TFABB: Once Again! :)

Last week I spent the entire week in town. I think this was the longest time I spent in Punta Gorda straight and I have to say it went a lot better than I had expected, thanks to Laura and the TFABB crew, plus there were Canadian Rotary folk giving a workshop to teaching coaches that would go on to lead the workshop for all the Toledo teachers this week. They are all always much fun to hang out with and everytime they come I learn a little bit more about them. Mica and Anne led a workshop with the preschool teachers and from Day One I realized those girls do more work than I ever could. Luckily, they only needed my help one of their long planning nights otherwise I wouldn't have lasted. The workshop covered development and classroom management for the most part and each day the teachers were able to make and take some kind of project from file folder games to a calendar. One of the days Mica and Anne even set up a preschool classroom and went through a morning to give the teachers ideas of things they could use in their own classrooms. I loved seeing the teachers walk through the classroom, taking notes, and also how they played their part and acted like four-year olds. The preschool teacher in Silver Creek is my favorite. At one point I suggested she talk only in K'ekchi for the rest of the morning and she made me laugh so much, telling Mica she was afraid of the other girl. It's fun understanding the little bit of K'ekchi I do. I've come to find out those Mayans can be quite funny when they want to be. I've always known they like to laugh, but now I can see why.
Another highlight was having dinner with the Ministry. This is always a favorite when TFABB comes to town. I remembered back to our first dinner, I think in January. This time we ate out at the farm of one of the ladies that works in the office. It was a really nice place and she made delicious East Indian food. One of the Canadians had a friend visiting from Dangriga. This was his first time in Punta Gorda and was amazed Laura and I knew what was being served and he didn't. Kahune cabbage? Kalalu? Dal Roti? After dinner there was dancing and visiting and Mr. Reyes the District Manager was talking about their new focus of zoning schools and teacher coaches. He then turned to me, placed his hand on my shoulder and thanked me for what Peace Corps is doing in the school, knowing we are making a difference. I still get goosebumps remembering it, and will never ever forget it.
So yes, now I am back in the village for another week before my visit home, well I guess right right now I am in San Benito Poite visiting Lilly. I rode my bike this morning the 10 or so miles and it's crazy to be all the way out here in the jungle and updating my blog. Loves and Hugs!