Yesterday I ate an ant

I haven't been blogging lately cuz I've actually been feeling pretty annoyed/frustrated/upset and I didn't really feel like venting out into the blogosphere. It probably would have helped, but oh well. I am feeling better now but to be brief, I'll say the frustration was caused by a (still) lack of seeing any of my salary, generally unhelpfullness/insensitivity of the AIESECers and the theft of my camera (you know how much I love taking pictures.)

My mood has much improved over the past few days though, as a result of two events. Firstly, the approaching visit of LIZ and ERIN in Bucaramanga!!! Erin is on Wisco spring break and has headed back to the motherland (Colombia, obvi) for a visit. She spent last summer in Cartagena. Liz, who lives in Bogota, is also journeying here to experience the adventure activities in the area. Erin and her friend get in tonight and Liz is coming tomorrow. I could not be more excited to see familiar faces.

I am also in better spirits after a visit to Parque Nacional de Chicamocha, one of the largest tourist attractions in the area. It's about an hour away by bus and is basically this national park on the top of a mountain over looking a large canyon. The biggest attraction is the brand new Teleferico (gondola) that goes across the canyon. Pei and I went with another coworker and had quite a fabulous time. The park is beautiful, surrounded by mountains, and going across the canyon was amazing too. My coworker is afraid of heights but there was no puking, so we considered it a successful visit.

We spent the whole day there, and in the afternoon the other trainee met up with us on her way back to Bucaramanga from San Gil (adventure capital). She came bearing hormigas culonas, which literally means big-assed ants. They’re a delicacy in Santander so of course it was mandatory that we try it. A lot of people say they taste like burnt popcorn, but I didn’t think it really tasted like anything. I just really wanted to brush my teeth afterwards.

It was really great to get out of the city and start experiencing some of the things in the area, after being pretty stationary due to budget restraints. It's also hard to get much distance traveling in since I work 6 days a week, so I need to satisfy myself with things closer to Bucaramanga.

I also haven't mentioned that I've started new classes, since the last session ended. Everyone in my Conversation II passed and all but one in both my Level 9 and Level 1 (Saturday class) passed. I feel this is a pretty solid first session. I'm now teaching Level 12 and Conversation II (with the same students I had in Level 9, which is actually turning out to be quite fun) during the week and Conversation I on Saturdays.

I've gotta run to school, but I'll write about the Adventures of Wisco Girls in Bucaramanga soon!!!