At the present moment, most of my days are filled with technical training and Spanish classes. Although necessary and sometimes fun, there´s not much to say about them. I promise that tons of pictures will be posted once I have access to the Peace Corps computers, after swearing in, which is in about 3 weeks. We´re currently counting down to the end of CBT, as in less than 2 weeks we will receive our site assignments, i.e. where we´ll live for the next 2 years! To wrap up training, I am working with another aspirante, or trainee, to host a series of activities with a 5th grade class to celebrate Earth Day. We´ll be painting a large mural of the water cycle, creating masks, playing a game with the masks, and taking an interpretive and clean up hike along the river.
At times, exciting adventures break up the monotony of training. Take Sunday afternoon for example.
Two other aspirantes and I recruited Zoe´s host brother and friend, both 18, to take us to the local waterfall. As we walked, we picked up a few of their other friends and 2 bottles of rum... I brought water for myself, not knowing what I was getting into! The hike took us about 5 hours and included 2 waterfalls, one of which we couldn´t resist swimming in, so swam fully clothed. During the hike we came across a cainito tree, so one of the guys climbed over 20 feet into the tree to throw the fruit down to us. Although it looked like an apple, when we opened it, it appeared more custardy and was white and bright purple. The guys said we could eat it, but kept saying that it would do something to our lips. The only problem was that we didn´t understand the word they were using to describe what would happen to our lips! After much deliberation, we went for it and it was in fact delicious. Later we looked up the word... it just meant sticky! Ah, the joys of language learning. On our way back from the pretty falls, we took a different route to find sugar cane. With large pieces to naw on, we made our way home, cold and tired, but exhilarated by the fun.
On Monday, training consisted of a group excursion to learn more about eco-tourism. We visited 27 charcos http://www.27charcos.com/ to learn about the development of the site. Only in the past few years has it been declared a national park, thanks in part to the work of a PCV. The first part of our day consisted of a meeting with several of the guides and park administrators. They shared of their challenges in running the park and of the 50 to 100 tourists that visit each day, most through foreign-owned tours that charge upwards of USD$70, even though the tour costs less than USD$10. The guides were open and fun to talk to, and as the females in our group noticed---all in their 20´s and incredibly buff. We didn´t question the buffness, just appreciated it. Later, we would learn the reason for it.
We were instructed that for the tour we would wear a bathing suit, shoes, a life jacket and a helmet---a helmet?!?! You can check the website to learn more about 27 charcos, but basically it is a series of 27 breathtaking waterfalls that are situated in a canyon of sorts. To scale the waterfalls, we were thrown, pushed, pulled and carried by the incredible guides. I´d like to believe that my muscles did some of the work of swimming against the strong currents or climbing the slippery rocks, but I think most of my success was due to the buff guides! They had amazing techniques that included us stepping on their hands and shoulders and being propelled to the next guide who would catch us by an arm or life jacket and pull as we scrambled. Because it is rainy season here, the falls were especially strong, so we could only do 6. I have vowed to return for all 27. Once above the 6th, the guides reminded us that there was only one way to get down---the way we came up! So, they´d help us climb the rocks to the edge of each fall, then we had to jump. If we didn´t jump, we were nudged in the butt, as that was the only way. I made it up and down all 6 with minimal bruises and having swallowed a good amount of water. I was glad I had a helmet.
At times, exciting adventures break up the monotony of training. Take Sunday afternoon for example.
Two other aspirantes and I recruited Zoe´s host brother and friend, both 18, to take us to the local waterfall. As we walked, we picked up a few of their other friends and 2 bottles of rum... I brought water for myself, not knowing what I was getting into! The hike took us about 5 hours and included 2 waterfalls, one of which we couldn´t resist swimming in, so swam fully clothed. During the hike we came across a cainito tree, so one of the guys climbed over 20 feet into the tree to throw the fruit down to us. Although it looked like an apple, when we opened it, it appeared more custardy and was white and bright purple. The guys said we could eat it, but kept saying that it would do something to our lips. The only problem was that we didn´t understand the word they were using to describe what would happen to our lips! After much deliberation, we went for it and it was in fact delicious. Later we looked up the word... it just meant sticky! Ah, the joys of language learning. On our way back from the pretty falls, we took a different route to find sugar cane. With large pieces to naw on, we made our way home, cold and tired, but exhilarated by the fun.
On Monday, training consisted of a group excursion to learn more about eco-tourism. We visited 27 charcos http://www.27charcos.com/ to learn about the development of the site. Only in the past few years has it been declared a national park, thanks in part to the work of a PCV. The first part of our day consisted of a meeting with several of the guides and park administrators. They shared of their challenges in running the park and of the 50 to 100 tourists that visit each day, most through foreign-owned tours that charge upwards of USD$70, even though the tour costs less than USD$10. The guides were open and fun to talk to, and as the females in our group noticed---all in their 20´s and incredibly buff. We didn´t question the buffness, just appreciated it. Later, we would learn the reason for it.
We were instructed that for the tour we would wear a bathing suit, shoes, a life jacket and a helmet---a helmet?!?! You can check the website to learn more about 27 charcos, but basically it is a series of 27 breathtaking waterfalls that are situated in a canyon of sorts. To scale the waterfalls, we were thrown, pushed, pulled and carried by the incredible guides. I´d like to believe that my muscles did some of the work of swimming against the strong currents or climbing the slippery rocks, but I think most of my success was due to the buff guides! They had amazing techniques that included us stepping on their hands and shoulders and being propelled to the next guide who would catch us by an arm or life jacket and pull as we scrambled. Because it is rainy season here, the falls were especially strong, so we could only do 6. I have vowed to return for all 27. Once above the 6th, the guides reminded us that there was only one way to get down---the way we came up! So, they´d help us climb the rocks to the edge of each fall, then we had to jump. If we didn´t jump, we were nudged in the butt, as that was the only way. I made it up and down all 6 with minimal bruises and having swallowed a good amount of water. I was glad I had a helmet.
2 comments:
WOWZERS! This looks amazing. Everybody MUST look at the site. Now, Colleen, 'fess up, just how bad WAS it being nudged in the butt by these "buff" guides?
Wow! What incredible experiences you are having, Colleen. Thanks for posting them . . . so I can enjoy them in what I am reminded of is incredible comfort of my home.
Post a Comment