Hasta Luego

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.