Huanchaco Staycation

     At Fleming College we have four quarters during the school year called bimesters. At the end of each bimester the students and teachers get a week off (except in July when we get three weeks off!) to recuperate and recharge our batteries for the next bimester. Today, I am at the end of my week break and I have had a great time. I had planned on leaving Huanchaco for the week, but all that changed and I decided to stay in town to hangout with friends and surf. And eat. And drink coffee. Also, I have been able to get settled into my new apartment, which has been nice. The only time I even left Huanchaco was to go to school for the afternoon on Wednesday to finish up some work.

     

     Here is what my days have been like for the most part this past week.

- Wake up at 7 or 8am

- Drink a lot of coffee and play on the internet

- Go surfing

- Come home and make something to eat

- Take a nap

- Go surfing again

- Come home and take a shower

- Go back to the beach and watch the sunset

- Come home and make something to eat

- Go see some friends

- Come back home and fall asleep while watching a movie

   As much as I have enjoyed myself this past week, I am happy to begin work tomorrow morning.

Feliz Dia de la Madre! 

The Catholic church that overlooks Huanchaco

Caballitos de Totoras
Reed fishing boats the local men use

Huanchaco on a Sunday afternoon

Movin' On Up!

Well, I have, finally, left hostel living behind and moved into a de-lux apartment on old Huanchaco. I am going to miss the McCallum family, but I am quite happy that I no longer need to walk three flights of stairs every morning just to make coffee.
One part of hostel living I will miss is having my room and bathroom cleaned every Sunday, but hey, you can't have everything. I suppose I could hire someone to clean my place, but for the time being I'll suffer through cleaning a two bedroom apartment.

Salt of the Earth
The McCallum family: left to right Stephanie, Patricia, Tania, Barbara, Manuel, Neil

Just so you know, I'm pretty sure my pad will end on MTV cribs, so check your local listings. I have a kitchen table, beds, a refrigerator, cable TV, and a moderately strong internet signal. All for the low price of 620soles or $235 a month.
Now that I have an apartment and an address of my very own everyone is more than welcome to send me things. Pictures and coffee are my favorites.
Jiron Simon Bolivar 230
Huanchaco, La Libertad, Peru

   

My street.
Jiron Simon Bolivar

My house.
I live on the bottom floor. 

Coming in the front door.

Kitchen.

My room.

The wash room behind my room.
Many people down here wash their own clothes.
There is a large porcelain sink with ribs to clean your clothes.
For right now, I'm going to stick with the lavanderia.

Carson's room.
But for now it will be my friend Emily's.
She works for Otra Cosa Network here in Huanchaco and needs a place to stay for a month or so.
Super happy to have her!

 I went to the post office in Huanchaco today to send a letter to my Momma and to tell the postal worker that I had moved into a new apartment. The place is one, tiny room and the lady who works there is so nice. She must be in her late 70's or early 80's, but she still delivers the mail to all of Huanchaco. We talked for 30mins and she told me all about how people from all over the world come to take her picture and give her things because of her age and the character of her office. This lady was so stoked on her job. I hope I'm like her when I get to be her age.

Huanchaco Post Office Lady (I forgot her name) making things happen

The sign on the door says the post office opens a 2pm, but it really opens at 3:30pm or whenever she wants to open.

End of the First Bimester

Blogging is a great way to reflect as a teacher. And, as other teachers know, reflection is an important part in developing as a professional. I guess reflection is important for all of us regardless of what we are doing. My problem with it is that I am, always, so tired when I get home from school that I have no desire to blog/reflect. I know it is something I need to be doing, but jeez! It's the last thing I want to do after being at work for ten hours. Though, today I don't have an excuse. Today is a "feriado" (public holiday), for what, I have no idea. So, today I can catch up on my reflecting/blogging.
My first bimester at Fleming College has been a tough one. It seems that everyday I am learning to do something that I was already supposed to know how to do. Everyday is a struggle with classroom management. I have, pretty much, thrown out the classroom management I have learned in the US. My university taught me classroom management for students in the US (which makes sense), not foreign students. I feel as though I am starting from scratch in this area; and it is, definitely, taking its toll on me.
 If you can't tell, I am very happy to have the first quarter of the year behind me. Now, I can go into the next quarter with more knowledge on how I want my weeks to be structured, grading, and projects. The classroom management aspect is still an enigma. How do you get twenty-four Peruvian sixth graders to stay in their seats, raise their hand, not talk when others are talking, and generally show respect for their teacher when all of the above are culturally acceptable? I have no idea, but I sure hope I figure it out soon.


Outside of school, things are going fine. I am still in the hostel, but I have a lead on an apartment that I will be checking out today. Walking down three flights of stairs every morning at 5am to make coffee is getting old. Plus, I feel bad when I come home and there are a bunch of people on vacation asking me twenty questions about my day when all I want to do is go to my room and be silent. Completely silent. Everyone I meet at the hostel is so nice, but it's difficult when you are on such a different wave length than they are. Next week I have a one week break from school, so I figuring out what I want to do. Should I stay in Haunchaco, take it easy, and surf? Should I take a week long surf trip up north? Or, should I go up into the Andes and do mountain stuff for three or four days? We'll see, but I am, definitely, leaning towards getting out of Huanchaco.
Also, I am preparing for the arrival of my parents in July and my cousin Carson in September. I have had great time Skyping with my parents and planning our trip to Machu Picchu. It will be infinitely better once they get down here for two weeks. Once my parents leave it will be no time before Carson gets down here. It will be great to see him and have a roommate for a while!

Another beautiful Pacific sunset. 

I went to another professional soccer match the other weekend.  Peruvians and their love and devotion to soccer never ceases to amaze me. These games are so much fun!