Monday, December 1, 2008

I never thought I would say this....

...but I am cold! I am actually wearing a bunny hug right now (hoodie for all the non-Canadians) and have goosebumps. I am being completely serious. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining or anything and fully realize that it is ridiculously cold back in Canada, but I just never thought I would feel cold here. I guess after living here for several months, my body has acclimatized. It is such a strange sensation to feel cold after several months of sweating bullets! When I arrived in class, our teacher was talking about how cold he was today and I was thinking, what???? When class finished at 7pm and I was walking home, I was wishing I had a sweater!

As for the weekend, I went back to Manzanillo. I went out salsa dancing with some girlfriends on Friday. I had not salsa danced in quite some time - it was so much fun. We also went out dancing again on Saturday night. Dancing is good for the soul - I was feeling kind of low and after all that dancing, my spirits are definitely lifted and I feel so much better. I spent alot of time with my girlfriends and was just thinking today about how lucky I am to have made such wonderful friends here. I also got in some beach time with friends which always makes me feel better!

A girl riding her horse on the beach and rode right up to the beach bar we were hanging out at


Here she is with my friend's husband Rob and their little girl Olivia


On Sunday, I helped out with a one day PATA spay/neuter clinic for stray animals in a poor part of Manzanillo. Similar to my experience last week in Melaque, it was very rewarding.

Well, I am on week 3 of my Spanish classes and they are going really well. There is only one other student in my class (there are other students in the school but they only put you with people at a similar level).

The other student Elizabeth (from the US) and one of our 4 teachers - Valentin (he is also a teacher in the local high school).


Here is Rosaura and children Ketzali and Natalia after returning from church tonight.

8 comments:

Steve Cotton said...

Your school in La Manzanilla must be on the bluff right down town. Correct?cogent

New Beginnings said...

Steve - yes, the school is in the multi-cultural centre right down town on the bluff.

Steve Cotton said...

Know it well. I had looked at buying it just before it went on the market -- the center, not the school.

Anonymous said...

In one of the pictures of Manzanillo, the smoke from the power plant can be seen in the distance. Is there any time frame for the plant to switch to natural gas and is the smoke a daily problem. Thanks in advance. Ben

New Beginnings said...

Ben - yes, the smoke is a daily problem especially for those residents that live in nearby communities. I am not sure on the time frame - I have heard they will be switching but am not sure when.

Anonymous said...

I didn't want my previous posting re: this blog to be a negative one. I want to thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures with us; the one of The Brambilia Ladies is special; as I've mentioned before my son Matthew had the honour of staying with the family back in July; your photos have allowed all of us a great opportunity to get to know a wonderful family.Thanks again. Ben

Anonymous said...

Chantel were siting in deep snow here. Feel lucky you have only goosebumps. Nice pictures!
Miss you and the warmth! Wendy

New Beginnings said...

Ben - no worries at all! I did not take it negatively - it is a fact of life here in Manzanillo and something we all hope changes. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the photos of the family. What a small world! I have heard alot of wonderful things about your son while he stayed with them.

Wendy - Sorry to hear about all the snow. I guess that is a good thing for the ski slopes though! Miss you too! Stay warm!