Update

It has been forever since I have written. Been super busy with the end of the school year, but at last I am free. I have a feeling this freedom will soon give way to boredom so I am trying to stay busy giving classes in the community and such. The week of Thanksgiving was the annual All Volunteer Conference and it was SOOOO fun. There were different information sessions that we could choose from and also a dance party and talent show. Each sector did a skit as part of an intersectoral competition. Our group did a "sociodrama" about what it is TEFL volunteers do. I won't go into a full explanation but let me just say that I did not envision my Peace Corps experience would include dancing in a bikini to that song that goes "My neck, my back..." (The UNEDITED version). Needless to say we won that part of the competition. For Thanksgiving I went to one of my bosses houses with a bunch of other TEFL people. The food was awesome and it was a great time. The juxtaposition between pumpkin pie and palm trees was a little surreal though. After a week of hot showers, breakfast, lunch and dinner and cable TV I returned to La Conqui where there had been no power for two days. No power meant no water, hot or other wise and so I found myself bathing in the river. Yes bathing, complete with shaving cream and razor. I wish I had had a camera. I felt very Peace Corps. That same day we had the graduation ceremony for the seniors. I have to say that even though I was only here for a few months out of the school year I was so proud of all the graduates. It was really cool to see them all dressed up and getting their degrees. Afterwards was a party and I surprised a few of my students with my ability to dance Reggaeton. Bachata, Salsa, Merengue not quite there yet, but bumping and grinding to a hip hop beat I can totally do.
In October, my host sister from La Paz married her long time boyfriend and they had a wedding at the house. I was honored to be invited not only to the ceremony but also to come over early and help with preparations. I truly felt a part of the family while I was blowing up balloons and making sandwiches. A great time was had by all. Right now I am getting more and more excited everyday for December 21st when I will be boarding a plane for the U.S of A. I can not wait!!! Really it is all about the the three F's. Family, Friends and Food!!! I think I will probably cry when I see my family. Just thinking about it makes me well up. And the food!!! Sushi, Lattees, Cheesburgers, Oh my!! I finally found marshmallows here and introduced my friend to S'mores. A little cultural exchange. He agreed that they are "Riquisimo!!" Speaking of food I am starving right now so I am gonna go eat some pizza. I will put up some pictures this week I swear, maybe even today after the pizza, I just don't have the patience right now to deal with the technology on an empty stomach.