It's true that we have been here in Canoa for over a week, but we have so much more to learn! But I still love marveling at all the things that are so unfamiliar to me. Like....
The shaggiest rattiest dog I've ever seen
A fish with buck teeth, and yes, those are really teeth
A man swatting flying on the meat that is hanging with no protection
Naked children playing in shallow, dirty water
We have spent a full week at the school and the kids are awesome. I love getting to know them while it makes it much more difficult to do by not knowing the language. And even though I can speak enough to get by, trying to understand what they are saying is almost impossible. Even native speakers from other areas say that the people in Canoa are hard to understand. They have an accent and speak very fast. I have also gotten to be friends with the English speaking teachers at the school and they are awesome.
One day after school, mom and I were sitting on the beach when a guy walked up and asked if we could watch his dog, Penguino, for 20 minutes while he went to do something. I said, "Uh... I guess so." And off he went. I guess he thought since we were foreigners that we really didn't have any use for the dog and the underground railroad of animals probably let them know that Dr. Dolittle was in town. Even the stray dogs have heard about her! Meanwhile, a guy stopped to talk to us on the beach, simply because we were from America. When the guy came back to get his dog, we found out that he is good friends with the girls who work at the school. People kept telling us that this was a really small town and everyone knew everyone's business and know I'm realizing it more and more. We will meet someone new and then see them 5 more times that day around town. Friends are not hard to come by here with everyone being so welcoming.
Mom with Penguino Mom with the stray dog on her towel with her
Mom and I have made a habit of stopping by the bakery everyday on our way to school to grab a few piece of hot fresh bread for 10 cents each. First it was one piece of bread each, then two, then three.... it's just so delicious! And we also found out that pescado frito is a gift from the Lord! Fresh fish straight from the sea about 200 meters away from the restaurant. And the best part... soup and a plate of fish, rice and vegetables that my mom and I can split for $2.50! Doesn't get much better! And today we ate at a pizzeria and had the best pizza I've ever had. We decided to get a large and just take the leftovers home for dinner... there were no leftovers!
While at church last Sunday, a lady asked us to help them serve food to a group of kids in a really poor part of Bahia ( which is two towns away from us). We would have to catch the bus and then the water taxi to get there, so we did. And what an experience that we within itself. The bus ride was 50 cents and worth it all. People stand on the side of the street and wave their hand to let the greyhound sized bus to stop. Then the bus driver graciously taps the breaks a few times, never coming to a complete stop to let people on and off. I noticed that he would barely slow down for men to get on, slow down more if it was a man and women and almost completely stop for women, but not quite. Hilarious. On our ride home, they window of my mom's seat was nonexistent and the wind relentless. She was convinced she would fall out if we went around a sharp turn. At one point she exclaimed, "Arolla!" I busted up. She has made a habit of saying completely nonsensical words with a Spanish accent in hopes of getting her message across, I guess it works!
In San Vincente with a view of Bahia behind me
When Friday rolled around, we were so excited that we decided to celebrate with a massage from a local lady who lives right around the corner of our hotel. $10 for a 45 minute massage, we couldn't pass it up and I am so thankful that we didn't. It was absolutely wonderful! And today, the sun was shining so we took advantage of it and spent almost all day on the beach!
So much fun had and so much more to have!
Signed up for surfing and Spanish lessons next week, it's gonna be good!
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