Hello family and friends, it’s Lila here as the blog volunteer. (Hi Mom, Dad, and Rosalie!)
Today was culture and education day. After eggs and toast for breakfast, we had a culture workshop where we had some college-style discussions. After that, we walked through the town and visited a local artist, who taught us how to make clay masks. Then lunch, and then a visit to Arelis, a local teacher who told us about her life and how hard she works to teach people of all ages to read and write. We enjoyed some games at free time (no phones forces you to be social!) and then had a workshop to teach us Glimpsers how to prepare for English tutoring lessons. An impromptu dance party emerged before dinner; then we enjoyed some salami and mashed plantains before going over the day and tomorrow’s schedule at the nightly meeting.
We’ve been sharing “thorns and roses”– good and bad parts of the day– at our meetings, and these were some of the common ones:
Thorns: we were not that fast at counting off, our method of making sure everyone is present, and we feel that people should talk in discussions when they want to, not when everyone is forced to have a turn, and we’re feeling a little homesick as we adjust (myself included)
Roses: the group is really bonding and getting closer over just a few days, and we’re enjoying talking to everyone instead of forming separate cliques
We’re all pretty tired by the end of our packed days, so it’s off to bed!
P.S. Parents, I encourage you to comment on the blog. They get read aloud at the nightly meetings and it’s nice for students to hear them. (To my parents: hint, hint!)
**Buenes noches**
Hi again Lila! That was such an awesome post about your day! I’m still missing you too ( a LOT), but I am glad that you get to have such a cool experience. I am taking my tour of Prospect Sierra Middle on Wednesday; just thought I’d keep you in the loop. Anyway, I love hearing about your trip and I can’t wait to read the next post.
All my love, your sister, Rosalie
Salami and mashed plantains! Angel I hope you are taking notes i want to try that when you get back home. Andy keeps calling Oscar “anggie” he misses you a lot. And so do we all. I’m glad you guys are having a great time bonding and making friends. Enjoy!
Brianna and fellow Glimpsers it sounds like you are getting a hands on experience. I like how you are out and about the town, what a refreshing way to learn. It beats reading about it hands down. I miss you Brianna and I’m glad you’re getting to connect with your peers and extended community with out the phone filters! Good night Glimpsers!
Lila’s mom here – Your days sound so full and interesting! I love hearing about the details of your lives together such as the dance party, the trials of counting off, and the food, in addition to what you’re learning about the DR. We all love and miss you! Mom
Salami and mashed plantains! Whew! I’m not sure I could survive on that..
Hi Lila:
Your Dad forwarded your post to me.
Your days sound adventure-packed. How does the weather and the language difference affect your experience? What are the accommodations like? Have you made any real friends?
We’ll miss you this Thursday but look forward to your story telling when you return.
With warm regards,
Irma
Hi Glimpsers! It is Bijan’s mom again! I want you to know that I can’t wait to read your blog posts each evening. I am so glad to hear that the benefits of not having a cell phone are taking affect and that you are all getting to know each other and forming lasting friendships. It sounds like you are really making the most of the trip so far. Teaching english will certainly be interesting. Please tell us all about it. What is the weather like in Costanza? How many people live in the town? Did everyone over pack like Bijan? (Bijan, we miss you SO much!!! It is very quiet around here these days! By the way, we made room for your car in the garage! )
Anyway, have an amazing Day 3. Can’t wait to read all about it!!!!
Thank you Lila for this blog. We hope the tutoring lesson go well! Sounds like you guys are already trying new foods. We loved knowing about the “thorns and roses” and the no cell phones to be more social. Its very hard to do that over here. Hope you all have and awesome day! Miss you Sofia!
Love Alejandro and Alexandra Escalante
Hi Lila! It’s your uncle Ron. It is really fun to read your blog update! I look forward to reading more of them and hearing about your exciting adventures. I would love to hear more about what kinds of food you are eating. I hope it is yummy! Take care,
-Ron
Hi Lila!!!!! It’s your little sis, Rosalie again. I miss you as always. I hope you’re having a great time in Constanza; it sounds like a lot of fun. Well, I’m taking the Prospect Sierra Middle School entrance exam on Monday so I’m pretty nervous. By the way, I hope you have a more, shall we say, substancial dinner today.
Loving you from across the globe, Rosalie
P.S. I can’t wait to see you! You’re awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yo Bri,
Ollie and MB miss you! Ollie jus sleeps on your bed all day then occasionally comes out to meow incessantly. This morning he slept on my pillow too ?
I hope you’re doing well, don’t get homesick, and having an awesome time! Don’t forget to take pictures!!
Hi Brianna,
This is Luis Quintero, I visited you yesterday and your mom told me “she is having a great adventure”.
Have the best time of your life. Learn lots,
Many hugs.
“Caminante no hay Camino, se hace el camino al andar” A. Machado
U go Lil cuzin. Me and savanna send our love. Have,a blast learn alot.be safe.
Hi Lila,
Thanks for the update. I love the “Thorns and Roses.” I hope with every thorn the group will learn from their experience and cultivate many roses! I enjoyed your writing. I look forward to hearing more about your and everyone’s adventures.
With love,
Amy
Hey Sofia and team,
I like the sound of your breakfasts I hope you can bring either the ingredients of the recipe of that hot chocolate.
I am glad to see you appreciate a large farm south of the border. There is a lot of there to see and learn.
Un abrazo
Hi Bri!! maggie and I are super excited you are on an fantastic adventure!! can’t wait to hear about it. take tons of pics!!
xoxoxo
mercy 🙂