it's taken me awhile to get all these up and in one place, life's busy what can I say? all of my trip pictures are here and I will be scattering them throughout soon... somewhere between the hurricane and flying to Finland...
http://s338.photobucket.com/albums/n436/cirenel/mexico/?albumview=grid
26.8.08
14.6.08
What were they thinking-
it was Saturday again, so we took it easy. Slept in (was much needed), swam a bit. Had lunch, slept more… yea… was a lazy bones.
Maru came and picked me up at about 5. We came home. I got a chance to talk to them a little more and exchange contact info. I am going to miss it here very much because, in all honesty, they’ve totally opened up their home to me and treated me as a daughter.
Tomorrow, at 1100, we leave for Veracruz. Monday, at 0600 we leave Mexico. I am going to miss it, but will be back.
Maru came and picked me up at about 5. We came home. I got a chance to talk to them a little more and exchange contact info. I am going to miss it here very much because, in all honesty, they’ve totally opened up their home to me and treated me as a daughter.
Tomorrow, at 1100, we leave for Veracruz. Monday, at 0600 we leave Mexico. I am going to miss it, but will be back.
wrapping up and walking around
Hours: 3.5
So we woke up and met at ESBAO to pick up the guys. We then went to two schools in one ( in the morning is one, in the afternoon the other). However, there was a problem. The computer teacher wasn't there and the computers were on government grant. Thus, the administration there didn't want us to touch them until we met with the teacher. So we waited... and waited. Truth be told, the machines looked like they had never been used still sitting there under their plastic wrap. They never showed.
After we were told they were quite frankly not coming and to leave, we moved on to the next school on our list. However, they were closed. Something about a crack in the budgeting that couldn't pay the teachers or something odd like that.
The day felt wasted. But it was redeemed a little.
We split into smaller groups and meandered around el Centro. It was nice, Taylor and I were with her brother Luis Carlos who, despite all shyness, speaks perfect English. He's kinda a lot awesome, studying to be an industrial engineer. I got a chance to go back into the church and, since no ceremony was happening, a bunch of pictures. We ended up waaaay down by the Burger King before returning to the municipal palace to wait for everyone. The walk did a number on my legs and I kinda fell asleep on the steps.
Upon getting home, I went with Maru and Ernesto (and Mia) to her mother's house for lunch. It was her mother's birthday so several of her friends were over as well. Was quite nice, had tostotas. We then went to the football final. The first two teams compeated for third. The guys in green and white (aka the LaLa/Corona sponsored team) won. Ernesto and his team took the field ready to compete, but alas, the other team didn't show. They won by default. Ernesto was more than a little mad since he had wanted to play so much.
Maru brought me to meet the group in el Centro. They had just finished their dance and were lining up for El Mundo's photographer when I popped up. Fondo gave everyone a rose and a certificate of thanks. I am now officially Claire Luikar.
I went to Taylor's for the evening. Ended up out with Dulce and her friends again, being sketch. Dulce isn't just a playa, her social life is like a novella. So much I could possibly mention but think I'll just jot up a radio play instead of type it all. We went back, Dulce crashed since she had to be up early for dance class. Taylor and I met up with the group and ended up at a club. Some of the younger girls had been begging to go all week. So, the almighty “they” sat in the corner, watching... Paco, John, Durnin, Amanda, Nieto... like hawks. On their behalf, Chustz, Madeline and I kept a closer eye on everyone since we blend easier and have the natural instinct to watch out for what could easily be our (or in Madeline’s case is literally) little sisters. Madeline has grown on me quite a bit this trip. I think we just can’t function well as coworkers and bump heads a bit. Outside of that though, she really isn’t as bad as I thought she was… rather cool really. Glad I give people second chances, I enjoy being wrong when they turn out better than I thought. Everything went ok, Muu was more fun... though the live band was better. We got in the van and all went home.
Most of us anyway. A few girls took it upon themselves to sneak out and go back with Fabiola. Then not answer their phones when John tries to call them to track them down. So he called Chustz and me to try and track them down. They aren’t answering for us either… hitting ignore. I swear, they damn well better have more sense then they are showing.
So we woke up and met at ESBAO to pick up the guys. We then went to two schools in one ( in the morning is one, in the afternoon the other). However, there was a problem. The computer teacher wasn't there and the computers were on government grant. Thus, the administration there didn't want us to touch them until we met with the teacher. So we waited... and waited. Truth be told, the machines looked like they had never been used still sitting there under their plastic wrap. They never showed.
After we were told they were quite frankly not coming and to leave, we moved on to the next school on our list. However, they were closed. Something about a crack in the budgeting that couldn't pay the teachers or something odd like that.
The day felt wasted. But it was redeemed a little.
We split into smaller groups and meandered around el Centro. It was nice, Taylor and I were with her brother Luis Carlos who, despite all shyness, speaks perfect English. He's kinda a lot awesome, studying to be an industrial engineer. I got a chance to go back into the church and, since no ceremony was happening, a bunch of pictures. We ended up waaaay down by the Burger King before returning to the municipal palace to wait for everyone. The walk did a number on my legs and I kinda fell asleep on the steps.
Upon getting home, I went with Maru and Ernesto (and Mia) to her mother's house for lunch. It was her mother's birthday so several of her friends were over as well. Was quite nice, had tostotas. We then went to the football final. The first two teams compeated for third. The guys in green and white (aka the LaLa/Corona sponsored team) won. Ernesto and his team took the field ready to compete, but alas, the other team didn't show. They won by default. Ernesto was more than a little mad since he had wanted to play so much.
Maru brought me to meet the group in el Centro. They had just finished their dance and were lining up for El Mundo's photographer when I popped up. Fondo gave everyone a rose and a certificate of thanks. I am now officially Claire Luikar.
I went to Taylor's for the evening. Ended up out with Dulce and her friends again, being sketch. Dulce isn't just a playa, her social life is like a novella. So much I could possibly mention but think I'll just jot up a radio play instead of type it all. We went back, Dulce crashed since she had to be up early for dance class. Taylor and I met up with the group and ended up at a club. Some of the younger girls had been begging to go all week. So, the almighty “they” sat in the corner, watching... Paco, John, Durnin, Amanda, Nieto... like hawks. On their behalf, Chustz, Madeline and I kept a closer eye on everyone since we blend easier and have the natural instinct to watch out for what could easily be our (or in Madeline’s case is literally) little sisters. Madeline has grown on me quite a bit this trip. I think we just can’t function well as coworkers and bump heads a bit. Outside of that though, she really isn’t as bad as I thought she was… rather cool really. Glad I give people second chances, I enjoy being wrong when they turn out better than I thought. Everything went ok, Muu was more fun... though the live band was better. We got in the van and all went home.
Most of us anyway. A few girls took it upon themselves to sneak out and go back with Fabiola. Then not answer their phones when John tries to call them to track them down. So he called Chustz and me to try and track them down. They aren’t answering for us either… hitting ignore. I swear, they damn well better have more sense then they are showing.
12.6.08
And I thought the internet had to most piracy per capita
Hours: 3.5 (everyone wanted to go see the market since it's our second to last work day... punks)
We met at ESBAO again, they were supposed to have all the computers hooked into the internet and ready for us to run a few downloads on them. Nope... nada.
So we went to finish up at Guadalupe Victoria and deliver the two monitors they needed. The two machines left both had the same problem. I know I've seen this problem before, but it was an old IBM laptop that didn't have any hard drive formatting in place. These hard drives were both formatted and worked fine. Was a huge pain. It got even more interesting when students swarmed the room requesting autographs and watching asking what different parts did. All in all was good. Got one of them working before Durnin caved to the wishes of the majority and told us to pack up.
The market was pretty cool. We spilt up into groups. I was with Chustz, Kellie, Juan Carlos, Luis Carlos and Lauren. They had everything. Pork, chicken, sides of beef, cow heads, and everything in between hung out for display and sale. Seriously, there was a mountain of dead chickens. More pirated movies and music than the internet. Tomatoes, onions,cacti, lunch stalls, cheese, chillies, bread, cabbages and barrels of every grain imaginable neatly organized in their places. Toys, spells, pictures of everyone from the pope to celebrities, game machines, religious statues, hats and electronics all side by side. One section devoted to shoes and clothes had the feel of a cave with everything hanging above and around. I still can't decide if the spicy, pungent smell of fresh chili, corn, meat, cheese, sweat and wood is good or bad but it won't come off me.
Taylor insists we won the game on Sunday. I say we didn't simply because the people who scored most of our points were on the other team... I say it was pity!
This past week has gone by so much faster than last. Last week felt like a month, this week has felt like a day. Tomorrow is our last day of work... I think they might take some of the younger girls to the club. We'll see. My family is going to a wedding in Veracruz and won't we back till morning so I think I am staying with Taylor's family for the night. Saturday is our last day here. Sunday we head to Veracruz so we don't have to wake up at 3 to catch the plane on Monday.
Brennen Frasier is even funnier in Spanish dubs.
The afternoon was absorbed in the last cooking class (with tasty empanadas.. Taco Bell can never be the same) and walking through the church and Palace of Justice with Paco, one of our driver dudes, as our guide. They were in the middle of rosary in the church so I avoided taking the pictures... out of reverence and whatnot ( I may not be practicing but I still have respect for those who are.) The Palace of Justice on the other hand, was most impressive if for no other reasons than because Paco has amazing connections and knows everyone. He got us into the archives to view all the super old documents, to the mayor's office to check out the digs, to the meeting room where laws are debated and passed and more. The control room for the recently installed CCTV system and the secret passage from the bathroom to the old theater behind the building that could easily be used as an escape route were the icing on the cake. This just seals what we all already knew, Paco rocks.
We met at ESBAO again, they were supposed to have all the computers hooked into the internet and ready for us to run a few downloads on them. Nope... nada.
So we went to finish up at Guadalupe Victoria and deliver the two monitors they needed. The two machines left both had the same problem. I know I've seen this problem before, but it was an old IBM laptop that didn't have any hard drive formatting in place. These hard drives were both formatted and worked fine. Was a huge pain. It got even more interesting when students swarmed the room requesting autographs and watching asking what different parts did. All in all was good. Got one of them working before Durnin caved to the wishes of the majority and told us to pack up.
The market was pretty cool. We spilt up into groups. I was with Chustz, Kellie, Juan Carlos, Luis Carlos and Lauren. They had everything. Pork, chicken, sides of beef, cow heads, and everything in between hung out for display and sale. Seriously, there was a mountain of dead chickens. More pirated movies and music than the internet. Tomatoes, onions,cacti, lunch stalls, cheese, chillies, bread, cabbages and barrels of every grain imaginable neatly organized in their places. Toys, spells, pictures of everyone from the pope to celebrities, game machines, religious statues, hats and electronics all side by side. One section devoted to shoes and clothes had the feel of a cave with everything hanging above and around. I still can't decide if the spicy, pungent smell of fresh chili, corn, meat, cheese, sweat and wood is good or bad but it won't come off me.
Taylor insists we won the game on Sunday. I say we didn't simply because the people who scored most of our points were on the other team... I say it was pity!
This past week has gone by so much faster than last. Last week felt like a month, this week has felt like a day. Tomorrow is our last day of work... I think they might take some of the younger girls to the club. We'll see. My family is going to a wedding in Veracruz and won't we back till morning so I think I am staying with Taylor's family for the night. Saturday is our last day here. Sunday we head to Veracruz so we don't have to wake up at 3 to catch the plane on Monday.
Brennen Frasier is even funnier in Spanish dubs.
The afternoon was absorbed in the last cooking class (with tasty empanadas.. Taco Bell can never be the same) and walking through the church and Palace of Justice with Paco, one of our driver dudes, as our guide. They were in the middle of rosary in the church so I avoided taking the pictures... out of reverence and whatnot ( I may not be practicing but I still have respect for those who are.) The Palace of Justice on the other hand, was most impressive if for no other reasons than because Paco has amazing connections and knows everyone. He got us into the archives to view all the super old documents, to the mayor's office to check out the digs, to the meeting room where laws are debated and passed and more. The control room for the recently installed CCTV system and the secret passage from the bathroom to the old theater behind the building that could easily be used as an escape route were the icing on the cake. This just seals what we all already knew, Paco rocks.
11.6.08
“Without you, we have no chance.”
Hours: 9.5
It was just the heat.
Today started like a normal day. I talked to John, the meeting to get city funding for the wireless project was supposed to be this evening so I went along with the group. Of course, there was a disclaimer that it could change. First, we went to ESBAO to collect working power supplies we needed to replace at CHD from their room of spare parts. A biology teacher pulled us into his classroom and thanked us profusely after showing us a quick slide show of his students, what they did and how our work had helped. His work with his students included his trips to the local hospital to witness surgery and operations specifically births and c-sections. (He is a real doctor so it makes sense... though the picture of one of his students holding a placenta like a freshly caught fish does not.) Afterwards, he gave us all these certificates... was a little awkward and spur of the movement but I live for that.
We split up. A few people went back to CHD to switch out the power supplies and tie down the last few issues. The rest of us went to Guadalupe Victoria across town. (it's the school Mr. John gave a graduation address at and they named the class in honor of him awhile back) We were going to check out the lab we had set up there and do a few required fix-it things. They too had a few computers that simply would not turn on. I hopped off the van and walked through the gate. My phone buzzed. The meeting had been moved. So I hopped back in the van and met John and Neito at their hotel. I popped on the “nicer than jeans” outfit I had had stashed in the van and we left.
We made it to the Place of Justice and sat for a bit. And waited. And waited. Finally, it came through that he was tied up and would see us later. However, our other two meetings (with the people who we would be working with in telemedicine if the city was willing to put forth the money) were still on.
So we went to DIF, the social services agency run by the mayor's wife who has supposedly turned around much of their former inefficiency and fought to turn it into a force to be reckoned with. There we met with her (the mayor's wife) and several directors of programs. They all agreed to back any telemedicine program we would start and said they would be more than willing to offer their doctors on staff to help. I think we have a visit to DIF as a group on Friday... we'll see.
We then met with one of their doctors on staff appropriately named Minerva. She too showed great interest and support in the proposed project. She also was curious about accessing patient records from any hospital from anywhere either by means of a database or remote access to make her job and the jobs of those working for DIF easier. Possible other projects for the future could emerge from this. Since we were talking teleconferencing, we ended up on the computer with Greg in Baton Rouge. Greg was fun to work with, especially since, unbeknownst to him, he had a fan club at school.
After a very late lunch (it was 4.30 when we sat down), we finally made it to the mayor's office with the mayor there. He's a nice guy overall, considered a grassroots sort of politician who is for the people and actually gets things done. For instance, when he first took office the bathrooms in the public schools were appalling holes in the ground. He made sure running water and other modern amenities were installed. In other words, it would seem he actually gives a damn. (Madeline and Virginia are actually staying with him as their host.) Anyway, we sat down and went through the plan.
El Mundo (of course...) has an office in the area we want to pull the initial connection through. The position of the office is ideal to send the signal up the mountain to Tinajtas which is in an ideal location to beam it to three schools slightly down the mountain. The geographical position of these schools makes it impossible to send the signal directly to them. Once the signal reaches its destination and connects to a wireless access point, it can be pulled into the school. The nice thing about this is, the stations where the internet signal is sent and received have a 5 mile radius where internet can be accessed. This means that in addition to the school receiving a signal to use 15 some odd miles away, people in the immediate vicinity could access as well.
(note, I have all sorts of fun graphics that go with this, but the internet looks at me like I am nuts when I try and put them up, I will as soon as I can though)
Interestingly enough, one of the areas set to receive a chunk of the signal didn't have electricity until 2 weeks ago. They had been promised it for over 50 years and finally got it.
After all we said and done, he signed the project in agreement and the check to Motorola was cut: 20 grand USD... They begin installation and setup next week. Mind you I won't be here but I will be back. As his quote above implies, he'll need our help getting this all in line and I fully plan to continue. And let's hope all goes well.
But yea...It went through! It went through! It went though!
Old bug count: 32 (every time we enter a new part of tow I find more)
It was just the heat.
Today started like a normal day. I talked to John, the meeting to get city funding for the wireless project was supposed to be this evening so I went along with the group. Of course, there was a disclaimer that it could change. First, we went to ESBAO to collect working power supplies we needed to replace at CHD from their room of spare parts. A biology teacher pulled us into his classroom and thanked us profusely after showing us a quick slide show of his students, what they did and how our work had helped. His work with his students included his trips to the local hospital to witness surgery and operations specifically births and c-sections. (He is a real doctor so it makes sense... though the picture of one of his students holding a placenta like a freshly caught fish does not.) Afterwards, he gave us all these certificates... was a little awkward and spur of the movement but I live for that.
We split up. A few people went back to CHD to switch out the power supplies and tie down the last few issues. The rest of us went to Guadalupe Victoria across town. (it's the school Mr. John gave a graduation address at and they named the class in honor of him awhile back) We were going to check out the lab we had set up there and do a few required fix-it things. They too had a few computers that simply would not turn on. I hopped off the van and walked through the gate. My phone buzzed. The meeting had been moved. So I hopped back in the van and met John and Neito at their hotel. I popped on the “nicer than jeans” outfit I had had stashed in the van and we left.
We made it to the Place of Justice and sat for a bit. And waited. And waited. Finally, it came through that he was tied up and would see us later. However, our other two meetings (with the people who we would be working with in telemedicine if the city was willing to put forth the money) were still on.
So we went to DIF, the social services agency run by the mayor's wife who has supposedly turned around much of their former inefficiency and fought to turn it into a force to be reckoned with. There we met with her (the mayor's wife) and several directors of programs. They all agreed to back any telemedicine program we would start and said they would be more than willing to offer their doctors on staff to help. I think we have a visit to DIF as a group on Friday... we'll see.
We then met with one of their doctors on staff appropriately named Minerva. She too showed great interest and support in the proposed project. She also was curious about accessing patient records from any hospital from anywhere either by means of a database or remote access to make her job and the jobs of those working for DIF easier. Possible other projects for the future could emerge from this. Since we were talking teleconferencing, we ended up on the computer with Greg in Baton Rouge. Greg was fun to work with, especially since, unbeknownst to him, he had a fan club at school.
After a very late lunch (it was 4.30 when we sat down), we finally made it to the mayor's office with the mayor there. He's a nice guy overall, considered a grassroots sort of politician who is for the people and actually gets things done. For instance, when he first took office the bathrooms in the public schools were appalling holes in the ground. He made sure running water and other modern amenities were installed. In other words, it would seem he actually gives a damn. (Madeline and Virginia are actually staying with him as their host.) Anyway, we sat down and went through the plan.
El Mundo (of course...) has an office in the area we want to pull the initial connection through. The position of the office is ideal to send the signal up the mountain to Tinajtas which is in an ideal location to beam it to three schools slightly down the mountain. The geographical position of these schools makes it impossible to send the signal directly to them. Once the signal reaches its destination and connects to a wireless access point, it can be pulled into the school. The nice thing about this is, the stations where the internet signal is sent and received have a 5 mile radius where internet can be accessed. This means that in addition to the school receiving a signal to use 15 some odd miles away, people in the immediate vicinity could access as well.
(note, I have all sorts of fun graphics that go with this, but the internet looks at me like I am nuts when I try and put them up, I will as soon as I can though)
Interestingly enough, one of the areas set to receive a chunk of the signal didn't have electricity until 2 weeks ago. They had been promised it for over 50 years and finally got it.
After all we said and done, he signed the project in agreement and the check to Motorola was cut: 20 grand USD... They begin installation and setup next week. Mind you I won't be here but I will be back. As his quote above implies, he'll need our help getting this all in line and I fully plan to continue. And let's hope all goes well.
But yea...It went through! It went through! It went though!
Old bug count: 32 (every time we enter a new part of tow I find more)
10.6.08
It´s all about connections
hours: 5.5
Today we went to another orphanage, Casa Hogar Dalego to check on a lab we had previously installed. There were several machines that outright wouldn't turn on and several more that refused to run updates. 6 that wouldn't turn had failed power supplies. Best we figure, the damage to power supplies from constant flickering and brownouts. We're going to replace them tomorrow after we find the ones we need at ESBAO. One had a loose video card and was cake to fix. What made this very interesting: the wasn't enough space in the lab itself for us to work, so they set up several tables... outside... with flowery table cloths. Was great.
Juan, Juan Diago and Miguel were fighting with one computer trying to get its case off. I noticed they were pushing the wrong way and offered to help once they had been at it for awhile. I popped it right off and they couldn't help but laugh that my skinny non-muscular self had managed to get it off.
The differences with this orphanage: it has fewer children, is smaller, is in the middle of the city, it receives government funding as the lady who runs it has connections into the system and it isn't staffed by a family.
Lunch was fun, had fresh cactus. Apparently, it's the type that the bird is holding on the flag... or that's the best I can figure from the Spanish I was told. Was most good, like watermelon.
My sunburn is getting better. I think in part because of the vast sea of moisturizer I've given it. It's been a good day even though I've felt rather ill for a good part of it. Hope it's just the heat.
Today we went to another orphanage, Casa Hogar Dalego to check on a lab we had previously installed. There were several machines that outright wouldn't turn on and several more that refused to run updates. 6 that wouldn't turn had failed power supplies. Best we figure, the damage to power supplies from constant flickering and brownouts. We're going to replace them tomorrow after we find the ones we need at ESBAO. One had a loose video card and was cake to fix. What made this very interesting: the wasn't enough space in the lab itself for us to work, so they set up several tables... outside... with flowery table cloths. Was great.
Juan, Juan Diago and Miguel were fighting with one computer trying to get its case off. I noticed they were pushing the wrong way and offered to help once they had been at it for awhile. I popped it right off and they couldn't help but laugh that my skinny non-muscular self had managed to get it off.
The differences with this orphanage: it has fewer children, is smaller, is in the middle of the city, it receives government funding as the lady who runs it has connections into the system and it isn't staffed by a family.
Lunch was fun, had fresh cactus. Apparently, it's the type that the bird is holding on the flag... or that's the best I can figure from the Spanish I was told. Was most good, like watermelon.
My sunburn is getting better. I think in part because of the vast sea of moisturizer I've given it. It's been a good day even though I've felt rather ill for a good part of it. Hope it's just the heat.
9.6.08
“Burn a cd for a girl, she has one cd. Teach a girl how to burn a cd…”
Hours: 6
Normally, I'm of the mentality “when you're a guest, eat whatever is put in front of you”. I just couldn't do it this morning though. The copious amounts of sunburn affected me as it always does: low fever and queasy stomach. Add that to a tortilla with a fried egg (one of the few things I have trouble eating (the texture and smell just throw me off)) and nada, couldn’t do it. It was ok though, somehow between the house and ESBAO I picked up a coke which helped settle it all.
Amanda showed us the paper. We were in it again (remember, El Mundo is stalking us). This time we’re on the front page, the headline above the fold with the story and pictures of yours truly on the inside. This actually directly influences the day’s events.
Juan brought several of the older boys, in part to learn and in part to help. We started by testing to see if they actually had fixed the power. We managed to turn them all on and not trip the circuit. Yay! I was giving Julie instructions for how to get ride of those pesky power on passwords (somehow, one of the machines has one) when Neito popped in. He needed a few people to go with him across town. A school had seen the aforementioned article and was wondering if we could swing by and help them with a little maintenance and repairs they weren’t sure how to do. Virginia, Alexa, Madeline, Juan, his younger ‘brother’, Neito and I went. Not knowing quite what to expect, we grabbed a few extra parts. I got to hold a fistful of RAM without an antistatic bag for the ride… it felt so wrong.
It was interesting to say the least. Raphael Ramirez Primary has some lab. They have several machines with Windows ’95, several with Vista and some with all possibilities in between. Some of the machines hooked into the internet, others didn’t. Their main concerns were several suspected virus infected computers and 2 that wouldn’t turn on. One of these was a matter of flipping the power supply switch into the “on” position. The other was strange, the power supply was knocked into the machine (nothing held it in place) and the only way to get –into- it to screw it in place and poke around as needed was by means of one of those weird circular keys like the used to lock floors in elevators. They didn’t have the key so we set to work with setting up virus protection and cleaning up those that could be cleaned up, since let’s face it, a 2 G hard drive can’t hold a modern antivirus and still fully function.
We worked there for several hours before returning to ESBAO to meet up with everyone. They had hooked the internet into several computers. It was working but moving sluggishly. Since it was getting to that time where we stop, Taylor and I resolved to crack into their infrastructure and see what they had set up tomorrow. Of course, since the internet is provided by the city and thus under governmental control (including monitoring) there are certain things we can’t touch. If nothing else, we can see what they have and maybe try to find an improvement that doesn’t interfere. I’m excited; I will probably get to do the part I really love.
Over lunch, my grandmother started asking about U.S. politics. It’s been a popular topic as of late… can’t imagine why… She’s actually the one who told me about Hillary pulling out… I’ve been in such an internet blackout the past few days, only getting on to update this, I’ve not had time to read up. Even though, I don’t think the internet in this house could take CNN or BBC’s web pages. It would break. I can only imaging how much gas has gone up since I’ve been gone. I need to find out how to make the soup with the noodles and greens. I’m willing to bet it has chicken broth in it but it’s so good.
After lunch we met again, dancing once more. I’m getting a little better, I still suck though. We’ve now incorporated the shoes’ special noises, skirt motion, the fans, floor movement and spinning. We could put on our own floor show at one of those insulated resorts in Cancun. I’ve danced so much in the past three days, my hips are rebelling. We gathered up after for our standard evening discussion. Most of the topics that came up were what more we could do for Casa Hogar. Everything from trying to start an annual drive within SJA to attempting to contact Oprah came up. I’m sure we’ll find a few good ideas.
I’m not sure exactly what we’re doing tomorrow. We were supposed to head into the mountains some to a school we set up last year to check on them but there have been many mudslides and much flooding so we’ll have to play it by ear.
I love playing things by ear.
I’m off now, my father rented a movie. Since I stay up a little later than both kids working on this and watching a little bit of television to try and expand my vocabulary he figured it would be good. He actually almost rented an odd sci-fi I watched right before coming down here: Cube:2. I would kill to see the Spainish dub over of that.
Normally, I'm of the mentality “when you're a guest, eat whatever is put in front of you”. I just couldn't do it this morning though. The copious amounts of sunburn affected me as it always does: low fever and queasy stomach. Add that to a tortilla with a fried egg (one of the few things I have trouble eating (the texture and smell just throw me off)) and nada, couldn’t do it. It was ok though, somehow between the house and ESBAO I picked up a coke which helped settle it all.
Amanda showed us the paper. We were in it again (remember, El Mundo is stalking us). This time we’re on the front page, the headline above the fold with the story and pictures of yours truly on the inside. This actually directly influences the day’s events.
Juan brought several of the older boys, in part to learn and in part to help. We started by testing to see if they actually had fixed the power. We managed to turn them all on and not trip the circuit. Yay! I was giving Julie instructions for how to get ride of those pesky power on passwords (somehow, one of the machines has one) when Neito popped in. He needed a few people to go with him across town. A school had seen the aforementioned article and was wondering if we could swing by and help them with a little maintenance and repairs they weren’t sure how to do. Virginia, Alexa, Madeline, Juan, his younger ‘brother’, Neito and I went. Not knowing quite what to expect, we grabbed a few extra parts. I got to hold a fistful of RAM without an antistatic bag for the ride… it felt so wrong.
It was interesting to say the least. Raphael Ramirez Primary has some lab. They have several machines with Windows ’95, several with Vista and some with all possibilities in between. Some of the machines hooked into the internet, others didn’t. Their main concerns were several suspected virus infected computers and 2 that wouldn’t turn on. One of these was a matter of flipping the power supply switch into the “on” position. The other was strange, the power supply was knocked into the machine (nothing held it in place) and the only way to get –into- it to screw it in place and poke around as needed was by means of one of those weird circular keys like the used to lock floors in elevators. They didn’t have the key so we set to work with setting up virus protection and cleaning up those that could be cleaned up, since let’s face it, a 2 G hard drive can’t hold a modern antivirus and still fully function.
We worked there for several hours before returning to ESBAO to meet up with everyone. They had hooked the internet into several computers. It was working but moving sluggishly. Since it was getting to that time where we stop, Taylor and I resolved to crack into their infrastructure and see what they had set up tomorrow. Of course, since the internet is provided by the city and thus under governmental control (including monitoring) there are certain things we can’t touch. If nothing else, we can see what they have and maybe try to find an improvement that doesn’t interfere. I’m excited; I will probably get to do the part I really love.
Over lunch, my grandmother started asking about U.S. politics. It’s been a popular topic as of late… can’t imagine why… She’s actually the one who told me about Hillary pulling out… I’ve been in such an internet blackout the past few days, only getting on to update this, I’ve not had time to read up. Even though, I don’t think the internet in this house could take CNN or BBC’s web pages. It would break. I can only imaging how much gas has gone up since I’ve been gone. I need to find out how to make the soup with the noodles and greens. I’m willing to bet it has chicken broth in it but it’s so good.
After lunch we met again, dancing once more. I’m getting a little better, I still suck though. We’ve now incorporated the shoes’ special noises, skirt motion, the fans, floor movement and spinning. We could put on our own floor show at one of those insulated resorts in Cancun. I’ve danced so much in the past three days, my hips are rebelling. We gathered up after for our standard evening discussion. Most of the topics that came up were what more we could do for Casa Hogar. Everything from trying to start an annual drive within SJA to attempting to contact Oprah came up. I’m sure we’ll find a few good ideas.
I’m not sure exactly what we’re doing tomorrow. We were supposed to head into the mountains some to a school we set up last year to check on them but there have been many mudslides and much flooding so we’ll have to play it by ear.
I love playing things by ear.
I’m off now, my father rented a movie. Since I stay up a little later than both kids working on this and watching a little bit of television to try and expand my vocabulary he figured it would be good. He actually almost rented an odd sci-fi I watched right before coming down here: Cube:2. I would kill to see the Spainish dub over of that.
8.6.08
If you give a kid a camera…
You get a bunch of pictures of grass and a few perfect shots.
Hours: 9
Today was a whirlwind. I slept a little later than normal since I was out so late last night. I got up and took a quick shower. Maru said she was popping down the street to find breakfast and would be back in a little… since we thought the van was coming at 13.00. Nope… she and the van got to the front door at the same time, 10.30.
We swung by a local art market. Apparently they hold it every Sunday to give the local artisans a boost. There were some very lovely pieces there. El Mundo was, of course, there as well. We didn’t stay long, the market was serving as a meeting point. Once everyone arrived, we departed for Casa Hogar. Honestly, this is the part of this entire annual visit that I wanted to be the most part of... phrased less complexly it's what I most looked forward to.
Brief history of Casa Hogar:
About 15 years ago, the Torez family heard of a child that needed a home. Though they had 3 of their own, they took the child in. Soon, they had gained many more children in need of homes.
About 7 years ago, Skip, a doctor from California, was in Cordoba doing business. He heard of the family and met with them. He was impressed by their devotion to helping local children have a safe environment to grow up in. However, the house they were in was in a sub-par, dilapidated shape. So he built them a mansion to their specifications... a mansion in the sense that it is large, not extravagant. Its design is quite practical. Two wings to serve as dormitories, one for boys and one for girls. A huge kitchen and dining hall, a bathroom to accommodate the household and a small but lovely chapel with frequent services (the family is very religious). The house is built around a courtyard and has a very Southwest feel in its architecture. All on a sprawling estate nestled in the edges of the mountains.
Under the former government (which was recently voted out), they received next no form of aid. (est. 200 USD over 15 years) The house was run by donation, self sustenance and sheer willpower. They farm the land, growing much of their own food. Chickens, milk cows, pigs, mango, pineapple, cantaloupe, lemons, limes, tomatoes, avocados, and bananas are just some of the products they pump out. In addition to the varied foodstuffs, they also grow a plethora of flowers. This is in part to beautify the land and in part to provide some means of additional income. All extra foodstuffs and all flowers go to market. The birds of paradise are their main seller. The grounds are maintained by the father and 7 or so of the older boys who wake up in the wee hours of the morning (4ish). Their efforts are not unnoticed.
The children range in age from 0 to 20s. Last year, there were 65. Now there are 81. The sudden boom has caused some shortage, especially in the bedding department. They are there for different reasons. Some are orphans. Others are abandoned. A few are from families that cannot afford a child. Some are from abusive families who can come and take them back at any time since they have no governmental protections. (Some, just the father is abusive, so the mother sends the child away and occasionally comes to visit.) Some of the children have medical needs. To the best of their power, Casa provides them with basic medical needs. (i.e. glasses, mosquito protection, etc.) The children go to the afternoon shift of school (schools are different here with a morning and afternoon shift of different students) after helping work in the morning and return to homework and more chores at night. They have 0 opportunities to go into town and hang out as many other children their ages do. This is especially hard on the teenagers. Studying is stressed as a primary virtue; it's seen as a path to betterment and self dependence. Parties are rare and valued moments.
Currently, the family still runs the Casa and seems as if it will into the next generation. They have grown. The eldest son is married and has three children. Extended members of the family also help cook the morning vat of breakfast rice and similar chores. They have given much of their lives to the children. The eldest son did not go to college, instead he moved straight to working to maintain and support the house. The middle son, Juan, has been working with us in town all week. (he's a cool dude to say the least.) He wakes up in the morning, helps get everyone dressed and ready for the day then goes to university (when in session). There, once his classes are through, he hooks into the school's network (actually using one of the first laptops we sent to Cordoba) and downloads additional lessons and learning material for his many siblings. Upon returning home, he downloads the new material onto the lab computers and helps his numerous siblings do homework.
Our first contact with Casa Hogar was establishing for them a lab of 12 desktops and 6 laptops. Since then, our trips there serve several purposes. One is to check the lab make sure nothing big is needed (Juan looks after it well though so no work needs doing) and bring any additional materials that could prove useful. Two is to help Chucho (the father) and Santa (the mother) give the kids something to look forward to and break the harsh daily routine and the feeling of entrapment the situation can have on many children. A focus is placed, especially, on giving the small ones some of the healthy mental stimulation and general affection they need but cannot always readily get (81 is a lot of kids to keep up with)… All of that is a much more flowery way of saying we play with the kids. Three is to renew old contacts and enjoy the company of what have become tight friends. Four is to find out what they need from us and try our best to help. (This year its 1. kitchen supplies 2. bathroom improvements 3. mattresses/beds 4. a phone line.)
We arrived about noon. Everyone came out to meet us and Chucho ran through introductions quickly and welcomed everyone to his home. Chalk came out of a bag and everyone wrote their names on the driveway. Faviolia (one of the local girls who is hosting and notorious for “partying like a rockstar” (40-60% of her English vocabulary is from mTV…she’s fun)) caught a chicken and was petting it and passing it around. We unloaded the bags we had brought. One table for clothing (a ton of SJA Spanish club shirts etc.) and a few extra entertainments (aka the small fans with programmable LED messages John got as an impulse buy at Radio Shack). Another table for snacks, candy and a few other tasty treats. Everyone got to chose something from table A and several things from table B. The kitchen and house wares were brought in as well as the additional laptops for the lab. Then, in good welcoming Mexican fashion, lunch was served. Was very tasty, a huge plate of super fresh veggies, some cheese, salsa verte… they killed a chicken and cooked it up. I was told it was good (going to trust them on this one). And of course, the new love of my life, mango (seriously, I’ve had at least one a day, they’ve grown on me). This time it was coupled with a few other fresh fruits, namely pineapple and cantaloupe.
After lunch settled a bit, we headed down the hill where the gardens meet the playground and (real) football field. Since the first trip there, it’s become tradition to play a game matching us against them. This year was no different. We always loose then jokingly say we’re going to train hard to win the next one. Some of the kids are really impressive. This year, keeping with tradition, we lost. But we did score on them which was quite impressive.
I didn’t actually get to play, one of the little girls I was sitting by on side the field saw me taking pictures and asked to see the one I took of her. She then promptly grabbed my (dad’s) camera and ran off, stopping occasionally and looking back to see if I too was playing chase. By then of course I was. I followed her around for a good part of the next hour as she snapped away. The grass, the cows, the grass, the see saw, the grass, me standing by the roses as she instructed, to the edge of the stream they used to bathe in before they got showers, the grass. She then introduced me to her two sisters. I swear, if they aren’t triplets, they should be.
The rest of the day was spent dancing and playing with more of the kids. On a side note, Chucho can not only dance like a salsa star but sing like one too. It was quite nice. I got to meet and talk with quite a few people and I’m actually proud to say I was able to carry on a few (very simple) conversations in Spanish. The nice thing about working with kids is that you can get by communicating without words or with very few words. Virginia danced with one boy for most of the day, so of course we picked on her a little.
When all was said and done, we were two hours behind schedule, but that’s a pretty normal occurrence. The last 15 minutes were surreal. Everyone from Casa Hogar gathered up under the carport and sang a song of thanks. Then we all said our goodbyes in the traditional manner (a hug with a kiss on the cheek), a bunch of people breaking down and crying. (They were playing Titanic… between that and the emotionally charged situation it’s understandable.) We got in the vans and began driving away. The kids lined the driveway, giving whoever reached out the windows high fives. As soon as we left the gate, they all ran to the back fence to wave at us after we turned the corner. ( I really don’t know how they made it over there so fast.) Like I said, surreal.
Today reminded me some of the little bit of work I did trying to establish a career training center at a north Baton Rouge battered women's shelter. (I'm still bitter that fell apart.) Sure, we did end up spending quite a lot of extra after work time with the kids, but why not.
You know that look a kid gets in their eyes when they’ve been hurt badly by someone or something? Some of these kids have that look. It’s bad enough to see it in adults, even worse to see it in kids. Kids are kids. All of these kids deserve better than a lot of the crap they've been dealt in life. Sure I can't take away bad memories but I can help make a few good ones and try to help give them a chance for something better, right? It's like Sister Judith said, “So many early memories, you can never get another set.” Even if they are stretched thin, Casa Hogar tries to help them gain some good memories and this vague notion of “something better”.
I’m now a vibrant shade of red. More than a little burnt. Though I put sunscreen on, it did little to help, especially since I forgot to reapply and we are at a much higher altitude. My face, ears, forearms and scalp all hurt so much. I’m crispy and red, like a fried tomato. I really don’t care though, it was a good day.
I decided this morning, before leaving the house that I’m doing this next year. Between the new possibilities emerging and the BRAF renewing funding for their work in the project for at least another three years, I can’t not go. Simple plan: I’m going to go home, ninja my dad’s Rosetta Stone: Spanish (which he ordered the *day* before I flew down here), learn as much as I can and start saving. The events of today have only locked that further in my mind. Many of the other girls want to try again too. Taylor for sure, but she’s going to be in Boston with City Year so we’ll see. The hope is the project will gain interest within the St. Joseph student community and spark more effort.
On another side note, small pox vaccination is still required here.
I think I might be out of old bugs to count... I recognize all of the ones I've seen.
Hours: 9
Today was a whirlwind. I slept a little later than normal since I was out so late last night. I got up and took a quick shower. Maru said she was popping down the street to find breakfast and would be back in a little… since we thought the van was coming at 13.00. Nope… she and the van got to the front door at the same time, 10.30.
We swung by a local art market. Apparently they hold it every Sunday to give the local artisans a boost. There were some very lovely pieces there. El Mundo was, of course, there as well. We didn’t stay long, the market was serving as a meeting point. Once everyone arrived, we departed for Casa Hogar. Honestly, this is the part of this entire annual visit that I wanted to be the most part of... phrased less complexly it's what I most looked forward to.
Brief history of Casa Hogar:
About 15 years ago, the Torez family heard of a child that needed a home. Though they had 3 of their own, they took the child in. Soon, they had gained many more children in need of homes.
About 7 years ago, Skip, a doctor from California, was in Cordoba doing business. He heard of the family and met with them. He was impressed by their devotion to helping local children have a safe environment to grow up in. However, the house they were in was in a sub-par, dilapidated shape. So he built them a mansion to their specifications... a mansion in the sense that it is large, not extravagant. Its design is quite practical. Two wings to serve as dormitories, one for boys and one for girls. A huge kitchen and dining hall, a bathroom to accommodate the household and a small but lovely chapel with frequent services (the family is very religious). The house is built around a courtyard and has a very Southwest feel in its architecture. All on a sprawling estate nestled in the edges of the mountains.
Under the former government (which was recently voted out), they received next no form of aid. (est. 200 USD over 15 years) The house was run by donation, self sustenance and sheer willpower. They farm the land, growing much of their own food. Chickens, milk cows, pigs, mango, pineapple, cantaloupe, lemons, limes, tomatoes, avocados, and bananas are just some of the products they pump out. In addition to the varied foodstuffs, they also grow a plethora of flowers. This is in part to beautify the land and in part to provide some means of additional income. All extra foodstuffs and all flowers go to market. The birds of paradise are their main seller. The grounds are maintained by the father and 7 or so of the older boys who wake up in the wee hours of the morning (4ish). Their efforts are not unnoticed.
The children range in age from 0 to 20s. Last year, there were 65. Now there are 81. The sudden boom has caused some shortage, especially in the bedding department. They are there for different reasons. Some are orphans. Others are abandoned. A few are from families that cannot afford a child. Some are from abusive families who can come and take them back at any time since they have no governmental protections. (Some, just the father is abusive, so the mother sends the child away and occasionally comes to visit.) Some of the children have medical needs. To the best of their power, Casa provides them with basic medical needs. (i.e. glasses, mosquito protection, etc.) The children go to the afternoon shift of school (schools are different here with a morning and afternoon shift of different students) after helping work in the morning and return to homework and more chores at night. They have 0 opportunities to go into town and hang out as many other children their ages do. This is especially hard on the teenagers. Studying is stressed as a primary virtue; it's seen as a path to betterment and self dependence. Parties are rare and valued moments.
Currently, the family still runs the Casa and seems as if it will into the next generation. They have grown. The eldest son is married and has three children. Extended members of the family also help cook the morning vat of breakfast rice and similar chores. They have given much of their lives to the children. The eldest son did not go to college, instead he moved straight to working to maintain and support the house. The middle son, Juan, has been working with us in town all week. (he's a cool dude to say the least.) He wakes up in the morning, helps get everyone dressed and ready for the day then goes to university (when in session). There, once his classes are through, he hooks into the school's network (actually using one of the first laptops we sent to Cordoba) and downloads additional lessons and learning material for his many siblings. Upon returning home, he downloads the new material onto the lab computers and helps his numerous siblings do homework.
Our first contact with Casa Hogar was establishing for them a lab of 12 desktops and 6 laptops. Since then, our trips there serve several purposes. One is to check the lab make sure nothing big is needed (Juan looks after it well though so no work needs doing) and bring any additional materials that could prove useful. Two is to help Chucho (the father) and Santa (the mother) give the kids something to look forward to and break the harsh daily routine and the feeling of entrapment the situation can have on many children. A focus is placed, especially, on giving the small ones some of the healthy mental stimulation and general affection they need but cannot always readily get (81 is a lot of kids to keep up with)… All of that is a much more flowery way of saying we play with the kids. Three is to renew old contacts and enjoy the company of what have become tight friends. Four is to find out what they need from us and try our best to help. (This year its 1. kitchen supplies 2. bathroom improvements 3. mattresses/beds 4. a phone line.)
We arrived about noon. Everyone came out to meet us and Chucho ran through introductions quickly and welcomed everyone to his home. Chalk came out of a bag and everyone wrote their names on the driveway. Faviolia (one of the local girls who is hosting and notorious for “partying like a rockstar” (40-60% of her English vocabulary is from mTV…she’s fun)) caught a chicken and was petting it and passing it around. We unloaded the bags we had brought. One table for clothing (a ton of SJA Spanish club shirts etc.) and a few extra entertainments (aka the small fans with programmable LED messages John got as an impulse buy at Radio Shack). Another table for snacks, candy and a few other tasty treats. Everyone got to chose something from table A and several things from table B. The kitchen and house wares were brought in as well as the additional laptops for the lab. Then, in good welcoming Mexican fashion, lunch was served. Was very tasty, a huge plate of super fresh veggies, some cheese, salsa verte… they killed a chicken and cooked it up. I was told it was good (going to trust them on this one). And of course, the new love of my life, mango (seriously, I’ve had at least one a day, they’ve grown on me). This time it was coupled with a few other fresh fruits, namely pineapple and cantaloupe.
After lunch settled a bit, we headed down the hill where the gardens meet the playground and (real) football field. Since the first trip there, it’s become tradition to play a game matching us against them. This year was no different. We always loose then jokingly say we’re going to train hard to win the next one. Some of the kids are really impressive. This year, keeping with tradition, we lost. But we did score on them which was quite impressive.
I didn’t actually get to play, one of the little girls I was sitting by on side the field saw me taking pictures and asked to see the one I took of her. She then promptly grabbed my (dad’s) camera and ran off, stopping occasionally and looking back to see if I too was playing chase. By then of course I was. I followed her around for a good part of the next hour as she snapped away. The grass, the cows, the grass, the see saw, the grass, me standing by the roses as she instructed, to the edge of the stream they used to bathe in before they got showers, the grass. She then introduced me to her two sisters. I swear, if they aren’t triplets, they should be.
The rest of the day was spent dancing and playing with more of the kids. On a side note, Chucho can not only dance like a salsa star but sing like one too. It was quite nice. I got to meet and talk with quite a few people and I’m actually proud to say I was able to carry on a few (very simple) conversations in Spanish. The nice thing about working with kids is that you can get by communicating without words or with very few words. Virginia danced with one boy for most of the day, so of course we picked on her a little.
When all was said and done, we were two hours behind schedule, but that’s a pretty normal occurrence. The last 15 minutes were surreal. Everyone from Casa Hogar gathered up under the carport and sang a song of thanks. Then we all said our goodbyes in the traditional manner (a hug with a kiss on the cheek), a bunch of people breaking down and crying. (They were playing Titanic… between that and the emotionally charged situation it’s understandable.) We got in the vans and began driving away. The kids lined the driveway, giving whoever reached out the windows high fives. As soon as we left the gate, they all ran to the back fence to wave at us after we turned the corner. ( I really don’t know how they made it over there so fast.) Like I said, surreal.
Today reminded me some of the little bit of work I did trying to establish a career training center at a north Baton Rouge battered women's shelter. (I'm still bitter that fell apart.) Sure, we did end up spending quite a lot of extra after work time with the kids, but why not.
You know that look a kid gets in their eyes when they’ve been hurt badly by someone or something? Some of these kids have that look. It’s bad enough to see it in adults, even worse to see it in kids. Kids are kids. All of these kids deserve better than a lot of the crap they've been dealt in life. Sure I can't take away bad memories but I can help make a few good ones and try to help give them a chance for something better, right? It's like Sister Judith said, “So many early memories, you can never get another set.” Even if they are stretched thin, Casa Hogar tries to help them gain some good memories and this vague notion of “something better”.
I’m now a vibrant shade of red. More than a little burnt. Though I put sunscreen on, it did little to help, especially since I forgot to reapply and we are at a much higher altitude. My face, ears, forearms and scalp all hurt so much. I’m crispy and red, like a fried tomato. I really don’t care though, it was a good day.
I decided this morning, before leaving the house that I’m doing this next year. Between the new possibilities emerging and the BRAF renewing funding for their work in the project for at least another three years, I can’t not go. Simple plan: I’m going to go home, ninja my dad’s Rosetta Stone: Spanish (which he ordered the *day* before I flew down here), learn as much as I can and start saving. The events of today have only locked that further in my mind. Many of the other girls want to try again too. Taylor for sure, but she’s going to be in Boston with City Year so we’ll see. The hope is the project will gain interest within the St. Joseph student community and spark more effort.
On another side note, small pox vaccination is still required here.
I think I might be out of old bugs to count... I recognize all of the ones I've seen.
R&R
Hours: 0 (it’s Saturday!)
Since it was Saturday and we'd been working a decent chunk of the week, chill time was in order. As mentioned, we're staying with the elite of the region. Where there are large groups of an upper class, a private country club like area is sure to follow. We went to said club and swam some in their ginoumous pool. (I know it isn't a word but humongous, gigantic and enormous can't properly describe its magnitude). Despite sunscreen, I got burned. Not bad but a little.
The evening was quite an experience. There was a ballet recital composed of local children (including the mayors 3 young daughters) in dance classes followed by a group of professionals. It was different than every children's ballet recital I've been to. Instead of small cheesy single song acts, they chose to preform an actual short ballet. Several of the kids were amazing. The following proved quite lovely as well. (I can't really describe .. the pictures say more than I could, though they be a bit blurred... will post them State-side)
Afterwards, Dulce brought us to one of her favorite hangout, Club Muu (or Muu Bar). Every time said Muu bar has come into conversation it is promptly followed by “Muu, like a cow.” It was also very fun. The walls were all covered in projected random images and whatnot, the music was for the most part good... a local band played. They had an interesting sound. Almost traditional, almost reggatone, almost rock. I liked them. Instead of dancing on a dance floor, people hop on their chairs and tables to jam out.
I got home at two and promptly fell into bed.
TOTAL HOURS THUSFAR: 18.75
Since it was Saturday and we'd been working a decent chunk of the week, chill time was in order. As mentioned, we're staying with the elite of the region. Where there are large groups of an upper class, a private country club like area is sure to follow. We went to said club and swam some in their ginoumous pool. (I know it isn't a word but humongous, gigantic and enormous can't properly describe its magnitude). Despite sunscreen, I got burned. Not bad but a little.
The evening was quite an experience. There was a ballet recital composed of local children (including the mayors 3 young daughters) in dance classes followed by a group of professionals. It was different than every children's ballet recital I've been to. Instead of small cheesy single song acts, they chose to preform an actual short ballet. Several of the kids were amazing. The following proved quite lovely as well. (I can't really describe .. the pictures say more than I could, though they be a bit blurred... will post them State-side)
Afterwards, Dulce brought us to one of her favorite hangout, Club Muu (or Muu Bar). Every time said Muu bar has come into conversation it is promptly followed by “Muu, like a cow.” It was also very fun. The walls were all covered in projected random images and whatnot, the music was for the most part good... a local band played. They had an interesting sound. Almost traditional, almost reggatone, almost rock. I liked them. Instead of dancing on a dance floor, people hop on their chairs and tables to jam out.
I got home at two and promptly fell into bed.
TOTAL HOURS THUSFAR: 18.75
6.6.08
“Told you so.”
Hours: 7
I could have sworn I heard someone playing the piano last night.
We finished up the last of the individual issues at ESBAO today, but of course, we ran into a few complications. Once we had all the computers in the room, on the right tables and configured as they needed to be, we decided to run through, plug everything in and make sure it worked. Needless to say, several of the computers had issues… mostly that someone working on them yesterday put single sticks of RAM that needed to be doubled up (SDRAM, etc) so we were getting many parity errors. Out of the 30 there, 4 got pegged to be reexamined. I don’t see how they didn’t pick this up yesterday when they were turning them all on before we brought them into the room. Only 1 had an odd, unfixable thing. (or rather, we it was easier to switch it out than replace the motherboard). Once we got them all in place, we decided to check them all out again. When half the computers were turned on, the breaker tripped. (Yesterday, Taylor and I suspected this would happen but Neito swore up and down it would be ok…if he would have been there we would have given him such a hard time). There was not much we could do, they are going to bring an electrician out to split the lines and fix it. We’re due back there next week when the internet should be hooked up and the electricity more constant.
Neito was finishing a deal between the city and Motorola to pull internet up the mountain to some of the smaller villages via wireless access points. They began finalizing everything today and it should come to fruition in the coming months. Yay, they’ve been working on this for quite some time.
The thing is, this project (in general) is hard to describe since it’s always changing, maturing, developing and evolving. The contract mentioned above has been in the works for awhile and is a vital component to the next intended portion of the project, “telemedicine”. The plan is to bring in teleconferencing equipment with several special camera attachments designed to magnify and intensify. The equipment would be used to connect people in rural, secluded areas to doctors in other more populace areas of Mexico or the United States. The hope is to give a means for people to access medical advice using the schools as centers for the connection. With any luck, it will be a success; there will be a meeting later in the week to finalize and announce the deal.
Dinner was a little different. Taylor's sister, Dulce (her name means sweet or candy) wanted to take us out to meet some of her friends over dinner. So, she, Taylor and one of her friends came to pick me up. We drove to another of her friends house to meet up with everyone else. She hopped out the car and started to talk to them, said it would only be a minute. Needles to say it wasn't. So Taylor and I started talking to the boy driving us. His name neither of us could pronounce so he said, “call me Cunshon”. So we did. Taylor, being a student of Spanish, started talking. She mentioned I didn't speak very much Spanish but knew a more Latin and even more German. His eyes lit up and he started rattling off in the basic German introduction and first meeting questions. Of course I answered, thinking the situation quite hilarious. This is by far, the last place in the world I would expect to use my little German skills. When asked what he liked to do, he answered “anything... with Dulce...” This part of the story comes in handy later. When Dulce had finished talking, she jumped into the car in front of us with more of her friends, more specifically holding the hand of a boy. Cunshon was upset but shrugged it off. We picked up his brothers from a very large party at a very large house then Cunshon brought us to meet the others at a local higher end sports bar. He drove in a fun, rather insane manner akin to how Stephanie Chustz (Taylor's sister) or Don drive. The first question Dulce asked us was “Was he [Cunshon] mad when I got in the other car?” Taylor and I looked at each other and laughed... (Later, Taylor taught Dulce the word “playa”.) We met all of her friends. Taylor and I spent a good deal of the time talking with Luis in part because he had impeccable English skills and wanted to ask us a few things about the States. Namely, how the electoral system was set up, who we were for and which colleges could he play tennis for and study to be a chemical engineer. It was a very nice evening, gave us a chance to work on our Spanish some too.
Old Bug count: 64
I could have sworn I heard someone playing the piano last night.
We finished up the last of the individual issues at ESBAO today, but of course, we ran into a few complications. Once we had all the computers in the room, on the right tables and configured as they needed to be, we decided to run through, plug everything in and make sure it worked. Needless to say, several of the computers had issues… mostly that someone working on them yesterday put single sticks of RAM that needed to be doubled up (SDRAM, etc) so we were getting many parity errors. Out of the 30 there, 4 got pegged to be reexamined. I don’t see how they didn’t pick this up yesterday when they were turning them all on before we brought them into the room. Only 1 had an odd, unfixable thing. (or rather, we it was easier to switch it out than replace the motherboard). Once we got them all in place, we decided to check them all out again. When half the computers were turned on, the breaker tripped. (Yesterday, Taylor and I suspected this would happen but Neito swore up and down it would be ok…if he would have been there we would have given him such a hard time). There was not much we could do, they are going to bring an electrician out to split the lines and fix it. We’re due back there next week when the internet should be hooked up and the electricity more constant.
Neito was finishing a deal between the city and Motorola to pull internet up the mountain to some of the smaller villages via wireless access points. They began finalizing everything today and it should come to fruition in the coming months. Yay, they’ve been working on this for quite some time.
The thing is, this project (in general) is hard to describe since it’s always changing, maturing, developing and evolving. The contract mentioned above has been in the works for awhile and is a vital component to the next intended portion of the project, “telemedicine”. The plan is to bring in teleconferencing equipment with several special camera attachments designed to magnify and intensify. The equipment would be used to connect people in rural, secluded areas to doctors in other more populace areas of Mexico or the United States. The hope is to give a means for people to access medical advice using the schools as centers for the connection. With any luck, it will be a success; there will be a meeting later in the week to finalize and announce the deal.
Dinner was a little different. Taylor's sister, Dulce (her name means sweet or candy) wanted to take us out to meet some of her friends over dinner. So, she, Taylor and one of her friends came to pick me up. We drove to another of her friends house to meet up with everyone else. She hopped out the car and started to talk to them, said it would only be a minute. Needles to say it wasn't. So Taylor and I started talking to the boy driving us. His name neither of us could pronounce so he said, “call me Cunshon”. So we did. Taylor, being a student of Spanish, started talking. She mentioned I didn't speak very much Spanish but knew a more Latin and even more German. His eyes lit up and he started rattling off in the basic German introduction and first meeting questions. Of course I answered, thinking the situation quite hilarious. This is by far, the last place in the world I would expect to use my little German skills. When asked what he liked to do, he answered “anything... with Dulce...” This part of the story comes in handy later. When Dulce had finished talking, she jumped into the car in front of us with more of her friends, more specifically holding the hand of a boy. Cunshon was upset but shrugged it off. We picked up his brothers from a very large party at a very large house then Cunshon brought us to meet the others at a local higher end sports bar. He drove in a fun, rather insane manner akin to how Stephanie Chustz (Taylor's sister) or Don drive. The first question Dulce asked us was “Was he [Cunshon] mad when I got in the other car?” Taylor and I looked at each other and laughed... (Later, Taylor taught Dulce the word “playa”.) We met all of her friends. Taylor and I spent a good deal of the time talking with Luis in part because he had impeccable English skills and wanted to ask us a few things about the States. Namely, how the electoral system was set up, who we were for and which colleges could he play tennis for and study to be a chemical engineer. It was a very nice evening, gave us a chance to work on our Spanish some too.
Old Bug count: 64
5.6.08
“Do they actually have class?”
Hours: 5.75
Chispa (the Jack Russell) kept me up for a little last night… breaking into my purse and stealing a little bit of candy then trying to eat my earrings from the night stand. She is a mischievous little dog but that’s forgivable since she is sweet enough.
Same routine: woke up and headed out as soon as the van showed up. Kelly is sick in the stomach sort of way. We went back to the school we started yesterday. Taylor and I set to work on the two machines with oddball issues. The first took longer than we had hoped. The computer was missing a cage for the hard drive and there was no easy way to rig the drive into the case. So we went questing, bringing forth many fine possible candidates but with no luck. Finally, everything came together. We found a cage… it was unlike most. It attached to the front support of the case and swung inward on a track (silly Dell and their silly desktop case designs). We cheered to the stares of our fellow techs. The second was solved easily enough; someone had plugged the master hard drive into the slave ribbon cable.
After a short break, and more pictures with the students poking in, we began working on the room across the hall that was designated the lab. Starting out, there were 6 desks for the six desktops that had been bought new… not nearly enough space for the twenty some odd computers sitting across the hall. So we went desk hunting. We found several of the perfect size in the teachers lounge and were given the green light to use them. More were found in a storage closet. Several skinnier ones were also brought in and doubled up until we had space for the required number of computers.
Mr. John, my former teacher and long time mentor, flies in tonight. (He was delayed due to a death in his family.) With his arrival, everyone is expecting the tone to change and the pace of work to speed up with his arrival. It’s been going well but a bit slow. Of course, we are all still breaking in the changes…
We started to wonder if the students ever went to class. There were several there the entire time we were sitting on the stairs playing guitar and others who goofed around for much of the time. Of course, we walked by classes in session so we knew they did. The pace of everything here seems, for the most part, very laid back and relaxed.
We returned again to our homes for lunch, which was again wonderful… composed mostly of leftovers… corn and beets were new… with a little bit of ice cream to finish it off. (well… a little bit for everyone but Ernesto who probably ate half the carton).
Mia, the Pom, has a wardrobe under Rebeka’s care. People with dogs in clothes…
We made a small trip downtown in the late afternoon. Got to talk with the chef of the restaurant where we ate the first night with the mayor. She showed us how to make tasty corn cakes... a bit sweet but still good. There were people dancing in the square, it seems to be something a school does every once and awhile. Many older people in their best dress joined in. We walked around downtown for a bit. Sadly, I didn't get to see the inside of the church since mass was in session. For another day.
Also! The dance we started learning yesterday will apparently be preformed the Friday before we leave… in the town center, in front of the Palace of Justice (the much cooler and more flamboyant way to say Town Hall). Fondo has a history of springing surprises of that nature on us. Last year, the day after they got here, Fondo brought Durnin to the local radio station to be interviewed. She had fun with that... I’m not too keen on this public dancing and am considering playing the undiagnosed-arthritis-can’t-lift-my-right-leg-more-than-2-inches-hip card. I would like to dance but don’t think I could do it and not be a fool in front of many people. We’ll see, I have a day or two more before I can no longer bail out.
On a side note, by government mandates, all towns are laid out exactly the same way in the center. The Palace of Justice opposite the church with a large courtyard in between and select buildings surrounding.
More corn for dinner... its so tasty.
Old Bug Count: 52
Chispa (the Jack Russell) kept me up for a little last night… breaking into my purse and stealing a little bit of candy then trying to eat my earrings from the night stand. She is a mischievous little dog but that’s forgivable since she is sweet enough.
Same routine: woke up and headed out as soon as the van showed up. Kelly is sick in the stomach sort of way. We went back to the school we started yesterday. Taylor and I set to work on the two machines with oddball issues. The first took longer than we had hoped. The computer was missing a cage for the hard drive and there was no easy way to rig the drive into the case. So we went questing, bringing forth many fine possible candidates but with no luck. Finally, everything came together. We found a cage… it was unlike most. It attached to the front support of the case and swung inward on a track (silly Dell and their silly desktop case designs). We cheered to the stares of our fellow techs. The second was solved easily enough; someone had plugged the master hard drive into the slave ribbon cable.
After a short break, and more pictures with the students poking in, we began working on the room across the hall that was designated the lab. Starting out, there were 6 desks for the six desktops that had been bought new… not nearly enough space for the twenty some odd computers sitting across the hall. So we went desk hunting. We found several of the perfect size in the teachers lounge and were given the green light to use them. More were found in a storage closet. Several skinnier ones were also brought in and doubled up until we had space for the required number of computers.
Mr. John, my former teacher and long time mentor, flies in tonight. (He was delayed due to a death in his family.) With his arrival, everyone is expecting the tone to change and the pace of work to speed up with his arrival. It’s been going well but a bit slow. Of course, we are all still breaking in the changes…
We started to wonder if the students ever went to class. There were several there the entire time we were sitting on the stairs playing guitar and others who goofed around for much of the time. Of course, we walked by classes in session so we knew they did. The pace of everything here seems, for the most part, very laid back and relaxed.
We returned again to our homes for lunch, which was again wonderful… composed mostly of leftovers… corn and beets were new… with a little bit of ice cream to finish it off. (well… a little bit for everyone but Ernesto who probably ate half the carton).
Mia, the Pom, has a wardrobe under Rebeka’s care. People with dogs in clothes…
We made a small trip downtown in the late afternoon. Got to talk with the chef of the restaurant where we ate the first night with the mayor. She showed us how to make tasty corn cakes... a bit sweet but still good. There were people dancing in the square, it seems to be something a school does every once and awhile. Many older people in their best dress joined in. We walked around downtown for a bit. Sadly, I didn't get to see the inside of the church since mass was in session. For another day.
Also! The dance we started learning yesterday will apparently be preformed the Friday before we leave… in the town center, in front of the Palace of Justice (the much cooler and more flamboyant way to say Town Hall). Fondo has a history of springing surprises of that nature on us. Last year, the day after they got here, Fondo brought Durnin to the local radio station to be interviewed. She had fun with that... I’m not too keen on this public dancing and am considering playing the undiagnosed-arthritis-can’t-lift-my-right-leg-more-than-2-inches-hip card. I would like to dance but don’t think I could do it and not be a fool in front of many people. We’ll see, I have a day or two more before I can no longer bail out.
On a side note, by government mandates, all towns are laid out exactly the same way in the center. The Palace of Justice opposite the church with a large courtyard in between and select buildings surrounding.
More corn for dinner... its so tasty.
Old Bug Count: 52
4.6.08
Getting Hands Dirty and Feet Moving… literally.
Hours: 6
Woke up earlier than my alarm... it happens sometimes. The Fondo Cordoba van came around a little before 8 and we continued on to pick up several other of my cohorts and progress to the school we were working at. I must say I am impressed with the traffic flow. Chaos, uncertainty, insanity, little regard for traffic laws, the ability to move a car through the tightest streets …unparalleled parallel parking, it *almost* reminds me of how I drive but on a much grander and far more organized scale. Everyone knows what they are doing and can account for their own vehicle and that seems to be more than enough.
The school we worked with today is in some respects a hub. It contains the workshop for all other schools with labs in the city. When one breaks, it is sent there for diagnostics and repair. Ironically, the school itself does not have a lab. Yet anyway. That’s part of the reason we are there. We weeded through a stack of older, semi-functional machines finding which needed the fewest components and which even turned on. Playing Frankenstein, we managed to produce 20 shiny, fully working machines. We scrubbed and cleaned the mountain of monitors, cases and keyboards getting residue, dust and assorted once living things out with our arsenal of toothbrushes, magic foam and car polishing rags. (What’s the point of a new computer lab if they all look a mess?) In lieu of canned air we had a pair of small shop vacuums set to blow. They worked surprisingly well, vanquishing the hordes of dust bunnies laying siege to the fans. By the end of the work day, everyone’s hands were differing shades of black. Several more machines lay waiting to be finished first thing tomorrow. Of course between each class and during their free periods, groups of students gathered at the door, poking in out of curiosity. Occasionally, we’d pause, take a picture or two at their request, then return to work after Neito or Durnin shooed them away. We were in two local papers this morning; Neito brought in copies after his meeting with the internet provider. In addition, a reporter from El Mundo was there, asking questions and taking snapshots. Between her and the students, I can’t say I’ve ever been watched that much while at working before.
Tomorrow we are going to return to the same school, stitch up the last few computers that need finishing and then set them all up in the room across the hall under the direction of head tech guy Israel and with help from one of the biological sons of the couple that runs the orphanage we will be working in later this week, Juan. In other words, lab setup day! If it’s anything like the labs I helped set up within Baton Rouge, it should be quite fun. Once the lab is set up, I think there is a formal dedication on Friday. I’m hoping between now and then to get a little bit of time to talk with the students.
Lunch was again with my host family and again wonderful. Avocado… fresh and amazing with rice… stuffed zucchini, green beans… and of course, mango. I think part of the reason everything I’ve tasted as been so good is because it is all very fresh and in season, two very lovely qualities that are hard to find in supermarkets within the States. That and I’ve decided to try just about anything put in front of me. After lunch, the kids went to prepare for their sports practices and I got to talk a bit with my host parents. We started talking about family, the different regions of the United States (my host father lived in Pennsylvania briefly), if I ever planned on getting married, what my sister was like, what my school was like, the dogs… all sorts of topics came up in mixed Spanish and English. Then, they brought out the first communion albums for each of their children and I was taught several very rudimentary Spanish phrases… greetings, basic questions… how to say “It’s delicious”. The same set of afore mentioned rules did apply somewhat, it felt much more relaxed.
My father said something interesting at lunch. He said that many people here do not fully understand why we want to help so much. They think it’s a wonderful drive to want to help people but it doesn’t seem to be the cultural construct it is for many of the girls who have come here working. I’m not sure why this is, I’m going to have to keep an ear out for the rest of my time here… see if there are any other sentiments of this sort.
Then the van returned and it was off to meet the group again.
Since part of this excursion is cultural experience and exchange, the afternoons are planned to promote such. It was time from something a little more physical than our earlier work. Taylor’s host mother has two jobs. In the morning she works in a cemetery, in the afternoon she teaches traditional dance in a studio that doubles as a Taekwando dojo. Though I love to dance, I have two left feet. And they’re very large left feet. So large they didn’t have any shoes in spares that could even begin to fit. We began dancing, following her feet as they rapidly moved, taping and pounding out the rhythm. We all tried, some doing better than others. Then Taylor, one of the people who wore one of the few pairs of extra shoes snapped a heel. Was quite funny. Once we finished, we regrouped, discussed the plan for the next day and went over basic linguistic information.
I’ve gotten to the point where I can understand more of what’s being said to me and around me. Speaking back is the next jump. I think I found enough meanings to form a sentence or two. I’ll have to keep pushing in and find out just how far I can go.
In the early evening, we returned home and I decided to give the internet a quick shot just to update this and keep everything current. It worked for two seconds until the storm sent a lightening bolt a little too close and the power went all flickery for a bit. No biggie, it came back and I was able to dial up again. I had forgotten molasses-like dial up. O the memories. For some reason google.mx does not like me. It’s given me error messages every time I’ve tried to send and email or post a blog. I guess it’s the connection being finicky. Once that was out of the way, I watched a little bit of Spanish television with my host brother and sister. Dragonball Z is even better in Spanish as are the Nick made for teen after-school specials. No matter, I understood some of what was happening which is the reason I joined them.
Later in the evening, Maru’s mother and visiting sister (Marta) came over to visit for a little and share pictures of Marta’s middle daughter’s wedding in Acapulco last month. It sounds like it was quite a party with the ceremony starting at 5.30 and the party stretching until 7.30 the next morning.
Speaking of 7.30 the next morning… it wouldn’t be a bad idea if I was ready for it.
Old Bug count: 56
Woke up earlier than my alarm... it happens sometimes. The Fondo Cordoba van came around a little before 8 and we continued on to pick up several other of my cohorts and progress to the school we were working at. I must say I am impressed with the traffic flow. Chaos, uncertainty, insanity, little regard for traffic laws, the ability to move a car through the tightest streets …unparalleled parallel parking, it *almost* reminds me of how I drive but on a much grander and far more organized scale. Everyone knows what they are doing and can account for their own vehicle and that seems to be more than enough.
The school we worked with today is in some respects a hub. It contains the workshop for all other schools with labs in the city. When one breaks, it is sent there for diagnostics and repair. Ironically, the school itself does not have a lab. Yet anyway. That’s part of the reason we are there. We weeded through a stack of older, semi-functional machines finding which needed the fewest components and which even turned on. Playing Frankenstein, we managed to produce 20 shiny, fully working machines. We scrubbed and cleaned the mountain of monitors, cases and keyboards getting residue, dust and assorted once living things out with our arsenal of toothbrushes, magic foam and car polishing rags. (What’s the point of a new computer lab if they all look a mess?) In lieu of canned air we had a pair of small shop vacuums set to blow. They worked surprisingly well, vanquishing the hordes of dust bunnies laying siege to the fans. By the end of the work day, everyone’s hands were differing shades of black. Several more machines lay waiting to be finished first thing tomorrow. Of course between each class and during their free periods, groups of students gathered at the door, poking in out of curiosity. Occasionally, we’d pause, take a picture or two at their request, then return to work after Neito or Durnin shooed them away. We were in two local papers this morning; Neito brought in copies after his meeting with the internet provider. In addition, a reporter from El Mundo was there, asking questions and taking snapshots. Between her and the students, I can’t say I’ve ever been watched that much while at working before.
Tomorrow we are going to return to the same school, stitch up the last few computers that need finishing and then set them all up in the room across the hall under the direction of head tech guy Israel and with help from one of the biological sons of the couple that runs the orphanage we will be working in later this week, Juan. In other words, lab setup day! If it’s anything like the labs I helped set up within Baton Rouge, it should be quite fun. Once the lab is set up, I think there is a formal dedication on Friday. I’m hoping between now and then to get a little bit of time to talk with the students.
Lunch was again with my host family and again wonderful. Avocado… fresh and amazing with rice… stuffed zucchini, green beans… and of course, mango. I think part of the reason everything I’ve tasted as been so good is because it is all very fresh and in season, two very lovely qualities that are hard to find in supermarkets within the States. That and I’ve decided to try just about anything put in front of me. After lunch, the kids went to prepare for their sports practices and I got to talk a bit with my host parents. We started talking about family, the different regions of the United States (my host father lived in Pennsylvania briefly), if I ever planned on getting married, what my sister was like, what my school was like, the dogs… all sorts of topics came up in mixed Spanish and English. Then, they brought out the first communion albums for each of their children and I was taught several very rudimentary Spanish phrases… greetings, basic questions… how to say “It’s delicious”. The same set of afore mentioned rules did apply somewhat, it felt much more relaxed.
My father said something interesting at lunch. He said that many people here do not fully understand why we want to help so much. They think it’s a wonderful drive to want to help people but it doesn’t seem to be the cultural construct it is for many of the girls who have come here working. I’m not sure why this is, I’m going to have to keep an ear out for the rest of my time here… see if there are any other sentiments of this sort.
Then the van returned and it was off to meet the group again.
Since part of this excursion is cultural experience and exchange, the afternoons are planned to promote such. It was time from something a little more physical than our earlier work. Taylor’s host mother has two jobs. In the morning she works in a cemetery, in the afternoon she teaches traditional dance in a studio that doubles as a Taekwando dojo. Though I love to dance, I have two left feet. And they’re very large left feet. So large they didn’t have any shoes in spares that could even begin to fit. We began dancing, following her feet as they rapidly moved, taping and pounding out the rhythm. We all tried, some doing better than others. Then Taylor, one of the people who wore one of the few pairs of extra shoes snapped a heel. Was quite funny. Once we finished, we regrouped, discussed the plan for the next day and went over basic linguistic information.
I’ve gotten to the point where I can understand more of what’s being said to me and around me. Speaking back is the next jump. I think I found enough meanings to form a sentence or two. I’ll have to keep pushing in and find out just how far I can go.
In the early evening, we returned home and I decided to give the internet a quick shot just to update this and keep everything current. It worked for two seconds until the storm sent a lightening bolt a little too close and the power went all flickery for a bit. No biggie, it came back and I was able to dial up again. I had forgotten molasses-like dial up. O the memories. For some reason google.mx does not like me. It’s given me error messages every time I’ve tried to send and email or post a blog. I guess it’s the connection being finicky. Once that was out of the way, I watched a little bit of Spanish television with my host brother and sister. Dragonball Z is even better in Spanish as are the Nick made for teen after-school specials. No matter, I understood some of what was happening which is the reason I joined them.
Later in the evening, Maru’s mother and visiting sister (Marta) came over to visit for a little and share pictures of Marta’s middle daughter’s wedding in Acapulco last month. It sounds like it was quite a party with the ceremony starting at 5.30 and the party stretching until 7.30 the next morning.
Speaking of 7.30 the next morning… it wouldn’t be a bad idea if I was ready for it.
Old Bug count: 56
3.6.08
The Trek, Language Bump and Initial Observations
We left Baton Rouge at 5, got to Huston at 6, left for Veracruz at 9, got there at 11 and onto the bus to bring us to Cordoba. Only one bag of the entire group was lost to the ravages of the mysterious airport luggage sorting system’s sacrificial rite. Finally, we made it to the hotel a little after 1 and all promptly passed out in our assigned rooms for the night. Except, of course, Taylor (my roommate for the night) and I. There was a partially clothed man in our bed. Slight mix up at the desk… had to be reassigned quickly. Made for a good laugh.
The next morning, after all forcing ourselves to leave the sweet embrace of much needed sleep, we convened in the lobby for a breakfast meeting with Fondo Cordoba summarizing the 2 weeks ahead and introducing us to the family’s we will be staying with. Or at least that’s what I was able to gather with my less than limited grasp of Spanish. The families are the elite of Cordoba; drawing a comparison between them and those people we’ll be working with should prove quite interesting. Apparently, more families than needed signed up to host and nearly everyone was placed into households alone. This works, *if* you know the language well enough.
And that’s one big *if* I just don’t fit into. No matter… I’m quick enough on my feet and half the point of this trip is to be immersed in Spanish. I just wish I had a list of pronouns… and some basic vocabulary. The family I’m with seems nice so far. I’ve met the mother (Maru) and her mother who helps cook meals daily from the sounds of it. Her husband is the brother of the father of the family Chustz is staying with. They have 3 kids. Fernanda (16 and currently in Quebec), Rebeka (12) and Ernesto (10). The fact that they have a nearly live in maid feels odd… I’m not used to such a luxury since I’ve always been more accustomed to doing things myself when they need to be done. A Pom and Jack Russell are also part of the mix. The Pom is sweet as can be while the Jack Russell is mischievous… the rascal stole a bag of skittles from my laptop case.
We ate lunch as a family. They picked on me a little for being a vegetarian, at first thinking it was impossibility. But it was all in the friendly joking manner, much like my biological family does. Everything was tasty… the spaghetti, the bread, the broccoli and abas (wonderful lima-bean-esque vegetables with six times the flavor and about the size of a quarter). I got to try some local cheeses, they were more than amazing. If it weren’t against customs regulations to bring agricultural products into the country (or if I were a far more daring and less law abiding citizen) I would find a block or two to come home with me. All closed up with chilled mangos in a strawberry tasting sauce… was most delightful. Rebeka’s friend’s family owns a ranch that conveniently has mango trees which are conveniently in season. There’s a large crate of them in the kitchen.
I know all this talk of food may make me seem obsessed with it before but the meal gave me an opportunity to view into the family dynamic. The layout of the table is there, formal place settings. However, the traditional tight observance of fork order was not. The father, obviously, sat at the head of the table. When each new dish was brought out the serving order was as follows: guest then father then grandmother then mother then children. I found it interesting how the hierarchy many people consider retired was openly expressing itself. I’ve never seen such an order before. Generally speaking, within my family and the other families I’ve encountered in mealtime settings, self service or a free-for-all... not that they don’t care enough to dish out the meal in a preordained fashion, I think We’ll see if this is just opening day extra hospitality or a daily occurrence. I think it might be the latter.
I got the inquisition generally associated with meeting someone new in half Spanish, half English (Rebeka, Ernesto and their father all speak it very well). What am I studying, do I have a boyfriend, where am I from, where do I go to school, do we really have 8 cats, what do my parents do, what was my sister like… As it went on, I managed to pick up a few new words, which was nice.
After lunch, I got to explain the mysterious gifts from of a pair of boys from Baton Rouge they hosted as part of a football exchange program earlier this year. Cajun spice sprinklers (aka Tony’s) are indeed a condiment to be used with anything. Gumbo mix, however, is not. And etoffee is served hot and with rice, not fresh out the can.
Rebeka and Ernesto play tennis and since today was “no work, go get acclimated to your surroundings” day, I got to see them play for a little.
We had dinner with the president (mayor) of Cordoba and members of Fondo. Once again the food and people were wonderful.
But tomorrow the adventure really begins: we start work.
I was thinking about what has motivated me to support this project since its inception. The best answer I could give myself is my deep seated idealism. I’ve always wanted to use what skills I have to help those who need and want to learn from them. On top of that, I believe all people should have an equal chance to connect to the world around them. Not only will it allow them to intake good ideas and learn in ways and by means never before imagined, but such a connection will allow them to take part in the increasingly close global community. In other words, I believe in making globalization more *global*lization and less Americanization. I love my native culture; however, I want to learn more about how the rest of the world lives its life before it gets swallows up. And as I see it, we have the equipment and the knowledge and they have the need and the will to learn. Thus, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be willing to help.
As far as my Spanish learning saga is going, Chustz is giving me a crash course as we go along, I’ve compiled a list of words I know and need to know, and just from listening there are several questions and basic phrases I’ve picked up along the way and can answer to in pitiful Spanish or English.
And now, I’m exhausted.
Extra: Someone told me there was a surplus of old VW Bugs driving around down here… I’ve decided as a side note to check this out and make daily notes:
Old Bug count for the day: 58
The next morning, after all forcing ourselves to leave the sweet embrace of much needed sleep, we convened in the lobby for a breakfast meeting with Fondo Cordoba summarizing the 2 weeks ahead and introducing us to the family’s we will be staying with. Or at least that’s what I was able to gather with my less than limited grasp of Spanish. The families are the elite of Cordoba; drawing a comparison between them and those people we’ll be working with should prove quite interesting. Apparently, more families than needed signed up to host and nearly everyone was placed into households alone. This works, *if* you know the language well enough.
And that’s one big *if* I just don’t fit into. No matter… I’m quick enough on my feet and half the point of this trip is to be immersed in Spanish. I just wish I had a list of pronouns… and some basic vocabulary. The family I’m with seems nice so far. I’ve met the mother (Maru) and her mother who helps cook meals daily from the sounds of it. Her husband is the brother of the father of the family Chustz is staying with. They have 3 kids. Fernanda (16 and currently in Quebec), Rebeka (12) and Ernesto (10). The fact that they have a nearly live in maid feels odd… I’m not used to such a luxury since I’ve always been more accustomed to doing things myself when they need to be done. A Pom and Jack Russell are also part of the mix. The Pom is sweet as can be while the Jack Russell is mischievous… the rascal stole a bag of skittles from my laptop case.
We ate lunch as a family. They picked on me a little for being a vegetarian, at first thinking it was impossibility. But it was all in the friendly joking manner, much like my biological family does. Everything was tasty… the spaghetti, the bread, the broccoli and abas (wonderful lima-bean-esque vegetables with six times the flavor and about the size of a quarter). I got to try some local cheeses, they were more than amazing. If it weren’t against customs regulations to bring agricultural products into the country (or if I were a far more daring and less law abiding citizen) I would find a block or two to come home with me. All closed up with chilled mangos in a strawberry tasting sauce… was most delightful. Rebeka’s friend’s family owns a ranch that conveniently has mango trees which are conveniently in season. There’s a large crate of them in the kitchen.
I know all this talk of food may make me seem obsessed with it before but the meal gave me an opportunity to view into the family dynamic. The layout of the table is there, formal place settings. However, the traditional tight observance of fork order was not. The father, obviously, sat at the head of the table. When each new dish was brought out the serving order was as follows: guest then father then grandmother then mother then children. I found it interesting how the hierarchy many people consider retired was openly expressing itself. I’ve never seen such an order before. Generally speaking, within my family and the other families I’ve encountered in mealtime settings, self service or a free-for-all... not that they don’t care enough to dish out the meal in a preordained fashion, I think We’ll see if this is just opening day extra hospitality or a daily occurrence. I think it might be the latter.
I got the inquisition generally associated with meeting someone new in half Spanish, half English (Rebeka, Ernesto and their father all speak it very well). What am I studying, do I have a boyfriend, where am I from, where do I go to school, do we really have 8 cats, what do my parents do, what was my sister like… As it went on, I managed to pick up a few new words, which was nice.
After lunch, I got to explain the mysterious gifts from of a pair of boys from Baton Rouge they hosted as part of a football exchange program earlier this year. Cajun spice sprinklers (aka Tony’s) are indeed a condiment to be used with anything. Gumbo mix, however, is not. And etoffee is served hot and with rice, not fresh out the can.
Rebeka and Ernesto play tennis and since today was “no work, go get acclimated to your surroundings” day, I got to see them play for a little.
We had dinner with the president (mayor) of Cordoba and members of Fondo. Once again the food and people were wonderful.
But tomorrow the adventure really begins: we start work.
I was thinking about what has motivated me to support this project since its inception. The best answer I could give myself is my deep seated idealism. I’ve always wanted to use what skills I have to help those who need and want to learn from them. On top of that, I believe all people should have an equal chance to connect to the world around them. Not only will it allow them to intake good ideas and learn in ways and by means never before imagined, but such a connection will allow them to take part in the increasingly close global community. In other words, I believe in making globalization more *global*lization and less Americanization. I love my native culture; however, I want to learn more about how the rest of the world lives its life before it gets swallows up. And as I see it, we have the equipment and the knowledge and they have the need and the will to learn. Thus, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be willing to help.
As far as my Spanish learning saga is going, Chustz is giving me a crash course as we go along, I’ve compiled a list of words I know and need to know, and just from listening there are several questions and basic phrases I’ve picked up along the way and can answer to in pitiful Spanish or English.
And now, I’m exhausted.
Extra: Someone told me there was a surplus of old VW Bugs driving around down here… I’ve decided as a side note to check this out and make daily notes:
Old Bug count for the day: 58
2.6.08
the project
In 2004, a group of organizations came together. Fundo Cordoba and Baton Rouge Area Foundation (both organizations geared towards improving life in its namesake city) and Saint Joseph’s Academy came together to work on connecting the schools in the area to the dawning “information age”. Cordoba and Baton Rouge had been declared sister cities in the past, participating in sports exchanges and other activities. Saint Joseph’s had much experience with this; it had years of practice within its own project. A self sustaining, student maintained Helpdesk, a network infrastructure that could easily outmatch many colleges and access to cutting edge software and new technologies had produced many individuals with the know how and talent to assist in helping bring such infrastructure and knowledge to Cordoba. To find the actual equipment needed to begin setting up labs through the selected area, they turned to a corporate recycling force within Baton Rouge itself. Students from St. Joseph’s prepared the machines which were then shipped to Cordoba and set up during the summer trip.
The first trip was a success. The computers survived shipment. So two more were planned: one in the winter to plan and ensure delivery of needed materials and one in the summer to set up the physical machines and train those who were going to be using them in basic maintain skills and general all purpose use.
Each year since, two trips have been made, on in the winter to plan and one in the summer to do. All subsequent trips were successes… each with new lessons, links and labs. To a degree, the delegation sent each year became something of minor celebrities: featured in the paper nearly daily, invited to speak at graduation ceremonies, having an entire class of students named after them (the “John Richardson Generation”).
Last summer’s trip was as well. It however, was different. It was the first trip where current St. Joseph’s students were in the group. Before only a handful of teachers, staff and alums had been included. A new domain opened up, the chance for this project to be more than just bringing computers to those who need them but a chance for cultural immersion and exchange. The students were lodged by families associated with one of the school’s to be worked in.
This summer, I am here. I’ve worked on this project before since I am connected to St. Joseph’s as both a former student and employee of the Helpdesk, but never so directly. I cleaned, checked, imaged, moved and Frankensteined many computers for past excursions. I did runs from Capital Area Recycling to the school on many occasions, my trunk so full of desktops, monitors, laptop batteries and assorted peripheral components I could almost pop a wheelie. I’ve been working my way up to meeting the people I’ve been helping and finally got the chance to this summer in part because of Odyssey funding from the educational institution I am currently attending, Hendrix College.
As part of my work here, I will be keeping a nifty blog surrounding the events I take part in, my impressions of them and any thoughts they provoke regarding the differences in culture and attitude.
Informative Links:
St. Joseph’s Academy-> www.sjabr.org
Baton Rouge Area Foundation-> www.braf.org
Fondo Cordoba-> www.cemefi.org/spanish/content/view/595/75/
Capital Area Corporate Recycling-> http://www.cacrc.com/
Taylor Chustz’s service Blog-> http://humnaistblogger.blogspot.com/
El Mundo (local paper) -> www.elmundodecordoba.com
Hendrix College-> http://www.hendrix.edu/
The first trip was a success. The computers survived shipment. So two more were planned: one in the winter to plan and ensure delivery of needed materials and one in the summer to set up the physical machines and train those who were going to be using them in basic maintain skills and general all purpose use.
Each year since, two trips have been made, on in the winter to plan and one in the summer to do. All subsequent trips were successes… each with new lessons, links and labs. To a degree, the delegation sent each year became something of minor celebrities: featured in the paper nearly daily, invited to speak at graduation ceremonies, having an entire class of students named after them (the “John Richardson Generation”).
Last summer’s trip was as well. It however, was different. It was the first trip where current St. Joseph’s students were in the group. Before only a handful of teachers, staff and alums had been included. A new domain opened up, the chance for this project to be more than just bringing computers to those who need them but a chance for cultural immersion and exchange. The students were lodged by families associated with one of the school’s to be worked in.
This summer, I am here. I’ve worked on this project before since I am connected to St. Joseph’s as both a former student and employee of the Helpdesk, but never so directly. I cleaned, checked, imaged, moved and Frankensteined many computers for past excursions. I did runs from Capital Area Recycling to the school on many occasions, my trunk so full of desktops, monitors, laptop batteries and assorted peripheral components I could almost pop a wheelie. I’ve been working my way up to meeting the people I’ve been helping and finally got the chance to this summer in part because of Odyssey funding from the educational institution I am currently attending, Hendrix College.
As part of my work here, I will be keeping a nifty blog surrounding the events I take part in, my impressions of them and any thoughts they provoke regarding the differences in culture and attitude.
Informative Links:
St. Joseph’s Academy-> www.sjabr.org
Baton Rouge Area Foundation-> www.braf.org
Fondo Cordoba-> www.cemefi.org/spanish/content/view/595/75/
Capital Area Corporate Recycling-> http://www.cacrc.com/
Taylor Chustz’s service Blog-> http://humnaistblogger.blogspot.com/
El Mundo (local paper) -> www.elmundodecordoba.com
Hendrix College-> http://www.hendrix.edu/
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