Tortoise Shenanigans

Today was an early start. At least I think 6:30 am is early. I soon discovered that by 6:30 that the locals had already started working. My walk from my host family’s house to the school is only a short one along the main road. At the moment it is a complete building site as they are implementing a new water system and so it’s not the most picturesque journey to work. I had to wake up at 6:30 because we went to help out at the tortoise reserve, half an hour drive into the highlands of San Cristobal. We gave the tortoises their food and then went to clear out areas where plants had become overgrown. When I asked how we were going to do that, the park ranger produced a 3 foot long Machete. Never have I felt so powerful. with sharpened machete in hand I laid waste to overgrown shrubbery. However something got lost in translation and I failed to understand when he warned us about the fire ants. I understood soon enough.

Today will be my first day of proper teaching. Up until now I’ve sat at the back watching and picking up tips from other volunteers. The kids’ ability largely varies, from surprisingly well-spoken English to the kid who sits at the back of the class and slaps himself in the face over and over and over again. Though he does provide amusement if not linguistic accuracy. I was fairly calm about the teaching until I was informed yesterday that around 80% of the teaching volunteers are leaving next week and so there will be 4 of us taking on 7 classes, which will certainly be a challenge, but certainly manageable. I hope.

It’s surprising how quickly I’m picking up Spanish. It’s still at a basic level but I am beginning to express myself more accurately and I can hold a conversation for more than 4 or 5 sentences, before I just smile politely and hope I’m not asked any more questions, occasionally slipping in a laugh when it seems appropriate.  I’m going on a snorkelling tour tomorrow around the island where I will apparently swim with sharks. Not quite sure how I feel about that. I’ve also been told to expect to see stingrays as well but after one stung me a few years ago, it’s the rays that should be worried. I will have my revenge. Even if I’m arrested.

So I will tell y’all about it tomorrow. Though if I don’t post anything tomorrow please contact the British embassy in Ecuador to say I am currently being held in a Galapagos prison cell.

Until next time.