End of Orientation and on to the Stomach of Steel Contest

Our three-week orientation is coming to a close and I am still clearly in the honeymoon stage of the culture shock curve.  I have had the privilege of hanging out with 35 other volunteers, and though our days are long, they are fun.  We are staying outside of Bogotá in a religious center called Santa Cruz.  Though we refer to it as the convent, I think it is great.  Lush hills and mountains surround us.  There are cows, goats, and one loud donkey in the neighbor’s yard.  There are chickens that run outside pecking at food set out for the dogs, Lucas and Toby.  There are also some roosters who can’t seem to differentiate between 7am and 3am.

I have some apprehension about actually starting this teaching gig.  I think the WorldTeach staff has done a really good job preparing us especially given the time restraints.  This week we are teaching one mini lesson at a private school near Bogotá to get some experience in front of a class and to receive feedback on our lessons.  After orientation I am heading to Santa Ana a tiny town on Isla Baru.  Isla Baru is not actually an island but a peninsula that is cut by a small canal that the Spaniards created for trade. When the majority of Colombians hear Isla Baru they picture beautiful beaches and resorts.  Santa Ana, from what I hear will be quite different from the picturesque vacation site most people associate with Baru. Though, everyone who has been there uses the word “special” to describe it. There are no paved roads, just mud.  It is the poorest area in Colombia.  However, the town is super safe everyone in the town knows everyone else and they cherish their reputation so they would not do anything to tarnish that.

There will be eight new volunteers in Baru.  There is also Eric who did WorldTeach last year on Baru, working at the public school, and is coming back this year to work at the charter school; I’m sure he will be a great resource.  Us new volunteers have heard from multiple sources that a good sense of humor is essential to surviving Baru.  I think with the group we have this will not be a problem.  For example, we are planning to have a “Stomach of Steel” contest on Baru since we will inevitably have some health issues in the next 11 months i.e.: diarrhea, dysentery, worms, you get the picture.  The way I understand it will be setup like a March Madness bracket.  The last Baruvians standing will get a free meal at Baru Grande (the one restaurant on Baru) and we may try to fashion a trophy or belt for the winner as well.  My friend from back home commented that this is quite a different contest from my last job in which the winners won a trip to an all-inclusive resort.  Well, this is my new life.