June 3, 2014

Today was a VERY interesting day.  Brandi and I rode the bus by ourselves for the first time.  Here, when you get your feet on the steps of the bus, it takes off!  So, when we got on, there was enough room for me to stand and for Brandi to stand in the doorway!  The bus took off with Brandi hanging on and her backpack sticking outside the bus.  We did make it to the university safely, although we vowed not to get on another full bus!

We walked to a nearby public school and went in to observe.  It was an incredible experience!  The teacher we observed was teaching 2nd and 3rd graders to speak English.  A reform was implemented to start children learning English earlier so that they are ready for college.  English is necessary in order to participate in classes.  In addition, the push for learning English is supposed to be done in an "active" way and not a "drill and skill" way.  It was very interesting watching the teaching.

We also were able to mingle on the play area with the children.  It surprised me that several of the children came up to us and "tried out" their English.  They were so proud of themselves.  :-)  It was fun to converse with them.

For lunch we walked to a restaraunt down the street.  I had spaghetti con langosta or spaghetti with lobster.  It was very good.  I also had a latte.  It was wonderful because up to this point I've been drinking instant coffee.  :-)

In the afternoons we have lectures.  Today's lecture was on the education system in Mexico.  They have many of the same problems that we have in the States--funding, government policies, etc.

Class got out early so we headed to a nearby cafe for a drink.  It was pouring down rain so we were grateful for the ponchos that the UPAEP (university) staff had given us.  We then caught the bus back home.  Here, in order to get off the bus, you stand up.  The driver didn't see us so we missed our stop and had to get off further down and around the block.  We tried to figure out how to get back, tried waiting for another bus, and then decided to walk a little ways.  We found a Pizza Hut with wifi.  Google maps told us that we were 2.5 miles away from the house.  Finally we decided to call the taxi service that the school told us to use.  They only spoke Spanish so I tried to explain where we were.  When they said that they wouldn't have a taxi there for 30 minutes, we continued to walk.  Lo and behold, we stumbled upon our house!  It was a day filled with adventure!  :-)