Viajes pasados y futuros

Here are some things I've been up to recently as well as the action-packed couple of months ahead that I couldn't be more excited about!
Last week, a group of about 10 fourth-year students invited me on a trip with them to sightsee various attractions in Volcan.  The city in itself is beautiful (as I mentioned in my other blog when I passed through it a few weeks ago) with the tree-covered rolling hills and the iconic dormant volcano, but with a tour guide, we were able to visit some places that would give us more to marvel at than just its nature.  For one, he demonstrated how, on one particular downhill slope along the highway (we were pulled over on the side), when the car is in neutral, it will actually defy gravity and go backwards--uphill.  Not bad for a magic trick, but, seeing as how that didn't fit within my schema, I figured he had to be pulling some stunt. That was until, at one of our stops, there was a stream that was flowing UP the mountain.  The explanation had to do with the magnetism in the volcanic rocks.  A phenomenon that apparently only occurs in 4 places in the world!

Anyways, we also went to a chocolate place, a strawberry shop, an archaeological site with artifacts and dug-up houses dating back to 1000 BC.  It was a great trip and I really enjoyed getting to know the students better as well--it was an awesome, really fun group.

Then, last weekend, another good friend from UNACHI invited me to take a day trip to Borinquito.  It's about a half an hour away and resembles a pool club except the pools are filled with river water thats continually circulating.  A very cool place that's right nearby--just gotta be ready for the rain there!  It started at around 4 and it's def not a light sprinkle; supposedly lasts for hours, but we decided not to stick around and test that and called it a day.

My Reading and Drama clubs at UNACHI have been really fun these first few months as we approach the midterms (starting in July).  I'm focusing right now on expanding their vocabulary and continue to look for creative and engaging ways to do so.  I feel like the lessons have been getting easier to plan and are much more effective as I continue to understand what the students need most, what they are strongest at, what they respond best to, ability levels, etc.
Volunteering is great; especially with the addition of a ping pong table.  I gave a spontaneous English lesson on body parts that ended up in a fierce game of Simon Says.  But again, most importantly, there is a ping pong table.  We also have a parade tomorrow morning that all of us, students and teachers alike, have been making signs for which promote the organization's name and its beliefs.
While everything to this point has been awesome, these next couple of months, filled with visitors and more trips, are set up to be amazing.
In a few days, Lauren, her brother Ellis, and Alison will be arriving and will be here for almost 2 weeks. We have plans to stay at and explore a few different areas within Panama over that time and take advantage of some time off.  Tuesday can't get here fast enough!
With no time in between, I head to Uruguay for the Fulbright ETA seminar for a week.  I've wanted to go to South America for a while now; really excited to get that chance soon.
And in July, the family comes to visit for a couple of weeks!
Alright all, I have to go and get ready for it all.  Tomalo con calma!
(By the way, the fall is wide open, so think about taking a trip to PANAMA!)