Post PCV T-day soccer game! ...Whipped by the staff and locals.

But somehow a perfect Thanksgiving thanks to great food, good wine and some amazing people. =)

Pictures from the Campamiento Ambiental with the other EE aspirantes. And a trainee field trip to Mayan ruins.

Sitting at the table of honor at the Carrizal clausura (grad) ceremony just after my summer break English camp was announced (say what?) and my improv graduation/introduction speech.

Let's just say I'm in for it.

So three weeks left of training, and I finally finally know where I'll be crashing for the next two years. Site Assignment: Canton-El Carrizol right above Santa Maria Ostuma in La Paz. All I've heard so far is that (1) it is steep and beautiful (2) famous for pinapples and (3) disorganized. As far as work goes, there are enthusiastic kids ready for anything--sports, environmental activities, cooking.. and the Alcaldia (local govt) of the town which already has a municipal volunteer is hoping to start a garbage management program in my village. I have my actual site visit next Monday-Thursday, so I'll have more sense of what all this means, what my house might look like etc. yikes... =)

Pictures from last weekend's trip to Playa El Tunco, a gorgeous relatively empty black-sand beach near La Libertad. The weekend was classic beach vacation--thatched roof, surf culture, Bob Marley- "Legends" on repeat, fresh fish and plenty of beer. It was a blast, and a good reminder of just how accessible that beach culture really is. Surfing anyone?

Edenilson's 6th birthday!! In photo: (back) Estellie, Mayra, Evelyn, Raoul, Sarai, Kevin y Jonathon (front) Anderson, Edenilson and Franklin. Did I mention, I love my family!

Mayra's floral masterpieces--the hoop is made up of crepe paper flowers dipped in hot wax and the other arrangement is made of flowers and plants growing in the yard.

Created to honor ancestors on the Day of the Dead.

More pics from Field-Based Training...you can see parts of Honduras and Nicaragua across the Pacific