where in the world is ali sa? and what in the world is she up to?!

i've been getting those emails. yup, those emails. the ones that begin...

"i know you're probably very busy with work, but it would be great if you can just send a one-liner to say you're ok.."

i'm ok.

really, i am. i'm keeping very very busy.

with what?! you may ask.

i teach 4 english classes, ranging from very beginner to advanced and from 10 years old to 19 years old. it's so challenging, but such a great experience. we play games and learn grammar. even tho i only officially work 3 hours a day, 4 days a week, i have to admit i'm constantly lesson planning. even when i sleep i have weird teaching dreams!

a few weeks ago, nate and i hiked to frey. we arrived for sunset and we spent the night in our tent. the views were spectacular. here are a few photos!







and we've made a few friends. nate enjoys climbing outings in the morning before work. i enjoy dancing til the wee hours of the morning. and we both enjoyed our first curanto at pablo and luz's house!




what is a curanto?! you might ask.

well...
1st. you dig a hole in the ground
2nd. you put fire and ashes into the hole
3rd. you put rocks on top of the hot ash
4th. you cover the rocks with nalca leaves (we didn't have any, so we used lettuce... didn't work quite as well!)
5th. you add meat and veggies
6th. you cover with cloth
7th. you cover with dirt
8th. you let everything cook for a few hours
9th. you remove all the layers and EAT!
10th. you may add wine and birthday cake as needed.

and i think you all should know, i have successfully crossed the slack line. and have taken 4 steps backwards.



peace and best wishes to you all! hasta la proxima!

I survived my first week of teaching...

AND I LOVE IT!

I haven't had internet in weeks... and this is what I come up with...

Changes come in all shapes, sizes, and textures as the Patagonian summer threatens to come to a close. Let’s go in chronological order, shall we?




February 8. My mom flies in to Bariloche.






What follow are active-kitchen nights,


a day trip to el Bolsón’s colorful Tuesday crafts ‘n yummies fair,



and a hop across the Chilean border.


Nate stick-shift-driving-extraordinaire Conroy took us to Villa la Angostura, Osorno, Valdivia, Villarrica, Pucón, Junin de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes and through the 7 lakes district back home.


Highlights: Fruit markets… everywhere!! Fresh seafood! Beautiful weather! Volcano! Completo!! Crafts market!! Fresh fruit juice!!

Lowlight: Not enough time!!






Thanks for coming to visit, Ma! It was great having you!!





Not too long afterwards, Becky and Olivier (do you remember them? Think back to Vilcabamba… That’s right, Ecuador!!) found their way down to Bariloche. It turned into a big cooking fest! They wowed us with their homemade lasagna noodles and introduced us to casseroles!


On my day off we took colectivo #20 to Puerto Pañuelo in search of Cerro Llao Llao. The day was warm with no wind. We hiked along the road for a bit catching shadows with our footsteps and dodging 2 and 4 wheeled vehicles. The querido path veered off right and took us with it. The forest full of thick trees and bamboo shoots kept us cool from the sun and provided some hide and seek opportunities.

From the top of the cerro we were rewarded with a stunning view of Cerro Lopez, green hills falling into crystal blue waters below, and a friendly man with a gruff voice .

They brought us gigantic organic squashes (pumpkins??) back from el Bolsón. We still haven’t finished the zapallitos or the yummy honey!!

The sad day that they left incidentally was my last day of work at the Tangoinn Downtown Hostel!! A bittersweet day. Thanks for stopping by!!! It was such a pleasure to have you here and to see you again!! Next stop Melbourne?? Bankok??

So what happened at the hostel? For starters, I found another job at an English Language Institute that promised better hours, more opportunities for creative thinking and a homey work environment. Plus, they have an apple tree and a grassy back yard. Need I say more?? Secondly, Tangoinn’s bosses and I discovered a few irreconcilable differences in opinion. And even though I get exponentially happier each day that I am not working there, I know that every experience is an opportunity to learn something new. I certainly learned a lot and am grateful for all the wonderful people I worked alongside with.

So I am turning my focus to the English Language Institute. They have given me four classes, two beginning and two relatively advanced. I’ve been spending extra long hours prepping my lesson plans and materials. I’m excited, but a little nervous… teenagers + me +The English Language = ????

Classes start on Monday.

Nate had his day off yesterday (Thursday)... did you know he's now employed??? So we hiked up to Refugio Frey armed with tenting supplies and some food... photos and stories to come!