New York, New York!

A few things:

1. You can't put toilet paper in the toilets here - the sewage system can't handle it. You have to put it in the little garbage can next to the toilet.

2. I've been drinking the water and have been just fine! Whew.

3. There is no malaria in Amrenia. But there are earth tremors - beware!

Things have been happening quickly for me here. Last night I went and assisted my first English class, which is comprised of administrative assistants of the college. As such, there is a wide age range in my students, and all of them really want to improve their English skills! It's really awesome, and a lot of them already have a really good handle on English. After class (which was 3 hours long) I went out with the teacher and three of the students to a cool little cafe near the school. The difference between the teacher-students relationships in and out of class is really interesting. In class, teachers do not hesitate to tell students (who might be older than them) to be quiet and pay attention. The outside-of-class relationship is the equalizer - teachers and students hang out as friends, and it's really awesome! It's not considered weird at all, like it might be in the U.S. They treated me, which was really nice of them!

Here in Colombia at restaurants (or anywhere you can get something to drink) they do this thing where you can get fruit in milk or in water. For example, I can order "guanabana in leche," (guanabana in milk) and it's sort of like a cross between a smoothie and a milkshake. If I order "mora en agua" (blackberry juice in water), it's pretty much just like blackberry juice. Guanabana is such a funny fruit to see sitting around at the fruit stands! It's about as big as a watermelon, and it's one of my favorites to have in leche. It makes me laugh! :)

Guanabana

Walking around the street, one will see practically all the women are wearing skinny jeans. The average temperature here in Armenia is 81 degrees. HOW DO THEY DO IT? I am definitely going to have to get used to wearing skinny jeans in this heat. Yikes!

I have been so lucky to have the opportunity to play with the department band here in Armenia ("department" is the term used to describe the states in Colombia). The newly instated director is a U.S. citizen - his name is Paul and as coincidence would have it he played at the principal trumpet in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for nine years!!!!!!!!! How small will this world get? And he used to go to a music camp in Livonia forty years ago!!! Uncanny. It is awesome to have someone else here who holds Rochester as close to his heart as I do! Anyways, I attended the first ensayo today, which lasted from 8am-12pm! Wow! Again the equalizer, we had a break where the whole band went to a neighboring cafe for coffee and a snack. I got to talk to Paul, who told me of the band's recent and grand improvements, paying-wise. The band has concerts every Friday at 6pm, so if anyone needs something to do this weekend, come on down to Armenia for a free concert in which I will be playing! All the band members were extremely welcoming and introduced themselves to me. Many of them direct youth bands in nearby cities, and also invited me to come see their bands! I am lucky to play next to a very good player named Henry who studied in a conservatory in Bogota. He is going to teach me how to take the valves out of my horn and clean them, and I was able to give him a copy (shhh!) of the Gliere concerto that he wants to work on! It was awesome! We played to U.S. music, as well as a cumbia and a pasillo piece, which are two types of traditional Colombian music. It was so cooooool! And we are playing a Frank Sinatra Melody, including "New York, New York." The irony is killing me.

Everyone has been so caring and concerned for my well-being here. So, today was the first day I could venture to take the bus by myself. I am happy to say that it was a successful seven-minute trip. But really, everyone is so helpful and open, as well as humble. It is clear that they have hearts of gold. How did I get so lucky as to come here?!

Later today I will be working with the youth symphony orchestra that is affiliated with the university. My social project is currently off to a good start!

Thanks for being here with me! Have a wonderful day! :)

los estados unidos = the united states

leche = milk

ensayo = rehearsal

la sordina = mute (for instruments)