Hey there,
Well, sitting around in my house, being bored. Have had dengue for a few days. Am mostly better now, but still some lingering symptoms, at least it was the mild form. But, it has given me time to write and catch up a bit... So...
In any case, first the poll results (with gender specific results for one person who asked) and then some Uruguayan tales:
(a) Goatee or "Too lazy to shave" look
Overall: 44% Males: 44% Females: 44%
(b) Normal or "Stunned" look
Overall: 16% Males: 33% Females: 6%
(c) Baldy or "post-Lice" look
Overall: 40% Males: 22% Females: 50%
So, the "Too lazy to shave" look wins, but the "post-Lice" look is a close second. Am considering a combo look for the next haircut. The current look is more like a post-Dengue unshaven bohemian (and probably stunned) look. Also, Mieu Thai won the random draw for a free email. Thanks to all who participated. Anyone else who wants an email will have to send in a special request, filling out the forms in triplicate, as usual. Email [email protected] for more details.
Well, we went for the 5th international conference on games/playing. It is a conference for people that work with youth mostly, although it is decidedly political as well, the proposal being that people who learn to play and relax can be more creative and will take more interest in their political environment. We participated in several interesting workshops, probably the most interesting one was from Brazil, Theatre of the Oppressed. They have several techniques for working with people who have been oppressed through participatory theatre. i.e. if you don't like how the play went, then you just get up and volunteer to play a role and do it differently. Anyway, we have already started trying to apply some things here with the youth group and our adult group in Matagalpa. There was also very creative musical and theatre presentations, and the group took to playing in the streets, taking over downtown Montevideo for a bit.
Did I mention that we slept in the national stadium? Seems odd, but true. The mayor's office allowed us to use the athlete's hostel for the duration of the conference...
After several days of participating and several nights of socialising and parties (including a night at the tango bar. Maria Eugenia and I unsuccessfully tried to copy the people dancing, drawing much attention from the crowd - not necessarily good, but oh well), we finally presented our work - actually 3 times, although only one presentation was scheduled. We had arrived in Uruguay without having everything ready, as usual, so in between festivities and until about 2am the night before, we were finishing things up. The night before the official presentation, we did our first presentation to some Chileans who were driving back home that night (47 hour drive!) although we had to cut it short for them around midnight...
In the official presentation, after many delays and technical problems and stress, we started with some typical Nicaraguan folkloric dances (yes, me too, although I am certainly no expert by any means) then got into presenting Nicaragua, our work, testimonies, etc. We did some Tai Chi and things like and finished with a ritual to celebrate the unity of the two countries. The people were seemingly blown away, reactions were very strong, some crying, etc. So, we were pleased with the result...
The conference was also really good for contacts, we are hoping that the Brazilians will come to do a workshop on theatre for our youth groups and to collaborate with others here.
Naturally, there was a big party at the end, that started around 12 and went to 5am. Lots of dancing, but unexpectedly (for us) all rock. We thought there would be more salsa and merengue like we have here, but no. Apparently in Uruguay the thing is rock. And slamdancing too. The Colombians were disappointed as well, but all in all we still had a good time.
I also got married. :) Perhaps some context. My boss in Nicaragua, Martha (who had gone to the conference the last time in 2000) told me that this girl that works in the organization there, Cecilia, was perfect for me. So, naturally, when I met her, I asked her when we could set the date, since Martha says we are perfect for each other. Anyway, after some waffling about having to meet her family first, she agreed, more or less. So, well, perhaps we are not quite married yet, but I am sure it is just a matter of time. :) It became one of many themes during the trip - with Ariel, another member of her team, we talked about strengthening the institutional ties between our organisations, etc. It was fun.
Uruguay was not all fun and games though - I was grumpy a lot. I get grumpy if I don't eat on time and Uruguay has a European eating schedule, dinner is usually around 9pm, but several nights we ate at 11pm or even 12! I told Wilmer, my workmate, I will be so happy in Buenos Aires alone because I will be able to decide when to go to eat!
In the last few days, did a whirlwind tour of Uruguay with my wife and Wilmer - we went to Minas and a national park near there for a hike, to Piriapolis to Cecilia's cottage for a walk on the beach (no swimming - it was still winter in Uruguay!) and finally to Cabo Polonio for whalewatching. I didn't see any whales, but Wilmer did. We saw tons of seals (or sea lions?) there though. Shortly after, arrived in Buenos Aires for a bit, but got sick at this point. Still managed to see a few sights, like the San Telmo antiques market, but was incapacitated for most of that part of the trip... Oh well.
Well, while I was in Uruguay, CUSO offered me an extension until August 2004, so I have accepted. Life as we know it will continue on until then...
Had a person just before I left, as I mentioned last time, and another arrived right when I got back, perhaps adding to my tiredness and readiness to get sick... It went well and now fortunately there aren't any more volunteers in the near future (although 2004 could be busy), giving me the opportunity to go home now...
Finally got a reasonably priced ticket and time (still haven't quite worked out how to take this trip since I have used all my vacation already) arriving in Toronto on Nov 6, Vancouver on Nov 13, back to Toronto on Nov 26 and home to Managua on Dec 2. Hopefully I can see everyone... (well that is never quite possible, but one can always dream...)
Later,
Rob