Here I go!

I'm going to be going to the Galapagos tomorrow! I'm super excited, here are some photos from when I was working on the school. There are two of me, and then the photo of my friends from class. I'll get more photos up and then there won't be much to explain. We started with very little and in 2 weeks we built a building that will serve as a school. I had so much fun! I just worked all day every day. I suffered a couple of injuries, I stepped on a nailm,and cut myself. But I kept on working. It was an adventure. On the second day I saw a Basilisk lizard, they really do run on water!
When I was on the coast, I worked away my problems and what was left was my wholesome naked self, unscarred and happy. I worked and had so much fun doing it. This was such a rewarding experience. I got to know my classmates so much better. I just felt happy the whole time I was on the coast. I remember thinking half asleep on the two hour ride back to Esmereldas that I was just happy. I hadn't felt this happy in such a long time. I was working about 9 hours a day, and I did that for 11 days. It felt good, I was really using that time to the fullest. I was helping people that really needed it. I was able to let myself go, after working I would wrestle with the little kids. Me running around fending of five kids who were determined to tackle "mi gringito." I recieved this name by the community, "my gringo," I even promised to one of the women there that I would be back in 2 or 3 years. But when I come back there will be at least 50 kids studying in our school.
I also got to do the finishing touches. I got to put the last piece of roofing on because we didn't have a ladder and the worker didn't want to jump down.
All in all, it was one of the best things I did in my time here.
I don't know how to get the pictures off their sides.. sorry.

Let's get real...

So as all of you who have been keeping up with my blog have noticed, it has fallen into a sad state of very little being written. The reasons for me not writing basically all fall on one thing. A lack of inspiration to write. These is largely becuase my experience here has become slowly more difficult and to express myself over the internet without being cynical has become hard. I've gone through some drastic changes and events this last month. I've done so much in Ecuador my expirience can only be described as amazing. But along with these amazing experiences have been some moments where the last thing I want to do is write.
I'm going to start over again, I'll keep everyone posted and we'll see if I can keep up my part of the bargain. I only ask that if you read this to please comment in some way. I would really appreciate hearing about what your reactions are.
I'm going to be leaving for the Galapagos in 3 days, as you can imagine I'm excited beyond belief. The Galapagos has always been one of those childhood dreams, to go to the land where the animals look at you like you are nothing more than a bothersome nuisance. To be totally honest, I feel like the shock of going there hasn't actually completely hit me. At least I know that I'll be in for an amazing adventure.
I got back last friday from a 12 day trip to a rural population in the north coast of Ecuador. I built a school, no seriously, my whole class of 20 kids just completed a school. Really, a building, it doesn't have lights, desks teaching materials or anything. But it is a building that we built. This expirience was beyond amazing for me. I worked like it was my job. My friend even told me that the only difference between me and the professionals that we hired to do the hardest stuff was that I wasn't getting paid. I didn't need to, working in the hot Ecuadorian sun building a school for a poor population that needs one was such a gift. I felt so happy to be there. I had such an awesome time, I felt free and careless, my thoughts always drifting from the next meal and working hard enough to finish the school in time. This was one of the most beautiful moments on my exchange.
More to come... I'll be sure to post soon!