July 1, 2008

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!! So I’m getting bad and didn’t write yesterday.

Monday, June 30

On Monday we had Spanish class in Cayambe. In the afternoon we went to the town hall to meet with the youth. They were very receptive to working with us but said they had to talk with the others in their group. They asked us to return on Wednesday.

After class I walked around town looking at the movie stores. You can buy great DVDs here for $1. I’ve been dying to see Greenstreet Holligans again, but no one seems to have it. I’m still determined to find it! When I arrived home, I talked a bit with the women and Fanny showed me around the metal workshop and their crazy store in which they sell—according to Monica—“un poco do todo.” Then Gabby (another grandchild who is 20), Isabel, and I read some fables.

Before dinner I wandered into the kitchen where everyone was gathering. One of the sisters pulled a little package from a bag on which I saw the word ‘color.’ I figured that it was hair dye. I then kept hearing the word “está embarazada.”(is pregnant). Since I was suspecting that Gabby was pregnant I thought they were talking about her. Then Fanny came out of the bathroom with a cup of pee and another sister administered the test (on the kitchen table!). We all crowded around the test to see the results. It turned out to be negative and Fanny was extremely relived. (Isabel and Juan then ran to find markers to change the result but were unable to convince anyone.) So that was interesting.

After dinner I was again accompanied Marco as he drove Fanny and Isabel (Mayra was picked up earlier by her father). When I returned home I read a bit from one of the MANY PC manuals I have been given until I fell asleep.

Today,

So today was an interesting day. I woke up early to go to Ayora—which isn’t exactly my favorite place because training in Ayora is usually very boring and includes a lot of sitting on hard benches—but today wasn’t bad. In the morning we learned more obvious information about safety and security on buses and then we all piled onto a bus and had a simulation of a robbery. The bus drover drove around town for awhile and then suddenly two masked man announced that they were robbing us. We all had to put our heads down and one of the guys demanded that I give him my purse. When we arrived back at the center they returned our things. If only all robbers could do that…

After lunch I got another rabies vaccine and then we spent the afternoon discussing nutrition. We got to try different types of fruits, learned some herbal remedies, and were given some recipes for when we finally our living by ourselves at our site (in 6 months!!!). Apparently I won’t be given any money for a fridge, so if anyone wants to donate to the ‘Buy Kaitlyn a Fridge’ cause… I’m accepting donations!

Back in Cayambe I was feeling a little gassy from all the weird foods and kinda wanted to chill in my room. Fat chance! The kids soon came looking for me and then started going through my things, demanding that I show them my ipod, computer, etc. I finally kicked them out so I could go for a run with Lauren. I gave them my big box of 64 Crayons (which they LOVE!!!) and my coloring book (which they almost completed) to keep the occupied. So much for my de-stressing activity. I’m thinking of just leaving my Crayons with them when I leave in the end of August. The kids would love the Crayons and my lovely parents can always bring me more.

Lauren ended up not being able to run with me and then the kids wanted to go running too. I told them that I would go for a bit and then come back for them. We ran three blocks till we came across the park and then had to stop there for a bit. All in all, after 10 minutes of jogging I returned with four very exhausted kids (though Mayra impressed me… I think she may have a future in running).

After the run, the kids colored more with the help of Marco (who is actually a very talented artist) while I read more from my PC manual and occasionally doled out praise. I didn’t eat much for dinner because I was incredibly full from all the food during the day. I also decided not to accompany everyone home. Had to write and all. Another day ahead. Maybe tomorrow I will find Greenstreet Holligans.