I knew this was going to happen, I would get so wrapped up in activities here that our month would fly by and all of a sudden, I would have to figure out away to leave gracefully from my different schools and say goodbye to all the wonderful students I had the privilege of getting to know.
I decided to wrap up both my Spanish lessons and my volunteer position at San Jose this past week, and my CEDEI English class this Monday, as Phil and I need some time to visit both people and places here in Cuenca. As well, we need time to plan our next few adventures (some of which include Riobamba in the North, the Galapagos and a road trip down to Argentina!!).
On the left is a picture of the painting class/workshop were I spent most of my time at San Jose. Saying goodbye last week was bitter sweet. At one point, lines from my thesis were flying through my head as a small trauma was caused when saying goodbye to my good friend, German (in the blue plaid). German, generally, would sit next to me when we were painting and help me understand the conversation or at least try to make me feel a part of it, as I struggled to understand all the Spanish words flying around the active classroom. His warm hug in the morning (don’t worry my fellow teachers, a hug and a kiss is not only customary in this school among all staff and students but pretty much everyone you greet here in Cuenca!!), his understanding smile and our communal laughs over mixing paint colours or whatever will always be appreciated and remembered. Needless to say (and my thesis will confirm this) that the school and experience had a far greater impact on me then I probably did on them, but friendships are real and lasting and I can only feel grateful for the opportunity to get to know German, his fellow classmates (who are all individually amazing, and I could write so much more, but will not bore you at this time with the stories) and their professors in our paint workshop.
I know that Phil and I will stay in contact with our Spanish teacher, Julia, who has been an integral part of our time in Cuenca. Our English lessons with the children in her campo (country) community have also finished. We were able to fit in three classes with them, and Julia and I are looking for a teacher to take over next week. And finally, I will be able to wrap up my CEDEI class a little early when their replacement teacher joins me on Monday for the class/party (after a small quiz- I know, how nice). Here is a picture of a few of my students working on a (fun) reading assignment in the courtyard of the school.
Although our goodbyes have and will be hard as we leave this wonderful city, we have been so lucky to integrate ourselves in different facets of the community. And I really believe that it is not goodbye, but Hasta Luego.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Hasta Luego
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Monday, 21 January 2008
Guitar Fabrication - Complete
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Sunday, 13 January 2008
Weekend in the Campo
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Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Guitar Fabrication - Day 11
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My Schools
I then head to Amauta, to continue my Spanish lessons with Julia, who is great and amazingly patient with me. I have a couple hours off to have lunch, do my homework and prepare for my third school, which is a paying job at CEDEI, a large English and Spanish school here in
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Tuesday, 1 January 2008
¡Feliz 2008!
Traditionally, our New Years´ Eves involve family and friends, champagne and kisses at midnight. We typically reflect on the past year, and make resolutions to ensure a good new year. Similarly in Cuenca, people partake in rituals to guarantee a prosperous new year, from wearing new underwear, to eating 12 grapes for 12 wishes, to lighting different coloured candles that represent different good fortunes, to walking in and out of their homes with suitcases to ensure travel in the new year.
And the most interesting ritual, and the one that we most enjoyed, was the burning of the "aƱos viejos"("old years"). These, are stuffed dummies constructed with paper, sawdust, wood and firecrackers that typically represent something significant that happened in the past year, which their creators wish to forget. These characters can be as simple as a small scarecrow with a mask and a name, to elaborate scenes with multiple characters, objects and messages. Some characters represented personal sorrow, while others were quite political in nature.. Around the old town, which is where we spent our night wondering around with some very attractive masks on, there were over 50 monuments. Throughout the night, mostly at midnight, they were set on fire, to music, dancing and drinking. We brought in the new year watching a scene that included the heads of Hugo Chavez (which Phil had the opportunity to wear, see picture), and the King and President of Spain explode to fireworks (which Phil helped to ignite). We then headed to another square that had turned their burning into a full on dance party of all ages, which we of course joined in on. We slowly made our way back to the apartment, knowing that the bar downstairs would be in full swing. The party lasted until 7 the next morning, but somehow we were able to catch a few zzz and had a very nice new year's day, which included Phil's famous egg's Benedict for brunch on the rooftop terrace. So far all of our rituals for a good new year have paid-off! We hope that your new year's eve celebrations were also a “blast”, and that the new year brings you peace and happiness.
Happy New Year (and happy birthday, mom)!!!
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