so i though it was about time i blogged about my English classes. it has been a bit of a challenge to teach basic English to Portuguese speaking people when i don't know a lick of Portuguese. let me tell you i have learned a few phrases pretty fast. with the help of Lynn i come to each class armed with some new words and phrases for them to write in their work books which they are to take home and study. the next class we run though the words, with each student getting a turn, to see if they remember. we are often overrun by side-splitting laughter when someone, very confidently, blurts out the wrong answer. i am always amazed at how well they do remember in such a short time and then my amazement is closely followed with shame that i didn't retain as much as they have. each week i struggled to find words and phrases that would be beneficial as well as personally interesting to them. i finally got smart and told them they where welcome, and highly encouraged, to write in their work books words that they would like to learn. the results where unbelievable; i was given enough material to cover my lessons for the rest of my stay here on the farm! and not to mention the amusement Lynn and i gained over some of the interesting, and some down right hysterical, requests that where made. words such as spit, lazy, and hygiene (hhhmmm, wonder where he was going with that one?) and phrases like "that old man is already old" or "you are a scoundrel". and less funny words that once again had me wishing i could hear the thoughts that occupy their minds. poor, war, shame, deny, envy, truth, rescue, win, accept, laugh, peace, and in love.
no class is complete without one thing we all dreaded about school....a test. only with these guys there was no dreading involved. in fact it was requested! the test was in English so they could translate to their own language.....actually, Portuguese would be there second language and English being a third! as i waited for them to work through the test i stared at a extra test sitting in my hand. i thought maybe i should have a go at this test......MAN it was hard!!
on one of our bike rides to Penna we stopped to get nat's bike fixed which, i might add for nat's sake, just goes to show that Taiwan doesn't make products any better than China. as i stood waiting a group of kids slowly gathered around me, a strange yet regular occurrence that i am growing accustomed to. the composure of this young girl captured me in a trance. as we stood looking at each other i was, for the first time, completely comfortable with the fact that staring is not rude or socially unwelcome to the bush living Africans like it is to those of us who live in a more developed society. i simply did not want to take my eyes of the beauty that stood before me. i studied her dress and i couldn't help imagining the young girl who most likely ware that dress to some fancy wedding in the western world. i wanted to tell her she looked like Cinderella. i know that doesn't sound like genuine statement, but she truly did poses a beauty that surpassed the tattered, dirt spotted dress and made her look like a princess. as she stared at me i wondered if she was as curious about where i came from as i was about hers.
i am always amazed at the strength possessed by the Africans. how do they hold all that weigh on their heads?! today my question was answered. how old are you child? look! she has bigger pipes than i do!
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