Day 6 - December 21st

Well.  After the lovely wakeup call of roosters and fireworks I am awake.

Today I wear my Vikings Jersey because the kids wanted to see it.

Shout out VIKES!

I love Minnesota. Minnesota pride!

Breakfast: oatmeal (I think), and toast with jam.  I am beginning to love toast.

The watermelon today is on a plate in the middle of the table.  This means, I don’t have to take any! BOOYAH #win.

Except, Lisa (host mom) asks me about why I am not eating it.

“No me gusta sandia (watermelon)”

She asked me what other fruits I don’t like.

“No me gusta mellon…” confused look

UMM… yeah.

45 minute walk (3.25 miles I think?) to the “project”

No coffee stop at McD’s today.

I see this little girl begging on the street every day and every day I just pass by.  This time, we make eye contact for a long time… so I give her 5 quetals (approx $1 American but you can buy more with 5 quetals here then $1 in America)

SAD.

I stop at a store and buy 2 teddy bears that say “te amo” (I love you) and supplies for my English class.  I can’t help but buy these kids stuff.

Today the kids ask to start class right away.  They like it!! They like me!! J yay.

I teach them how to say 3 sentences:

My name is____. I am_____years old.  I am from Guatemala.

Then I have them say these out loud to the other two gals working with me (who speak no Spanish).  The kids faces BEAM WITH PRIDE!

I am proud too.

I hear them saying the sentences over and over even when they are playing ball.

I just want to stuff them all in my suitcase.

I spoon feed a 1 year old girl today. 

Its amazing, these 7 and 8 year old girls are taking care of their little sisters. Jeesh.

I give the two bears to two little girls – 1 and 2 years old.

You should have seen their eyes.  THEY GOT HUGE.  They clung to that bear like it was a life jacket in the middle of the ocean.

I come home.

EXHAUSTED.

Shower. Put on a sweet neon dress.

I get the most yells this time when I walk down the street.

A man stops me, and in English says, “Mam..you are, so so beautiful”

Gracias?

Café again. 

Man I need to do laundry, my clothes stink.

No supper at the house tonight. 

I meet up with my two Singapore friends.

We go have a beer at a rooftop bar.  SO COOL.

I meet a guy next to me who offers me his nachos.  We talk for about an hour.  He actually lived in Minneapolis as an exchange student!! He’s nice!

Then my Singapore friends and I go eat “street food” from vendors.  It is our goal to try something of everything,  We eat tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, fruit juice, dessert tings, pizza looking things. 

The tacos were HOT DOG tacos.  SO WEIRD. 

We then meet up with Montana Gentlemen and walk to a friends apartment.

We hangout, then go out together again.

I hangout with another guy – “Holland Honey” (as I am going to call him) tonight.  We get to know each other.  Hes nice too!

Montana Gentlemen and I take a cab home together.  He walks me to my door.   What a guy! 

Sleep has never felt better…its now 3:30am.