Journal Entry #4 – Tuesday, February 6, 2008

Our wake-up call happened about 6 a.m. about two hours earlier than we are used to in the States. I shower first because I am fast but today, that did not matter since Bill announced he did not feel good enough to go to our teaching tasks.

I came down to our daily meeting with Carlos in charge and our group exchanged pleasantries. We were picked up by van and traveled to our school where we met the assigned teacher and met with the students in the first of five classes for today. I had four consecutive classes with very talented and prepared teachers and truly enjoyed both the challenge and camaraderie of the contact. We met for a non-traditional breakfast (cheesecake and yogurt) and returned to run chores. Lunch remained even more non-traditional with ice cream sandwiches and potato chips. I truly have pleasure in meeting the students but I find the beginners very hard work.

We all returned by van to the hotel and took a needed nap almost immediately.

Tonight, no walking the city to find a good restaurant: Carlos was teaching and we all ate at the hotel restaurant where the food was adequate and the conversation amiable.

No long and fast walks this evening, just relaxing mostly without hurried conversation.