Not tomorrow but the next day will be our halfway point. I feel like I was born here, these people are my family, and this is where I live forever. I can't believe it's only been just over 2 weeks. It's really weird.
The workload is exactly what everyone says. If you're thinking about doing this, don't take it lightly. We are in classes 6 1/2 hours a day (2 hours is either teaching or observing). Then we work through our 3 hour break on lesson plans and assignments. We work all weekend and try to take 1-2 hour breaks by walking into town. Each lesson takes about 6 hours to prepare; assignments take about 12 hours. We have 2 lessons to teach per week and one assignment given to work on over the weekend. Here is a picture of one of our fellow students prepared for the mosquitos on a mini break Saturday night. Too bad the nylon white knee socks didn't show up too well.
There was a second trip to the Jungle Laundromat this week. I got a pic of the shack:
It's really cool. They put a shitload of perfume on your clothes so it smells really good until it wears off. Everyone says that the other laundromats don't use the perfume but the clothes smell like a cross between fish and dirty socks and mold. So I'm good with the perfume.
The weather is still really dreary. I had no idea that the sun would NEVER come out! It did come out one day from about 9-2 and it was wonderful but we were in classes until 1, lunch at 1:30. I did manage to catch rays for about 20 minutes. Went swimming and everything.
The problem with getting anything wet, though, is that it NEVER dries. My towel has been trying to dry for 3 days; same with my sarong and bathing suit. They start smelling moldy and that smell never comes out. Lesson: don't bring any good stuff down here. It will mold. I remember this when I lived in Mexico for 8 months. During the rainy season, my zippers rusted onto my shorts, and rust spots showed up everywhere. Everything was damp, including paper to write on (same with here.) It's crazy!
The workload is exactly what everyone says. If you're thinking about doing this, don't take it lightly. We are in classes 6 1/2 hours a day (2 hours is either teaching or observing). Then we work through our 3 hour break on lesson plans and assignments. We work all weekend and try to take 1-2 hour breaks by walking into town. Each lesson takes about 6 hours to prepare; assignments take about 12 hours. We have 2 lessons to teach per week and one assignment given to work on over the weekend. Here is a picture of one of our fellow students prepared for the mosquitos on a mini break Saturday night. Too bad the nylon white knee socks didn't show up too well.
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| Sexxxxy |
There was a second trip to the Jungle Laundromat this week. I got a pic of the shack:
It's really cool. They put a shitload of perfume on your clothes so it smells really good until it wears off. Everyone says that the other laundromats don't use the perfume but the clothes smell like a cross between fish and dirty socks and mold. So I'm good with the perfume.
The weather is still really dreary. I had no idea that the sun would NEVER come out! It did come out one day from about 9-2 and it was wonderful but we were in classes until 1, lunch at 1:30. I did manage to catch rays for about 20 minutes. Went swimming and everything.
The problem with getting anything wet, though, is that it NEVER dries. My towel has been trying to dry for 3 days; same with my sarong and bathing suit. They start smelling moldy and that smell never comes out. Lesson: don't bring any good stuff down here. It will mold. I remember this when I lived in Mexico for 8 months. During the rainy season, my zippers rusted onto my shorts, and rust spots showed up everywhere. Everything was damp, including paper to write on (same with here.) It's crazy!
I am leaving another message - it is great to read you blog and see all the photos. What a great adventure you are having - even though we miss you we are so happy for you!! XOXO
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