Perrito Estupido (Stupid Dog)

We took the day off yesterday for a field trip to Playa Majagual. The beach was almost completely deserted, creating the perfect relaxing atmosphere. The water was a gorgeous blue and we were surrounded by tall cliffs. The only downside was the lack of shade and the stickiness of the sand. I escaped with minimal burning, but it took a shower and multiple washings in the sink to get all the sand off. The most interesting part of the day was definitely the transportation. All 12 of us piled into an ancient van and had to get out and walk whenever the mountain became too steep. We ran out of gas on the way home (in the middle of nowhere!) but our coordinator, Jana, told a neighbor about our work and he donated enough to get us to a gas station :)

That evening, I went to the neighbor's with another volunteer, Beto, to give them some birthday cake (they hid it for us until we surprised birthday girls Clari and Jana). Their dog was tied to the porch, but started pulling on his leash as soon as it saw me. I handed the cake to the neighbor, grabbed Beto's arm and slowly began to walk away.
The next thing I knew, the dog was out of its collar and running toward me. Thankfully, I made it to the house! I think I lost ten years off my life, but at least Beto thinks it's funny. Of course, now I get to do laundry with the knowledge that the dog ten yards away can break out of his collar...

We're focusing on more pedagogy and teaching tools today, with a house clean planned for the afternoon. It's been a little rough with the heat and outside stress (I received my financial aid report from Wellesley and didn't receive what I need...now I have to figure out how I'm going to pay for next year). In addition, one of the other volunteers doesn't have much of a sense of humor (or any at all) and tends to be rather rude to me. I'm trying to take it as a lesson of patience, but I'm afraid I might say something rude if I'm stressed out.

I've received a couple questions about the food...
Our diet consists of inexpensive and local foods: vegetables (corn, potatoes, broccoli, etc.), pineapple and watermelon, oatmeal, eggs, bread, tuna, spaghetti, and lots of rice and beans (at least twice a day). We also use peanut butter, but sparingly. All the volunteers brought (or will bring) their own jar and we'll use them for packed lunches when we begin teaching. [Peanut butter is very expensive down here] It's quite different living as a vegetarian, but not impossible. Although, I plan on eating a big steak when I return to the States :)

Abrazos y besos (Hugs and kisses)