Thursday, March 21, 2013

One of Daniel's many fans



The Last Two Days...

Have been a complete blur... Ending teaching at our new adopted school in San Antonino (I included a pic of our old school in Ocotlan that has been partially demolished to repair damage from last year's earthquake we experienced). Tuesday afternoon, we visited the studio of the famed blind ceramicist, Jose Garcia and Daniel managed to keep up with him as they made mermaids until Jose somehow made the head in a few mere minutes. Yesterday afternoon was yet another trip to a famous artist studio where we met Efraim and Sylvia Fuentes- an alebrije wood carver and his wife the painter. After the demo, we were able to paint our own wood carving which really reinforced the fact that Sylvia is an incredible artist. Last night, included a trip to the Plazita Festival with carnival rides quite unlike those in the US! Today, we met up in front of the school before our return to Oaxaca City where we were again greeted by the children like we were rock stars! Autographs, gifts, even impromptu English study sessions. Next we traveled to San Bartolo the black pottery village for a demo and some shopping. Back in Oaxaca, we shopped in the market and chocolate shops before splitting up- with half the group continuing to shop while I came back with the other students to the hotel for some swimming before a last night in the Zocalo!

It has been an amazing trip filled with adventure and the understanding of what it truly means to shape the world around us. A deep connection with the children at Casa Hogar and knowing they will sleep under the stars we painted on their walls and the endless hours of fun the play equipment will provide. In San Antonino, our two schools developed a relationship that will continue next year and hopefully via the Internet and if some of their teachers can come visit us at Watkinson- lots of plans are brewing!























The new Oaxacan totem- a combination of styles



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Teaching in San Antonino

A great time teaching ended with tons of 'fan mail', poems from our students and the promise to return next year to our new favorite school in Mexico!!













Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Las Fridas at lunch after teaching!



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Monday, March 18, 2013

Benito Juarez

A night and 2 days in the mountain village was a needed break and a time to regroup before teaching English tomorrow in San Antonino. With a charming village filled with friendly people, organic locally grown food (including the traditional trout lunch), a hike to three ziplines, a comfy cabin with warm beds, Benito Juarez was amazing!











Sunday, March 17, 2013

Benito Juarez Problems: I ate too many potatoes!



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A Stop at the Rug Weaving Village



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Friday, March 15, 2013

A night out on the town at the Galaguetza in #Oaxaca



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Dreams can come true! Coach Werner meets Los Guerreros, Oaxaca's professional baseball team @WatkinsonSchool



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Can you pass the purps?

Today a group of us spent our time painting a mural in the babies room that we had painted white earlier in the week.. Although it was a big job, the kids were eager to help and we soon discovered that some of the kids have a hidden talent for painting. One kid in particular was Hector, not only did he paint the moon but he also painted butterflies, clouds, a rainbow and stars. It was amazing to see all the kids come together and help us finish up the room!









Daniel thuggin

Daniel finally enjoys himself.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Last Day of School

Today was our last day of Spanish school! After nearly 12 hours of intensive conversational Spanish, several nights of homework and the endless conjugation of verbs- all of us have learned a lot more Spanish we can use at our homestays, at Casa Hogar and in the market as we try to get a better price.

Today was another morning at Casa Hogar. By now when we arrive the kids run up to us calling out our names. Babies have attachments to certain kids Iike Jonathan with Grace. Kate held kids all day even coaxing a sick child to actually fall asleep. Will, Jake and Jesse played with a toddler Leo who was having the best time on the trampoline we bought. The rest of us cycled through feeding, cleaning, playing and holding kids.

Enid made lunch for us at her new house and the kids sat out in her back courtyard enjoying homemade hummus, guacamole and chili.

I have included a few pics from last night in the Zocalo or town plaza. After dinner, the kids walked around the Zocalo enjoying the music, performers and the simple pleasure of having a common area where the whole community can come together to relax!











How many @WatkinsonSchool kids can you fit in a taxi in #Oaxaca?



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Nap time in #Oaxaca at #CasaHogar with WatkinsonSchool



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Wednesday, March 13, 2013