Hello everyone, sorry it has taken me so long to update this, as you might have guessed I have been super busy. I definitely have been enjoying the emails from all of you asking where my updates have been, it is good to know I have so many people checking up on me and interested in what I am up to. 
These past couple of weeks have been packed with Spanish lessons, Agricultural classes, field trips, as well as all of the other Peace Corps training segments about safety and other administrative stuff. I am going to try to answer all of your questions but if I miss one don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments.
Right now my number one priority is learning Spanish and this is definitely coming along at a slow and steady pace, just like they told me it would. The other day I coined the term to classify my Spanish as “Yoda Spanish,” named after the Star Wars character. The reason I have named it this is because when I talk to people I know I am saying things like “Eating, I like” , “To go, I will do,” or “Dancing, I will go.” It is probably not that extreme but I guarantee it is very broken but they still seem to be able to understand and answer me which is the ultimate goal.
People have been asking me what the food has been like down here. Let’s just say that it has been very interesting and they eat many things for breakfeast that we probably would not. For example, the other morning I had sliced hot dogs and French fries for breakfeast. I usually have some kind of egg with ham and bread with cheese for breakfeast. This morning I was served the usual but I also got a little surprise which was a cup of liquidified Jello. For lunch we usually go to the restaurant across the street from our school which is made up of a soup (today's had cow skin in it...mmmm), main course plate (usually rice and chicken), and some kind of juice all for about $2.50 which is actually pretty expensive down here. In fact my Mom down here told me that we need to stop going there because the “Gringos” are raising the prices for the locals. For dinner we usually have some kind of meat (usually chicken) with rice. If you haven’t noticed, there is a definite theme of rice being served with every meal, so if you are planning on visiting and going on a low-carb diet down here, Latin America may not be the best choice.
In regards to my family, things are going very well. After dinner every night we usually sit and talk for at least a half an hour about everything from world politics to where I should get my haircut. They are very patient with my Spanish and are helping me a ton each and every night. It has actually gotten to the point where some days if I am frustrated with class or my Spanish they are a great help to lift my spirits. Some of you wanted to see pictures of my house and of the family so here you go!
The Agricultural class that we have all been a part of has been very interesting. Over the past couple of weeks we have been to a couple of organic farms. Each of them is operated under a specific set of rules that states that they are only to use solely organic material in the cultivation of their crops. One farm even went as far as to say that nothing could be killed on the grounds, anything from a crow in the tree to the worms eating the lettuce. They stood by the belief that they were maintaining a complete ecosystem where each organism served a purpose and the crops would be protected by this premis. And sure enough they were, it took about 10 years to accomplish, but this farm was completely self-sustained and EVERY crop was very healthy and produced an abundant amount of produce. (And for all my frat brothers reading this, yes I am slowly becoming the hippee that all of you accuse me of being).
Some have asked me about the culture down here and I jotted down some points to help distinguish how we live in the US from how they live down here:
- We had a field trip where we went to a poor, small town and were supposed to walk around and gather information about the town. Almost immediately after getting off of the bus we were approached by a little old woman who welcomed us and invited the six of us into her home solely to “conversate.” This didn’t just happen in one case but there have already been numerous times where we have been invited into people’s homes just because they enjoy the company of strangers. Something that I think would be unheard of in the US.
- Whether they are young adults or older, the people here love to dance. Many in the US take a lot of coercing to get out on the dance floor. These people down here love it and would not miss a chance to cut it up.
- The children are not expected to work until they are done with their schooling.
- The houses are made of 99% concrete and very few have any kind of heat.
- Sandwiches don’t exist here. (neither does ice)
- The children all enjoy coffee with about 4 tablespoons of sugar in the morning.
- Restaurants on the main street of town are rarely open for lunch.
- There are pretty much no rules or regulations on the highways for passing. (very scary, I choose to sleep).
- Rather than use the turn signal they use the horn
- The yogurt here is made fresh every day and is excellent!
- When drinking a beer with the locals, you buy one beer and have one glass and all share the same beer/glass.
- Don’t ask questions about the mystery meat on your plate, just enjoy it. (or try to).
- The children never complain, always share and always take care of one another.
- It is ok for your child to climb on the roof of your house.
- Never leave your cookies out for your drunken grandma to bury in the cemetery.
- A motorcycle is considered a good mode of transportation for a family of 4.
- A pickup truck is considered a good mode of transportation for a family of 8.
- When in the market, always ask for the “Yapa,” who knows what you will get…
- Be careful of every dog in the street and never stare one down.
That is about it for now, I am sure there will plenty more of these to come on down the road. Please drop me a comment if you want, it is great to hear from everyone!!!!!!!!
These past couple of weeks have been packed with Spanish lessons, Agricultural classes, field trips, as well as all of the other Peace Corps training segments about safety and other administrative stuff. I am going to try to answer all of your questions but if I miss one don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments.
Right now my number one priority is learning Spanish and this is definitely coming along at a slow and steady pace, just like they told me it would. The other day I coined the term to classify my Spanish as “Yoda Spanish,” named after the Star Wars character. The reason I have named it this is because when I talk to people I know I am saying things like “Eating, I like” , “To go, I will do,” or “Dancing, I will go.” It is probably not that extreme but I guarantee it is very broken but they still seem to be able to understand and answer me which is the ultimate goal.
People have been asking me what the food has been like down here. Let’s just say that it has been very interesting and they eat many things for breakfeast that we probably would not. For example, the other morning I had sliced hot dogs and French fries for breakfeast. I usually have some kind of egg with ham and bread with cheese for breakfeast. This morning I was served the usual but I also got a little surprise which was a cup of liquidified Jello. For lunch we usually go to the restaurant across the street from our school which is made up of a soup (today's had cow skin in it...mmmm), main course plate (usually rice and chicken), and some kind of juice all for about $2.50 which is actually pretty expensive down here. In fact my Mom down here told me that we need to stop going there because the “Gringos” are raising the prices for the locals. For dinner we usually have some kind of meat (usually chicken) with rice. If you haven’t noticed, there is a definite theme of rice being served with every meal, so if you are planning on visiting and going on a low-carb diet down here, Latin America may not be the best choice.
In regards to my family, things are going very well. After dinner every night we usually sit and talk for at least a half an hour about everything from world politics to where I should get my haircut. They are very patient with my Spanish and are helping me a ton each and every night. It has actually gotten to the point where some days if I am frustrated with class or my Spanish they are a great help to lift my spirits. Some of you wanted to see pictures of my house and of the family so here you go!
The Agricultural class that we have all been a part of has been very interesting. Over the past couple of weeks we have been to a couple of organic farms. Each of them is operated under a specific set of rules that states that they are only to use solely organic material in the cultivation of their crops. One farm even went as far as to say that nothing could be killed on the grounds, anything from a crow in the tree to the worms eating the lettuce. They stood by the belief that they were maintaining a complete ecosystem where each organism served a purpose and the crops would be protected by this premis. And sure enough they were, it took about 10 years to accomplish, but this farm was completely self-sustained and EVERY crop was very healthy and produced an abundant amount of produce. (And for all my frat brothers reading this, yes I am slowly becoming the hippee that all of you accuse me of being).
Some have asked me about the culture down here and I jotted down some points to help distinguish how we live in the US from how they live down here:
- We had a field trip where we went to a poor, small town and were supposed to walk around and gather information about the town. Almost immediately after getting off of the bus we were approached by a little old woman who welcomed us and invited the six of us into her home solely to “conversate.” This didn’t just happen in one case but there have already been numerous times where we have been invited into people’s homes just because they enjoy the company of strangers. Something that I think would be unheard of in the US.
- Whether they are young adults or older, the people here love to dance. Many in the US take a lot of coercing to get out on the dance floor. These people down here love it and would not miss a chance to cut it up.
- The children are not expected to work until they are done with their schooling.
- The houses are made of 99% concrete and very few have any kind of heat.
- Sandwiches don’t exist here. (neither does ice)
- The children all enjoy coffee with about 4 tablespoons of sugar in the morning.
- Restaurants on the main street of town are rarely open for lunch.
- There are pretty much no rules or regulations on the highways for passing. (very scary, I choose to sleep).
- Rather than use the turn signal they use the horn
- The yogurt here is made fresh every day and is excellent!
- When drinking a beer with the locals, you buy one beer and have one glass and all share the same beer/glass.
- Don’t ask questions about the mystery meat on your plate, just enjoy it. (or try to).
- The children never complain, always share and always take care of one another.
- It is ok for your child to climb on the roof of your house.
- Never leave your cookies out for your drunken grandma to bury in the cemetery.
- A motorcycle is considered a good mode of transportation for a family of 4.
- A pickup truck is considered a good mode of transportation for a family of 8.
- When in the market, always ask for the “Yapa,” who knows what you will get…
- Be careful of every dog in the street and never stare one down.
That is about it for now, I am sure there will plenty more of these to come on down the road. Please drop me a comment if you want, it is great to hear from everyone!!!!!!!!
4 comments:
Great blog...very informative. I want to see that waterfall when I am down there.
mystery- no thank you.
same beer glass...no thank you.
french fries for breakfast...interesting
yogurt...sound terrific
hey andy - what the hell is yapa? da me un pocito de eso. love your descripcion de capacitad del moto/camioneta. muy interesante es (as yoda would say).
mckenzie says 'brrrraaagh'
molly wants to know about the latrines. got water? need more seat covers? ;)
-bill&molly
Andy,
What! Your never had sliced hot dogs and french fries for breakfast before... that's what we have here before golf.
Yapa sounds interesting. In NJ, that'd be a reference to someone who talks too much.
Sounds as if you really getting into the flow of things there... guess that's one of your objectives, right?
The pictures are great. Did that group in the photo share one beer! Here in KY, we have Bud Light... I don't think the locals know what beer really is :-). The expatriot Canadians defintely do, however!
Wow.. well-behaved kids! Maybe I should come to Ecuador to teach my Jr. Achievement classes.
Keep loose!
George
So have the locals taken to your "form" of dancing? Miss n love ya, Emily.
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