Let's see...what has happened since my last post? Not much. Last weekend, we went to the Northwest part of the country. We left the school around 7pm on Wednesday and enjoyed a 14 hour long bus ride! As soon as we arrived, did we get to nap? No way! We climbed a torturous mini mountain in the thinnest air I have ever experienced, but it was worth it when we got a breathtaking (literally) view of the seven colored mountains (I'll put up pictures later). Most of the trip was a big ole blur because we were on the go the entire time. What I mainly remember is the gorgeous landscape, salt fields, long horrible van rides, thin air, and children(!!)
On Thursday, we went in vans to this place that is literally just salt. It stretches between two mountain ranges and it's unbearably bright in the sun. If there was ever a salt crisis, we need not look farther than Argentina because there's more than enough for todo el mundo. Friday was by far the worst day. We got in vans and drove to a church and stopped there for 30 minutes. Then we drove to another village and ate/shopped around in their artisan fair for 2 hours. THEN we had the most hellish ride on these terrible unpaved mountain roads. It's not even like the ride was short either, it was a three hour romp...each way. It was all worth it though, because we stayed at our destination for all of an hour (anyone sensing my sarcasm?). When we were driving back to our cabins, we had to stop for people to use the bathroom and I have never seen a sky so beautiful. I mean, I live in the middle of nowhere where stars are very visible, but this was unreal! There were just so many!
Saturday, before we left, we visited this small village called Chalala. Last year, UBP chose Chalala to have a partnership type deal with...In the partnership, UBP collects and donates computers, clothing, and other school supplies to the village. We presented the goods and then some students (from UBP) shared talents like dancing, origami, singing, etc. Some people of Chalala also presented a typical song and an important cultural dance. My favorite part was afterwards when we got to play with the kids for just a few minutes. I see kids here, but I don't hang out with them obviously...I miss little children!
The drive back was horrrrrrendous, cold, and super uncomfortable, but it was nice to finally get off that stupid bus!
Anyways, enough of my whining! The weeks here are decently uneventful, I basically just wake up, lay out, eat lunch, go to class, hang around, do homework...blah blah. but the weekends are soo fun! This past weekend I hung out with some different people which was a nice change! Thursday night, I went to dinner with a big group, but it was really tranquilo because I had to wake up at 5:45 on Friday to get stuff done for my visa.
Ah, I have to go...homework calls! (ew homework?)
Hey, no worries re:blogging. I'm thankful that you take the time you do. Good thing you're in relatively decent shape re:mt. hike in thin air. Any volunteer work you can do at schools/rec. centers to engage/ interact w/the kids? I'd think that would be a neat experience for them to be introduced to a foreigner.
ReplyDeleteLove to you, Mamacita