Number one, not travelling and having time to think, made me realise that I'd overlooked the fact that I've been here for over six months. That's half my time gone. Time passes so quickly. Of course I've missed home, and at times it felt like the year was going so slowly, but being on this side of summer makes it all seem so short. I can't believe there's less than six months less. I worked it out today that we only have 22 weeks left. I've been here 30 weeks! It still feels like there is so much more to do.
On Monday we entered into the maze of confusion that is the local government once again. We weren't picked up by the director to go to Vega Larga, so we thought we'd check that we were still going there. It turns out that with a change of alcalde there were a lot of other changes. They don't seem to share information very well because we had to explain again who we were and what we'd been doing in Lautaro for the last six months. A lady used us as an excuse to blow off some steam and ranted on about how unfair the sharing of resources is. So as usual we left with less information than we entered with. Ran into Ingrid on the way home though and she said just to go to Escuela 6 so that's what we did. Being back at the school is great. The kids are so cute and were really happy to see us (though we weren't quite as happy to see the huge class of 6th graders that just wouldn't stop talking). Trying to think of ways to do more. I would like to be able to do more teaching and less... sitting watching the children work. Did have a very good first lesson with the second graders. They're so well behaved at that age. Still listen to you and give you respect. Give them about a year and they won't listen to a word you say.
All the Kinders that we were teaching last year have moved up to primero, which means they've been set loose in the playground. We were swamped the other day by a mass of children running at us to give us kisses, when we stepped outside at break time.
The bad thing about being back at school is that our friends aren't working there any more. So we're back to how is was in the beginning, wandering the halls or being in the staff room instead of being with our friends in the computer room.
I suppose a bit of news I have is that I received an unconditional entry place to Edinburgh uni. Pretty pleased because it's for the uni and degree that were pretty much my top choice. So I'm pretty happy. Tried to explain it to Ruty but I don't think she gets how difficult it is to get into some unis. Then she asked why I couldn't just stay at home and relax instead of living in halls. I swear, all Chileans ever want us to do is relax.
We met up with some friends yesterday for the first time since coming back to Lautaro. Really nice to see them again. I got all envious about one of them being able to play the guitar really well. We sat in the park and made up songs while eating chocolate. I think Amina was a bit surprised by the amount of people that remembered her birthday. She got loads of emails and presents and was able to chill in the sun so I think she was happy.
Us with our friends in the park
A little video from the Iguazu Falls. Pretty sure this is from when we were walking the upper trail along the top of the waterfalls.
Hey Beth, stellar blogging as per usual! I can't believed half your time there has been and gone, it's crazy, but then you look back over your blogs and remember how much stuff you've accomplished already!
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