in coming weeks. Also on Tuesday, we in first grade had a marvelous Valentine's day, and they all enjoyed the Tootsie Rolls my mom had sent from the States with my dad. :)
Wednesday, I went to the Foundation. In the morning I was translating a video testimony from Spanish to English...which was HARD! It involved much political history of Bogotá (which very much interests me, for some reason), and so I learned a lot. Not only that, but the way people blend words when they speak often makes for a puzzling time on the translating end for me. But, all the same, fun. :)
In the afternoon I helped three of the Foundation mothers to prepare the food for that evening--they were having a parent workshop (along the lines of how to do homework help), and also were expecting a youth mission team from Canada. So, after a fun afternoon helping dear N in the kitchen, I got to help be translator for the kids as we monitored them during the meeting. Then we all ate, and the team, the As and I went to Cafe & Crepes (of Mr. A's brother) for dessert. Mmmm. Chocolate hazelnut crepes. YUM.
Thursday found me back at the school, helping with reading (it's so fun to watch them learn how phonics work), lunch, math, and other things. After school Thursday, I went to the house of the first grader I tutored that one week, whose family goes to the Puerta Abierta church--JV. Her father and I are preparing a skit for "Language Day", which is next week. It's centered upon hilarious intentional mistranslations of various VERY Colombian sayings. Should be a hit, I hope.
Friday...arrived at last. Haha. What an early morning! Plus, I did not sleep well last night, rather confused and pensive. I had been thinking about extending my time here in Bogotá, but soon found it to be less convenient for the other internship I am going to have in Chicago. So, I arrived to school this morning confused and tired still.
But God met me in the hallway--in the form of the school nurse.
Now, I have to pause here for a minute, and just state that of all the schools I've been in, I think the nurses are the most fantastic, supportive, wise, helpful, and generally maternal figures in the building. They have changed my life before; another one, SI, did it again today.
I told her how I hadn't slept well, and why, because I know her from church and school--in my book, well enough to share things with her when I know she is gifted in counsel and encouragement. So she just spoke straight to my heart about the uncertainties--of staying longer, of future major, future job, future spouse, future place of residence. All culminated with her sharing this Word with me:
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Encomienda a Jehová tu camino y confía en él, y él hará. Salmos 37:5
Bingo. That's it, Lord. And just like that, I found peace.
So, that's my second story this week of God speaking. I am learning to hear his voice, and TRULY love and yearn for it! It's lovely. Wonderful. He is our Wonderful Counselor, after all.
No matter when my return date to Colombia is, I know that I always have a welcoming community. The other teacher's aides put in good words for me, as did Miss W (first grade teacher). And besides, I don't have to live my whole life right now. Let's save some of the goodness for later, shall we? Something to look forward to whilst writing papers and such. :)
Tomorrow I travel to Pacho for a relaxing day-and-night at Diego's family's finca, or like ranch house. It will be lovely to see other parts of Colombia, however close it may be (2 hours drive). I'm ready for a road trip in the mountains! :D
xox
Monday, February 13, 2012
Day 27
Best: God meeting me with his Word here last night and this morning, exactly as I needed it (Psalm 130, Zeph. 3:11, 15, 17); my valentine from JDM, at the Foundation; also the time I spent reading them the story of Isaiah from my favorite children's Bible ever.
Worst: cold hands. Even that makes me happy, though, because I'm in Bogotá. :)
______________________________________________________________________________
Today I went to the Foundation (Hogar de Paz), travelled all the way south by myself. God is good and protective!
I spent the morning finishing up the first translated draft of the document for Mr. A, and then when lunchtime came, I got some yummy soup, meat, rice, cucumber salad, and limeade for $2.50 (US) at a restaurant near the Foundation.
When the kids arrived, I loved hearing their sounds in the background--homework, laughter, working out differences, and singing. I worked on preparing a game to play with them. My lovely fantastic mother found it and sent it to me. I had been hoping to do something along the theme of Valentine's day, for some US cultural awareness, and also as an excuse to use English. So, it was a relay game where they ran from one side of the room to another and picked up a paper heart. The heart directed them to "jump", "run", "tiptoe", "crawl", or "walk backwards" back to their line. I had them read out the words in English, and then tell me which mode of moving back towards the line they had to use. They did pretty well, and got very into it.
I also read them the story of Isaiah from my favorite children's Bible ever. It makes very clear the tender love God had for the Israelites even while they were dishonoring and walking away from him. Suitable love for a redeemed Valentine's day lesson. :)
After that, we just played Ninja and "Juguemos en el bosque" and "el reloj de Jerusalen" until the moms started coming to pick them up. Then, I walked to a nearby corner to wait for Mr. A. to come pick me up. He got us snackies of roscones de bocadillo, and we drove the hour home contentedly. His company is fantastic, and his storytelling skills abound. I did my own amount of storytelling as well. It was quite a nice way to end the day.
I am in a wonderful place. My current profile photo on Facebook is so perfectly capturing where I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually at this moment that I'd like to share it here in this forum as well.
Here I am, on top of a mountain on the outskirts of Bogotá this past Saturday. Behind me lies an amazing view of the city, and, in front of me, I'm currently seeing and drinking in the glory of the other side--the mountainous, rural, verdant hermosura (beauty). As I look at His beautiful creation, marveling at it, and at how small I feel in light of it, I am praising Him. And I'm right here at the cross, searching and reaching; content just to be right where I am. Growing. Learning. Bringing myself to God. Never alone.
xox
Worst: cold hands. Even that makes me happy, though, because I'm in Bogotá. :)
______________________________________________________________________________
Today I went to the Foundation (Hogar de Paz), travelled all the way south by myself. God is good and protective!
I spent the morning finishing up the first translated draft of the document for Mr. A, and then when lunchtime came, I got some yummy soup, meat, rice, cucumber salad, and limeade for $2.50 (US) at a restaurant near the Foundation.
When the kids arrived, I loved hearing their sounds in the background--homework, laughter, working out differences, and singing. I worked on preparing a game to play with them. My lovely fantastic mother found it and sent it to me. I had been hoping to do something along the theme of Valentine's day, for some US cultural awareness, and also as an excuse to use English. So, it was a relay game where they ran from one side of the room to another and picked up a paper heart. The heart directed them to "jump", "run", "tiptoe", "crawl", or "walk backwards" back to their line. I had them read out the words in English, and then tell me which mode of moving back towards the line they had to use. They did pretty well, and got very into it.
I also read them the story of Isaiah from my favorite children's Bible ever. It makes very clear the tender love God had for the Israelites even while they were dishonoring and walking away from him. Suitable love for a redeemed Valentine's day lesson. :)
After that, we just played Ninja and "Juguemos en el bosque" and "el reloj de Jerusalen" until the moms started coming to pick them up. Then, I walked to a nearby corner to wait for Mr. A. to come pick me up. He got us snackies of roscones de bocadillo, and we drove the hour home contentedly. His company is fantastic, and his storytelling skills abound. I did my own amount of storytelling as well. It was quite a nice way to end the day.
I am in a wonderful place. My current profile photo on Facebook is so perfectly capturing where I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually at this moment that I'd like to share it here in this forum as well.
xox
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