Dia Quatro

So day four, second day of work. And man are we sore!!! All muscles, joints and appendages are feeling a little strained but very accomplished. On Wednesday we made our way out to Villa Maria where our project is to get the low down on what exactly we will be doing.
The Project:
A school that teaches children business aspects so they can successfully bring money home to their families without resorting to theft or other illegal activities. I have mixed feelings about these goals because these kids aren't presented with a lot of time to simply be kids and have to work to support their family's at as young as 6 years old, but at the same time the families are so poor and in such desperate need of money that the kids will work anyway and learning how to sell their own products rather then resorting to illegal activities is a step in a better direction.
So right now, we are building the 197 kids, ages 3-15, a bathroom. Currently we are digging holes for piping in the designated bathroom areas, which means breaking through 5 inches of concrete with a pick axe and sledge hammer and then digging out 14 inch trenches of dusty soil and boulders. While there have been pick axes weilded in tiny spaces limiting the number of workers in each bathroom, we have also been painting the newly finished classrooms. In a row there is the Principal's office, and three new classrooms, followed by 2 older classrooms and a kitchen area. Three more classrooms are about half built and will hopefully be done within the year.
Sooo,...
Wednesday we got dirty painting and digging and I don't think I've worked that hard in a very long time. The kids came around to see what were doing and mainly to look with curiousitiy at all the white people that have infiltrated their village. This trip is definitely a learning experience - it has been great so far, meeting the kids and seeing/experiencing a different culture but, of course, in a country where 54% of the population lives in poverty, not every experience is going to put a smile on your face.
Even though Villa Maria is only an hour drive from affluent Miraflores, it is one of many barebones communities carved into arid hillsides with no sanitation, self-sustaining infrastructure or water system. For the kids, dreaming big means seeing the ocean - they don't understand how big the world really is and how many possibilities there are. Then I wonder what dreams are reachable for these kids, which leads me to asking if I am doing enough. It really makes you think, and I suggest if you ever find yourself or your kids taking anything in Canada for granted, send them here.
Thursday - pretty much the same as Wednesday - painting and digging until our hands turn into permanent claws. I wish I knew more Spanish so I could talk with the kids, because they are so interested with everything - where we are from, who we are, what Canada is like (they were asking us if we had roads, money, goats, oceans...) and what we were doing. With hand signals and a pocket dictionary I was able to talk for a bit with three girls who snuck up on me when I was sketching, which took the cake as my favorite moment of the day.
I think this entry is plenty long so I will get going and probably write again on Sunday.
So for now, Feliz Dia Mamasita and I will write again soon!

Buenos Dias!

Buenos Dias on Dia Dos.
The Spanish is slowly coming along. It is definitely a necessity here in Peru. Most important are markets, greetings, money and food. Directions are also helpful. Getting lost, not so much. So what have we discovered in the last two days? We're living in Miraflores, a very nice suberb of Lima. The hostel is great - its called Casa Rodas and is run by Mercedes, Ronald and Rosa. Ronald is in his 20s and is pretty fluent in English so there are some hillarious conversations going on back and forth. Yesterday we just got settled and then took a walk through town to find some dinner, came back to the hostel and had a pretty chill night.
Today, the plan was to take on Miraflores and all its glorious sights, but our fearless leader got hit by the lovely travelling food bug and was out of commission for the morning. Bean and I stepped in, with a whole lot of help from our lone spanish speaking groupie. Actually Bean and I did very little other than point in the direction we thought we should be going and stopping people from getting hit by cars when crossing the street. So we trecked on without Erica and took on the market, where Craig, Kristine and I realized we are totally oblivious when it comes to money talk. Quanto: how much? Viente-Seente: s/ 25
Thats about it.
ps. Kev I got you a wicked gift.
Next we headed towards the ocean where we took in the sights of water, surfers and paragliders from a cliff high above the beach. Its absolutely beautiful, with a boardwalk running all along the cliff edge. Breathtaking really.
We got back home, Erica was her usually peppy self again, so we went to the grocery store and got all the fixings for a grand Italian dinner. Spanish lessons followed, complete with a never ending cribbage game conversed in Spanish.
Now to bed, as we are gettig up early tomorrow to head to the project sigh sooo...
Buenos noches and hasta manana (good night and see you tomorrow)!

I Have Arrived!!!!

Just sending a message out to all those who are reading - I have arrived in Lima!
There isn't much to say at this point other than we are here, checked into our super cute hostel and I will write more tomorrow once we go explore a bit.
This trip is going to be very very interesting - colourful characters already!
Adios!

And I'm Off!

One quick last little post before I hoist up my ridiculously full bag and head south. I guess first I should finish packing. Right now I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the awesome times I had in Toronto and send out a big hug to everyone that came out last night to say adios. I'll miss you guys!
But now I'm off to Peru, where I don't know the language and the sun will hate me.
Sounds like a fun adventure no? We'll see what it has in store I suppose.

I will write as soon as I can. Take care all and keep me updated!!

2 DAYS

Alright. So the sun is shining, its early morn. Happy or sad, I'm feeling torn. All I know is I'm leaving in 2 days. So hug me and hang out with me. Lets find something cool to see. I wanna see what I've missed here in TO. Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane. I'll be back in June again. Oh adventure here I come!

The blog is starting up again!

This is the official re-opening of the "Where in the World is Kim?" blog. During the hiatus, I have been in Toronto finishing off my degree and creating an eco-bridal collection in a whirlwind of excitement, stress and coffee. You can check it out at www.lillynichols.ca if you wish.
But now I am starting up again...
14 DAYS!!!
That's right ladies and gents. In 14 fun-loaded days I will be leaving my home for the last four years and trekking to Peru. Alot of emotions will be packed with my possessions, but I am so excited to help build a school and work with/play with the children that attend there. Very excited.
I will keep the posts as frequent as I can. Its only a 5 week trip, so I should be able to manage alright.

SO....

The countdown has begun.

I am going to stick out like the Grinch at Christmas....

Goodbye Blog!

Hello blog and blog followers,

Thank you so much for reading this over the last eight months. Its been really fun to write about everything an keep you up to date. Now, though, the Australian adventure is over and the final year of my bachelor degree is about to start. And yes, I am terrified. However, I think I've got a pretty good idea for my collection and lets all hope it turns out beautifully.
I was back in BC for five weeks, to see family and friends and calm down a bit before I head back to the big city. Those five weeks were filled with fires and flat tires, an awesome trip to Tsuniah Lake Lodge and many great days at the cabin (before and after the Terrace Mountain Fire).
So great summer and now I'm back in Toronto and ready for the mayhem and chaos to begin. And then, when that is over, the next adventure will begin...and I may just find myself writing another blog about another terrific place and time. I'm hoping you are having a blast making your own magnificent stories and would love to hear about them!