Kids gone wild

I know, I'm a bad blogger. I haven't not been updating my blog lately and to be honest, its because I'm too busy. Every day I think of a new blog post but by the time I come home I'm exhausted and have to put it off for another day.
Nevertheless, things have been fantastic. The kids I teach and the women I work with are so kind, generous, grateful and loving. Even though I struggle, everyday is truly a blessing.

That being said, I thought I would share some of my crazy moments with you. As you may imagine, teaching ESL to 25 kids ranging from 4-12 is not an easy task. An even harder task is getting them all to sit still for more than 5 minutes. Sometimes I get frustrated but most of the time they are just so cute so all I can do is laugh.
In the neighborhood where I work, women do not have time to watch their kids 24/7 like we obsessively do in the US. That is not to say they are bad parents, they are amazing, but its pretty humorous what happens when they do turn their back for a minute. Remember when you were told all the things kids should not be doing, well I've basically caught my kids doing all of the above and then some. In my personal experience I have witnessed and caught my students doing the following:

• Beating each other with sticks. Yes, I know that doesn't seem like much, but after I took the sticks away from them I realized they had rusty nails all over them. Lucky for all of us, no one was harmed.
• Playing with matches. When I caught them huddled in a corner playing with these I had to laugh because it was so wrong. How many parenting books specifically advise against this, I thought?
• Running with scissors. If only this happened once. This happens on a daily basis and although I try to keep the scissors away from them, they always find sneaky ways to get them back into their cute little hands.
• Playing in garbage. The shelter I work at is pretty big and is equipped with a small farm, two classrooms, a garden and a huge garbage pile. The kids are most fascinated with the garbage pile and like to climb all over it. I spend more time than I'm proud to admit picking the children out of the trash and diverting their attention to the nice grassy yard.
• Eating glue. Now, they are not eating glue to get addicted, they just like to put absolutely anything that looks appealing in their mouths. After glue eating wouldn't stop, I had to take it all away, so they moved on to sucking on markers. I have lectured them several times about not putting things in their mouths but I think it just encourages them more.

 These are just a couple examples of the kids-gone-wild incidents I encounter daily. Even though I am paranoid about their safety, I must laugh at how funny it can be. They really are the best kids in the world and they use their imagination to have as much fun with the limited resources around them. No matter how much trouble they get into or how dirty they are I still give each of them a hug and kiss and tell them I love them. I think that is all that matters anyway.

Calling all techies...use your powers to educate the world!

                  These are the stepping stones to better education!

So, I realized when I came to Peru to volunteer for a womens shelter that I was in way over my head. I agreed to design a website for the shelter and this is definitely new territory for me. However, I quickly realized that since I was raised in the Western world, I am privy to so much more knowledge about technology and computers than most other cultures. Technology is a new subject that continues to change and innovate and even though I have trouble keeping up, I enjoying learning as much as I can.
So, where am I going with this?
Aside from the fact that local organizations here in Peru (and probably other parts of the world) crave internet attention, there is a need to teach it in schools as well. I teach an ESL class to kids and when I asked them what their favorite subject was, most of them responded, "technology" with great enthusiasm. This started to get me thinking, what if the privileged techies of the Western world could share their in depth knowledge with these children. I'm sure they would be enthusiastic to learn as much as they can, just as they are enthusiastic about learning in general. Children here who realize that education is a privilege do not take it for granted and they anxious to take advantage of all of it if they can.
So, here I am with a simple idea and a need for great support. I want to create a techies without borders organization, group, forum, or whatever to unite techies who have a passion for teaching and want to give back to others as well. Materials and resources might be scarce but the knowledge they have to share will make up for those shortages. I cannot call myself a techie but I do know many who take pride in that name. How about using your geeky talents for good?
The benefits are bringing the world closer together and showing others how to harness the power of technology and the internet are insurmountable.
This great idea only has great potential if people are willing to get together and figure out the best way to teach the new developing generations how to use technology for good. We can all benefit from this, so jump on board!

They want to read, so give them your old English kids books!

The most amazing thing about working with kids is their eagerness to learn, and the kids I teach in Lima do not take it for granted.
I spent the extra cash to buy them a couple kids picture books in English, and they absolutely love them! This got me to thinking that there are so many kids books I have in storage I really should have brought them down with me and donated them to these kids.
They really want to learn English, and what is a better way than donating your unwanted English books!
I will be living in Lima until July 6th so please send me your books. All you have to do is pay for shipping and you get to help these students learn. I know they will appreciate these books more then you can imagine, so help make it easier for them to learn English.

PLEASE SEND ME BOOKS!
My address is:
Avenida Arequipa 3152
San Isidro
Lima, 27
Peru

                   "Send me your books, I want to learn English, por favor!"

How does one translate pain and suffering?

Forgive me as I write this I'm still half in a state of shock, and the other have is having trouble writing in English.
I never really told people about this, but a while back I agreed to helping The Forgotten International, put together their book, Living on a Dollar a Day. Currently, I'm helping the producer and journalist gather stories and translate testimonials about the hardships people go through everyday just to survive. I will get the privilege of working with a Pulitzer prize-winner photo journalist, but after the thing's I saw yesterday, I'm having trouble seeing the excitement in anything besides breathing.

I'm not sure how to describe where I went yesterday or what I saw, but I feel that it's important to write down these thing as a therapeutic outlet, rather then letting them get to me at times when I need to remain strong for my own sake and the sake of those I'm interviewing. In a nutshell, As we drove around the outskirts of Lima, Peru I saw the pain-stricken faces of poverty and domestic abuse at its absolute worse.

I walked through a small shack strewn with garbage as a family of one father and four kids sorts through the trash to recycle in order do make a dollar to feed themselves. They told me stories of how they went hungry and how their house is falling down on top of them, but they don't have time to fix it because one minute spent not sorting through trash to recycle means possibly another day of not eating. I looked into the eyes of 4 beautiful and inquisitive children who all gathered around a dusty dirty corner to shake my hand and kiss my cheek. They looked at me as I was there to save them, but I know I couldn't do what they so desperately wanted...another chance at life. All I could do was hear their story, translate it to the producer and promise to return in order to take pictures and compensate them for their time. 
Figuring out the best way to pay these people for these stories is the most complicated part. Food on the table for a week might do, and money isn't always the best solution because many times it leads to buying alcohol just to numb the pain for a little while longer. This is the hardest part because as much as I wanted to rip off the own shirt off my back and give it to someone else, I know that I have to be professional.
As we continued to visit other slums the dark reality of how bad it really gets sunk in. We talked to mothers whose abusers and children stood in front of us, dead pan and unemotional to these womens heart-breaking stories of violence and abuse. As I left one house we confronted one of the abusive husbands and thanked him for his time. We did this for the sole reason that we did not want him to go back and beat his wife for telling such a graphic story of his violence against her.
One woman grabbed my hand and told me of all her physical suffering so I went to the car to at least grab her some Advil for the pain she couldn't afford to treat. Blind and crippled she clutched my hand and held it tight with tears in hear eyes and begged me to help her.  This sent me over the edge. I quickly explained to her children that she has to take the medication with food and I ran out the door sobbing uncontrollably. The producer understood that I was being told things I couldn't possibly translate because....how does one properly translate the pain and suffering these people are going through?

I finished the rest of my day at the womens shelter/school where I taught my ESL class. These children also come from psychologically and physically abusive family situations. The mothers either fled with their children and are living in extreme poverty, or are still living with their abusers. However, the innocence of these children is not lost yet. Mama Victoria's founder, Nelly, who was once a victim of domestic violence herself, will not let this happen. She believes that through education we can change these childrens futures so they understand that with love we can conquer all obstacles. Nelly's strength and drive puts me back together and I manage to interview her without a tear in my eye.
As we left the school we drove Nelly back to her house and she held my hand, knowing that I had seen some things that day I was not used to. As I got out of the car to drop Nelly off  she looked at me and said she loved me like a daughter and she was so happy I was volunteering at Mama Victoria. I told her I loved her too and shed another mountain of tears.
As I laid down from a long day I cringed at my comfortable room and all the material possessions I got to call my own. How could I could I ever justify wanting anything new again after the things I had seen? Moreover, how could the forces that be tolerate the pain and suffering of so many, just so they could have another beach house or a fancy dress shirt that will be tossed out when next season's trends come?
When I look at how eager these kids and mothers want to learn English for a shot at a better future, I am truly humbled. However, I can't help but think about the bankers, accountants, lawyers, and politicians just up North who are finding yet another excuse to swindle another bonus, even if it means putting a family out of their home. These thoughts have consumed me before and I realized you can't not focus on the things that are tearing apart the world, you need to focus on the people that are desperately helping to put the pieces back together. I am not saying in any way, shape or form that I am one of these people, but I do believe I am in good company.

How to teach 25 children and 5 adults in one ESL class

                                                This is the classroom

If anyone has been in this situation please don't regard this post as a how-to manual. I'm just trying to write down my challenges so they don't eat me alive.
In the past two weeks that I have been teaching ESL  I have been overwhelmed with emotion. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to give back a small token of my, English as a first language knowledge, and the pupils I teach do not take that for granted. However, my pupils range from age 3 to age 35. This is quite the opportunity, to say the least.
No, that's not a typo. I am currently teaching ESL classes in a small nursery school classroom and it's utter mayhem. Everyone is eager to learn but no one is on the same level.
I realize I have a challenge and even as I type I'm trying to figure out how to best execute my future classes. Here is my problem in a nutshell:

The children arrive Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3pm. The older ones (ages 7-12) first go to their tutor who helps them with their homework. This means that I get the toddlers first. Half of the toddlers are 3 and 4 and don't even know how to write their own names. The other half are 5-7 and they understand the basics of writing but are still learning the basics of reading and spelling.
My first part of the class is trying to keep the kids interested and usually this involves a lot of repetition and a promise that if they are good, they will get to hear me sing a song. This patience does not last long and I find myself having to run around the garden scooping kids up and shoving them back into the classroom (gently of course).
When the older kids finish their studies their mothers usually accompany them into the nursery and everyone is really ready to learn. I write a long list of vocabulary on the board and the kids and mothers ask me questions about definitions, grammar and the common use of these verbs and nouns. While this is going on I have desperate pleas from the toddlers to go play outside and of course they want me to accompany them. "La Ronda, miss!" is what they exclaim and the game they want me to play, I still haven't figured out. From what I've observed it's kind of like ring-around-the-rose but the kids who are not holding hands get to bash into the others and try and break up the circle.
I'm so humbled by the women and children who are hanging on to my every word and desperately trying to listen to my pronunciation but the toddlers are too young to understand are aggressive. If it were not for the millions of hugs and kisses they bestow upon me every day, I might have snapped by now.
But I persevere.
My current plan of action is too buy a lot of markers for the little ones and try to keep them occupied drawing while I teach the vocabulary and grammar lessons to the older ones.
Everyone is so respectful of me and so grateful for what I'm doing I know I will get through this, and everyday, no matter what, I leave smiling.
My own sanity is not what I'm worried about, it's really all about the women and children who have taken time out of their busy day to hear me teach. I want to leave with the hope that these women and children will have a much better grasp of the English language and hopefully be able to use it to their advantage in the future.
Well....here's hoping!

Volunteering at Mama Victoria...it begins!

I started my first day at Mama Victoria on Tuesday, May 3rd and I really didn't know what I was getting myself into. I realized from the beginning I would have a lot of independence to do what I want and at first I was nervous about that. However, after a couple days, I started to enjoy my independence. I was given some really vague outlines to work with and I will outline them here:

1. They want me to teach English three days a week to the children who range from age 3-13. This has been a challenge trying to organize a curriculum that can try to suit all their needs and keep all their attention. 
2. They have a nice garden that is in need of some maintainence. I mentioned that I had worked in gardens before (i.e. my mother's garden) but they asked me to try and maintain it for them and possibly find some ways to make it better. So far I have only pollinated the corn plants and picked vegetables that were ready to be picked but hopefully I will be able to make their garden more sustainable for the future.
3. Mama Victoria is run by a wonderful woman named Nelly who doesn't speak any English and is not very versed in the ways of technology. Her organization has a sub-par facebook page and a blog that they have been using as a website, but I want to make a full-functioning, bi-lingual website for them. This will also be a challenge for me because I want to create the website to best fit the needs of the organization. Communicating this will be interesting especially because no one speaks English at the organization.

My Spanish has really been improving because I'm working in a poor neighborhood in Lima, called Chorrillos, where no one speaks English. I also have 25 kids screaming at me in Spanish so this has also forced my Spanish into overdrive. I hope in a couple weeks I will be way more proficient at speaking and hopefully the kids will be able to communicate some words in English with me as well.

I spent Friday teaching the kids English and then helping put on an information session for the women who go to the organization for support and shelter. We made them sandwiches and served them soda as Nelly explained her mission statement. Nelly believes that every woman and child has a right to a free education and a safe and happy home to live in. Because many women face oppression and violence in their communities Nelly's mission is to empower these women so they can be better off themselves and in turn be better mother's to their children.

I have been really moved by Nelly and her amazing work. She started this organization 6 years ago with one small classroom and it has now grown into two classrooms, three bedrooms and two kitchens, a garden and small farm with chickens, ducks, and a guinea pig (not a pet). The shelter still does not have running water witch is definitely a set back, but they make up for it with love and effort.

I'm having the time of my life and will have more to update everyone as events materialize.

Stepping into unknown territory

So I'm living in Lima for the next two months and while I'm living here I will be working at a womens shelter (named Mama Victoria) in Chorrillos (a poorer district of Lima) helping teach women and children English, and also helping out in their garden.
The only problem is...I'm not very experienced in the garden. However, I love a challenge, so I decided to research online some ways to help their garden grow. The first thing I did was walk around their garden and observe what they already have growing. I noticed they have some corn growing so I went online to find a video that helps explain how to pollinate the corn so it can continue growing and making more corn.
I found this hilarious video and I thought I would share it with you. I'm not sure why I think its so funny, but hopefully you enjoy it to.
Hopefully this technique helps Mama Victoria's garden!

First Impressions of Lima

Before I left to embark on a two month internship volunteering at a womens shelter in Lima, Peru I was warned by many of my peers that Lima well...sucked.
I never really got a straight answer from any of these peers as to why Lima was so horrible and I really want to do know now, because after spending some time here, I absolutely love it.

I don't even know where to begin.
My best friend described it as a cultural and geographical mix between Barcelona and San Francisco and I couldn't agree more. Lima is very temperate year-round, it never gets that cold or hot. The coast has a bit of a San Francisco feel to it, since they are both on the Pacific, that makes sense to me. However, the urban landscapes are very Spanish, Lima used to be the Spanish capital of the Americas, yet the Peruvians have not lost their Indigenous roots. The essence of Colonial Spain is of course all around but the Peruvians have made it their own by adding their own culture to the Spanish foundation.

You will find local cuisine all around you and it is delicious to say the least. They grow so many different types of corn and potatoes I can't even keep count and what they do with them will make any mouth water.
Oh, and the people, don't get me started on how nice they are. I feel a bit jaded because in the U.S. if someone you don't know is really friendly and just wants to get to know you, you automatically become skeptical. But here, it's common for Peruvians to be very curious about where you are from and what your country is like. They are very animated and not judgmental. They are very kind and welcoming and I have had nothing but positive experiences so far. Needless to say, I do speak Spanish, and I might be having a different experience because of that.
Nevertheless, here's to all the nay-sayers of Lima, what on Earth were you thinking?
This place is amazing!

How can one sit down and write when they have not stood up and lived!

I'm sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while. Unfortunately my computer charger died a while ago and its been really hard to find someone that has a mac, or a mac store that will sell me a new charger.
Nevertheless, I feel that this break from the computer will do me good.

I feel like I must fully absorb all my surroundings have to offer before I am comfortable sitting down and reflecting on them.

I hope this doesn't upset anyone, but I can guarantee that the wait will not be long and the stories I have to tell will blow your proverbial mind!

Mucho besos a todo!

Machupicchu trek

Bolivia where the geography is amazing but the internet is not.

Hello everyone.
I just wanted to let you know i just returned from the salt flats in Uyuni, so beautiful, and i will be going to Sucre in eastern bolivia. the internet is no good so if you dont hear from me in a couple days or even a week, dont be surprised. I will be in argentina by the 1st of april where internet is better so i will have more to report then.
Bolivia is absolutley gorgeous and im sure you will adore all my photos.
until then wish me luck on my 8 hour bus ride to the east!
Cheers.

High altitudes, rain and bugs couldn't keep me away...

Ok, I've seen a lot of photos of Machupicchu (that's how the Peruvians spell it) and I thought I'd seen it all. But nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for the epicness that is this lost Inkan city.

I arrived in Cusco and didn't know how I was going to get to Machupicchu. After a bit of research I realized that the best way to do it was to go on an organized trek and that's exactly what I did. I booked it with Condor Travelers and I'm really glad I did.
On the first day, I didn't want to like my fellow travelers in our group. I usually try to avoid obnoxious tourists when I travel and I thought these ones were all the same. I'm happy to say I was pleasently surprised with how chill and awesome my group was. Out of 13 people we had 3 Brits, 1 Swed, 1 Swiss, 1 Dutch, 2 Germans, 3 Argentines and two Americans (My bf and I). March is the rainy season in this part of Peru and it provided an extra challenge to our expedition. However, we took the road less traveled during the low season and it ended up being a great experience. We biked, hiked and bushwhacked it through the Andes and the jungle and although we are beaten up and sore, it was well worth it.

Here's a summary of the trip:
Day 1: The bus picked us up at 8am at our hostel in Cusco and we had a quick introduction to our guides, who were amazing. Then we drove two hours up into the Sacred Valley up and into the clouds of the Andean mountains. Once at the top we were each given a mountain bike with awesome suspension and rode all the way down through the valley. We probably biked through 3 different climates and eventually ended up in Santa Maria by 4pm. Santa Maria is a cute small town that was ravaged by an earthquake 10 years ago and hasn't really recovered. However, the people were lovely and our short time there was well spent.

Day 2: We woke up at 6am and left for the Andean jungle on our first day of backpacking. I was unaware we were hiking with all our belongings so my boyfriend was stuck hiking up epic mountains with a beach bag, poor thing. We hiked up and over several mountains and deep into the jungle. We passed coca plantations, mango trees, avocado trees and coffee plants. We hiked deep into the jungle to this tiny shack where we ate a delicious lunch of guacamole, soup and pasta. After a short break we continued on and upwards into the mountains. My brand new hiking boots couldn't handle the terrain and the bottom fell off about 5 hours into the hike. We glued them back together and continued on. As we walked down into Santa Teresa, our second destination, we passed a couple rock avalanches that reminded me the rainy season can cause some unexpected troubles. Nevertheless, we made it into Santa Teresa, a really cute town surrounded by the Andean mountain range. We had a lovely dinner with quinoa and finished it off with some Incan tequila, que feurte!

Day 3: We woke up at 6am and left Santa Teresa by 8am. The rains made the river go wild and it roared next to us as we walked in sunshine (such a nice change). We stopped by a waterfall and cooled off and ate some bananas growing nearby. After an hour of walking along the raging river we saw a cargo bridge that looked 100 years old. We were told we needed to cross this cargo transport bridge and shivers ran down my spine. However, we all made it across and continued into the Inkan valley where we finally starting walking along the famous Inkan trail. Quechua is one of the original languages spoken in this valley and we had a traditional Quechua lunch of a herb-like soup and curried vegetables with quinoa. We then started walking along the original train route to Machupicchu which is no longer in use and heard monkeys screaming while being surrounded by orchids. We arrived to Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machupicchu. The town itself which was too touristy for my liking, and took a dip in their hot springs, which were rebuilt after a flood a couple a years ago. We finished the night with a fish dinner and went to bed early in preparation for the summit to the lost Inkan city.

Day 4: We woke up at 3:30am in total darkness and put on our wet clothes to prepare for the hike. We packed our bags, put them on our backs and grabbed some snacks for the summit. We walked in total darkness up stone stairs and the rainy provided an extra slippery challenge. The hike was straight up for more than an hour, but our legs had adjusted so no one was complaining. We arrived at the entrance at 5:30am and as the rain poured, my spirits lifted. We had made it. The first 400 can choose to hike the big hump next to the city called Wayna Picchu, which I knew I had to do.
The archeological site itself is absolutely breath-taking and cannot really be described. These people were so technologically advanced and had everything from kitchens, to bathrooms to a proper irrigation system. The guide said the Inkans did not make many tools because the city was so high up, they mainly used the city as a trading post. The site was covered in fog but by 9am we could see a break in the clouds. By 10am it was bright and hot and you could really see how phenomenal this city is. We went to the entrance of Wanya Picchu shortly after 10 and hiked up to the top of the hump to see the most amazing view of the ancient city and its neighboring archeological sites. We decided to treat ourselves to a bus ride back down the mountain because our feet were sore and wet as all hell. We made it back to Aguas Calientes by 2pm and treated ourselves to a big lunch. By 7pm we were on a train back to Cusco and got back to our hostel by midnight.
When I awoke the next morning I thought I had dreamed the whole thing but as soon as I got out of bed my sore body reminded me how real the experience was. There are no words to really describe how magical and enchanting Machupicchu is. When you are there you feel its energy and as you walk along the ruins you really understand how special this place is.

Bussing it to Cusco

I wanted to see the Peruvian country side so instead of flying into Cusco, we took the bus from Lima.
The bus was actually quite luxurious; we got two meals, nice leather seats that reclined into semi-beds, and decent bathrooms as well. The Peruvian country side is quite impressive and diverse...if only the roads were not sooo crazy.

Here is a little video I made during our 22 hour bus ride. I hope you enjoy...

So much to say...but photos speak louder than words

I have been in Lima for 4 days. In that time I have seen random high school friends on the street, seen the most beautiful sunsets, and visited the place where I will be working, Mama Victoria, which was all I could've expected and more. I will be working with them in May and I'm very excited. Until then I will be traveling to Cusco, Bolivia and hopefully Argentina as well.
All in all, I'm happy as a clam whatever that means but since the internet connection is sparse and not always so good I will use my time wisely and post some photos so far.
I hope you enjoy (and if you click on the title of the blog you can see a little video my boyfriend and I made on our first day)...

This is the street where we are staying.

This is the beach just a few metres away from our hostel.

 This is one of the huge statues that adds a nice touch to the gorgeous beach view I am lucky to see every day when I wake up.

P.S. I tried to upload way more photos but for some reason Peru's internet connection only chose these ones...until next time.

P.P.S. If anyone from CLE is reading this I must give all of them major props (and not just because they are all awesome). A while back they gave me an earthquake emergency kit as a gift and it has definitely come in handy. So far I have used the scissors, the emergency water, the crank flashlight (when the power went out one night at the hostel) and many foreign travelers have benefited from the many band aids provided....thanks again!

First day in Lima

My boyfriend and I arrived in Lima late last night. We were supposed to be on different flights but we worked our charm at SFO and got on the same flight. After a quick layover beer at the Houston airport we were off to Lima,a 6 hour flight.
There is only a 3 hour time difference so if I'd reading this from the east coast, we are both on the same time (time zones work vertically) so its not that bad. Gotta go eat se food before our next adventure.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Peru

Welcome to my 2011

Wow, how time flies.
Sorry, it has been a while since I have posted something but since its a new year, lets forget about the old and start with the new and up and coming!
Ok, now get on with it...
In the past few months things have really come together. Right now, I am back in the Bay Area and having lots of fun...just listen to a bit of the sweetness. I will be leaving for Lima, Peru on Feb. 22nd. and I return back on July 6th. I will spend my first two and half months traveling from Peru to Bolivia and then to Uruguay and finally Argentina. After that I will return to Lima to volunteer in Chorrillos, a diverse and impoverished part of the capital city.
At this moment, my Canadian immigration papers are being processed and if everything goes accordingly, I should be back in Vancouver by the end of July, and resuming work at CLEBC , the best company to work for...ever.
Immigration has been a nightmare but I am determined to do it, or at least just get through it. I am trying to stay positive but I have a feeling this process might take longer than expected. Hopefully you will not receive many updates about my trials and tribulations, only posts about how enjoyable this whole experience has been (can you smell the sarcasm in that statement?)

So, after graduating from university and working full-time for almost three years, I felt that traveling is something I needed to pursue next. I am very interested in international politics, public policy and sustainable development and after researching South America from afar, I must see first hand some of things that have fascinated me for so long.

I have been fortunate enough to receive a fellowship from the Forgotten International, which is based out of San Francisco. They work to bring together people in the world who have great resources with people who have great needs. They are also working on a book and a documentary called, "Living on a Dollar a Day". I was given the fellowship to help them do research for the project in one of the areas they have been surveying in Lima, Peru. After telling them about my background in online education and my passion for teaching they were able to get me in touch with Mama Victoria, a grass-roots organization started by a local woman, Nelly Villegas.  Mama Victoria is a multifaceted organization. It's a shelter for women who come from abusive families. It is also a school for children which is equipped with a small library. They also have a farm. Their next big project is to start of a fair-trade chocolate company in order to be self-sustaining and help financially empower the women of the shelter to become independent of their abusers. 

The link to Mama Victoria is to their blog and facebook profile is only in Spanish, sorry, but that's one of the many things I hope to work with them on.  They want me to teach business ESL to women and regular ESL to the children, which range in ages 5-15. I also plan to develop a website for them and research ways that they could start a sustainable business in their community. From what I have observed so far, this organization wants to be a self-sustaining resource for the community and I hope I can contribute in some small way.

I really am blessed to be able to do what I am going to be doing in the next six months. I am so grateful for every day and all the people who support and inspire me. These next 6 months will be full of adventures and I'm sure you are all biting at the chomp to see and read what its all about.

Peace, love and much happiness in the New Year....and away we go!

R.I.P camera (underwater montage)

My camera was awesome...until it died.
I think I deserved it though. When I went to Burning Man it said "no cameras," but my friend explained that only meant for commercial use. Anyway, my super tough, underwater, shockproof (to a degree) camera died after I took a million amazing photos in the desert and I think it was cursed.

So, R.I.P camera it was nice knowing ya and here is your underwater montage of delightful shots.

A funny thing happened on the way to the hospital

Imagine this, because this is what happened to me today when I had to go the Marin General Hospital:

A young man, convulsing, holding a $2.99 Ikea garbage can he was throwing up in arrived in the ER.
"Excuse me, sir. You need to register before we can help you." The Insurance registration desk clerk said. The pale man crawled up to the desk but took another break to puke first. The man at the desk sat calmly and asked him for his ID so he could register his insurance before admitting the patient.
The man registering the patient looked too calm...as if he is used to this type of procedure. Before the man could be admitted to the hospital he needed to sign a waiver claiming he is has insurance for emergency coverage. The man begged to be served as he slurred that he thought his esophagus was torn. The man registering him paid little attention and he organized his papers and proceeded to file his documents. It was a good 15 minutes before that poor puking man was given any type of medical attention. He even drove himself to the hospital in his half conscious state because he probably couldn't remember whether the fine print of his insurance covered ambulance rides or not.
This is an eye witness story I observed while sitting in the waiting room of one of the best hospitals in the U.S.
This is America...no coverage....no service....no chance of survival.

This is atrocious. As a recent patient of both American and Canadian hospitals I found absolutely no difference between the quality of care each country delivered. The only difference I found is that the American hospital will not even address you as a human being, let alone a patient, before guaranteeing you can pay for your emergency care.
This is not right. Not then, not now, not ever. Health care is a human right, not a privilege.

2/3 of the trip down, 1/3 to go! A few of my fav photos of my trip so far.

A man in his art lab in Charlotte, Vermont.
Art installation in Burlington, Vermont.
The dark coast on Lake Champlain.
Grazing cows are happy cows on Shelburne farm.
This is where you're food should come from in Burlington, Vermont.
My lovely friend Oopey on his farm ready to take me out on the Kabota.
Winey times with lovely Andrew, Jodie and Kendra in Montreal.
Sam and Lee made the most amazing warm beet salad and fried tomatoes, yum yum!
"Under Pressure" art installations.
My Little Pony.
Patrick's installation and Under Pressure.

The rain didn't stop the artists.
Amazing panoramic shot.
Sam on the patio bar of the Hotel des Armes.
The birthday girl, Sarah, and her amazing cake.
Hello tiny car, I squish you with my fingers.
Lovely street art on St. Catherines in Montreal.
Lounging outside the Ontario Art Museum in Toronto with Katie.
Antique bike in Kennsington Market, Toronto.
Church near St. Laurent farmers market in Toronto.
Birds taking a bath in a fountain in Toronto.
Peameal bacon aka Canadian bacon at St. Laurent farmers market.
Beautiful street art on Danforth in Toronto.

A night on the town for Sarah Reusch's 16th Birthday. Dress code required heels.
Statue monument to famous Candiennes players in Montreal.
Photo fun with my dear friend Paul next to the Ocheaga music fest in Montreal.
A clever play on words in Montreal.
A proper burial for Paul's shoes in the Plateau in Montreal.
Ridiculous day-glo bar called Candibar in Montreal.
Perspiring statue located on the McGill campus in Montreal.
Beautiful statuesque conglomeration of words in the View Porte, Montreal.
Double helix work of art outside le Grande Bibliotechque in Montreal.
A lovely fire brews during a BBQ in the West Island of Montreal.
Clever advertising in the Historic part of Quebec City.
My favorite summer beer, Mill St. Lemon tea beer during Taste of the Danforth Fest in Toronto.
My love Louise, baby-faced Joseph Lacoste and moi in front of the Parliament building, Ottawa.
Seeking new adventures on bixi's in the Vieux Porte of Montreal.
Bi-lingualism is alive and well in Montreal.
2/3 of the trip down, 1/3 to go! Here are a few of my fav photos of my trip so far.