Haiku.

Babies driving Mercs.

Teens decked out in Michael Kors.

So this is Peace Corps?

Perspective.

If there’s one thing I seem to constantly need to remind myself of in life, it is of perspective.

Last week I was up just after dawn and out until late afternoon, helping teaching swimming lessons in La Boquilla (a beach-locale volunteer site), in the ocean.  Friday I accompanied my future teachers to the white sand beaches of Playa Blanca, which ended up being a truly all-day affair.  And Saturday Blanca, Sarah, and I visited Paul and Mike D on the island site, Caño del Oro.  I was so ready for Sunday and the chance to have nothing to do.

And then the nothing to do didn’t end.  And Christmas was suddenly almost here.  And everyone seemed busy with their own lives.  And I was able to get away without washing my hair almost the whole week because I had nothing to leave the house for.  Basically I was bored and feeling pitiful and lonely during my favorite holiday, which I was hoping to let pass with little pomp or circumstance.

Team Tiburones (Sharks)!

Playa Blanca

Blanca, Paul, and Sarah, at the island.

Exploring the old buildings/former leper colony.

Catching alternate transportation home.

And then I was reminded that life is life.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own problems and forget the world outside – to forget that both the people we love most and the strangers in the street are dealing with the ups and downs as well.  Our stresses, failures, heartaches, joys, they might look different, but the feelings are the same.

I finally got out of the house today.  Blanca and I went to a gift-giving/information session put on by the organization Amigos Positivos and the Cruz Roja.  I learned more about the organization, which works to inform the population on safe sex practices, creating safe spaces for the LGBT community, and healthy choices for people living with HIV/AIDS, and education in general.  So I spent my morning with a group of mothers and their children, all HIV+.

A reminder on perspective.

Children receiving gifts from Amigos Positivos.

And then, while we were waiting to meet up with other volunteers in the Centro to get lunch, I saw a man almost jump from the roof of a building.  Luckily the fire department/police tackled him down and drug him off the roof.

A double dose of perspective.  In the face of children who will live their lives with the stigma of HIV/AIDS and a person who, for whatever reason, was ready to end their own life, I really haven’t much to cry about.

Because I seem to have an over-abundance of love in my life (even when I hit the bumps in the road and everything makes me miserable), I bought a string of lights and turned on the Christmas music.  A forced change of perspective.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from Colombia –

Sarah

Another kind of education.

After a internet-less weekend, my host siblings and I have taken to playing poker occasionally. Marie, my sister, is especially insistent on playing after realizing she’s quite lucky, wiping us out her first time playing. We were listening to some of my music last night while playing and a Macklemore song came on – I know my siblings recognize quite a few US singers, however they’d never heard anything by him. I asked if US rap/hip hop was very common here; I assumed probably not because A) it’s in English and B) it’s probably too fast for anyone to even try and understand (I have trouble sometimes).  And it’s really not – they know the big names but the music itself isn’t as common. They then entertained me for a minute, listing off the few lines of English rap they knew….. which led us to a conversation on race relations in the US.

I’m no expert, but the n-word is pretty commonplace in rap.  It’s also a word that doesn’t carry any real connotation without the context of our history in the US.  Keeping things as relaxed as possible, I took a minute to point out that this word is actually something incredibly derogatory in the States and just to be aware that, while it might not be something Colombians have any reaction to, tourists, etc., might be taken aback at hearing it used – should such a situation ever arise.

This led to a brief conversation on our history with slavery, the civil war and its purpose, the civil rights era and how there was legal inequality until only a few decades ago. Even today, the current disfunction of our government has some clear roots in racism, at least from my observations the last 5 years. It was a little difficult to fully explain because of Colombia’s own, different, history with slavery and race relations. I’m not knowledgable to comment on any real contrasts, but I tried to explain that it’s more than just a single act, but every decision taken since whites first arrived on the continent. Our history is shaped by a resistance to equality and treating ‘others’ with the dignity and worth deserved by every being.

They wondered why it was used then, in music, if it’s such a terrible word.  I did my best to explain all of this and how there are two main views on the use of derogatory terms – 1) using it to reclaim power and 2) that they should absolutely be stricken from our collective vocabulary.  I’ve never had a strong feeling about this either way, I could understand the perspective of each view.  Though after this cultural/historical exchange, I find myself leaning much more definitively on the second view, against the use of the n-word.  Nothing proliferates more quickly and widely than US pop culture.  Without the context of our history, a person cannot understand the significance of a word that evokes such deep emotion.

This isn’t the first (and I’m sure it won’t be the last) conversation I’ve had about general differences in history, culture, values, etc., but it was certainly the most eye-opening and a good lesson for me in not assuming anything.  I hope the next history lesson is for me, I certainly have a lot to learn about this country and how its past has shaped the present. And while my Spanish is not remotely adequate to do such a topic justice, it was one thing I could do, with the news of the loss of Mandela still on my mind, to continue the work of equality started generations before me.

Not particularly anything about the Peace Corps here – just the beauty of sharing aspects of our culture with another person and realizing the lessons we can learn by simply asking a question.

From Colombia With Love.

24. Veinticuatro.

We are officially within the two year marker.  720 days – give or take – of sweltering heat, sticking to bus seats, and near 24/7 Español.  And fresh fruit with every meal, beautiful vistas, and the ocean just one sweaty, $.75 bus ride away.

Since arriving in Cartagena, I’ve spent every morning at my school, sometimes helping out in the classroom, though mostly just hanging out with students and answering the same questions about One Direction and the meaning of my tattoos over and over again. And being drown in hugs, cheek kisses, being led around with a little girl on each hand. It’s hard to have a problem with that.

It was requested that I better explain what my job here will be, and I realized I haven’t actually touched on that aspect (the most important one) of my time here in Colombia at all.

After a few conversations at my school, I became aware that the current English teacher will not be working at Maria Auxiliadora (or Mauxi, as I’ve come to learn) next year, the first surprise of my service.  Not entirely terrible, as I’ll be working with someone who will also be new.  Then it was explained that there is no English teacher in primary school (Pre-Escolar –  6th grade), however this is the area that they most want program development.  Throw in the fact that I was currently expected to be at school every day from 7am-1pm, and I hadn’t actually started work nor have I done my observation period, and I was a little worried about the expectations I was walking into.

I sat down with my rectora (principal), Hermana Beatriz, and we talked through some of my concerns (namely, the fear that they might expect me to be the primary English teacher).  The worst possible outcome of my time here would be to leave and have everything I worked towards, fall apart.  To have left everything I loved to try and accomplish something sustainable and then see it deteriorate upon my departure would, for me, be a complete failure.  We agreed that I was only here to support the English teacher in secondary and I wouldn’t assist in any classes without previously having lesson planned with my counterpart.

We also came up with a bit of a game plan for a primary program – in general, I’ll be working with all of the primary teachers on developing their English skills and then helping to create lessons and activities to supplement whatever students are currently learning.  So the English they learn will be both basic as well as cover a variety of subjects (Math=shapes, etc; Science=environmental vocab, projects in English, etc).  I’m really excited to work on this model as I can see it being more relatable and at the end of the day, fun.

But for now, my host mom is hanging up decorations for Navidad, school will end for the year next week, and I foresee many siestas and lazy days, taking in the heat, the city, and the beach until the 2014 school year starts in February (during which time I will begin observing classes for several weeks).

Final day of school for 11th grade before graduation!

They had a band come to perform (way cooler than my high school ever did…). The Colombian mullet is alive and well.

Proving to Marie that my nail polishes aren’t ALL red.

Sister-bonding time. Granted she’s much more talented with nail polish than I am. It’s almost like we’re really related…

As always,

From Colombia, with Love.

Cartagena, gracias a dios.

Well friends, I am officially living in lovely Cartagena.  It is a truly beautiful and vibrant city – until you travel south of the Walled City.  I’ve always been a believer in finding beauty in unconventional places, but it certainly a bit rougher once you get out of the tourist hubs.  I completely understand why every told me there are two Cartagenas: one for tourists and ex-pats, the other is real life.

Taking a ride through the Walled City with Magnolia.

The view of the coast and Boca Grande from the Wall.

A shot of the Centro.

Barrio Getsemaní, just outside the Walled City, but same lovely architecture.

I’m living next door to my school (literally, my bedroom window overlooks the courtyard. I leave for the day to take a siesta and am lulled to sleep by the sound of screeching/giggling girls playing) with a family of four: My host parents Jesus and Alba, and my host siblings, Jesus (21, and in university) and Marie Alejandra (16, just about to graduate from high school).

My new bed.

My new, messy closet.

The kitchen.

Living room.

I feel so lucky to be in this arrangement.  The whole family is incredibly welcoming and laid-back, I heard a never-ending stream of “tranquilo, tranquilo”s my first few days, when I would ask how they liked things done, etc.  They’ve gone out of their way to accommodate me and to ensure I’ve got a handle of the area and how to get to major spot and to make sure I’m involved in activities (my host brother just invited me to start playing volleyball with a group of people in the evenings).

I’ve had quite a few good conversations in Spanish which has made me feel 100x more confident in my ability to learn the language – it’s slow coming and there are still times when I kind of throw my hands up and say ‘lo siento, no entiendo’, but they’re becoming fewer and farther between – it’s this constant immersion thing.

And to top it all off, my friend Magnolia, met through my family in Barranquilla, and I spent the last two afternoons bumming around the Centro, eating fresh fruit and arepas (and in my case, too many desserts…) and even went to an art exhibit/presentation on sound as a means of narration (though I was too tired to even try and keep up with the panel).

In general, I think Cartagena suits me well and I’m really excited to start exploring more, get to ‘know’ the beach one of these days, and keep plugging away at the Spanish. And the fact that I get to eat ANYTHING I WANT makes me unspeakably happy.

Oh, and we officially became volunteers.

Swearing-In Ceremony

From Cartagena with Love,

Sarah

Bonus, some adorable niñas from school. I had to open her pony malta while they questioned me about who knows what. I think there was a birthday in their class today, thus the princess tiaras.

Expectations.

Life, man.

My host brother and his wife are currently on their way to Los Angeles for work and so I’m spending the day with my host parents at my host brother’s home.  They have internet, thus an updated post, but light on pictures for the moment.  I have to say, the good life in Colombia is preeeetty good.  My ‘sister-in-law’ owns a clothing store and in general they do quite well.

My host dad and niece.

So what have I been up to this week?….

On Sunday I went to playa del Salgar with current volunteers living in Barranquilla and those of us remaining in Barranquilla for site visits.  Finally, we made it to the Caribbean.  It was a nice, relaxing afternoon and it was especially nice to be able to talk more with the current volunteers about their experiences with the program.  For me, it’s been a bit difficult seeing my place in the Teaching English for Livelihoods program.  I am not an English teacher, nor do I have a single iota of formal education in my background, unlike most of my fellow trainees.  On Monday and Tuesday I observed a volunteer in his school in South Barranquilla.  It was an experience to say the least.  On Monday, the students went home early because it was raining, and on Tuesday it was difficult to find a class that had students and a teacher (many had one or the other). Classroom management was a bit lacking and in general, it was a difficult learning environment as the concrete classrooms are next to a busy street and the trucks driving by make it near impossible to hear anything.  My volunteer was a trooper – he was still positive and making the best of the situation (he also runs an afternoon English club), despite the fact that the teachers he was supposed to be working with weren’t entirely cooperative.  It’s a very, very different culture here.

Afterwards we went to the mall and had Crepes and Waffles and I had a giant ice cream cone (it was delicious).  And then there was this.

Colombian mannequins. Muy interesante.

On Thursday we began practicum – a handful of us are assigned to a school and each trainee is paired with an English teacher.  Our first day we were set to observe a class so that the following three Thursdays we could plan and teach lessons. In Spanish.

My teacher was sick and one of the other teachers had me flip through the chapter they were working on and told me I would still need to prepare a 50 minute lesson plan… over what material? Your guess is as good as mine.  I then observed one of this woman’s classes.  I had been excited for this school – the students seemed to be well behaved overall and things were much more organized and well managed.  But then class lasted maybe 15 minutes once everyone had finally calmed down and taken their seats.  I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do come Thursday this week, but I’m assuming things will work themselves out.

A few days will bring us to the 1 month mark.  It feels like I’ve been here much longer. I truly enjoy the country and the people (even though they never understand me, even when I know I’ve said the right thing), but it’s hard.  I’ll have a really great few days or even a week, but at the end of the day I miss going for a run and not looking over my shoulder.  I miss cool weather… seriously, 107F heat index today.  I miss staying up until two in the morning and feeling safe wandering around late at night by myself (I actually do not go farther than a couple of blocks alone in the evenings, or after 6:30pm).  I miss baking and stuffing my face with cookies.  I miss my family – I didn’t realize how much until I sat in the cafe internet and skyped with my family for my Mom’s birthday, and then cried.  The owner probably thinks I’m unstable with how many time I’ve cried in there……

I miss my independence and the people I love.  But I’m still carrying on.  One of the main things I’ve learned, is that Peace Corps Volunteers cry a lot.  It’s kind of nice knowing we all have our ups and downs and that you’re all just an email, phonecall, or skype-date away.  I know the whole ‘teaching English’ thing might not work out as I’d initially thought it would, but there seem to be many opportunities for secondary projects – girls groups, English clubs, health and nutrition, and HIV/AIDS awareness, etc.  I’m keeping an open mind and hopefully I will find a site that is a good match and is also open to collaborating.

I’m going to try and catch up on some Breaking Bad while I’ve got the chance, so I’ll leave things here.

I love you all – I have December and January pretty free, so come visit!

From Colombia With Love

Hablo Español…. kinda.

Hola amigos!

I have officially been in Barranquilla, Colombia for about two full days.  With all of the information they’ve been forcing into our brains, it feels more like a week.  And with the sunrise around 5am, sunset by 7pm, and training starting at 8am, the night owl in me wouldn’t mind a solid 8 hours of sleep.

So an overview of the last 48 hours:

We arrived Wednesday evening and had the most unexpected and awesome welcome from some of PC Colombia CII-4 Volunteers.  Welcome signs, cheers, chants, etc. greeted us as we maneuvered a good hundred pounds of luggage through customs, one at a time (which, with 30 people, can be a pretty long process if you haven’t been through customs before).

I have a few great videos of this, but use your imagination while I figure out how to upload them for viewing 🙂

We’re stayed at a hotel in one of the nicest areas of Barranquilla for our first three days – but don’t worry, it’s no 5-star resort by any US standard.

This is the second staircase in the hotel.  It’s a work in progress.

    

A couple of photos of the view from the hotel. We haven’t really had time to venture far yet.

The first morning in Barranquilla, several PCVs invited us for an early morning (6:15) run in the city.  It was already hot and muggy and after just a couple of miles, we were all dripping from the humidity.

One of the most unusual things I’ve noticed about Barranquilla is their incredibly large curbs. During our run, I was a little baffled as we’d have to leap about 1-2 feet when crossing the streets.  Later, during one of our presentations on safety and security, we learned this is because of the arroyos – or the flooding that occurs when it rains in the city.  The streets double as riverbeds during the arroyos to protect homes and business from being flooded. One google image search for arroyos in Barranquilla is more than enough to convince me to stay inside if it’s raining.

We have a really wonderful and kind staff here to support us in everything from safety and security to maintaining our health to ensuring we become proficient Spanish speakers.  Our first lesson in Español was this afternoon (in preparation for moving in with host families tomorrow afternoon) and I have a very fun, enthusiastic, and (most importantly) patient teacher – Catalina (or Cata/Cati).  I’ve got a ways to go before I’m even close to fluent, but I know more than I thought and the first lesson was a lot of fun and a real confidence booster.

We have a busy day tomorrow as our host families will be arriving after lunch to whisk us away to various parts of the city, where we will live for the next 11 weeks (and potentially longer if placed at a site in Barranquilla).  My next update will definitely include photos with my nueva familia 🙂

Overall, my morale is pretty good.  It’s not a complete culture shock (yet) and the ‘cool’ weather is comparable to humid days during a Midwest summer.  I haven’t had much to eat since arriving besides rice, potatoes, yuca, shredded lettuce, and juice. Breakfast is my favorite meal so far – I get eggs the way Gavin’s (one of my bffs) family makes them and jam to put on whatever bread they serve with a potato/corn something or other. Colombians might not have the healthiest of diets if the last few days are any indication, but maybe this vegetariana can show a few new options!

Lastly, I’m going to start posting pictures over on the food and juice page (so go check it out!).  So far I’ve drank 6 different fresh fruit juices and have yet to have a repeat.  Maybe it’ll become a ‘jugo del dia’ 🙂  And I’ll hopefully be eating more variety by that point too….

Until then,

From Colombia with Love –

Sarah

 

PS: I’m going to be blasphemous for a minute and say Colombian arepas have nothing on Venezuelan arepas… but maybe my host mom can change that 🙂

¡Bienvenido a Miami!

Greetings from Miami!

After a bit of a rough start, I made it safe and sound to Miami on Monday evening.  Despite months of preparation for this single week (leaving home/my loved ones and arriving in Colombia), it’s still a shock to the system that it’s actually here – and it really is 27 months away from everything I’m accustomed to.  Luckily, after a few tears (or a lot), 8 extra pounds of luggage, and a bought of nausea, I spotted a fellow volunteer on my connecting flight into Miami.  We were a few rows apart, but managed a wave before take off, making me feel a little less alone in the experience.

A handful of us arrived yesterday, the day before staging/orientation, and we were able to chat over a ‘fresh catch’ seafood dinner down the street from our hotel before tucking in for the night.  So far, everyone I’d met already spoke Spanish.  If you’ve talked to me recently about PC, you probably know the last few weeks I’d been pretty nervous as I only knew of four other people in my stage group and all of them were fluent in Spanish.  Needless to say I was convinced I’d be alone in language classes every day during training.  Day two, today, put my mind at ease as more people showed up with varying levels of language proficiency (and a few beginners as well!), rounding us out to 30 members.  I even told everyone I’d brought my teddy bear (as a response to an ice breaker about an unusual item we’d packed), but forgot to mention his name was John Lennon 🙂

We’re a pretty diverse group and I’m really excited to get to know and learn from my fellow trainees (that’s what we’re officially called now!).  We’re off to the airport tomorrow around noon and will arrive in Colombia in time for a debriefing of sorts and our first Colombian meal.  We’ll be interviewed over the next few days for host family placements, language proficiency, and miscellaneous medical needs before moving in with host families on Sunday.  We will live with these families during training (10 weeks), after which time we will be moved to our two-year assignments throughout the coast.

Hopefully, my next update will include some pictures of Colombia, my fellow volunteers, and host family.  Until then, I miss you all!

From Miami with Love,

Sarah