Monday, October 23, 2006

in caracas

Hey folks! I am in Caracas, Venezuela, attending a wedding. More posting to come once I settle in.

Cheers,

C

Friday, October 20, 2006

temblor

The earth shook today and made me feel it. I had never experienced such a thing and although my mother always warned me of the trembling of that which is most basic, our earth and everything on top of it, I was not prepared.

Collin slept through it, but I sat in bed, in the grey light of 5:50a.m and was rocked, side-to-side, while my ears focused on the rhythmic and disturbing sound of a neighboring and empty apartment building swaying to and fro.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

fool

I look foolish walking in the shantytowns of Carabayllo. I stumble easily on the small- and medium-sized rocks throughout and cannot yet decipher the difference between a dirt path used for walking and a dirt path used for urinating. Often I stray into paths littered with dog feces and trash and can only resort to plow through or to climb up until I am on safe ground. I am writing this from the office where I sit at my desk trying to ignore the stench of shit coming from my left sneaker.

I am the only person for some distance wearing a chullo. It is impossible to blend in and difficult to know that I may not be accepted.

Monday, October 09, 2006

the happenings

This past week has been eventful.

My significant other has arrived in Lima and will be keeping me company in this journey of mine as well as exploring her own path. Just this Sunday we set out to Lima's "barrio chino" (chinatown) to eat dim sum and ended up in a police station discussing rat droppings and chrysanthemum tea.

At work, things are coming along, slowly. On Collin's recommendation, I am making it habit to visit parents every afternoon. At first it was to check up on kids that were absent or late but on the recomendation of my boss, we are going to expand the objective and use this opportunity to get to know parents and their needs. I will have to start flexing those ethnographic muscles of mine.

I do not have enough time to do what is required here. I need another Carlos to help me craft a curriculum, assessments, teach, post on this blog, etc. Hopefully, I will progress and get my act together despite the great disorder that gets in the way.

More to come.

C

Monday, October 02, 2006

dinámica


We began Friday's "promotor" meeting with an icebreaker or "dinámica" called "El Circulo." I take a pice of rope and fashion a circle on the floor. Everybody has to fit in the circle. At first it's easy because the circle is large. The challenge is to continue to fit the same amount of people as the circle gets smaller and smaller. Here are some pictures of the action.

I'm trying to begin all our Friday night meetings with an icebreaker to loosen everybody up.

Do you all have some ideas for icebreakers that emphasize teamwork?