Last weekend I had an outing with many of my co-workers. We had a blast! (Quite honestly, a lot more fun that I had expected.)
3 of my co-workers had birthdays this month. So, to celebrate we went out on a boat. We all chipped in for gas and food. I think there ended up being about 20 to 30 of us- just a small gathering ;-) The plan was to cruise down the river to an island and there have a BBQ. Meanwhile, it was about 120 degrees outside- scorching- and as we passed other islands we looked out and saw masses of people in the water. It looked like the "beaches" were swarming with ants. I have never seen so many people on the coast here!
The boat ride took about an hour and a half, during which everyone-my co-workers included- had their cameras out taking pictures and were chattering away. When we finally reached the island and were getting off the boat (mind you there was no dock and this boat was fairly large, there fore getting off the boat was a process in itself as we had to basically jump into the water to get out) we look up at the sky and see a dust storm coming. So we put everything except the people back on the boat, covered our heads, faces, mouths, noses, anyway the dust could get into us and waited it out. There was tons of wind, a little lightning, and a few drops of rain. The storm lasted longer than we had anticipated but we stayed it out.
Then we grilled some meat and ate, had a splash fight in the river, sat in the river in plastic chairs, sang and danced to a drum- overall it was a "blast and a half" as one of my roomates says. I think what I enjoyed most was being able to be myself with the people I see everyday but don't get to hang out with all the time. And likewise with them- being able to see the true people and not just their perfessional personalities. Some of them I just could not stop laughing at because they were a lot goofier than I had imagined and others I got to have amazing converstations with. Everyone enjoyed the trip so much that they would like to have another before all of us leave for the summer.
Another fun thing I got to do last week was attend one of my close friend's dowry party. Yes, that's right, dowry party. I guess you could sort of compare it to a bridal shower. The groom's family brings in all kinds of clothes, gold, perfumes and incense, unmentionables, and food to be prepared for the party after the wedding (along with many other things). Each bride has a different dowry but there are a few items culturally that must be included. It was fun to see how excited my friend was and the same with her fiance' (though one of her friends told her it was shameful to smile, ha).
More fun stories to come ;-)
Here is a link to a slideshow I made of some- not all- of my pictures from this year.
http://www.slide.com/r/bnPN-eYC6j8Xz6oGE7YfuGVKw44cnnEJ?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original
Friday, April 25, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Hannah Montana
Spring break went really well and we have been back in full swing for a couple weeks now.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit a friend's family in a town about 3 hours south of where I live. I was so excited about the chance to leave the city, see more of this country, and meet a good friend's family.
We, one of my roomates and I, met our friend early on Friday morning (our weekends are Friday and Saturday). We then headed to the bus station to get our tickets and set out on our adventure. Upon arriving at the bus station we had to pay for a token to enter the station and then find our way to the right place to buy a ticket. Also, my roomie and I not being nationals here, had to get a special paper so that we could travel. This special paper ended up being just a piece of scratch paper with our names, the dates for travel, and, of course, that official stamp.
Once we aquired this very important slip of paper, to which we held as secure as possible, we went on to get tickets. A few minutes later we were handing our backpacks over to put in the bottom of the bus and boarding. The bus ride there was not as bad as I had expected. The bus actually had A/C that worked! I was almost cold on the trip... They served us water, unfiltered naturally, and cookies and mango juice. There was also an on-board movie. It was one of those d-list 80s rated R movies- not a good combo. I was shocked- it was in English with subtitles but the language was terrible, a ton of violence, and the subject matter was completely culturally inappropriate. My roomie and I looked at eached other and once again realized why these people have such a bad stereotype of Americans. Just as we were exchanging glances we heard a loud explosion. Yes- we blew out a tire. So the bus pulls off the paved road and into the desert, the bus now leaning terribly. All the men rush off the bus to help and the women stay on. About 45 minutes later we were back on our way.
We arrived in the town about an hour later, grabbed a taxi, and headed to our friend's home. The taxis were different than in the big city where I live though. They were a newer type of car and all of them were red rather than yellow. Our friend's family was so nice. All but one of her siblings still live at home and are not married. So we got to meet her 3 sisters and a brother and her mother and father. They were even more hospitable than we expected. It was so quiet and relaxing being out of a big city even for just a day and a half. They made us some wonderful traditional food, we went to a party, and we slept on beds out in the courtyard under the stars. Not only was it cooler temperature wise sleeping outside but the stars were GORGEOUS! We also got the whole cultural experience while staying with our friend's family. Complete with the hole in the ground type bathroom, bucket shower, and mostly their language being spoken. I really enjoyed being able to see this way of life compared to the modern way that a lot, not all, but still a lot of people lead in the city.
On Saturday we ate more and got ready to head out. We visited a couple tombs and then headed to the bus station. We had to go earlier than we wanted to because so many people travel on this day and we wanted to make sure we got a ticket back. When we got to the station the three of us got some of the last seats on a bus just in time. Within minutes we were headed out back to the city. This bus was not as nice as the first one though. We were sitting in the very back of the bus, right by the engine, which by the way was leaking gas and oil. The smell was awful!!! Finally, about halfway through the trip they stopped to check the engine. When they opened the cover, with the engine still running, I could see it squirting out. They fixed it with a wrench, threw 2 pitchers of water over the engine, and on we went. The smell got a little better but it was still there. In all it was a great trip though.
Last night I went to a student's birthday party. She is from the states as well and it was a Hannah Montana party! I got there early to help set up and help her mom with getting other things done. It was such a neat party- especially for here and I think the kids really enjoyed it. She invited all the girls from her class at school. They made bracelets, did makeup and nails, relay races, kareoke, etc. At the end they got to go to the "store" with the "money" they had earned doing things and buy stuff- sort of like their party favors. At the end, before everyone left, her mom wanted to take a picture of the girls with "Hannah". They had all these Hannah Montana things that the grandparents had sent over for the party, including a Hannah wig. So she had me go inside to put on this wig for the picture. She did not mention to me that there were several men outside with her husband that were not American or that she was going to pump them up like it was concert or something. All of the sudden I hear the girls chanting "Hannah, Hannah!!!" and then telling me to sing! Had the men not been there I would have totally gotten into character but seeing as they were it was not quite culturally appropriate. I have to admit it was a lot of fun and I know the girls loved it- from me being Hannah Montana to putting makeup on me...pictures to come ;-)
Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit a friend's family in a town about 3 hours south of where I live. I was so excited about the chance to leave the city, see more of this country, and meet a good friend's family.
We, one of my roomates and I, met our friend early on Friday morning (our weekends are Friday and Saturday). We then headed to the bus station to get our tickets and set out on our adventure. Upon arriving at the bus station we had to pay for a token to enter the station and then find our way to the right place to buy a ticket. Also, my roomie and I not being nationals here, had to get a special paper so that we could travel. This special paper ended up being just a piece of scratch paper with our names, the dates for travel, and, of course, that official stamp.
Once we aquired this very important slip of paper, to which we held as secure as possible, we went on to get tickets. A few minutes later we were handing our backpacks over to put in the bottom of the bus and boarding. The bus ride there was not as bad as I had expected. The bus actually had A/C that worked! I was almost cold on the trip... They served us water, unfiltered naturally, and cookies and mango juice. There was also an on-board movie. It was one of those d-list 80s rated R movies- not a good combo. I was shocked- it was in English with subtitles but the language was terrible, a ton of violence, and the subject matter was completely culturally inappropriate. My roomie and I looked at eached other and once again realized why these people have such a bad stereotype of Americans. Just as we were exchanging glances we heard a loud explosion. Yes- we blew out a tire. So the bus pulls off the paved road and into the desert, the bus now leaning terribly. All the men rush off the bus to help and the women stay on. About 45 minutes later we were back on our way.
We arrived in the town about an hour later, grabbed a taxi, and headed to our friend's home. The taxis were different than in the big city where I live though. They were a newer type of car and all of them were red rather than yellow. Our friend's family was so nice. All but one of her siblings still live at home and are not married. So we got to meet her 3 sisters and a brother and her mother and father. They were even more hospitable than we expected. It was so quiet and relaxing being out of a big city even for just a day and a half. They made us some wonderful traditional food, we went to a party, and we slept on beds out in the courtyard under the stars. Not only was it cooler temperature wise sleeping outside but the stars were GORGEOUS! We also got the whole cultural experience while staying with our friend's family. Complete with the hole in the ground type bathroom, bucket shower, and mostly their language being spoken. I really enjoyed being able to see this way of life compared to the modern way that a lot, not all, but still a lot of people lead in the city.
On Saturday we ate more and got ready to head out. We visited a couple tombs and then headed to the bus station. We had to go earlier than we wanted to because so many people travel on this day and we wanted to make sure we got a ticket back. When we got to the station the three of us got some of the last seats on a bus just in time. Within minutes we were headed out back to the city. This bus was not as nice as the first one though. We were sitting in the very back of the bus, right by the engine, which by the way was leaking gas and oil. The smell was awful!!! Finally, about halfway through the trip they stopped to check the engine. When they opened the cover, with the engine still running, I could see it squirting out. They fixed it with a wrench, threw 2 pitchers of water over the engine, and on we went. The smell got a little better but it was still there. In all it was a great trip though.
Last night I went to a student's birthday party. She is from the states as well and it was a Hannah Montana party! I got there early to help set up and help her mom with getting other things done. It was such a neat party- especially for here and I think the kids really enjoyed it. She invited all the girls from her class at school. They made bracelets, did makeup and nails, relay races, kareoke, etc. At the end they got to go to the "store" with the "money" they had earned doing things and buy stuff- sort of like their party favors. At the end, before everyone left, her mom wanted to take a picture of the girls with "Hannah". They had all these Hannah Montana things that the grandparents had sent over for the party, including a Hannah wig. So she had me go inside to put on this wig for the picture. She did not mention to me that there were several men outside with her husband that were not American or that she was going to pump them up like it was concert or something. All of the sudden I hear the girls chanting "Hannah, Hannah!!!" and then telling me to sing! Had the men not been there I would have totally gotten into character but seeing as they were it was not quite culturally appropriate. I have to admit it was a lot of fun and I know the girls loved it- from me being Hannah Montana to putting makeup on me...pictures to come ;-)
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