"Food is Love"

So the last few days have been very busy! We are leaving Cuenca on Thursday and traveling back to Quito, but we will be driving and stopping at a few places along the way. It is crazy how the time has passed so quickly. This experience still amazes me each and every day.

Friday was the Pompa Mesa, which was a celebration of our partnership combined with a Mother's Day fiesta. Rumi invited over 200 people to the school from the community. We arrived and immediately started helping prepare some of the meals. We were preparing a feast to feed the entire community. I helped stir the pork mixed with other things and I helped rotate the "Cuy" or Guinea pigs. Guinea Pigs are a delicacy here - NO THANKS.

(Preparing the Cuy)

(This girl represents my initial feelings towards the food)

(Me cooking the pig)

The ceremony/presentation/fiesta started with a dance off, of the mothers from the community. Each of the mothers had to find a partner and naturally I was selected first. #embarrassing. Whoever won this contest was the "godmother" or received the top honor at the celebration.Who do you think won? Definitely my mother/ dance partner duh! LOL We were tearing it up in the school yard. She received a gift, a sash and a front row seat to watch all the presentations.

(My dance partner)

Each class and grade presented something to the community. My students read a sentence about their mothers and family. The other students did traditional dances and presented their classes to the community. The dances were very beautiful and their clothing was very colorful. It was one of the most unique things that I have ever been a part of - most of the students involved us in their dances as well.

(My class presenting)

During the program we also had games. There was a pop chugging contest, a egg race, some awkward card passing game, and a game that required you to dance while balancing a tomato between you and your partner. Mary and I should have won this game because none of the other contestants were actually dancing. Whatever, it was fun, winners at heart.

(Sam dominating the competition) 

(Egg race)

(Awkward card game)

(Tomato balancing)

So part of this program is a cultural exchange. The community sang songs and performed dances for us, so we did the same in return. We showed them the electric slide, chicken dance, and hokey pokey. The wobble was voted out... so much shade. And for the record, I've never felt more embarrassed than doing the hokey pokey in front of a community. No thanks byeee.

(Cultural dances)

(Older students performing)

We ate the food after the ceremony. We were the first to eat. Now - I usually have a stomach made of steel and don't get queasy at the site of food, BUT, when they gave me a piece of guinea pig, I turned it over and the heart, lungs and other insides spilled out onto my bowl. NOPE. That was nasty. I politely and discreetly knocked the guinea pig out of my bowl onto the ground for the dogs. I did try the meat, but it just wasn't my thing. The second course/round of food was the pig and other vegetables. I took two bites to be polite and then gave it to one of my students families.

This was probably the most authentic food I have ever tried. It was amazing how food, and cooking can build relationships and bring an entire community together. Everyone had a part and contributed to the day in some manner. Food is culture. Food is community. Food is identity. Food is love.

"Trust"

This morning was a start to a rough day, but it did have a fun ending. When we got to school the children weren't in class because community members, children, and the professors were getting ready for the celebration tomorrow. As our contribution, we are providing the pig for the community meal, so the professors were prepping everything for the pig.

(The pig)

(Children watching the event)

(Luis being gross)

The children were all gathered around when they were going to kill the pig. They invited me to participate in the activities, but just being there was all I could do. I have seen animals being slaughtered, but this was so difficult. I had to walk away and go on a walk with Mary. People just do things differently and you need to just trust in their culture. Trust is exactly what I did - Trust that they knew what they were doing and walk away. I am thankful for all of the community members who are helping to make our feast for the celebration.

(My new friend Cristian and his dog)

(Little guy just wanted to be held)

(Mr. Cow Mary and I met on our walk)

After this event, the children were all rowdy and it was hard to get our lesson plan done. We made paper dice with the children and then were were suppose to do a Math lesson. It was hard enough just getting them to color the dice and put them together. We finally got the dice made and I let the kids go to recess. I had some students stay back who wanted to learn more.

(Dice making craziness)

In addition to learning, these kids love painting. I took out a box of crayons and drew them Ohio State phrases to color in and paint. I have already described what a buckeye is but I was struggling so hard when I had to tell Segundo what they were coloring lol. I also brought my iHome with me, so we turned up the music and cleaned the classroom while the kids were dancing and painting. Jen also delivered a talk to the teachers at the Cordero school on teaching practices.

(OSU stuff)

(Jen discussing teaching pedagogies)

When we got back, we had a discussion on Latin American migration with a professor from the university. I took a Latin American migration course in undergrad and it was very interesting to get a different perspective from someone who has experienced and lived through migration.

(Migration discussion)

At night I went to a disco tech with Sam and our friend Gabbi from the university, It was AWESOME. It was called "La discoteca Space" the taxi driver was like Avion? Yeah sure... its the plane? This dance club legitimately had a plane in the middle of it and the drinks were free until 11. People go out early here so 11pm is really late. For all of my OSU friends- Its 100x crazier and better than Charley Bear (I know CBear sucks but this place was insane)

(Chillin by the plane)

It was definitely a much needed night out. I am very excited for the community celebration. It is so wonderful that a community wants to celebrate our partnership and share some of their life with us. This partnership's foundation is trust and I hope trust carries us into the future, to greater things.

"Believe"

When we arrived at school today, Luis, Fernando, Oscar and Marco were all waiting for us at the steps  of the school. When the bus arrived, the boys ran up to greet us at the door. It was such a warm welcome, but I feel bad for when we don't return in two weeks. Today Segundo handed me a tissue paper flower and a handful of cut tissue paper. Like what? What am I suppose to do with all of this? The kids were making tissue paper roses for their mothers for the celebration on Friday. Thank God, Taylor joined Andrew and I. The kids were crazy. Of course Diana, our star student, was already done with her rose, but the students could not make the roses without our help. It took forever to make all the kids roses. Some of the kids got angry and were not patient. Props to any second and first grade teacher out there, I could not do this long term. I love every moment but it's stressful.

(Diana making a rockstar rose for her mom)

(Fernando's rose after he destroyed the first one)

Sarah, Santi, Andrew, and I took a break and went on a walk around the school. I needed some fresh air after all the screaming kids covered in glue and tissue paper.  LOL. It was really funny because we found a mama sheep and her baby tied up next to the school. After this we realized that we were getting sunburned, so we quickly went back inside. We were suppose to present on indigenous groups in the US to our students but half of the class ran out into the field after Segundo. I have no idea what was going on but I let it happen.

(Mama and baby sheep - I could only think of the goat video with Taylor Swift)

(Look it up if you haven't seen it, haha!)

We went on a hike with the older children and Cristian. It was a really long hike but yet again we had amazing views and some more bonding time with the children. The girls in my first and second grade classes decided to join us. They are really clingy. I can deal with children for 5 hours straight but having them hanging all over me for longer than that is enough. I know... Justin how are you going to be a dad? I'll be a damn good uncle and give the kids back at the end of the day.

(I pawned Blanca off on Sam, haha. He loves small children, JOKES)

(Andrew and Karina taking a break during our hike today)

(Students from my class - Diana, Katrina and Wendy)

We learned about holistic medicine, and spiritual cleansing this afternoon. Some women from the community and two of the other teachers lead the discussion on holistic medicine. This is where my medical anthropology came into play. I loved everything. They told us how they cure arthritis, headaches, other ailments, and how to cleanse your soul. They offered for 6 of us to have our soul cleansed. Of course, I was first to volunteer. Pretty sure I probably needed it. It was definitely interesting but hey I take it. Next Tuesday they are taking us up to their sacred ceremony location to help us with holistic medicine. I am very excited about this.

(Andean medicine)

(Getting my soul cleansed)

Today the ceremony was meant to expel any bad energy back into the universe. The ceremony cures the metaphysical being and prevents bad things from occurring to someone. Cristian said that once your soul is pure then your body can begin to cure any physical aliments. Mind and body are one. We need to also believe in holistic medicine and Mother Nature. Believe and we can be one.

(Believe)

"Life doesn't always have a perfect plan"

Today was a crazy day in paradise. Segundo gave Andrew and I sole responsibility of both of his classes. I was not ready to teach two classes at once but it was a fun chaos. Segundo had to go practice his dance and music for the community festival on Friday. Andrew and I got the second graders off painting pictures of a boy and a girl. We taught them parts of the body today. The first graders had a workbook to go through. We constructed scarecrows out of paper and glued them in their books. I was covered in paint and glue in the first 5 minutes. We do not have paper towels or anything to wipe up their paint spills. I resorted to wiping the desks off with my hand - what's art without getting messy?

(What we have done thus far)

(Luis and Diana. Diana is the best at English and helps the others)

After class we went to recess and the boys took me on a walk. The boys told me that they wanted to go find Segundo and he went on a walk down this particular path. JOKES. Now, I did see Segundo go down this path in front of the school, but he went into a house to buy school supplies. So, we ended up going on a walk to nowhere basically, but the views were spectacular. I also downloaded an app that helped me ask the students questions on our walk.

(Path in front of the school)

(Boys will be boys)

We finally went back to the school and I realized Segundo was nowhere to be found. I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to workout this trip but trust me, the kids kick my butt. They have this thing where they want me to do bicep curls with the boys hanging off my arms. Holy crap they are heavy. This is the game that they always want to play... I don't get it but I'm gonna have some big arms by the end of the trip. LOL.

(Recess selfies)

(Yeah - this is my workout)

Rumi, took us on a walk through the community around the school. He gave a talk on Andean agriculture and then took us through the fields. My shoes are trashed but the memories and views were certainly worth it. We saw all the crops, how they cultivated them, and the animals that assist them. We headed back to Cuenca and had a grad student meeting. We worked on the final details of the program and class.

(The school children joined our walk)

(Rumi discussing agricultural methods)

(Mi perrito Carinoso)

(Sam and I taking a break)

(Best friends)

(Farm in the hills)

("baby shoe" flowers)

(Biffles)

We went shopping and I bought more stuff again. I don't know how I am going to get all this home. I went to the market to buy a pair of pants because I ripped my pants doing frog hops in gym class with  my students. Definitely my life. Nancy made a fantastic meal again! We had a Ecuadorian soup, rice, tomatoes, plantains, and seasoned pork.

Today we discussed how the teachers gave us complete freedom over their classrooms. I did not have have an issue with Segundo leaving but some of the students are not comfortable with the amount of time they are spending with the students without the professors. One of the teachers was sick and my friends were free to design the lesson plan. The school has limited resources so the students are used to being self-sufficient.

Rumi described to us that time is life and that they look at the past to learn in the present. He said that time doesn't matter at the Cordero school. As long as the students are engaged in their education and with others, they are learning. Some teachers plan, but it doesn't matter if they stick to the plans. Plans are not important. What is important is that we all are learning and growing from each other. Time is life - Life doesn't always have a perfect plan.

Sumak Kawsay "Beautiful Life"

Today was a great start to the week. Since it is winter here, it rains everyday... I've gotten used to being in a raincoat, muddy, and damp. It's absolutely perfect though because the scenery and people make up for the gloomy day. We traveled to the community and were met with big similes from the students. My class was eagerly awaiting for Andrew and I to arrive.

Segundo, our co-teacher, said that we could do what we wanted as long as we got the planned worksheets done. It is amazing the amount of trust and respect Segundo gives Andrew and I over his first grade class. He thanked me for being there because he said it is allowing him to truly focus on his second grader's curriculum. Andrew and I had the children paint a drawing of a cat, dog and a chair. Each of these things was a different color. We taught the children these words in English along with the coordinating color. The students went to recess and were such a handful.

(The classroom after our painting adventures)

I think that it is a good thing that the children are testing their limits with us. They have a sense of familiarity with us. They are listening, but it is definitely a different type of educational structure and community. The students will just walk out of class before recess and go home or walk into the garden to play with the baby chicks or puppies in the yard. I have gotten used to the freedom the students have with their free time. I've learned to let go of the sense of time.

(The chickens and dogs eating next to our bus)

I have a group of students who follow me and Andrew around. Today they wanted to go on a walk. Our school is situated on the top of a hill that over looks the valley. A trail goes up the side of the mountain where we walked. There is a barbed wire fence that accompanies the path to keep the cows and sheep in the pasture. My students were walking along the fence and of course my first instinct was to tell them to get away from the fence for safety reasons. Of course they rolled their eyes and said BYEE. They were collecting the sheep's wool that was stuck to the fence. THAT'S NASTY. I had no idea what they were doing until later.

(The pasture behind the school)

(Students on our walk)

(The cornfield the students weren't allowed to go in)

We finished our walk and a few of the boys disappeared. The ones who stayed with me said that they went into the cornfield, where they knew they weren't allowed to go. It rained this morning so the ground was a giant mud puddle. I called their names but no one came out. The students literally gave me the peace sign and said BYYYEEEEE - which is something that we taught them in class today. MISTAKE. They just kept saying byyeeeee when they didn't want to listen. I finally found the other boys in the classroom gluing the sheep wool onto their pictures. Still gross BUT they were like Justin Justin Justin... help me.... umm no that's gross, but if you know me, you know that I glued that disgusting hair onto their pictures haha. We then listened to one of the professors give the students announcements about the week ahead.

(Do you see all the shade and sass???)

(The sheep wool covered pig picture)

(School announcements)

After class we had a great discussion with Cristian (a professor at the school) about Andean cosmology. He described the Andean way of life and their spiritual connections to the Earth. He described the role of Pacha Mama - The one over seeing everything; Space and time, Allpa Mama, or Mother Earth, and placed everything on a continuum. This was a way that connected us with the students and faculty on a deeper level.

(Cristian and his presentation)

(Information about Andean culture)

Rumi, the principal, lead a discussion about the community resources and view on life. Some people will live a life of Ser or "to be" or a life of tener "to have". He went through slides with pictures of all the different architectural styles of houses in the community. He said that the people in the community live a life of "being" and are happy with the things that they have available to them. Some people have simple houses and others modern, elegant houses.

Although these students have limited resources, they are always smiling and outgoing, similar to the adults and faculty. Everyone seems to be living a happy life. Rumi said that the reason is because people don't live a life of wanting more or a life founded around tener. They recognize that some individuals have more than others but they should never live a life of wanting more, or they will always be unhappy. If only more people in the states could live a life of Ser.

(Living the life of Ser - straight chillin in the school yard)

The people in Cahuazhun Grande live the Sumak Kawsay or beautiful life. They are happy, eager to engage with others, desire strong relationships and put family and friends above all else. The children at the school are helping me live the Sumak Kawsay.

(Best friends living the beautiful life)

(Carlos and Luis)