Sunday, January 4, 2009

First Full Day in PG

Hey all! The first day was tons of fun!! We woke up, ate breakfest, and headed towards one of the elementary schools to meet up with a group member. Once we found her, we decided to explore PG in the day time and explore the market. We spent about an hour wandering the streets, checking out shops, etc. We eventually wandered over to the peer and spent an hour jumping off the peer and hanging out with some of the locals. I believe there was a "jumping" contest for a tad bit. After basking in the 85 degree heat and swimming in the ocean......yeah had to emphisize that.....we headed back towards Celia's house to wait and see what type of orientation we would have. Along the way we met up with a few other peers so we were almost a whole group by the end of it!

We sat at Celia's house for awhile, chatted, then went to other peer's houses to meet their host families and to see where everyone lived. Celia showed up around 3:30 and we had a brief orientation. After that, we decided to go out to eat and finish up our orientation. We went to the local ice cream shop and had a wonderful dinner! Ellen (peer) ate a grouper.....and I mean everything! Apparently the eyes are wonderful! We then road out to a woman's house named Kristina. Kristina actually graduated from UMD and does human right's work here in PG. She is a native of PG as well. We went to see if I could hang with her since Celia already had John and Eddie. Kristina was more than welcoming and we chatted for about an hour and a half about her work and Duluth. She is so great and really helped me settle in.

After we finished our chat we met up with the group at the local Kareokee bar... (Sp??) I can't even describe the shinannigans that went on there but we all had a great time and Kristina joined in so we really got to know her and bond a little more as a group. All in all....great day! Tomorrow the plan is to go kayaking and hopefully ship me off to Tulmolcan...my school. It's 20 miles away from PG so this is going to be interesting!

HAHAHAHA to the snow and stormes heading your way. Shout out to Nick....WELL DONE! SO PROUD!! Can you check yet? Love ya.....lol.....

6 comments:

  1. Golly G, that all sounds wonderful! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Mom and dad say hi, and dad asks if you're missing us already..haha. Happy trails to you on your way to Tulmolcan, have fun, good luck w/ your student teaching!

    Lauwen

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  2. Yo sis this is your bro, the wonderful Nick, your favorite and only brother, besides Sreten, but he doesn't count. Glad you haven't been eaten by a jaguar...YET! I hope you have a good time in the jungle. Don't play with any poisonous reptiles. Love ya!


    The most amazing brother,

    Nick

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  3. Hey Sweetie, Greetings from the family and friends in Bismarck. They all send their love... I passed along your blog add. Had a great visit with Kathy Miller, She is planning to reprise Meryl Streep in Mama Mia for Kylie's wedding and is starting on the outfit for "super trooper"!! Can't you just see it? Thought you would love that visual. Like Nick said in Bis.. "You two are so alike!" Debbie says she's been thinking about you everyday; as has Lynne and etc.. Stay strong, be calm and be grateful... This is an amazing opportunity for you. I have complete faith in your ability; and not just because your my kid and I love you more than my next breath! Kisses, mamuschka
    Hey Garnet, looks like everything is going well, piece of cake! How is the suntan!! Watch for the sun and poison snakes!
    Love you!

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  4. You found another person from UMD there? Wow, small world I guess. I notice you jumped off of a peer. I've never done that. Many piers, but no peers. How tall was he/she? :P Perhaps I should apologize for the pun in my previous post, it was corny. Do you start teaching this week or is it more orientation? Good luck either way!

    Toodles,
    Dave

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  5. HEY YOU, HEY YOU WITH THE FACE!!!!!! Man I read your blog and think of the warm climate as the most and exciting part of the entire blog HAHA!!! What would I give to be somewhere so cozy! But I am so jealous that you are having a getting such a lifetime experience. I think your biggest goal is to teach them every musical and movie with sing a longs! haha!!! Good luck and enjoy your time there! P.S. If you find any attractive men..tell them there's a DEE waiting back in Mn for them! :)

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  6. Garnet, I'm glad you're having fun so far!!! If you teach the kids to dance and sing along to musicals, I want VIDEO EVIDENCE. You have your camera, no excuses. :P

    Miss you muchly!
    Jackie

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