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Tuesday 25/06/13
This morning made me realise how much I'm used to eating back at home. I sat down for breakfast and it was tostada con queso (that hard bread with cream cheese), a frankfurter and chocolate milkshake. It makes me laugh how weird the food can be here. But then again I really miss food at home. Like roast dinner, pasta and stuff like that. It gets a bit tiring when we only ever eat in the restaurant downstairs and I usually have either steak, chips and rice or chicken, chips and rice. They're nice in small doses but not for every lunch or dinner. I'm not sure if Janet ever cooks... the oven is a storage area for plastic bags aha.
I got a taxi to the foundation and met Carlos (my boss) and Christelle. We did swss activities and taught them english. I got the number 8 home and fell asleep (the heat really catches up on you, and I have to drink so much water). I had lunch with Ricardo. They gave me soup and sat on top of the potatoes in the soup was a little chicken heart. I know I need to try more stuff like that but it just made me feel a bit sick. Then I really missed home aha.
I did a bit more writing up of what I've been doing downstairs in the cafe that afternoon and then I chatted to Janet and the rest of the restaurant staff. It was very nice. :) She was teaching me words like "chicharra", which is the little insect that always makes noises at night. I also made a list of what I love about colombia, which I will put on later. (I'm always adding to it)
Wednesday 26/06/13
Today at the foundation we had the girls. The girls are slightly harder to motivate as they are quite shy, so it was a bit challenging. Especially without Carlos. We were supposed to work that afternoon but me and Christelle told them we had a meeting and left early. We were knackered. We walked around looking for a beer but just settled with exploring the town a bit more. The downside of walking around after work is that it's 35 degree heat and I have to wear jeans. Horrendous.
That evening I got my nails on my feet and hands done by Paula, who does Janets. Then at 6 I had a meeting with Carlos about my project as I wasn't very happy that I now had to work afternoons too. Its bad enough in the morning some days. And we both think that we don;'t have the correct skills to deal with the issues these kids have got. He was sympathetic as he's been there himself. Cristian (Carlos' boss) hasn't actually been there and he's the one who keeps making these desiciions.
Anyway, it got sorted and I was told I can work in the mornings in the foundacion Shekinah with the kids and in the afternoon I can work with los abuelos and do activities (old people).
That should be slightly easier I think.
Then we headed over to Tatiana's house with Andy (a funny funny guy from the UK, studies in London school of Economics), Patience (from the US), Iain (nice guy from the UK), Alejandra (colombian), Carlos and one of his friends who does salsa rally well. We practiced salsa outside in the park bit, n the apartment complex where she lives. It was grea fun but andy was terrible and I was laughing so much.
That night it stormed while I was alseep and I'd left my windows open. I woke up about 6 to feel water on my face (like a small splatter). I sat bolt upright and looked at the floor. Soaked. The floor is tiled and it was half covered with water. I tried to mop it up but had nowhere to drain the mop (didn't want to wake Janet). So I just used my towels haha.
Thursday 27/06/13
We worked with the boys today with Carlos. The boys ae always more enthusiastic than the girls. It was tiring, especially as we had to come back at 3 and work again until 5. My feet really ached.
That afternoon I went back home and got a shower before heading out to this Crepe place to meet everyone from AIESEC and introduce myself. It was great fun and I sat with Christelle, Gemma (the irish girl I came with), Kathryn (who has just come back frm a year in spain, so is amaing at spanish). I introduced myself in front of about 50/60 people. I never used to have that kind of confidence. And the other day I sang for the kids at work. I can feel myself changing with this experience.
I met a lot of people and chatted about all sorts. I also some how ended up signing myself up to do bungee jumping. Bit of a shocker. aha.
Friday 28/06/13
Today at work we had the girls. Hands down this was one of the worst times with them. We had arguements, fights and tears but managed ti get some work from them. It was a bit intense but luckily we didn't have to work that afternoon. We went to an AIESEC thing at 3pm. We met up at a bakery near the University of Tolima in the heat and walked with loads of kids through the streets to a foundation. There was a magic show, which was actually pretty good and funny. I sat next to Santiago's (my buddy) mum and her kids. A girl from Finland danced after the show (she was leaving in a few days) and then cried wth the kids as she said her goodbyes. She's been here 3 months.
She's an amazing dancer. I got the bus home and almost ended up going the wrong way so I had to get off and walk. It wasn't too bad as it was still a bit light. I'm not gonna make a habit of it though. (Mum, don't worry :))
That night I met Christelle at her house (got a motorbike ride lift with one of the guys from the restaurant downstairs) and her Host's dad called us a taxi, as well as putting more credit on my phone. I get through credit like water here. I put on 10,000pesos each time (about £3.50) but I think I'll have to put 20,000 on next time. It ran out in like 4 days, just because I'm being a lot more involved with everything now.
Christelle and I headed to a bar to meet Santiago and we sat with him and his friends outside. He gave us aguardiente and told us the rules about saying cheers with it. You must always look in their eyes, you can't drink without saying cheers or before everyone, and you can't put your drink down. Then we headed to Hugo's uncles house and drank there. Hugo was on his second bottle of whisky (it was his birthday) and evryone met there. It was good fun. Then we headed to La estacion (where they only serve corona, not local beer which is about 2000 pesos but a corona is imported and costs 8000.) It is a bit more expenssive. I danced loads and drank a fair amount of Aguardiente.)
There's no point me writing about Saturday really, as I was hungover and didn't do anything really. That Aguardiente really gets you. Its not like alchohl like vodka, as you can feel fine for ages and then suddenly it all hits you at once. At least with vodka you know where you stand within a few minutes... or not if you've had too much haha.
- comments
Joanna (mum) Lovely to read what you've been doing. You sound like you're having a fantastic time. Please be careful though. I don't like the thought of you going places on your own. So glad you're having such an amazing experience! xxx
Fay I love reading your blog Holly. It is so interesting. You must be having an amazing time of it out there and I am sure the kids are enjoying it too. They just don't know how to show it. Keep up the good work. Fay x