Some pictures for all you lovely people

Lago de Tota

Patona de Vargas

Half Colombian, Half Gringa, just like me!

My English students!

2 1/2 months in Colombia

 Greetings from Colombia! Everything is going great here, school is going well. All of my classes here are classes of Spanish grammar, or comprehension with the exception of gym, and helping with my English classes.  I hit a landmark in my classes the other day, I took a test and didn’t fail….. baby steps. However, you will be interested to know that I scored higher than some of the other students who speak Spanish as their first language, I am kind of concerned for them. I help the elementary English teacher with classes, which I enjoy a lot, my third grade class is particularly talented and we enjoy working together a lot.  Some of our lessons have included watching Disney’s American Legends DVD and learning the trick-or-treat song. The other day one of my students approached me, and asked if I had learned Spanish yet. I responded that I more or less, but am learning. To which they responded, “oh no Marina, you need to learn more, your accent is way too strong.” Well…..out of the mouths of babes I guess. On that note I also have been told that I have a weird accent, because some words I pronounce with an Argentinian accent…… my sister will be proud to hear that.

Two weekends in the past we had all the exchange students in my state (about ten of us) come to Paipa for the weekend, to see the band festival that featured bands from all over the country. It was held in the plaza, which was absolutely filled with people! It went from about eight in the morning until at least two at night, which is when we left! Last weekend an exchange student from Taiwan and her family was vacationing in Paipa so we invited them over to the house. The next day they invited us out on Lake Sochogota to go water skiing. Funny, I have lived my whole life near the water and never water skiid until now. I was a little nervous at first and was surprised when I got up on my second time! It was love at first ski, it was also my host sister’s first time skiing, we both really enjoyed it so we are going to try to go some other time too!

This past week we celebrated my birthday here, we had a party with all my friends and family at my house. I learned about an interesting Colombian tradition which includes crushing eggs, and throwing flour on the birthday girl. So the lesson of the story is if you are ever in Colombia for you birthday and someone asks you if you want a, “salada,” RUN! 

Una Salada

 On the 18^th I got to go plant trees with my grade that I will be with next year. It was fun to get out of class for a bit, and it was a great way to get to know some of the people I will be with next year!

On the note of Futbol, Colombia tied in the match against Chile, securing us a spot in the world cup, and we won against Paraguay last week, which put us in a very secure spot. So everything is going great I have been here for about two and a half months now. I can't believe how fast the time is going! Well that is all for now folks!

~La Gringa

6220 October Rotary Youth Exchange conference 2013

My districts outbound video!!!! Love and miss you guys a ton, enjoy!