Tomorrow it will be 2 weeks since Adam and I arrived to Cuenca… I can hardly believe it. When we arrived I wasn’t sure if there would be that much for us to help with. It turns out there were needs to be met right away within the Verbo community. Adam is an athlete and the position of the “cultura fisica” (Phys Ed) teacher at the Verbo school needed someone to fill in for a few months. He is enjoying working with the older kids of the school, including teaching them some line dances from his old job at Texas Roadhouse. As far as my position goes, I have been helping a teacher at Verbo, Karina, with her English classes which go from pre-basica (Kindergarten)- quinto grado (5th grade). While Katrina is away on maternity leave I will be helping the new teacher with the classes and offering after school English tutoring. My day won’t end there, because starting this week I will be going to “La Esperanza”, the orphanage that is connected to Verbo after school to help the children with their homework. Adam will be at La Esperanza every Saturday running a soccer clinic. Although our days are pretty long, we are both enjoying being at the school, which is high up above Cuenca, yet only 10 minutes from our new house!
A typical weekday after school ends with us taking a siesta and either spending time with some of the young people from Verbo and/or hanging out with Vicky, Paz, and Camila. I can’t express enough how wonderful it has been to live with these women. Our house is full of laughter (and squeals from Camila when she gets tickle attacked), fun, and respect. Last weekend Vicky and Paz (by the way, here in Cuenca they use articles in front of names most of the time, for example “la Emma”, “el Adam” etc… I have never noticed that anywhere else and I find that I am doing it now too!) took us to Parque Nacional Cajas, which is a gorgeous, moor like place that seems more like somewhere in Europe than in Latin America. Adam had a hilarious interaction with a llama, which is on video for the world to enjoy ;) As far as this weekend went, it was pretty mellow and tranquilo. We went to the Saturday night service at Verbo because on Sunday morning we ran a 4k with some of our students. It was put on by the federal government’s sports ministry and involved all the high schools in Cuenca; I think it is pretty neat that they sponsor something like that! I went back out on my own to walk around the city for a few hours, and some of my pictures (from my cell phone, they aren’t the best quality) are below.
This coming week is going to be busy, as usual! Jeanne, one of my best friends from back when I studied abroad in Guayaquil two years ago will be in Cuenca on Thursday and I can’t wait to see her!! It has been far too long! I will only get to see her for a few days though, since Adam and I are heading to Guayaquil for Christmas. We are spending Christmas with the Encalada’s, the family that I lived with two years ago. Interestingly, Christmas is celebrated with a dinner on Christmas Eve at midnight. We have a two-week break and part of it will be spent in Guayaquil with family and friends, and some of it at the beaches on the coast (New Years—Montañita+La Ruta del Sol!). From there Adam is going to Quito to visit a friend of his and I will be going back to Cuenca.
Cuco :)
Feliz Navidad!!
I hope everyone has a blessed, wonderful Christmas. Love and hugs-- Emma
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