I have internet access for a bit, so just a quick update!
This trip has been an interesting experience so far and my eyes are opened every day. I have a love/hate relationship with my placement, but I am coming to realize that I was placed there to help the teachers see how much they CAN do with their students. The school is open air on the side of the mountain. It is surrounded by square homes that are made of wood, brick, cardboard, etc. I can stand in the courtyard and see the childrens' homes. The classroom is the size of my living room with 37 kids in the 4 year old room, and 20 in the 3 year old room. The 4s are utterly crazy, loud, and rambunctious. The teacher "teaches"over them without quieting them down, so I wonder how much they actually get. They pop out of their seats, run around the room, and climb across the table. Often, she just walks out and they entertain themselves. It's unlike anything I've ever seen. The school is a good candidate for our PRIDE behavior cards!
The 4 year olds draw very detailed faces on their bodies...I don't see that in the American schools. My friend Laurie is a special ed teacher from Kansas City, and is also at the school with me. She sees the same things, and noted that psychologists have found that children who draw faces tend to be very happy. These children are definitely happy!
I have taught in the 3 year old room. The teacher, Luz, is so happy to see me, and she just gives me the floor. A few volunteers and I sat around the table the other night drawing flashcards with fruits and vegetables, and labeling them with English and Spanish words. So I am teaching the English words to the children...they love trying to say the words! It is really cute. I also played some songs and sang and danced with them yesterday.
Lima has such different sections of the city. Villa El Salvador, where we volunteer is on the side of the mountain, with small dirty streets, run-down homes, and dogs roaming EVERYWHERE. We are living in San Borja, which is 20 minutes away, and kind of middle class. All of the homes are gated with electric wires and barbed wire around the compound. Yesterday we toured downtown Lima, which reminded me very much of a European city, historic, brightly colored, and upper class. We walked through a monastery, and through the catacombs below. It is AMAZING how different this city is.
Today, I went to Miraflores, a suburb by the sea. We toured an old pyramid from 400AD, which served as a celebration area and also sacrificial area. It is in the middle of Miraflores and is still being excavated. Miraflores is known for its cliffs over the beach, so needless to say we had a hike. But it was totally worth it and breathtaking. The beach is covered in smooth colorful stones. I definitely want to return there before going home.
Tomorrow I head for Cuzco and Machu Picchu!