Well. As I reflect on week two: I realize I am half way through. Two weeks down. Two weeks to go. I feel like I have already learned a book about teaching. I now lead activities in all my classes. And next week I start more teaching which is scary but cool. That. What I teach these students will be on their final. Whoa.
I was extremely sore for three days from the Colca trek but oh gosh was it ever worth it. Actually. Sore is an understatement. The only thing worse was after marathon #1. And. This was pretty close.
I don't really have any exceptional stories from the week. School. Babysat. School dinners. Loud friends. Yep. This weekend we will go to MACHU PICCHU and I am oh so thrilled. I don't know what to expect. So. The next blog will be pretty epic I suppose.
This week everyday I've had pretty epic food which is exillerating and delish.
Struggle: I am tired of ONLY running with no running friends in this crazy altitude.
Excitement: I love my beginner classes way more than I expected myself to. They are so fun and want to communicate with me in English (as if there's another option..) and love practicing which is fun for me too to watch them grow languagally.
Sorry I have no cool stuff to update. But it's life. It's home for a month. It's once in a lifetime. It's Peru.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Colca Canyon experiences, and what the heck I gained from it.
The attempt to write my experience of a weekend of a lifetime is such a struggle. So many things to try to remember that is now simply an avid memory engraved on my brain. Here we go!!
So Danny and I left at 3 am. Got in a van with an American, a French dude who now lives in America, 3 French girls, a girl and dude from Holland, and some travelers from England.
We rode for 4 hours. Had breakfast. And started the trek! That day it was intense downhill, an uphill, and then downhill. I've never hated downhills so much. We ate lunch in the middle of the canyon at some random house. Don't ask what it was Haha. Anyways, we continued and at the end of it our legs were freaking Jell-o. We were standing there and you could literally see all our legs shaking from the 6 hours of intense trekking. So, Danny and I befriended two Englanders: Rickie and Fiona. So, I roomed with Fiona-and Danny with Rickie. So we hung out at the bottom of the canyon, jumped in a pool for a 'shower', and socialized with people from all over the world and simply shared life. That was pretty amazing to be a part of. I'm glad I didn't nap. Ate dinner. Spaghetti!!! And. Went to sleep having no idea the crazy trek that awaited us at 5am that morning.
So. We woke up at 4:15, and knew that morning was going to be intense. But. No idea. First off breakfast was after the trek. And. It was pitch black so headlamps were vital. So. Worth. It. So it was like a 3 hour straight CRAZY uphill with stairs the whole time. Going up a few thousand feet in just a few hours. So. Fiona and I finished it together breathlessly but with such a feeling of accomplishment. A moment I'll never forget: seeing the top and everyone cheering you did it! So we walked to breakfast, continued walking to our bus, and began the rest of the morning riding and touring around Colca canyon. We even went to the highest point: almost 5000 meters. You could feel the difference with simply walking. Boy was that inhaler useful this weekend! At this point we also befriended an American and a French guy who is American: Frenchie and Mike. They were super cool and we all discussed our endeavors for life, and also running PR's. It was fun to share mine and be in the same league as everyone else. So. We rode back, departed our friends, and Danny and I simply smiled, high-fived, and stood in awe over our weekend adventure.
We got back and MEA practically tackled us and everyone was anxiously awaiting to hug our necks. Probably the best greeting I have ever experienced. Thanks guys for fulfilling my hearts desire. Ash was super glad to see that we were alive! So we attempted to share our stories while being exhausted, called the padre', took a shower, and went to McDonalds and SMASHED. I had a quarter pounder, fries, McBites, a huge piece of chocolate cake, and a chocolate McFlurry. Then went to bed. However, I woke up a few times because anytime I moved pain shot through my legs and lower back. The morning after is so intense. One for the trek; zero for my body. But. I would do it a thousand times over. Just. Not today.
The best part was the people. It was simply amazing to be a part of a group of people who already love each other because of a common love: adventuring. One couple quit their job for a year just to travel the world. Seriously. It made me think of the movie: Eat, Pray, Love. Although I don't agree with all of that movie biblically, I have such a deep appreciation of her love of people, travel, and the quest to find herself. Although I know myself, I feel like I always find more of me with every once of a lifetime experience. I also feel like I realize the lack of Christ in the world, and my lack of trust in Him, because of my lack of communication about Him. Something to ponder; something to work on. Who am I with Christ in America vs. who I am with Christ in another country. Also. What my hearts desires really are and what I find important are ultimately changing. The 20's: where every year you are a completely different person thus far. And. That is quite ok!
So. Colca canyon was a success and one of the highlights for sure.
So Danny and I left at 3 am. Got in a van with an American, a French dude who now lives in America, 3 French girls, a girl and dude from Holland, and some travelers from England.
We rode for 4 hours. Had breakfast. And started the trek! That day it was intense downhill, an uphill, and then downhill. I've never hated downhills so much. We ate lunch in the middle of the canyon at some random house. Don't ask what it was Haha. Anyways, we continued and at the end of it our legs were freaking Jell-o. We were standing there and you could literally see all our legs shaking from the 6 hours of intense trekking. So, Danny and I befriended two Englanders: Rickie and Fiona. So, I roomed with Fiona-and Danny with Rickie. So we hung out at the bottom of the canyon, jumped in a pool for a 'shower', and socialized with people from all over the world and simply shared life. That was pretty amazing to be a part of. I'm glad I didn't nap. Ate dinner. Spaghetti!!! And. Went to sleep having no idea the crazy trek that awaited us at 5am that morning.
So. We woke up at 4:15, and knew that morning was going to be intense. But. No idea. First off breakfast was after the trek. And. It was pitch black so headlamps were vital. So. Worth. It. So it was like a 3 hour straight CRAZY uphill with stairs the whole time. Going up a few thousand feet in just a few hours. So. Fiona and I finished it together breathlessly but with such a feeling of accomplishment. A moment I'll never forget: seeing the top and everyone cheering you did it! So we walked to breakfast, continued walking to our bus, and began the rest of the morning riding and touring around Colca canyon. We even went to the highest point: almost 5000 meters. You could feel the difference with simply walking. Boy was that inhaler useful this weekend! At this point we also befriended an American and a French guy who is American: Frenchie and Mike. They were super cool and we all discussed our endeavors for life, and also running PR's. It was fun to share mine and be in the same league as everyone else. So. We rode back, departed our friends, and Danny and I simply smiled, high-fived, and stood in awe over our weekend adventure.
We got back and MEA practically tackled us and everyone was anxiously awaiting to hug our necks. Probably the best greeting I have ever experienced. Thanks guys for fulfilling my hearts desire. Ash was super glad to see that we were alive! So we attempted to share our stories while being exhausted, called the padre', took a shower, and went to McDonalds and SMASHED. I had a quarter pounder, fries, McBites, a huge piece of chocolate cake, and a chocolate McFlurry. Then went to bed. However, I woke up a few times because anytime I moved pain shot through my legs and lower back. The morning after is so intense. One for the trek; zero for my body. But. I would do it a thousand times over. Just. Not today.
The best part was the people. It was simply amazing to be a part of a group of people who already love each other because of a common love: adventuring. One couple quit their job for a year just to travel the world. Seriously. It made me think of the movie: Eat, Pray, Love. Although I don't agree with all of that movie biblically, I have such a deep appreciation of her love of people, travel, and the quest to find herself. Although I know myself, I feel like I always find more of me with every once of a lifetime experience. I also feel like I realize the lack of Christ in the world, and my lack of trust in Him, because of my lack of communication about Him. Something to ponder; something to work on. Who am I with Christ in America vs. who I am with Christ in another country. Also. What my hearts desires really are and what I find important are ultimately changing. The 20's: where every year you are a completely different person thus far. And. That is quite ok!
So. Colca canyon was a success and one of the highlights for sure.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
My awful attempt to be interesting and my classes!!!!
Well. Blogging on an iPad isn't really fun so I don't enjoy it. So I am trying to remember everything to blog.
Day 4: some of us went to catholic mass and it was. You guessed it. In Spanish. Which was cool. I don't remember what else we did. Oops. That night the group went out while mea and I stayed with the two boys and watched them. It was fun after tanner stopped crying haha. The boys now love us two so that's super fun. I love playing with them.
Day 5: ran. We all had a chill morning. We went shopping for souvenirs for friends and walked all around the city. The fab 5 did which was grand. Then a bunch if us went tithe mummy museum which was so cool. They did a fab job of explaining Juanita for us. So when we finally SAW HER IN PERSON it was pretty spectacular and just a once in a lifetime experience. That might we went to 'the royal chicken' and was soooooo yummy and American haha
Day 6/7: we started class!!!! I combine them because it's the same basically. So I have 3 classes.
My first one is beginner college kids. Like. Super beginner. The teacher is wonderful and let's me contribute in class and asks my help on pronunciation.
My second class is intermediate. Like. Beginner intermediate. They are different ages. The teacher is not as much of a free spirit but is just as wonderful and wants mento help already. I grade stuff around the class and am already making stuff for class!!
My third class is a bunch of 15 year olds and is mid beginner. So all the girls love me and love my tattoos haha. The teacher is letting me start to do small portions of class already which is stellar! I can't wait.
So. Yeah. The routine is wake up. Run. Breakfast. Chill/lesson plan. Lunch. School for 5 hours. Come back and chill. Dinner. Chill/go out/or for the grandmas go to sleep.
I love it so much. I love my students and their interest in me and my mutual interest in them. I can't wait to see what our different relationships in my classes look like! I know we start meeting with our mentor teachers soon so that should be fun!
Today is day 8 and I teach a little for the first time and am a little nervous but excited for the experience!!
This weekend We are all going to cola canyon and Danny and I are embarking on a trekking adventure. As in. All the Peruvians are impressed that we are gonna attempt it. They keep telling us it's only for the fit and I classify myself as that. Hello. Two marathons. It's 7 hours intense hiking day one and 5 hours day two. We are pumped. And. I'm a little nervous since we speak no Spanish but the guide speaks English thankfully. So. Cheers to hoping we get back! (Joke......) #triouradventure this weekend has your name all over it!
Day 4: some of us went to catholic mass and it was. You guessed it. In Spanish. Which was cool. I don't remember what else we did. Oops. That night the group went out while mea and I stayed with the two boys and watched them. It was fun after tanner stopped crying haha. The boys now love us two so that's super fun. I love playing with them.
Day 5: ran. We all had a chill morning. We went shopping for souvenirs for friends and walked all around the city. The fab 5 did which was grand. Then a bunch if us went tithe mummy museum which was so cool. They did a fab job of explaining Juanita for us. So when we finally SAW HER IN PERSON it was pretty spectacular and just a once in a lifetime experience. That might we went to 'the royal chicken' and was soooooo yummy and American haha
Day 6/7: we started class!!!! I combine them because it's the same basically. So I have 3 classes.
My first one is beginner college kids. Like. Super beginner. The teacher is wonderful and let's me contribute in class and asks my help on pronunciation.
My second class is intermediate. Like. Beginner intermediate. They are different ages. The teacher is not as much of a free spirit but is just as wonderful and wants mento help already. I grade stuff around the class and am already making stuff for class!!
My third class is a bunch of 15 year olds and is mid beginner. So all the girls love me and love my tattoos haha. The teacher is letting me start to do small portions of class already which is stellar! I can't wait.
So. Yeah. The routine is wake up. Run. Breakfast. Chill/lesson plan. Lunch. School for 5 hours. Come back and chill. Dinner. Chill/go out/or for the grandmas go to sleep.
I love it so much. I love my students and their interest in me and my mutual interest in them. I can't wait to see what our different relationships in my classes look like! I know we start meeting with our mentor teachers soon so that should be fun!
Today is day 8 and I teach a little for the first time and am a little nervous but excited for the experience!!
This weekend We are all going to cola canyon and Danny and I are embarking on a trekking adventure. As in. All the Peruvians are impressed that we are gonna attempt it. They keep telling us it's only for the fit and I classify myself as that. Hello. Two marathons. It's 7 hours intense hiking day one and 5 hours day two. We are pumped. And. I'm a little nervous since we speak no Spanish but the guide speaks English thankfully. So. Cheers to hoping we get back! (Joke......) #triouradventure this weekend has your name all over it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)