New Horizons.

                 Wow! It’s been a while! It is hard to think that it has been three months already. The switch over to middle school has been made, for a while now actually. The classes I am in charge of are 7^th Life Science, 7^th English, 8^th US History, and 6^th Math. There is quite a contrast between subjects and class personality. Many of you would be impressed with Science. It is my favorite class to teach actually. Crazy. In one day I became a slug and a clam. We are learning to draw pictures in our notes to help ourselves. I told the students, after they laughed at my picture of a clam’s gills, that there was no room for pride as a teacher when it comes to drawing on the board. They laughed.

                  Last week we had a church conference! The conference speaker was Mr. Rogers, a former missionary to Argentina. The focus was on the family. No pun intended. It was wonderful. Sunday one of the elders invited the speaker’s family and me to lunch. It was a good time of fellowship and Spanish practice. On Monday there was a meeting on sexual purity for the young people. The great thing about it was, everyone came. Then we broke into groups and discussed lies that the world tries to make us believe. We then looked to scripture to find the truth. The whole time was meant for the more mature Christians to help counsel and discuss the issues with the younger ones! The set up was very impacting.

Cultural Tidbits –

1.      Did I tell you that I saw a Colombian put on chapstick? It rocked my world.

2.      I have been counting how many seconds people wait to sit down in seat that was previously occupied on the buses. It ranges from 4-15 seconds.

3.      We don’t really eat dinner here. I am used to it. It will be odd to go back to large dinners.

4.      Crapes and Waffles is a phenomena here. Look it up. In my opinion, it is up there with Country Style (all you Quad Citians).

I would appreciate prayer for wisdom in coming back this fall.

Thanks to all!

ps. Was that a cheesy title or what?

What do you see?

Things I see every day…almost.

1.       Horses pulling a trailer of veggies, or something of that sort. It is so out of place in the middle of a city with 9,000,000 people. Odd.

2.       A goat on the side of the road in the canal on the way to school.  I named him, but forgot it. I think it was something Frederico… Maybe Reginald?

3.       Buses, buses, and more buses…I take a least two a day. I seriously love public transportation. It is only about $.60 do travel and hour on the Transmilenio. Can you believe that? It is glorious not having a car.

4.       The beautiful mountains. Every day. It is astonishing, especially at night.

5.       There is this one puffy brown dog that I look for on a farm on the way to school every day. I think the zoning laws here are extremely lax.

6.       Cows….all over the place. This is also odd.

 

7.       Little shops, called tiendas, selling almost everything you could want.

8. This is behind my apartment building.

9. Last, but not least. Traffic and taxis and motorcycles.

This is a little piece of what I see everyday. Hope you enjoy it.

It’s crazy. It’s wonderful. It’s a learning experience.

Alas, I have not disappeared!

I shall make you a timeline or perhaps a chronicle….Going backwards.

Yesterday – I got my visa renewed. It turns out that there are in fact people of other cultures living in Colombia. Although people have been telling me this, it was not confirmed until yesterday. Of course, the only people who need their visas renewed are non-Colombian! I am going to give you a speedy version of the process. 1- Go to the photo place to get photos taken. 2-Go to the visa place to find out the exact amount of money that it costs, as well as the account number. …. 3 – Get lost. 4 – Go to the bank to deposit the exact amount of money into the account of the government. I’m assuming. 5- Go back the visa place . . . 6 –Stand in line. 7 – Turn everything in. 8 – Get fingerprinted….Yes, I do have fingerprints in Colombia (Suz, Victor, and Alyssa). 9 – Wait. . . .  10 – Someone calls out your name (Karen Elizabeth). This is extremely hard to understand in Spanish when you have heard it in English your whole life. They hand back your passport and say “Listo!” (Ready). Of course I stood there just staring until she shooed me away.

                This all took place from 9:30 to 2:45. Talk about a long day. Great thing is, I got an extended visa without having to haggle or pay extra. The Lord is faithful in the small things.

Last Friday – This was the last day in First Grade. They had a little party for me, and they gave me a book with a card from each student with their picture. BEST PRESENT EVER! I miss them already. Although, every time they see in the school they come running to give me a hug screaming, “Miss Carter!!! Miss Carter!!!” I told my mom that somehow, I think my departure from middle school will slightly different.

Last Monday and Tuesday – Sick....Need I say more?

Dia del Idioma was a long time ago……..HOWEVER…….We must travel back! It was AMAZING. (I am using the Caps appropriately here people!) Close your eyes and imagine fabricated national parks with a plethora of wild animals running around, right in the school building! There was face painting and forest sounds and parents and cameras and rain (real) and oceans, ect. In all my years (21), I have never seen a celebration quite so spectacular. Honestly, the Colombians know how to do something up.

I am in middle school officially now. It’s crazy. It’s wonderful. It’s a learning experience.

Cultural Tidbit:

1. Everyone in Colombia knows their blood type. When they ask you yours, and you tell them you don't know it, they give you a look like you are a complete idiot.

2. Water here is often sold with gas in it (con gas).

Movin' on Out...

Today I officially moved into another apartment with a Colombian family! This means…I get my own room. I am going to get really spoiled. You have no idea how nice it is to have a room to yourself…until you don’t. It is unbelievable how much I can spread my stuff out in 7 weeks. I still have not located my tennis shoes. Who knows? Maybe the borrowers have made a trip to Colombia. Wouldn’t surprise me.

            Tomorrow is Dia del Idioma! For those of you who don’t know (which is probably almost everyone), this is a humongous deal! From the descriptions that I have gotten, it is a day of celebrating the Colombian culture. Anyways, many of the rooms in the school have been transformed into national parks. Models off of the real thing, of course. However, I have never seen anything so amazing! I really might get lost in the wilderness. It almost reminds me of winterfest (all you Emmaus folk). Colombians know how to decorate….It’s uncanny. There is no holding back.

Cultural Tidbits (or just things that are different from America):

1.      Milk is in a bag, and they don’t refrigerate it until it’s needed. It is so odd to get milk out of the cupboard.

2.      I can’t remember if I have said this one yet. KETCHUP is totally different here. . and this is not in a good way. I actually ate some of my fries without ketchup. For those of you who know me, this is unheard of.

3.      Ranch is hardly ever seen. I actually have NEVER seen or tasted it here. . .Now you know how to pray for me..lol.

Why not?

Dearest friends and Family!

These last couple of weeks have been crazy per usual.

Last Friday night we had six friends over for dinner. The funny thing is, we didn’t plan it until the morning of! Does that sound like me? We told everyone to be there by 6, but to honor the Colombian culture, did not eat until 7.

On Sunday I want back to the church in Cazuca! This was the second time, and just a lovely (and long) as the last. We went with the intention of leaving right after church. FALSE.  Right after mentioning that we were going to get home early, we were invited to a birthday party. Who can pass up a birthday party right? Apparently not me.

We then took a bus into Soacha (sp?) for the party. Of course, being an American, I thought we would play a game, have some lunch, sing a song, and then leave. Two hours right? Needless to say, I arrived home around 7 or 7.30. Totally worth it. Plus, I got to have some quality time with Colombians my own age, which really is invaluable. Why? Because I can now walk up to them at church and say hi without it being totally awkward. Plus, they will help me learn spanish. Ah! It really was such a blessing.

Teaching has been great, even with all the minor melt downs my students have every day. We have fun…or at least I do.

Achievement of the day:

Almost all of my 23 1^st graders made a three slide powerpoint with: a word, picture, and animation on each page. Beat that…I mean really, there is no way someone could beat that.  They are 7! I know college students who still don’t know how to make a proper powerpoint!

Cultural Tidbits:

1.       I have now seen 2 Colombians use some form of chap stick. I know you were all waiting for this update. However, one of them was one of my students, and I think he only had it because I did (and of course he thought it was cool).

2.       When you leave the North end of Bogota, people start to look more normal and less like they walked out of fashion magazine.

3.       Honking doesn’t mean you’re angry…It just everyone else know where you are.

4.       They use the phrase, “A week without meat…” as we would use a week without food. That’s how important chicken and beef is here.

Minor Adjustments:  I will be moving in with a Colombian family tonight! The place I am in right now is a bit cramped. Praise the Lord that this opportunity opened up for me to stay in the same apartment building! That means I do not have to learn a new bus route, neighborhood or anything. Plus, I will have my own room! Talk about spoiled. The Lord really has provided above and beyond what I could have imagined.

Things I took for granted -

1. a dryer

2. the comforts of my own language

Haps and Mishaps...

Friends and Family,

Again, my apologies for the long wait. The good news is…It’s for a reason. This was my first week having full control of the classroom for student teaching. Being officially in charge of twenty-three, six and seven year olds – it turns out- IS…. pretty hilarious, intimidating, scary, fun, challenging, and crazy. Seriously.  I’m loving it.

The Account of School Haps and Mishaps:

1.       Last week –

There was a bee in the classroom. All sorts of chaos ensued. However, the bee left rather quickly. Problem quickly averted and forgotten…It was only a honey bee. Mind you it was the one and only that I have seen in Colombia. Of course, it would come into a 1^st grade classroom.

Yesterday –

 A significantly larger DRAGON FLY flew into the classroom. Let’s just say that my eardrums are still recovering. However, it is my own fault because I did not have them practice how we act when a bug comes in. Right after the LARGE dragon fly flew out of the classroom, I told them the story of when a bee landed right on my shirt during lunch in elementary. I was so afraid of talking in front of the lunch lady that I sat as still as a statue. The bee left. They seemed to gain comfort from that.

 Immediately after I finished my story, the LARGE dragon fly comes back into the room. Simultaneously, I say loudly, “PRACTICE!” They all sat like statues. I was shocked out of my mind, and enormously proud.

Today –

 We read a story about a fly on a nose….and we practiced our statue pose yet again.

2.       The regular music teacher is not here yet. I have never met her. So, for elementary music we get special groups to come in.

Last Friday –

        The special group was some Native Colombian Indians. From what I could tell they did not speak Spanish very well, and I couldn’t understand a thing. Now, this is a bit terrifying when you are the leader of 23. I smile and nod A LOT. Anyways, they did some music for us…and then came the tribal dances. Well, they wanted a teacher to come and dance with them. At this point, I really have no idea what anyone is saying…but all of the sudden every single 1^st grader turns to me and screaming my name. Again, I have no idea what is going on. I look hopelessly at my Teacher Aid and she points to the stage. Now, every teacher knows that there are things that you give up for your students. For me, dignity is now one of them. . . . I even had to wear a headdress.

Today –

        We had a group of rappers come. Colombian rappers. Seriously.  I spent most of the time shuttling students in out due to ear aches it was so loud. But, the boys are all on cloud nine. The look on their faces when it started was priceless. Deer in the headlights mixed with scrunched eyebrows. . . The best part was they all tried to dance. . . Key word = TRIED. It was hilarious.

All in all, teaching has been an enormous learning experience. Plus, I love it.

Church in Cazuca….the South.

                This church was quite different from the last two that I have been two. South Bogota generally means poorer, as far as I know. I went with a friend from El Camino. This was probably one of the biggest authentically cultural experiences that I have had so far.

                We took the bus at eight in the morning. We couldn’t sit for a while, but it wasn’t that crowded. It takes about an hour, hour and a half to get there. The Transmilenio (the bus system) is a bit intimidating to me……one, because I don’t know Spanish and two, because it is a totally new experience.   When we arrived (after a couple of bus transfers), I immediately noticed that it was completely different.

This is a google image I found that looks like the town..This is a photo of Southern Bogota. However, I think we were farther up the mountain than this photo shows. 

           We were farther up the mountain, which generally means a rougher area. The farther South we got, the less we spoke in English (which really means no speaking). The people were WONDERFUL. I felt welcome, even being one of two gringos there. The speaker was a wonderful man who is a Colombian missionary to China.
              

           After church, there was a lunch were they serve you enough to last for a lifetime. They make up your plates here; it’s not a buffet line. After that, I thought I was going to be reading while my friend was in a meeting, because there was no way that I could get myself back alone. Well, I ended up going home with some of the elders wives for a hilarious game of Monopoly.

                Now, one of the major differences in this church is that only one Colombian speaks functional English...as far as I know. Needless to say, none of the women did. It was wonderful! We played for about three hours…I lost. My dictionary is always with me now. I wish I could explain better how fun it was, even with the language barrier. We drank coffee and ate bread, and drank coffee...and ate bread..

         One thing you could pray for specifically is my language acquisition. It’s hard and humbling. Also, my usefulness in the church…The two really go hand in hand.

                On the way home, it was rather packed, but I would rather take the bus that drive in a car any day. … at least in Colombia.

I know this is only a snippet, and I would love to tell you all more..So, ask away! I will do my best to answer.

Cultural tidbits:

-I have never seen someone pet a dog here.

-To get the @ symbol, you hold alt..then push 6…then 4. I know I already said the keyboard is weird, but I want you to understand the depth.

-Everyone thinks you are going to freeze to death if you don’t have multiple layers on at all times. You might be thinking this doesn’t count. You are wrong. I have people tell me all the time that I am not wearing enough clothes….and it’s 65 degrees out. I don't need a parka thank you. It’s cultural.

-There are about 45,000 taxis in Bogota…I think that’s right.

 -I only recognize about 2 of the fruits in the grocery story...talk about intimidating. They have this one fruit that looks like an orange on the outside and fish eggs on the inside. To eat it, you kinda slurp it out. Horrible consistency but good flavor...but really horrible consistency.

If you made it this far, much thanks. God Bless.

Church and Public Transportation

Dear friends and family,

            Deepest apologies for the delay, however, I think you all would prefer me to do well at my actual job first. SO many things have happened!

           I will start with the most recent. . . I can’t remember how much has been said about the public transportation here, but it’s wonderful. Unfortunately, we all know that with good usually comes a bit of bad. No pain no gain right? Well, in respect to riding the bus in Colombia, I take that phrase quite literally.              

Sunday:

 I thought that all of my vertebrae were smashed into smithereens. This was due to a pot hole the size of Yemen, just big enough to have you life flash before your eyes. Really, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced (that might be a slight exaggeration).

Today (Tuesday):

We decided to take a bus that you only had to pay 500 Pesos for. This comes at some costs.

1.      You have to walk farther to reach it.

2.      Then, a man practically pulls you onto the bus, screaming in your ear….all this while the bus hardly stops.

3.      Finally, you get packed (standing room only) into a bus full of people wearing entirely too much cologne. .

All in all, it is totally worth it for about $.25. Beats having your own car any day.

CHURCH – As promised.

First Sunday –

            I had just arrived the night before, very late. I cannot remember the name. The message was good, and I understood a surprisingly large amount (due to PowerPoint). To be honest, I was a bit comatose.

 Second Sunday –

            I visited church with Nancy Clark, a lady who works a ECA. She is also Plymouth Brethren (and yes, Mr. Rush, I know that calling myself that defeat itself in general, but for the sake of the blog). She has been doing what she can to help out the church for the past couple of years. I am not positive, but I think that the Flemings were involved in planting this church. It was wonderful. Of course, everything is I Spanish. That week they had the regular services, pot luck, and then a meeting to help define the mission of that particular assembly. It was VERY interesting to watch the culture, and how Colombians handle hard topics.

Last Sunday –

            This church was further up the mountain, in what seemed like a nice neighborhood. This was the first assembly started in Bogota by Brian Killings, there are about 20 now. There was a band….and I mean drums, guitars, keys, and vocals. Talk about shaking things up a bit. I attended with a high school student from ECA. She was gracious enough to interpret for me. We got a few ‘looks.’ The general friendliness was a bit different. It seemed as though me being there was a general annoyance.  

            In generally, church has been a challenge. It is interesting to see the differences and similarities of church culture in Colombian culture. It will gradually get easier with the more Spanish that I learn. It is encouraging meeting with believers to worship the Lord together.

Culture tidbit:

-Directions are always up or down in relation to the mountain, not east/west/north/south.

-I don’t know if this counts, but I have yet to see a Colombian put on chap stick.

-Everyone dances . . . it’s a favorite pastime.