One week...

Really? It's just been a week since I've written. I don't even know where to start. Do I start with the hurricane force winds and dust storms, or the ongoing indefinite strike of all public school teachers, or watching Alice in Wonderland with no subtitles in a 1920's theater, or "the life" of the miner and his family that I've gotten an inside perspective on, or the amazing school dance and theater performances that I've been invited to spectate, or the 96% alcohol that is commonly drunk here... or my classes????????????
Well, the truth is I can really only touch the surface of all of that today because in half an hour I have a tutoring session with the 12 year old boy that lives in the house next to my apartment. He is a very reluctant English learner, but still the sessions are fun and I try to make it as entertaining as I can... we're just working on his homework and flash-carding vocabulary right now. BUT, my classes at the institute are going really very well. I have settled in with about 9 or so each class, which seems to be a great number, and since they are getting to know me (and vice versa) classes are becoming much more enjoyable. We are working a lot on typical conversations with tourists and pronunciation. I sat in and observed their normal English class and let's just say there's A LOT left to be desired. Their teacher is mean, strict, impatient, rude, condescending, and a just plain BAD English speaker to top it all off! I even have a few students that are asking to stay after class almost everyday to continue the lesson... they're so hungry for English to further their career opportunities. As of Monday we will be implementing a new class in the evenings for people who work or who are also from outside the institute... I'm excited about that opportunity. I have also gotten one lead on a young guy from the US who is interested in coming to replace me - so that's awesome!
I've started to make friends... although it's hard to pick your friends without hurting anyone's feelings... so far for this weekend I've been invited to go out dancing, participate in a religious celebration that involves walking all night Sat. night (starting at 11pm and finishing at a church at 5 or 6am), to participate in a different celebration of the indigenous Quechas where they sacrifice a llama (Sat. evening), to go to the thermal pools (7am Sat. yikes), and to participate in an institute basketball game (Sun. 8am)... WHEW! So nice to be invited... so hard to choose and to disappoint someone. We'll see what happens!
I found a place to borrow English books, so that's really good (hey Christopher, I'm reading that book "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" and you were right it's absolutely HILARIOUS! And, hey it's about a 26 year old guy who studied International Relations in D.C. and is now living on some remote South Pacific island having the adventure of a lifetime... go figure)! haha... it's not what you all are thinking... it's just a title! :) BUT, since I have no TV, no radio, no computer, and no cell phone... it's nice to finally have an English book again! I have been fed wonderfully... already tired of the tourist cafe's reheated selections, but lunches with the family (cooked by the "maid") are terrific and always complete with a first and second course, as well as hand squeezed lemonade or some other equally declicious treat! It's cold here, did I mention... nights have been spent sleeping in my new long johns, fleece sweatshirt, and also newly purchased wool socks... that's with two alpaca blankets, and a comforter! :) And I wasn't joking about the wind... for two days I thought the entire roof was going to blow off my apartment!
I got to see the most amazing dance performances last night at Andres' (the boy I tutor) school. They had some kind of dance competition, which to me was more like what we do for a high school championship basketball game. There were groups of students cheering on their dancers with colored balloons, whistles, bass drums, confetti, etc. Then at the end there was a type of homecoming queen announcement... it was an AMAZING spectacle of traditional and creative costumes... I absolutely enjoyed myself during the three hour (and two boliviano=25 cent) experience! How cool that this kid that has known me all of one week invited me! I can't wait to show you the videos!
So... teaching is good. I like Potosì. I'm learning a lot. I'm almost over my cold. Life is good!
And, for those of you who don't know, I have officially decided that I will be going to graduate school at American University in Washington D.C. this fall. I have registered for classes, so there's no going back! :)
Much love. Kate