Hellooooo! Jelouuu!
One of the things I did this summer, was teach English in Valdivia, Chile. I've been meaning to write about my experience for the longest time, so, here it goes!
I was in Valdivia for one week (Jan 9 - Jan 15), teaching English through 'English Opens Doors' English Camps. I met up with one other American who has been teaching in Chile since last March and then three Chileans who live and study in Valdivia (studying to be English teachers). Within our team of five, we planned, taught, and led for a week of English Camps. Camps started at 10am and ended around 5pm each day. The goal was to speak English the entire day. For me, easy, right? Kind of. I mean, of course it was easy for me to speak English, but when the kids didn't understand, it would have been SO MUCH easier just to say what I had just said, but in Spanish. Instead, I had to work really hard on speaking slowly, pronunciation well, not saying too many 'ums' or 'uhs', and using lots of hand motions. haha. Also, just because you know how to speak a language, doesn't necessarily mean you know how to teach it--explain it--make it comprehensible.
There were many 'pluses' to working for this program. One being that the kids that participate have to have received good grades in English along with having good behavior. Oh, the kids were High School aged, as well, so it was a lot less babysitting and lot more teaching/learning/interacting. Another 'plus' was that everything was paid for! For the kids and for me! The camp was free for the kids, along with two snacks and lunch per day and a t-shirt! The program also paid for my transportation, my hotel, food, and also gave me a little bonus. I'm still considered a volunteer, because it's not enough to say that I 'worked', but it's nice to get something extra. :) And really, I would have done it with out the bonus. It was so much fun! The Chileans that we worked with were absolutely wonderful! I miss them! We all worked together and got along so great! They were also really nice and took LeighAnn (the other American) and I around Valdivia so that we could squeeze some turisty things in our trip as well. The first day we were there, we went to the beach, had seafood empanadas (that I liked!), went to Niebla (an old Fort), around town, and to the Fish Market. It was great! Throughout the week we visited the Botanical Garden, the biggest University in Valdivia (where they go), the Kundstman Brewery (Valdivia has a lot of German influence), and the Chocolate Festival! We had the opportunity to see many things, but I still felt short on time there. Short on time to see the city and surrounding areas and short on time to spend with my new Chilean friends. Valdivia is also known for it's RAIN. It rains A LOT. "On average there are 201 days per year with more than 0.1 mm (0.004 in) of rainfall (precipitation) or 17 days with a quantity of rain, sleet, snow etc. per month" (http://www.climatetemp.info/chile/valdivia.html). Yes, lots of rain. Luckily, the week of English Camps it only rained Thursday morning and then all day Saturday (the last day). I never though I would miss rain, but it was so refreshing! It's doesn't rain much in Viña, well, at least not during the summer. The only bad thing about it raining on our last day, was that we couldn't do the touristy things we had planned that day, nor, make it to the fair to buy souvenirs. So...for that, I must go back! Some day! I absolutely LOVED Valdiva (aka the South of Chile) and I know that someday, I will be back, baby! My favorite part of the south, everything is green! It's also a lot less like a city. I've been lacking some nature, and there, it was abundant.
Here are two pictures (if you click on them, you can see them bigger) of the River Calle Calle that runs right through town. Our hotel was located right next to it and it was absolutely beautiful to walk along the river everyday! (For some reason I ran out of space or something, so I can't put up more pictures on my blog right now. I guess that means that I shouldn't put so many pictures up! I'll try and figure it out later. Meanwhile, ALL of my pictures from Valdivia and the Camp are in three albums on Facebook...so check them out!)
News: I'm going NORTH! I'm heading to Vallenar which is in northern Chile. My host dad is there now working, so I'll be going with my host mom and meeting him there. They are from that area so they have lots of family up there. We are leaving February 8th in the morning around 10am and will arrive around 8pm (via bus). I'm so excited to meet their family and to see Julio again (it will have been about a month)!!!! WOOO!!!!!! I miss him!! It's going to be a great opportunity to meet more of the family, see where my host parents are from, time to spend with my host parents, and to get to know another part of the country.
