Ahh, today was nice. Today felt more like vacation than a mission trip. We slept in a little (breakfast at 8 instead of regularly scheduled 7), and the only plan for the day was hot springs and a presentation after dinner. The hot spring were so much cooler than I could imagine! They were at almost 8,000 feet, so we had a long ride up the mountain, but these people took advantage of every bit of land they have and planted all up and down the slopes of the mountain, it was actualy very pretty. We saw a lot of people out working the fields and harvesting the vegetable we just saw in the market just a few minutes before. The higher we got, the more tropical the vegetation was. That combined with mist, which was part natural hot spring steam and part cloud, made for a surreal view. The springs were very cool, I was picturing just a pool in the ground surrounded by mud, but they actualy made it into a very nice place, with stone pools and changing rooms and picnic areas and everything. There were three pools, the largest one was closest to the hot springs source, and hot enough to "boil a chicken." I went in it up to mid-torso for about a minute. It was actualy very relaxing, but I figured staying in it too long couldn't be too healthy! The water from that pool flowed into the next one, and made it slighly cooler than a hot tub, then that water flowed into the last pool, which was just slightly cooler than the second. We hung out in the medium pool for the most part, it was kind of a goldy-locks situation, I guess. It started raining shortly after we got there, but it just made the whole experience better. The rain cooled our heads and allowed us to stay in the warm water, and it allowed me to stand in the rain, which I am often wont to to, without getting too cold. Oh, and the view of the mountain cliff with all that greenery and the steam going up it was AMAZING!
Then we moved down to the picnic area for soup. They brought a huge pot of soup that they heated up on the fire pit. It was perfect in the rain, and it was a veggie soup full of all the stuff we just saw them harvesting, which made it even better.
Then it was home for a nap and a quick trip to town where we went to a cafe for some mochachinos and cake, and just chillin! After an amazing dinner (more traditional food than the spaghetti last night), we had a presentation about whata AMA (the group that we are working with) is all about, and even though I heard this presentation last year, I got a lot out of it and all the questions we asked. But now it is time for bed so I have plent of energy tomorrow, when we start the stove building!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Day 1 drama
Oh, forgot to mention we had a little excitement yesterday. We found out that the reason they were late picking us up from the airport is because there was some political drama in the city. One of the politicians was shot and it closed down a bunch of streets. Lupe was very anxious to get us loaded and get the heck out of the city, which was a bit disconcerting.
There were more problems with mudslides this year, we ran into this last year as well where whole sections of the road just washed away. In fact, that is the reason we didn't go to the lake, the road was blocked by mudslides. We were near the peak of the mountain when it started pouring, and there was a lot of water washing across the road. I was afraid one of the car-sized boulders we saw from prevous mudslides was going to come down and crush us. Obviously we made it, but it was a little nerve-wracking for a bit.
There were more problems with mudslides this year, we ran into this last year as well where whole sections of the road just washed away. In fact, that is the reason we didn't go to the lake, the road was blocked by mudslides. We were near the peak of the mountain when it started pouring, and there was a lot of water washing across the road. I was afraid one of the car-sized boulders we saw from prevous mudslides was going to come down and crush us. Obviously we made it, but it was a little nerve-wracking for a bit.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Trip day 1
Wow, 15 hours of traveling on 2 hours of sleep. But, I am so glad we are here. The plan was to go to Lake Attilian the first day, which is half way between the airport and the Ama House, and also what we did last year. Last year we did some shopping in the town, and half the group went to see an old church, while the other half went to the coffee plantation. I went to the church last year and was looking forward to the coffee plantation this year. Unfortunately, there are more mudslides this year, something that caused some problems last year as well, and it blocked our way to the lake. So instead we went straight from the airport to the Ama House, our base camp for the week which is about a 4 hour drive from the airport, and about 45 minutes from our work site. Dissapointing, but at least we can unpack and relax instead of just staying for one night at the lake. Also, this means we have an extra day in the itenerary, which is being filled with a trip to the hot springs, yay! This should be fun/interesting, especially since I am the only one who brought a bathing suit. We already made a trip into town and staked out the important places: ATM, market, bakery, and chocolate shop. :) Tonight most of us are just crashing early, but a few are going out to stake out the good nighlife for us! There are some benefits to staying in town instead of at the "refuge" again.
Oh, and although I have already started with the injuries (cut my finger right before leaving home and slipped and fell in Polo Campero), I am NOT the most injury prone for a change! One of the girls tripped and smacked the ground hard twice before we even left Virginia.
Oh, and although I have already started with the injuries (cut my finger right before leaving home and slipped and fell in Polo Campero), I am NOT the most injury prone for a change! One of the girls tripped and smacked the ground hard twice before we even left Virginia.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
warm fuzzy
Hearing from cute boys out of the blue makes me feel warm and fuzzy, even if they are just friends.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011
lots of smiles today
Lots of great things happening in my life right now. My new boss seems wonderful, I am dating a new guy who seems like a really good fit, and I have finaly gotten off of my diet plateau and am only about 6 lbs from goal.
But I have to tell you, the two things I am most proud of today was having a long religious discussion with an agnostic friend where I DIDN'T turn him off of Christianity, and making a cashier give a big hearty belly laugh. I wasn't even trying to make her smile, but by the end of the transaction she was almost falling out if her chair and thanking us for a much needed laugh. It is SO easy to brighten someone's day sometimes, never forget that. If you have been blessed with joy, or even if you haven't, make sure to pass it on and share the love.
But I have to tell you, the two things I am most proud of today was having a long religious discussion with an agnostic friend where I DIDN'T turn him off of Christianity, and making a cashier give a big hearty belly laugh. I wasn't even trying to make her smile, but by the end of the transaction she was almost falling out if her chair and thanking us for a much needed laugh. It is SO easy to brighten someone's day sometimes, never forget that. If you have been blessed with joy, or even if you haven't, make sure to pass it on and share the love.
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Tuesday, February 22, 2011
job
I am so exhausted after my first day back from the 4 day weekend. But instead of focusing on my stress, I am going to be thankful. Thankful that:
1. I have a job to go to that pays me very well.
2. I work in a nice heated building on a cold snowy day like today.
3. I have the kind of job that affords me weekends, and especially four day weekends.
4. I may not have as much time as I like to cook, but I am so grateful to be able to afford food at all.
5. I work with great people, and have a lot of friends at work.
1. I have a job to go to that pays me very well.
2. I work in a nice heated building on a cold snowy day like today.
3. I have the kind of job that affords me weekends, and especially four day weekends.
4. I may not have as much time as I like to cook, but I am so grateful to be able to afford food at all.
5. I work with great people, and have a lot of friends at work.
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Sunday, February 20, 2011
I heard something I really liked on the travel channel yesterday from a lady talking about hand made doughnuts. "It's not perfect, but it's beautiful." I think I am going to say that to myself when I am looking in the mirror. No comments on how that connects me to doughnuts!
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