October 30, 2008

Yesterday I spent the morning washing my clothes (not fun!!). After I finished, I went to the internet for awhile until I received a text message from a woman in the community saying she had found me a house. I went to check it out. It is a fixer-up, but I like it. It desperately needs to be scrubbed and painted, but I think it could be livable. It has a little garden, which I like. And I already know some of the neighbors. It is also attached to the owners’ house, but is completely separate. I like this because I can have my privacy, but also be close by people if I need anyone. A quick bang on the wall and people will come running to help me. I’m going to go talk to the owner again today to discuss the details. Keep you fingers crossed for me!

In the afternoon, I walked through Machala looking for paint stores and a small little table for the library. I want to paint the library with some of the leftover money that the previous volunteer raised. I am thinking of having it painted light blue with Carolina blue accents. Gotta bring a little UNC to Ecuador!!
After dance class, a few of us volunteers in the area met up at one of the house and we made cupcakes and brownies, watched a Spice Girls DVD (to get inspired for Halloween), and had a dance party. I felt like a teenager at a slumber party again. It was sooo much fun!!

October 27, 2008

This past week has blown by so quickly that I think I have whiplash. I will do my best to recap. Wednesday I spent the afternoon with a friend who had offered to help me write out and practice exactly what I was going to say for the speech I had to deliver in front of my site on Friday. After we finished, he offered to show me around Machala a bit. He took me to the best (and only) bookstore is in Machala (people seriously don’t read here), and then to the pier. I had a lot of fun until I got a phone call saying that the computers were being delivered to my site’s library and I had to be there immediately with the other half of the payment. I made him drive me straight to the bank and then my site where I hit the ground running as soon as I was in view of my house. I felt bad for being rude, but I didn’t really have a choice.

That evening, after dance class I went to another volunteer’s house where we gossiped and she taught me the Soulja Boy dance. She and another volunteer know a choreographed dance that includes those steps and I was thinking of performing it with them for the cultural night. I wanted to share a little of American culture and we all know that it doesn’t get more authentic than Soulja Boy!!!

Thursday was spent getting ready for and carrying out the final dance rehearsal with the children. The rehearsal went alright, but I got a little frustrated because we had to take a five minute break after every run-through of the three minute song. The children were ‘tired.’ Sigh.

I spent Friday morning shopping in Machala with a fellow volunteer. We wandered around the market looking for things for our Halloween costumes. Five of us girls in the Machala area are going to be the Spice Girls. I am going to be Sporty Spice. I love this because it means I get to wear athletic clothes and tennis shoes. Eas-z!

In the afternoon, I returned to my site to help set up for our big cultural night. The entire shindig went down pretty well. I was really nervous when I had to speak and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Everyone says I did great. The children danced pretty well. I had to sit in front of them giving them directions, but overall, I’m really proud of them. They really are great kids! I decided not to dance with the other volunteers. We didn’t have time to practice much and… I admit… I chickened out. I would like to preserve a bit of dignity.

My friend and I then went out for drinks and a burger. It was great fun to complain about our frustrations, gossip about our lives, and celebrate our successes over rounds of strawberry daiquiris and beer.

Saturday morning was spent apartment searching (not much luck) and belt-buying (success!). In the afternoon I met up with my Ecuadorian friend and he introduced me to a friend of his who lives in my site and knows everything. She took us around to see a few more apartments. Nothing seemed like home, but at least I have a few more options.

My friend and I then decided to go see some nearby waterfalls. They were pretty remote and it took about an hour of off-roading to get there. Once we finally arrived, we spent about an hour wandering around the falls until we realized that it was really dark and raining. There was no way we could get back to the main road. Too risky. For the second time since I’ve arrived in Ecuador I found myself stranded in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately (or unfortunately… you decide), the two of us managed to rent a cabin. It had no electricity, running water, and one flee infested bed (I’ve got the marks to prove it). It was kinda awkward at first… neither of us intended to wind up there! Luckily, he was a perfect gentleman and we ended up talking for hours.

We returned home the next afternoon. As soon as I got home I showered and assessed my body for damage. It didn’t look great. After a quick phone call to the nurses and pit stop at the pharmacy, I went to the shopping mall to meet up with my PC friends and use the internet. We had a blast together. Finally, I’m starting to get close to them!!!

October 22, 2008 (3:30 am)

Can’t sleep again so I will write about what I did yesterday. It was a day very full and exhausting. In the morning, my counterpart and I had another dance practice with the kids for the cultural night. It went… alright. I’m still nervous about it. The girls are pretty good… the boys need work. After practice, my counterpart and I went around to find the children who failed to show up and make sure that they will come on Thursday for the final rehearsal. It didn’t take long, and once we finished I begged my counterpart to take me to find the owner of the house I want to rent. We failed to find her, but we did find out that another family has already agreed to rent it. I was (and still am) devastated. It was my home (to be)!!! I have a month to find a home. Cross your fingers for me!!!

My counterpart and I then went to Machala to find outfits for the girls to wear for the dance. We walked around the market but didn’t have much luck. My counterpart is stuck in the office all of today, so it is up to me to go back and see what I can find. Once I returned to my site, I wandered around and questioned people about available apartments/houses. I didn’t have much time, but several people gave me some suggestions that I will try to follow up on today.

In the afternoon, instead of Adventura de la Vida, my counterpart, the other volunteers in the area, the other people who work for INNFA, and about fifty kids went to a nearby river to go swimming. We took four vehicles and somehow managed to fit about 20 kids in each vehicle. Let’s just say that it wasn’t exactly the safest way to travel. Once we got to the river I was dragged into the water where I spent the next two hours splashing about in the river with at least 10 kids hanging off my neck and another 10 shouting for my attention. It was exhausting. I didn’t have much time to rest, however. By the time I finally returned to my site, it was time to go to Machala for my aerobic dance class. My friends and I stayed for two classes because we hadn’t gone yesterday. By the time it ended I was about ready to fall asleep standing up. I have no idea why I can’t sleep now.

October 21, 2008 (morning)

Saturday morning my counterpart and I returned to Machala to buy more things for the library. We were supposed to buy a file cabinet, metal shelves, two bulletin boards, and two posters that the previous volunteer had made. We did not have very good luck. First, the posters were made so long ago (January), that the company had thrown them out and did not even have a record of the designs. Then the store that the volunteer had the bulletin boards priced at didn’t have the right material to make them and didn’t know when (or if) it would arrive. Finally, the prices for the file cabinet and metal shelves skyrocketed since the other volunteer had gotten her estimate. Disappointed and frustrated, we decided to talk to a few people over the weekend to see if they knew of some other stores that might sell us the things wee needed for cheaper.

That day was my host sister’s birthday and I had promised her that we would make a cake together. We selected a recipe and were writing a list of the ingredients that we needed to buy when her mom franticly beckoned me over and said she had already secretly ordered a cake. Trapped, I decided to tell my host sister that I had forgotten to buy the pan we needed for her cake. Was it ok if we baked cookies instead? She agreed, and we settled on chocolate chip cookies. Not to brag or anything… but those cookies were AMAZING!!! They were probably the best chocolate chip cookies I had ever made (and I’ve made quite a few). Everyone was very impressed. That evening, the neighbors came over and everyone sat around, ate (my cookies), and talked. It was very pleasant, but near the end of the evening I was ready for everyone to leave so I could sleep.

On Sunday, my host family left early to visit my host mother’s parents. They invited me, but I ducked out because I wanted to go to the shopping center to talk to my parents. I spent several hours there and then returned to read some Newsweeks the Peace Corps had sent me, go for a long run, and watch a few bootleg movies. I have dubbed Sundays my ‘American days’ for doing my ‘American activities.’

Yesterday I had to go to Guayaquil to get a document notarized at the American Consulate. Guayaquil is the biggest (and most dangerous) city in Ecuador. It is about 3- 3/12 hours north of Machala. Since my appointment was at 8:30 in the morning, a fellow volunteer who wanted to accompany me and I left my site around 5:00 am in the morning. Traffic was kinda bad and we arrived and the Consulate an hour late. Since everyone else was Ecuadorians trying to get visas, I waved my passport around and got to the front of the line. One I was thoroughly searched twice I was allowed to go upstairs were the Office for American Services was located. The lady who helped me was very nice and we ended up chatting for awhile. She asked me if I had voted, and since I have not yet received my absentee ballot yet, she told me that she could give me an emergency ballot. They were sending all the ballots out the following day, so I had come just in time. I thanked her and took two ballots (one for my friend) and left. We then went to an Internet café where I could scan the document for my parents and do a quick Internet search on the congressional candidates. My friend and I then returned to the Consulate (where we had to go through security twice again) and gave the lady our votes. I have officially done my American duty.

Once we were finished with the Consulate, my friend and I hopped on a bus and went to the mall to wander around in ‘American land.’ I ended up buying a mini glue gun, a mattress pad, and I muffin tin. Some people were giving away free haircuts (and I desperately needed one), so I, feeling brave, decided to let them at me. I turned out pretty well! We then went to meet up with two other volunteers who are serving in Guayaquil and went to this amazing sushi restaurant where we stuffed our faces with cheap sushi. Afterwards, the four of us walked around for a few hours and talked about our sites until it was time to catch the bus back to my site.

When I finally got back to my site, I was about 40 minutes late for this meeting about the computers that I am buying. I had to race to the meeting and then was forced to sit in silence for two hours while everyone talked about everything, but the computers. It was a little frustrating and I was hot, dirty, smelly, starving, and exhausted. I was so relieved when it was over that I almost cried. I couldn’t get home fast enough!

October 17, 2008

Today was extremely eventful day for me and, as a result, my entire site. The previous volunteer in my site raised over $2,700 through Peace Corps Partnerships to buy three computers, a printer, toner, desks, bulletin boards, fans, and book shelves for the town’s library. The money, unfortunately, didn’t come in until after she returned to the States. The money was therefore deposited into my bank account and I was placed in charge of completing her project. I wanted to wait a few weeks for the community to get to know me before I dropped a few Gs, and today I finally started buying the material. My counterpart, the librarian, and I went to Machala this morning to purchase the computers. I can’t really explain it, but I was really scared and first. As in, all I wanted to do is run and hide. I have been given a huge amount of responsibility for a project that really isn’t mine and I don’t want to screw it up. Fortunately, my counterpart was, as always, amazing and did most of the negotiating while I whispered exactly what we needed (the previous volunteer left good instructions) and how much each should cost. We were lucky and convinced the guy to give us a HUGE discount that was a lot less than the money budgeted. (Hey… the guy was facing two young women buying computers for ‘the children’… he never stood a chance!) Once we agreed on a price, I agreed to come back in the afternoon to make the first cash payment. (Yes, I am actually bought three computers with cash… it was NOT fun.) We then went on to buy the desks and fans.

Once we finished, my counterpart and I had to race back to my site for a meeting with parents to discuss the outfits that the children should wear when they dance for the cultural night. I had figured that since these are children from families so poor that they can’t pay for the uniforms, notebooks, pencils, exam fees, etc. that their children need to go to school (the total adds up to about $100 a year), they probably couldn’t pay approx. $12 for an outfit for one 3-min. dance. I forgot, however, to factor in how important these dance performances are in my site. No one wants to wear a costume that consists of simply an old white shirt and black bottoms if every other group has cool matching outfits. I can understand that. The parents agreed to spend the money for matching black dance leotards. More power to them!

When I was finally finished for they day, I went to the university with my host family. I hadn’t been in awhile because they usually go on Fridays, and I have been very busy these past weeks. One of the students mentioned that he was going to be doing some traveling through Peru and Argentina and I got really excited because I know those places pretty well. We ended up talking for several hours while I recommended lots of things to see and do. He was grateful and I was happy because I felt useful and smart. Sometimes I feel like people think that because I don’t speak great Spanish, I’m not exactly bright. I do know some things!

October 17, 2008 (freakin’ early in the morning)

It is 5 am and I can’t sleep so I figured I would write a journal entry. Thursday morning I was awakened with a call from my parents. I am having a bit of a problem in the States that they are trying to resolve for me. Although the problem sucks, it was really nice to hear from my parents first thing in the morning. Between my cell phone and skype I am fortunate enough to be able to communicate with them almost as often as I did when I was living in the United States. It helps a lot with homesickness. I couldn’t imagine serving as a Peace Corps volunteer before Internet or cell phones. I don’t think I would have been able to do that.

Every Thursday morning my counterpart and I tutor children in the library. Usually I can’t do much because my Spanish isn’t perfect. Math, yes, English, of course, but language arts… not so much. This time several of the children needed help in English so I had a great time helping them. One of the little girls comes to tutoring a lot so I know her pretty well. She is very sweet and bright, but struggles a lot in her classes. She is (I think) in fifth grade, but doesn’t know how to read. It is a common problem. Children get behind for whatever reason when they are really young and miss out on the basics. They are therefore forever struggling and will never catch up. They begin to think that they simply aren’t smart and give up. Teachers can’t give them the help they need because they are too busy with 40-50 other students to give them individual attention. Their parents probably had a similar experience and so therefore can’t help. I’m beginning to think that I will make the biggest impact if I single out one or two children and simply focus lots of my attention on them. Invite them to my place (when I have one) for ‘learning activities’ and make learning fun! Bake cookies and have them read the recipe to me, break out all the crayons, markers, etc. that my mother sent me and incorporate them in my lessons, take them to the park and read books. Send me ideas if you have them.

Yesterday morning I tried to teach the little girl when to use ‘a’ vs. ‘an.’ As I tried to explain the seemingly easy concept, I realized that she didn’t know the difference between a vowel and a consonant. Further investigation revealed that she didn’t know the difference between a capital and a lower case letter. Teaching her how to pluralize words was like pushing a boulder of a mountain. But let me tell you one thing, when she finally figured out that the plural form of boy is boys and body is bodies, I was so ecstatic that I did a dance. This made her laugh, so I consistently repeated an increasingly exaggerated performance every time she got an answer right. She really is bright… she just isn’t used to succeeding.

After tutoring, my counterpart and I went to investigate the house that I am interested in. I finally got up the courage to peak inside and… I am in love. It has pretty tile!!! Sophisticated tile. And rooms (plural!). And a little kitchen area. It doesn’t have water… but the owner is fixing it up and putting in water because she wants to rent it out. YAYAY!!! My counterpart and I left our number with this person who knows her and hopefully, hopefully, I can convince her to rent it to me starting in December. I hope, I hope, I hope, I HOPE!!!!! This place could become a home. I can see myself being happy there. I can see myself being successful there.

In the afternoon, my counterpart and I had our second dance class with the group of children who will dance at the cultural night. They are getting better. It is far from perfect… but I have hope that they won’t make total fools of themselves. I brought my camera and video taped them so they could see themselves. They liked that.

When the dance class ended I went to Machala to pick up another package from my fabulous mother (She sent me UNO!), meet up with another volunteer to give her back her mailbox key, and head to my dance class. My counterpart, another lady and friend from INNFA, and a fellow volunteer all take this aerobics dance class together and none of them showed up today. I ended up being the only student. The instructor ended up giving me a private salsa lesson, which was really fun! I was kinda disappointed once other students started to show up and my lesson had to end.

After my dance class, I had to sprint back to my site for a town meeting. It was really frustrating because I couldn’t understand probably 90% of what people said. The room had bad acoustics, all the windows were open so there was a lot of noise and distractions, and the meeting lasted forever! I couldn’t concentrate.

Well it is 6:20 now and I am yawning away. Must go back to sleep because I have another big day today.

October 16, 2008

Another eventful day as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Today my counterpart gave out the second half of the scholarships and I spent the morning trying to help her out. I really wasn’t doing much so I asked her if I could duck out early because I had a few things I needed to do. There is this house that I have my eye on for my future home. It says for sale and I only want to rent, but I am hoping that my counterpart and I can contact that owners and convince them to rent to me. I also haven’t actually looked inside… so to be honest I don’t know much about the house. But as long as it has a bathroom, electricity, and plumbing I will be happy. I know whatever place I get will require me to fix the place up. That is ok. I’m looking forward to making my place a home, my little oasis. I like the place because it is a house and not an apartment, it has a place for me to hang up a hammock outside where I can sit and read, and there is a place where I can start a garden. It is also in a pretty good part of town—safe and a few minutes from the central park. Cross your fingers for me!

In the afternoon I went to Machala with the town librarian to talk to the boss guy about the town meeting. He wasn’t there, but another lady was. I had met this lady before and had a really bad first impression, but I warmed up to her during our second meeting. She is no-nonsense and I can respect that. We both kind of brushed aside the librarian (who, while good-intentioned, has a tendency to be very flighty) and got down to business. We decided to have a formal meeting on Monday to discuss the new town computers and then have a celebration/inauguration for them on the Wednesday. I will have to make all sorts of formal speeches—which terrifies me. But hey, I make a fool of myself everyday so I should be used to it… right?

In the evening, my host sister and I made snickerdoodles. My counterpart wants to make and sell cookies with the youth for the cultural night as a fundraiser for a holiday party. She thought cinnamon cookies would be a cool idea because they don’t exist here. Since I promised the children that I would make cookies for them if they showed up on time for the next dance practice, I figured I would try out the snickerdoodle recipe and kill two birds with one stone. I was a little worried because I couldn’t find any cream of tartar, but I was able to adjust the recipe a bit and they turned out fine. My host sister really loves to help me bake and makes me translate all the recipes into Spanish.

Tonight Ecuador played Venezuela in soccer and lost. It was a real tragedy. The country is in mourning.

October 13, 2008

Today I went with my counterpart to visit families and remind them that INNFA will be paying the second half of the becas (scholarships) on Wednesday. Then we planned out the sex ed charla that we are going to give to the local elementary school. While we were doing that the librarian called to tell us that the head of the cultural house in Machala wants to meet with the leaders of the community to discuss the computers that I am going to buy for the library on October 24th. He was quite adamant that it should be that day… which, unfortunately, happens to be the same night as the cultural night we are planning in my site. My counterpart and I had to explain to the librarian that we can’t change the date of the cultural night. If this head of the cultural house wants to get involved (and I have no idea why) we will have to have it another day. So I have to go to Machala tomorrow and explain to that I’m not going to jump through his hoops. After all, he can hold the meeting until I buy the computers.

In the afternoon my counterpart wasn’t feeling well so we canceled our afternoon activities and I decided/was forced out of necessity to wash my clothes. I really hate washing my clothes because it takes FOREVER!!! We don’t have a washing machine… or a ringer… or anything technical. I go outside to the old wooden picnic table that has a piece of metal on top and use a baggie of detergent, a bar of soap, a scrub brush, several buckets, and a garbage can full of water and wash all my clothes. By the time I’m finished, I am completely soaked and the clothes I’m wearing are filthy. It is NOT a fun process. I really miss washing machines.

Once I finally finished, I went to Machala to pick up another fabulous package from my mother. She sent me lots of cute things—sequins, cookie cutters, coloring books, my favorite type of gum, etc. I then went to my dance class and was very excited to find that the good instructor was teaching today. It was a great workout and lots of fun! When I got back to my site I picked up some ingredients to make my mother’s delicious banana bread. Unfortunately, walnuts are really expensive here, so I had to nix them. Although the sides of the loaf burned, it was still delicious.

October 12, 2008

I’m beginning to realize that I can calculate my homesickness like an equation. There is a direct correlation between the number of hours I spend doing ‘American’ activities each day and how homesick I feel. Typical activities include hanging out with only volunteers, watching movies in English, reading English books, running, going to the Internet, writing e-mails/blogs, and going to the mall to use the WIFI. I call it Kaitlyn’s Corollary of Homesickness. Don’t be surprised if this equation starts showing up in the textbooks… and remember, I thought of it first!

AA (American activities) / 24 (hours in a day) x 100 = percentage of homesickness

I allow myself one or two hours of each day as ‘healthy hours,’ but my count has gone up in the past few days. Granted, it’s been the weekend so I haven’t had anything to do but amuse myself and it is natural that I would choose activities that I enjoy, but I am beginning to realize that the more time I spend doing these familiar activities, the more homesick I become. It is a slippery slope.

October 8, 2008

First of all: Happy 25^th Mom and Dad! That is a big milestone! I’m very glad you got married and had Curtis and I. Thanks!

Today was a very busy day. In the morning Guadalupe and I made up a dance that we are going to teach twelve children so that they can perform for the cultural night in my site on October 24^th. I am very excited about this night. Especially, because I am actually contributing something!!! The children are going to perform a dance that I (with Guadalupe’s help) made up AND I am going teach the youth how to bake cookies and they are going to sell them that night. I think it will be very successful!

Once we were finished choreographing our dance I went home and finally finished writing the lesson plan for a three-week class that I hope to run in November. The class is entitled Libros y Arte (Books and Art). I am hoping to start getting children excited about reading. Each week we are going to read two chapters of a book and then do a fun art project to go along with the book. After several of these types of classes my hope is to eventually drop the art part and turn it into a reading program in which the children will start read on their own.

In the afternoon I went to the city for and aerobic dance class. Guadalupe and I signed up for a month of classes. There are two instructors. One is really good and gives us a great workout. The other… not so much. Today the instructor we don’t like so much was there and spent a good 40 minutes of the hour-long class talking. I wanted to scream ‘Shut-up! We don’t care,’ but of course had to hold my tongue. The instructor we liked was teaching the next class so we decided to stay for a second class. Fortunately, by the end of that hour Guadalupe and I were both satisfyingly exhausted!

October 5, 2008

A Typical Conversation Between Two Peace Corps Volunteers-- Where else would this conversation take place?

(Phone rings and I answer it)
Me: Hello
Other PCV: (frantic) My cows are escaping!!!!
Me: You have cows!?
Other PCV: Well, technically the cows belong to the family I am living with… And they are escaping!
Me: That sucks. What are you going to do?
Other PCV: I don’t know!!!! I guess I’ll let the situation resolve itself.
Me: How is it going to resolve itself?
Other PCV: I suppose I’ll have to wait until the family gets home and wonders where there cows are.
Me: This can only end in disaster…. Hey! I’m deathly ill with flu but can’t sleep because there is a cock-fight going on next door.
Other PCV: A cock-fight! Wow! I’m sorry. That sucks!
Me: It really does!
Other PCV: Hey, I think the little boy in the family is here. I’m gonna go ask him what to do about the cows. Talk to you later. Feel better!
Me: Good luck!

October 1, 2008 (evening)

Since I’m bored and didn’t do much noteworthy today, I want to fill you all in on my new favorite telenovela. Since telenovelas are so important here, I figured I should watch at least one. The one I chose is called El Secreto de Toño Palamino/ The Secret of Toño Palamino. I like it because it is Ecuadorian, I can understand it, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Think Ugly Betty-ish. Really over the top. Toño is this guy who works at a bakery and fell in love with this married woman named Angelica. In order to get close to her he decided to pretend that he is gay and that is his big secret… he really isn’t. Currently, Angelica is falling in love with Toño, but tries to suppress her feelings because 1) she thinks he is gay and 2) she is married. She is constantly freaking out whenever she is around him and inexplicably keeps calling the police on him. Meanwhile, Angelica’s husband is cheating on her with this other girl who works at the bakery. Her husband’s cousin has also recently come to visit and figured out the Toño isn’t gay, but is pretending to be to get Angelica. She is constantly threatening Toño that she will tell her uncle who happens to be Toño’s boss, and Angelica’s father-in-law. Exciting, eh? I think so. The entire family likes it so it is something that we can all do together. I am sure you are now dying to know if Toño ever gets the girl. I’ll keep you posted!

October 1, 2008

So the sugar cookies my counterpart and I made on Sunday were a huge hit. Everyone loved them and thought the sprinkles were pretty cool (they don’t have sprinkles here… at least cool shaped sprinkles). The charla (btw… charla means a talk or discussion) went pretty well… despite a few mishaps. First, we couldn’t get into the building where we were supposed to hold the charla. Then the speakers for the film we were going to show didn’t work. My counterpart had to quickly run around town looking for speakers while I entertained everyone by trying to explain the rules for the game ‘Human Knot’ in my flawed Spanish. Eventually they got it.

After the movie we had to answer some questions and then I tried to pep everyone up by explaining another game. Once again, I made a fool of myself. Oh well, at least I am becoming memorable!

On Sunday, Ecuador also voted to accept the new Constitution. Mostly everyone was happy.

Monday I had to myself so I went to the shopping mall to use the free WIFI to talk to my parents and then went to Machala to pick up another fabulous package from my fabulous mother. It was very exciting!

Tuesday morning I had a meeting with a group of community leaders. The president of the junta called it because he wants to form a network between us. I have to admit, I didn’t understand much that was going on and my mind kinda drifted off to some place where people speak English. The result of the meeting, however, was that we are going to form a network between us leaders in the community, we are meeting again next week, and we are going to have a cultural night at the end of October. I am excited about the cultural night. My counterpart also wants me to teach the youth how to make my exotic sugar cookies and other types of goodies so that the can sell them for a fundraiser. I told her that if it had to do with baking, I was her girl!

In the afternoon we had Adventura de la Vida. We wanted to take the children to the water plant, but when we arrived there was no one there to show us around. While we waited outside the gate I happened to have brought along some of the temporary tattoos my mother had sent me. I pulled them out and they more-than entertained the children while we tried to convince the guy at the gate to let us in. By the time we realized that we were definitely not getting in, half of the children had at least a dozen tattoos all over their arms, faces, chests, and hands. I felt a little concerned about returning them to their parents in such a state, but oh well. It is nothing a little soap and water can’t fix.