Employment

I'm one step closer to fulfilling my dream as a harmonica rock star.  I have been hired at InterAmerican Academy to cover elementary technology and a couple music classes for the remainder of the year.  Those who know me, know I am in way over my head.  Let's just say that for 2nd grade music today, we played soccer.  I'm now accepting any advice on how to sing on key and how to turn on a computer.    

SpyCam- Carnival

Brandon smiling at the Brahma ladies in the Bahia

Tosha running the Bahia gantlet

Now this guy is going home with more than his share of bevy's

Jr. getting tied in

Notice the dragon on the bench

Be sure to write your name on the etch-A-sketch seat in front of you

We take our coffee seriously in Ecuador

A packed house for the soccer game

Bus Terminal

Guayaquil- City of 3 million- Carnival holiday where nearly 1/2 the city is traveling for the 5 vacation days- Bus Terminal- The most affordable means of travel for locals- No A/C or air- thousands of people pressed against each other- Hot and sweaty- people holding on to each others shoulders and waists so nobody can cut in- Fewer bus seats available than people in line- Parents holding small children to keep them from getting trampled- 3 hours in line- women breast feeding- 1 gal resting her head on my arm- Crowds of people yelling and pushing when people would cut in line- Security officers pushing their way through to remove "the cutter" before the altercation became physical- Family's sending their kids to the front of the line in hopes security wouldn't be so forceful with them (this tactic did not work)- 80% of the people were respectng the system and looking out for each other- At one point I slightly stepped to the side of the line to block a would be "cutter" and security wanted to send me to the back of the line- My fellow line mates all argued on my behalf  and the security guard let me keep my place- Once the tickets were for sale, any inch of space we had was taken as everyone pressed toward the window- Everyone yelling, waving $ in their fists- My good Ecuadorian friend Christian, which I was very lucky to have with me during this experience, made it to the counter first- He was yelling back at me for money- After giving him a $20, he yelled back, "More money!"- I frantically emptied my pockets into his hand- He later told me we needed exact change- After lots of pushing, shoving, sweating and yelling, we had 4 tickets and were headed to Puerto Lopez- more importantly, we had seats- The isle was packed with people standing, kids sleeping on the floor and puppy's roaming for the  4 hr bus ride- No bathroom stops- As eventful as this experience was, the return trip would trump this bus ride in excitement- Multiple people were sold the same seat- People yelling and pushing for our seats- Danielle and Brandon were forced to jump out the bus window (See Living the Good Life for details)- Tosha, 5 months pregnant, pushing her way down the isle and out the front- Once again, too many people all trying to leave at the same time with too few of busses- People riding on the roof of the bus- Busses far beyond compacity were racing each other up a 2 lane road with on coming traffic- Trucks so full of people they were riding on the bumper- Multiple cars and busses stranded on the side of the road with engine troubles or blown out tires- Safe arrival in Guayaquil 5 hours later.

Boobies

Big ones, little ones, old ones, young ones, wet ones, hairy ones, blue footed, masked........I LOVE BOOBIES!  There were so many and I was excited to find that these boobies wouldn't run when I reached out to touch or take a photo of them.  This paradise was at Isla de la Plata, an island 25 miles offshore of Puerto Lopez.  It is apart of Machalilla National Park and referred to as the "Poor man's Galapagos" due to it being close and featuring some of the same wildlife.  We were able to share this experience with our good friends from Boise, the Bentz's.  The boat trip and island visit included a long hike, snorkeling, beautiful cliffs, bright blue waters and of course, plenty of birds.  I have been looking forward to saying, "Check out these boobies".........   

Puerto Lopez:

Fire and Rain

Yes, there has been a lack of funny at Spork.  Sorry to say, this entry will be no different.  I have been forced to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.  This is not what I agreed to when moving to Ecuador.  All of my witty responses have been used up on students questions like: "Why do we have to work on art in art class?" "Can I study for my science test?" "Can I draw a pack of cigarettes?"  Good news:  As of this Friday, I will be unemployed again.  I will be more focused on providing you with the best Ecuadorian entertainment possible.  Within reason, Grandma is tech savy.  I know most of you are surfing the internet while "working" so Spork hopes to bring you a little warm fuzzy during the work day.  We'll be laughing next week.

New mural in the works downtown.

This was the seen in our community a couple days before we left for Christmas.  An open lot caught fire and you can see one of the firemen in this photo.

Little D ready for the rain.  It rains everyday now that we are in the rainy season.

Ahoy Captain

The pirate speaks, "Ahoy! everyone. I have excitin' news.....I have accepted an offer t' be t' full time Elementary P.E. and Technology Teacher next year. " The pirate speaks agin, "For those o' you askin', "How did that happen?", I have no good anser fer you. Pirate luck me guess. Instead o' bicyclin', swimmin' and playin' futbol by me self t' pass t' day, I now have many little helpers t' make up teams and compete against. " The pirate speaks agin,"I'm hopin' me size will give me an advantage over thier energy. Danielle be hopin' they zap me energy! As for t' Technology side, I don't think thar be anythin' an Xbox or Play Station can't teach them. Why t' pirate talk? See below: "

Ever hear of the Eiffel Tower? Well, Mr. Gustave Eiffel also spent some time in Guayaquil and designed this lesser know building, Mercado Sur Guayaquil. It is made of mostly glass and features many of the same iron charactoristics as the Eiffel Tower.

That ther is NOT swimming water.
Pirate Lovin

Friends and Family

D and I had a great time visiting friends and family over the holidays. Most of the time was spent eating, talking and couch lounging but we did manage to get out for a couple adventures. We are now back to Guayaquil and instantly in the rainy season with a high humidity. In Ecuador, if your not sweating, you're not having a good time!

After spending time in a 3rd world country and then stepping into Hollywood, it was a freeing reminder that latest fashion, the newest cars and large homes are not necessities of survival or happiness. That's me holding up T-Mac.



Miller Time and I working out the details for my first solo Harmonica album. Be looking for it's national release in summer 2010.Imagine me jamming with my Harmonica while break dancing.