Our first week of camp is done! The curriculum is designed to be taught over two days, we've now taught the first day three times and the second day once. It's gone pretty well! Friday we actually had two schools, which was really tiring. The first one we went to was really good, though, they were all really interested and willing to participate. The second school, my class was like pulling teeth, so we were glad we'd already had a good one that day! Monday we'll have both those schools again, but on the second day of camp we break them up into boys and girls groups, so it should be somewhat easier. It's been really interesting seeing how these kids go to school. They all go to school for part of the day, either in the morning, evening, or night. Some of them have to walk for miles to get to school. Then it's so hot in the schools and none of them have air conditioning, I really don't know how they stay focused enough to learn anything.
Today we got up really early and went to work at a park. That involved climbing 760 stairs up a mountain carrying 2x4's to replace steps twice, then finding out that the great view that was promised at the top was entirely blocked by trees. It was our job to cut down the branches blocking the view so that people would actually want to climb all those steps to the top! So that's the story of how I got to use a machete. Tomorrow I think we get to do some sightseeing and hiking, then it's back to schools Monday!
We've been getting to spend some more time out exploring the city, which has been nice. On days that we don't have to go to schools in the morning, we usually go out in the morning and get some fresh fruit or a balleada (beans and cheese in some sort of tortilla) to bring for lunch. A lot of the schools have snack bars for the student's breaks, so we can also get something there.
Thanks for your responses to my first email, it's great to hear from you! Let me know how things are going there. I love and miss you all and can't wait to see you again!