Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Epidemic in my house...and I still haven´t caught it...
Alright, for those of you who told me to bring the antibiotic, Cipro, on my adventure, I thank you. Not that I have needed it yet, but nearly everyone in my house has had an unfortunate gastro-intestinal bug, which apparently ravages your body the way that you imagine gastro-intestinal bugs to do (I know you are with me here...). So far, I have been spared, and am grateful. But, in the event that it hits me, despite my hourly hand washings and extremely precautious behavior, I will be exceedingly grateful to have the medication.
In other news, I had a great success inside today. The children were rather rambunctious, and I had the idea that if I could get them to sit together and listen, we could re-group. So, I pulled out a picture book following the Spanish alphabet (one of the few they have), grabbed a few of the most dominant personalities, and sat down. Before I knew it, I had three children in my lap and eleven surrounding me. They following my reading, and repeated the Spanish words with delightful laughter. It was hysterical. And, the few mothers who were nearby were echoing the children laughing...I mean, it was funny. The rest of the day was much less...what´s the word I´m looking for...insane. When the time came for me to go, one of the little girls (whom I would actually not call my friend) threw her arms around my neck and said, ¨NO!¨, and kissed my cheek. It was the perfect conclusion to the day.
I am still anxious about my language skills in Spanish, and my ability to connect with the women, despite great desire. Yesterday, some of the women asked us to teach a little English while we are inside. I would love to do that, and hope that I would be capable, but it is difficult to balance with my time and ease in communication with the kids.
While I work on building my confidence and vocabulary in Spanish, you should think healthy thoughts for me. Haha. And hey, don´t forget that when you read this blog, you can always respond to me...either on the blog, or via email. I would like to hear from you too.
Thanks. Later...
In other news, I had a great success inside today. The children were rather rambunctious, and I had the idea that if I could get them to sit together and listen, we could re-group. So, I pulled out a picture book following the Spanish alphabet (one of the few they have), grabbed a few of the most dominant personalities, and sat down. Before I knew it, I had three children in my lap and eleven surrounding me. They following my reading, and repeated the Spanish words with delightful laughter. It was hysterical. And, the few mothers who were nearby were echoing the children laughing...I mean, it was funny. The rest of the day was much less...what´s the word I´m looking for...insane. When the time came for me to go, one of the little girls (whom I would actually not call my friend) threw her arms around my neck and said, ¨NO!¨, and kissed my cheek. It was the perfect conclusion to the day.
I am still anxious about my language skills in Spanish, and my ability to connect with the women, despite great desire. Yesterday, some of the women asked us to teach a little English while we are inside. I would love to do that, and hope that I would be capable, but it is difficult to balance with my time and ease in communication with the kids.
While I work on building my confidence and vocabulary in Spanish, you should think healthy thoughts for me. Haha. And hey, don´t forget that when you read this blog, you can always respond to me...either on the blog, or via email. I would like to hear from you too.
Thanks. Later...
# posted by Marci Soifer @ 2:18 PM 
Comments:
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Dear my dearest sister and Andrew,
Your words are kind and your observations are warm. You are right, Halie...I am working hard to create these entries and get my voice to ring through. I appreciate both your reading of my adventures and your responses...it reminds me that someone is reading the posts. Not to mention, I am excited to correspond with you, and know that the nuances of my experience are being passed along. Besides, how could I remember all the details and spew them each time we spoke...es muy difficil. Haha...look at me...speaking Spanish.
The prison is amazing, and interstingly enough, I am finding that the intial shock is wearing off. My job in a third world prison feels more and more normal, and I am the one who feels lucky to spend time inside. I am growing closer with the kids each day, and getting closer to communicating with their mothers and the other women. And Andrew, to answer your question, my camera is not working, so I have no pictures as of yet, but am digitally sharing with some people from the program and recieved a CD with some photos from the Christmas party inside. I can share these, if I could ever figure out how...damn...eternally wishing that I was more computer literate.
Anyway, thanks for the words, the complements, and the love...I appreciate it more than I can detail on the depths of this internet cafe in Peru. There will be much more on the way, and I am glad to know that you will be a part of it.
Glad to hear that you made it home safely from a great trip in Germany.
Love, Marci
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Your words are kind and your observations are warm. You are right, Halie...I am working hard to create these entries and get my voice to ring through. I appreciate both your reading of my adventures and your responses...it reminds me that someone is reading the posts. Not to mention, I am excited to correspond with you, and know that the nuances of my experience are being passed along. Besides, how could I remember all the details and spew them each time we spoke...es muy difficil. Haha...look at me...speaking Spanish.
The prison is amazing, and interstingly enough, I am finding that the intial shock is wearing off. My job in a third world prison feels more and more normal, and I am the one who feels lucky to spend time inside. I am growing closer with the kids each day, and getting closer to communicating with their mothers and the other women. And Andrew, to answer your question, my camera is not working, so I have no pictures as of yet, but am digitally sharing with some people from the program and recieved a CD with some photos from the Christmas party inside. I can share these, if I could ever figure out how...damn...eternally wishing that I was more computer literate.
Anyway, thanks for the words, the complements, and the love...I appreciate it more than I can detail on the depths of this internet cafe in Peru. There will be much more on the way, and I am glad to know that you will be a part of it.
Glad to hear that you made it home safely from a great trip in Germany.
Love, Marci
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