Update

It has been frantic and exhausting this week working at the school, visiting various historical locations, and talleres (workshops). Tomorrow is our last day working at the school, and we've been practicing a traditional folk dance for the closing ceremony. Generally, the students have been very receptive and eager to learn English. In the English classes, we have been teaching the students how to say "hello, my name is...", body parts by singing "head, shoulders knees and toes," designing family trees, learning the English alphabet, colors and numbers. For the first and second grade classes we have been playing four square, red light green light, hop skotch, duck, duck goose and we've incorporated English into all of the games. In the art classes, with English instruction, they have been creating portraits, making hemp bracelets/necklaces, and paper cranes. It is gratifying to see that the students are taking full advantage of the resources at hand. We've also gotten a taste of stardom; any free time at the school is consumed with signing autographs and posing for pictures.
We have visited several local artisans. On Monday, there was a ceramic workshop at the school where a blind ceramacist taught us how to sculpt. On Tuesday, after our dance class we travelled by bus to a wood carving workshop. We got to watch animals being carved out of logs and we also got the opportunity to paint the crafts. Wednesday, we went to a knife maker's hut. We got to take home our own mini knives with our names engraved on them. Thursday, we went to a backstrap weaver's house, where she taught us how to weave and we were able to buy some of her handmade works. It has felt good to support the local artisans.
Despite Mary's absence, the group has remained close and talkative. We have learned that we need to be more cautious with what we eat and drink. Our home is nice and our host family is very hospitable. We will be sad to leave in two days.
Adios, buenos noches!
Rebecca y Patrick