So It has been way to long since I last updated my blog. Yes I am still alive and doing okay, no I have not contracted any tropical diseases as of yet. (I am still waiting for that to happen). Things in the site are still slow, though they are starting to pick up a bit. I have been teaching english the past few weeks to a small group a few times a week. I am not sure how great of a teacher I am, but they seem to be learning at least a little bit and i enjoy the group. They probably help me as much with my spanish as i help them with their english so it is great. Though I do wish more people were coming to my class, it does feel good to be doing something. I am also starting with a basic businesss course designed for youth. i find it somewhat ironic that i, someone who has never had much of an interest in business, is going to be teaching it in a language that i am still learning. It should be an interesting experience, though thankfully the manuals with the lesson plans are already prepared so I just got to make sure I understand them myself.
My family came down a few weeks ago. It was an absolutely fabulous time. They got to spend a full day in my site to see how i live. It was really cool to see how all the campesinos took to them, especially mom. The next day we drove to this beach Baha de Los Aguilas. This is a completely undeveloped remote beach in the southwest of the island. It was absolutely gorgeous...for sure a picture perfect tropical paradise. Afterwards we went to an all inclusive resort in the east for five days of good food, hot water showeres, and full time electricity. It was great except for the fact that I got bronchitis and lost my voice. This was especially unfortunate as no one else in my family really speaks spanish so i had to speak twice as much since i was translating. My mom did her best to speak the language...it was cute watching her try to master the word "fork" and "knife" in spanish. got to give her a lot of credit for genuinely trying to learn. Saying goodbye to them was pretty hard and no doubt it took me a few days to adjust back to the campo life.
The past couple weeks i have been traveling to the capital and back quite a bit for conferences and what not. It is a great chance to see other volunteers and learn how everyone is doing in their sites. I can't wait to start visiting other volunteers, haven't had a chance to yet.
Things are going okay down here, my spanish has improved and i am starting to feel more comfortable, though i certainly still have my wtf am i doing here moments. Ill be heading back to the states in may for a few days, a weekend in philadelpha then six days in california may 18th-24...if anyone is going to be around let me know. If not...until next time.
