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Well, it's the end of the week and the week at the school "Colegio Integrado Eduardo Gamacho Gamba" was great, both very interesting and rewarding. I think that both the teachers and pupils really appreciated the opportunity to speak to a native speaker and they were able to find out things about England, etc whilst I was able to have contact with local people, which was something I was hoping I'd be able to do in this trip (and hope possibilities will arise in other places too) and find out more about Colombia. I now also have first-hand experience of Colombian school life which I will take to my classroom back in England when we cover the school topic! I was really welcomed to the school by both staff and pupils and I often passed pupils who would say "hello Nina" or "hola Nina". How nice! Although I have obviously been speaking English I've also had the opportunity to speak plenty of Spanish which has been great for me, though a little tiring at times as have felt pretty tired most days, but then again the early starts haven't helped! Surprising how quickly you can get into a routine, though getting up at 7 got harder as the week went on- I'd say I'm looking forward to a lie in but I am going somewhere at 5am tomorrow! (More on that later)
I became a regular at the bakery for my breakfast rolls- today the lady even knew my order! Ha ha Walking down the market street was as busy as ever (though Sunday was definitely busiest) with lots of people and trucks, buying and selling and taking stuff to and from the market area. I thought today it is a pity I didn't go in for a wander but I don't think I could have got up any earlier to fit it in! Just pass the market are quite a few shops selling meat, the meat hanging there, with open shop fronts- despite the fact I walked that road every day this week I still forget not to look or smell as I'm neither a fan of seeing or smelling raw meat! I never have to wait long for the bus and enjoyed the views of the countryside/hills on the way to Curití and often dozed off on the way home. There are no bus stops here, you just wait by the side of the road if you want to get on, and similarly to get off you just say stop and the bus stops. Payment can be made when you get on or off- it always surprises me that the bus driver knows who owes what, even when it's busy!
On Wednesday I only went to one lesson as at 9.30 lessons stopped as teachers were striking, however the children were in school til 11, when the buses and trucks came to take them home (for those who are in the countryside). I found out that there is a English song contest at the university of San Gil in October and some of the students are going to sing in it- some came to practise, which was great, a bit like watching X-Factor live! I heard 4 pupils sing and think it is great that they are interested in taking part in an English singing competition. Afterwards I got to see the girls performing the dance I had seen them practising last Friday which was cool. It turned out to be a cheer leading routine, complete with cheer leader type outfits but no pom poms or cheering as such. They performed to the whole school before they were let out at 11, great to watch and they did a fab job, especially considering the technical difficulties, ie the music not playing properly or loudly enough. Reminded me of those whole school assemblies where the mic is a bit temperamental! With pupils gone I got a good chance to chat with Ludy, one of the English teachers. I was able to find out a bit more about school and teaching here, etc and I told her some more about what we do in England. I found out final year students here (aged 17) just took their exams on Sunday- they sit ALL their subjects in one day from 7am til 5pm- I couldn't believe it! We also listened to some typical Colombian music called Vallenato. I liked it, will look out for a CD of it to take home. Thursday I went into more English lessons, and was fortunate to spend a lesson working with a small group of final year pupils, where we spoke in both English and Spanish talking about culture, traditions, future plans….This meant I got to find out things like Christmas traditions, and that girls have a party at age 15 (to celebrate becoming a woman, unfortunately no such celebration for the boys, becoming men obviously!) There are lots of celebrations/fiestas here (as in Spain) and the UK sounded fairly dull in comparison as we don't have the same sort of things back home. I also liked the day of love and friendship which happens in September, which isn't just for couples, like Valentine's day, but friends too. Apparently they do something like secret santa but secret friend and give a gift or sweets to that person. I found out they have to pay for university too and have some kind of loan system as well. It was an interesting chat, and I almost forgot, one of the boys (very bravely!) briefly demonstrated how people dance to the type of music I'd heard yesterday! I also went into a first year Geography class again, lots of questions about England and lots of Spanish, sometimes the children speak really question and I have no clue but eventually get it! I happened to have a 20p piece in my purse so they were interested to see that. The pupils have also liked looking at the photos of my family, it's a shame I didn't have any other English 'stuff' with me to show them. Today was rather different, there was a 'circus' in school and all pupils were sat outside around the basketball court (the only place to gather all pupils as no hall) watching it when I got there. I knew it was on but couldn't get up any earlier (lol) so thought I'd miss it, but got to see the final half an hour. There were 2 performers and I saw them juggling and one did some fire-eating and there were some magic tricks too, like a rabbit appearing in a box! Good fun and the children enjoyed it. Friday is also clubs day, as I experienced last week. I helped the English teachers with a few bits of work and then the school week was over! We went to the same restaurant for lunch, which was good food as always. The English teacher Evelia's sister said she has friends in Cali and Santiago (Chile ) and offered to put me in touch with them, which was kind. I left the restaurant with the regulars (mostly teachers I'd seen there every day) wishing me well and handshakes/kisses goodbye. I really felt like I'd been welcomed by everyone there and have been told I am welcome back anytime.
Evelia kindly invited me to stay with her family in Curití but I had also been invited to go to a village in the countryside, Gamita, 3 hours away from San Gil, by one of the other teachers so that's where I am off to tomorrow at 5am! I think it will be interesting to see life there and am sure I will be welcomed as always. This came about from this teacher, Elizabeth, having asked if I could speak to her son about English cities that he is thinking of going to to study English. I went to their apartment in San Gil yesterday, where I chatted with her son and spoke highly of Manchester. I warned of the rain though! Actually was reminded of Manchester yesterday when it started raining at 3 and continued for hours whereas it has often just been a short shower. Anyway she made a lovely juice from yet another fruit I hadn't tried (llchuva) and a home-made arepa (very nice!) We then chatted and I left 3 hours later with an invite to stay at their flat and/or go to the countryside at the weekend! Honestly everyone is just so kind here. So I am about to pack up my bag and will go and stay at their house tonight ready for the early get up. It is funny to think I ended up staying 10 nights in this hotel when originally I'd thought only 2 or 3 maximum. But then again this whole week was unplanned and unexpected, I hadn't even originally planned to visit Curití! But what a great week it has been and I feel very lucky to have been able to have had this experience :-)
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