Happy Thanksgiving

Hi everyone,
so I know I'm late in posting once again but we had a busy day yesterday. Maybe you should all just start expecting to see my posts on Mondays instead.

The main part of the week was once again fairly quiet. I spent a lot of time studying, looking at academic plans for the future such as Masters course (because it can't hurt to be prepared), and various other not so interesting things.

On Wednesday however we had a nice change when Mike, a reasearcher who'd returned briefly to continue his research on frogs, gave a presentation on his specialised topic to a class from the local high school. He bought some speciemens with him to show the kids which, as expected, led to a bit of craziness when one of them escaped and started hopping around the classroom!

Just before it escaped!

Thursday saw most of the students working in the kitchen and preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. Since it was my first Thanksgiving I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but we made handturkey place settings in the morning and a small lunch of soup and deviled eggs - didn't taste as weird as I expected. After a fairly quiet afternooon studying we finally got our Thanksgiving dinner. 

Some of the food included turkey, lentil loaf, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, roast vegetables, stuffing, broccoli salad gravy. For desert there was spiced peaches, apple crisp and bannana empinadas. So much good food!!!

YUM!!!

Over the weekend I got a bit of studying done but saturday afternoon was mostly spent at this great swimming hole Jimena found for us. 

On Sunday a couple of us set off to hike to Quacaria (the local indiginous community village). We made it about half way when a truck drove up and we managed to scrounge a lift the rest of the way - standing in the back of a pickup truck, speeding along the country roads is a perfect way to cool down from a long walk. We spent a couple of hours out there in the river enjoying the Sun and the beautiful little swimming hole before deciding to head back. Although we didn't get a lift this time we were mostly walking downhill so the walk wasn't too bad despite the heat. It was after 2pm by the time we made it back to Pilcopata which meant nowhere was serving food so instead we sat in our favourite ice cream place with some fruit from the market and got some nice cold drinks which finished up the day nicely. 

One big difference around here as of Friday is that Zeidy - one of our volunteers - is no longer here Her and her girlfriend left for Cusco before heading home later in the month. It was great to spend time which such a lovely lass and we're already missing her here but a few people have already made vsiting promises so it's good to see such great friendships lasting beyond our stays here at VC. 

Saying goodbye - L to R: me, Jimena, Zeidy, Rachel (back) Maike, Mauricio (back) and Claudia

Well I can't think of anything else to share this time so I guess it's back to work - today I've been giving Rachel lessons in the Scottish langue, culture and history, since her father bought some land there. Definitely a fun exercise!

Ciao!