There are still really GOOD people in this world...

sometimes you just have to be open to finding them!
In short, that's what I've decided.

As of yesterday I have dinner provided for me, free of charge, at a lovely second floor tourist cafe every evening.
As of today I have a cute little mostly-furnished apartment, also free of charge (to me)...
and also as of today, in return for teaching a 12 year old boy English for half an hour a day, I have a wonderful home-cooked lunch provided for me everyday.
WHAT? Yeah, I know... Amazing!
A week ago I was sitting here (literally, HERE) trying to decide what to do... keep traveling vs. stay and teach (again) but get to know a city, take an opportunity that I strangely found in front of me, and help out some wanna-be guides. Now it seems like a no-brainer. Afterall, what is travel if you don't get to know the people and the place? Not as valuable an experience, that's for sure!

So this week I've had two classes a day that last two hours each. I've averaged about 15-20 students and had three more join just this morning! We're also thinking about adding another class later in the evenings for people currently working as Spanish speaking guides and for ex-students of the institute. It's pretty awesome to be in the very beginning stages of forming what I hope will be a long standing volunteer teaching program here in Potosì... they would like eventually to offer both English and French classes by native speakers. I/We may be dreaming a little big at this point, afterall we're in the first week of trying this out and we'll see how everyone responds, BUT... I would say with the administration's willingness to implement classes the very next day after meeting me and to fund my costs of living, as well as two of the professors' very persistent and successful efforts to get me into an apartment and food arranged and all so quickly... that they are well on their way to being WONDERFUL volunteer program candidates and hosts! Seriously... this is what volunteering is supposed to be like! (in my opinion)!
The guide/professor who originally presented me with this opportunity is thrilled to be offering the students at his ecoturism institute an opportunity to study with a native speaker... he proposed the idea of a volunteer program over a year ago and they haven't been successful in finding, in his words, "the right person to help them get it off the ground... until now that is!" I hope he's right! He and the other professors have really taken me under their wings. Walking me back at night, arranging and introducing me to the people who will be feeding me, etc... they've even invited me on a few of the institute's pracitical outings that are coming... I'm pretty excited to get to participate in some of the festivals and traditions here in Potosí (although the sacrificing of the llama could be a little much for me... we'll see).
Oh, and the family that lives in the house next to my apartment and the ones who are feeding me lunch (I'm also teaching their son), couldn't be nicer! The dad works in another city, the mom works in an attached office, and so for lunch today it was grandpa (such a nice, cool old guy), the 12 year old Andres, the 2 year old Juan Pablo, and the maid/cook/childcare giver Lourdes. Lunch was declicious and they were all super friendly... so nice to hang out with a family! My apartment is tiny, but perfect just for me. You walk into a little living room and kitchenette (no cooking appliances though... who needs them I guess, if your meals are provided!) and then you go up a tight little spiral staircase to my bedroom (with a super comfy mattress might I add), I have a nice little bathroom with electric shower and all, and there's even a little patio where I have a sink to wash my clothes (although after the jungle I think I'll be visiting a laundry service!) and a view of the surrounding mountains to die for! So, yes I guess the key descriptive word is "little," but it's cute and definitely more homey and comfortable than staying in a hostel the whole time - which was another option!
I think it's going to work out just GREAT! Pray that God provides a person to fill my shoes as well... I've posted a few announcements on websites and I'm hoping for a good response so that I can leave them after my short time here, with someone to continue the program!
My students seem wonderful, really motivated, and for the most part a lot of fun... a few of them even asked for my email address today so that we can get together this weekend (hopefully), a few of them even like to play basketball... woo hoo! :)
So, I have one more class tonight and then we're going to go out to dinner to celebrate my new apartment and the implementation of the new English program!
Take care! Kate