2011-11-28
It really amazes me how the poorest of the world can create these beautiful things, surviving methods that are so valuable and rich of soul. Living in the states I was never blind of the rest of the world. But growing up forgetting my parent roots and forgetting the sacrifices–them, my grandparents. My ancestors have...
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2011-11-23
This was the week of the Senegalese holiday Tabaski. At a glance, the week fostered an absurd amount of new experiences for me. Ram slaughtering, wrestling matches, onion farming, Islamic praying, hitchhiking with Moroccan legume salesmen, African dance parties, outrageous fun. Enough cultural exploits for at least five separate blog posts. I’m going to talk...
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2011-11-23
Before I left for Senegal, I expected to learn most through my apprenticeship. However, much to my surprise, I have gained numerous skills and insights from just participating in everyday life in a rural village in Senegal for a month. Although I haven’t done much formal work for my apprenticeship yet, I acquire new skills...
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2011-11-22
The pickup truck turns off the wide gravel road from Misahualli and onto a narrower track, carrying you and four members of your new family in the back. Thirty feet above your head, the trees nearly touch. You’re headed into the jungle. Then, to your right appears a half-constructed house, and chickens scatter back towards...
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2011-11-22
Never underestimate the things you can do the stars above the sky is underneath your feet, can’t you see You can leave them breathless Only if you try All your mistakes turn into gold this very moment you’re king When you conquer you shall feast too. You can’t tell them what it is Only what...
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2011-11-19
A quick excerpt from a typical day in the life of Igatu, Bahia: After spending two hours in Centro Cultural sorting out books and organizing them into their respective genres (Romance, Idiomas, Módulos Pré Vestibular) I head home, starving for some almoço (lunch). I find my host dad Neu working on some home improvement project,...
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2011-11-17
Let me start by saying that I’ve had the displeasure of attending my fair share of funerals, but few things have touched me deeply as an Ecuadorian funeral. Subsequently, I’ve seldom been more mortified by the measures that must be taken to accommodate the departed. On a Tuesday morning the service was to be held...
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