Stressed

Been thinking about why I don't write as much as I used to. I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's a combination of factors. Mainly that the things I do don't seem quite as exciting as when I first arrived and I'm tired.

I'm tired of the crap that bubbles not too far from the surface at school. I still enjoy my actual job of teaching the kids but the school is a frustrating place to be in. I ended up losing my temper with Justin yesterday which has never happened before, but I'm fed up. Fed up that I'm still doing SATs out here when I'd much rather be teaching other things. Annoyed that although we do them I'm told not to make too big a deal of them - I'm sorry but they are a big deal to the kids who take them and they are a big deal to me. I may not like putting kids through tests, but if I am to do it, then I will do it properly and professionally. I will prepare the kids so that they know what to expect and aren't terrified. I can't decided how much support should be provided within the tests. Back in the UK I would have readers for my lower ability kids - but here I don't know if I can trust the people who read not to tell the kids the answers. I know all of the kids are capable of accessing the tests at appropriate levels, so should I give them extra time or readers - I just don't know.

I'm pissed off that I have to write reports again in the next two weeks before I do the SATs - once a year is bad enough - thank god I've only got twelve kids. What can I write about them that I haven't already written? What can I say that hasn't already been said in meetings?

I'm unimpressed that the school sports day has been arranged for the Friday of the week that I do the SATs - this means I have to either carry them into another week or change the timetable and order of how they should be sat. Maybe I'm being too rigid in my thinking about the timetable, but it all just seems thoughtless and badly planned.

One of the things that bugs me the most is the lack of interaction and support between the primary and secondary school - we're on the same site, yet there is bugger all transition for my kids.

All schools have there problems but this one is really getting to me at the mo.

I know it's because I'm tired, stressed, homesick and fed up. Now that the end of the year is within my sight I just want to get back home and see all the people who are so important to me. I want to be recharged and renewed. I want to start thinking about my next move...wherever that may be.

Okay I think my rant is over now. Do I feel better? Yes a little.

An eventful evening...

It all started well...I was test driving my friend's beetle after school to see if I want to buy it. Been craving a car again since borrowing Ben and Claire's over Easter.

Adriana and I escaped from school (after a few stalling incidents - much to Justin's amusement) and headed to Cumbaya to have a massage. The massage was incredibly good and relaxing. Feeling rather molten inside we decided to treat ourselves to sushi.

All was going brilliantly - me and the car were getting to know each other and becoming more confident in each others abilities. Additionally, Adri and I were having a very nice girly time.

We took the scenic route home...not intentionally but it was rather good and I now know even more of my local area. After I dropped her off the trouble began...

First the car started to kangaroo, then it lost power and stopped - I managed to start it again (this occurred about three times). I decided to chance it on the main road and all was going well...car was revving and accelerating away...until it stopped, on the main road and wouldn't start again. Bugger!

Luckily it was in the evening so although there was traffic haring past me, it was totally jam packed. I was scared though - Ecuadorians are not known for their careful driving and I felt very vulnerable. I called Adri to go, 'What the fuck...?' Luckily she had Peter's number so I called him. Then I had to wait for him to come and rescue me...

Large trucks and buses thundered past me; cars hooted; all I could do was sit and wait.

We tried to restart the battery with jump leads, but it was to no avail. So...what to try next...well, Peter rang Andy to see if he had a tow rope. Thankfully he did and drove out to us - who would have thought Andy would be my night in shining armour?! (Well his car is white - so I guess that's a sort of modern day white steed!)

I was too nervous to sit in the bug as it was towed, so Andy let me drive his car. The difference between the bug and the 4x4 was incredible. I felt much safer and it was really easy to drive. We took the bug to Pete's mechanic and then he drove me home - very apologetically. Finally got in at about 10pm.

Major catch up time...

Don't seem to have had much time recently for writing. So I guess I need to summarise what's been occurring...

Mum and Dad left on Friday, having been back for another 5 days. They had an amazing time in Peru and came back very happy, relaxed and full of stories. We had a lovely few days where I got to enjoy Mum's cooking (as did Fritha and family); dinner with friends; shopping and lots and lots of hugs.

I really didn't want them to go on Friday...I've kept pretty busy all weekend and I guess the loneliness is starting to sink in. I have had fun this weekend though - I finally caught up with Ursula, someone I've been wanting to get to know more for ages. We had a very silly Friday night which ended with me staying at hers...Friday kinda rolled into Saturday with more beers and girlie chats. It's felt like a proper bank holiday weekend!

I really hate saying goodbye to people...apparently it gets easier with more practise. I guess that's something I'll find out over time.

I guess I need to think about what happened in the rest of the Easter hols which is already receding as life gets caught back in the work trap.

The rest of the Galapagos trip was amazing we visited Floreana where we saw flamingoes and learnt about Post Office Bay. The highlight for me on that day was snorkelling around the Devil's Crown. Having overcome my fear the day before, I was now in the middle of the sea snorkelling around a volcanic crater. The sea was beautifully clear and I saw masses of angelfish. We even saw sharks lurking down near the bottom!

I amused people in the afternoon of this day - we were all having some freetime in Post Office Bay and I decided to set up camp under some bushes. It was so hot and I really couldn't be bothered with the whole suntan cream palaver. I also wanted to continue reading my book, 'The Last Concubine' - I had had difficulty putting it down! I created my own little hobbithole!

Our penultimate day in the Galapagos was spent on Española. Many boobys of differing types; wave albatross; marine iguanas (looking like mini dinosaurs!) and lots of sealions. I really liked the sealions...the females and young all snuggle up to each other on the beach. The baby ones were particularly gorgeous. Sadly though, Dad refused to give in to my pleadings to be allowed a baby sealion. (Heehee - I had warned them that I would regress by being on holiday with them.)

The last morning was spent on San Cristobal before flying back to Quito. One of my favourite moments was when the Scottish lass stated on the last night that she thought I was getting quite a good colour on my arms...only someone from Scotland could have thought that!

Back in Quito we went out for curry with some of our companions and made our goodbyes (so much easier to say goodbye to people that you've only known for few days!)

We woke up on Easter Monday and decided to venture up to the Teleferico (a cable car that goes up the side of Pichincha). The views from the top were pretty stunning even though it was a hazy day! We decided that we liked this mode of transport for getting up mountians!

On Monday afternoon we made our way back to Cumbaya in the midst of a huge storm. Dad and I had gone back to the hotel to get our stuff whilst Mum sipped coffee and waited for us to appear with a taxi. We got utterly soaked - but did laugh all the way back to the hotel. I'm sure there were quite a few people who saw us who thought 'crazy gringos'.

The next day I braved driving for the first time in Ecuador. We headed for Ppallacta for some pampering and relaxation. The road was quiet which was good as I needed to reacquaint myself with driving after a break of 8 months, add to that driving on the wrong side of the road - luckily it is a road I know reasonably well.

In the spa Dad seemed a little confused, within 5 minutes of getting into the pool he was wondering what he was meant to do. Meanwhile Mum and I chatted and laughed! Luckily Dad did seem to get the hang of thermal pools later on when Mum and I were having a massage, he made friends with a Kuwaiti general!

Papallacta was definitely more of a Mum than a Dad day, so I promised we would go volcano hunting the next day!

Wednesday started fairly bright when we set off towards the route of the volcanoes. There were several things that would have made the journey easier:

1. A decently scaled road map
2. Regular roadsigns
3. Diversions in place when roads are closed due to roadworks
4. Better weather

However despite these hindrances and several detours when we couldn't go the way we hoped or weren't where we thought we were, we eventually found ourselves in Cotopaxi National Park. However by this time the cloud had descended and there was not a chance of seeing the top of Cotopaxi. In true British style, we had a picnic in the car by the side of a lake and then drove home.

On the way back another road was missed, luckily instinct and vague knowledge took over and I got us home. There were a few moments of nervousness on this journey - people, particularly buses cut you up all the time. However it reminded me of how much I enjoy driving and I'm now on the lookout for a car!

The last day before the parents went to Peru was fairly quiet and uneventful. It was strange when they left at 5.30am the next morning - I dealt with it using the same tactics as this time - I went out.

Okay...I think that's pretty much what happened in the right order!

My favourite quotes from Mum and Dad were:

Dad: 'Oh, I'm being silly!'
Mum: 'That's because you are silly!'

So I believe I've caught up on the past few weeks.

I'm off to Baños with my class on Tuesday, so I'm sure there'll be a few stories to tell after that!

Easter Hols - Part 1

So, where to begin...a lot has been occurring; adventures have been had! Sit down folks this could be a long story!

Saturday 4th April...

Me, Mum and Dad headed up to Quito and I showed them around the Mariscal and the old town. They really liked the old town, but we did get caught in the inevitable rain!

Sunday 5th April...

We went to Otavalo, however Dad was not interested in seeing 'another market', so we got straight into a taxi and headed for Cuicoccha lake. The taxi driver was fairly annoying so we decided not to have him wait for us.

We went on the boat ride on the lake which Mum and Dad loved and had a very good lunch! It was quite strange going back there having been in August when I first arrived...so much has happened since then!

Mum and Dad have now experienced the wonders of the Ecuadorian bus system - we got out as soon as we could in Quito and got a taxi!

Tuesday 7th April...

Our destination was Quito again, for a night in the Hotel Amazonas, before heading to the Galapagos in the morning.

We're weren't overly impressed at the 'welcome' meeting when we discovered we were all supposed to wear matching t-shirts for the flight! The group of people all seemed really nice - however there were no gorgeous men for me - ho hum!

In the evening we had dinner with Yvette and Lazaro which was really lovely. Unfortunately all the bars/restaurants in the Mariscal area have music blaring out, so it was pretty hard for Dad to hear anything. I think Mum has a bit of a crush on Lazaro - haha!

Wednesday 8th April...

Breakfast at 6am before heading off to the airport at 7am!

The flight was uneventful, with a brief stop in Guayaquil on route.

Stepping off the plans on Baltra island, the heat rose up to meet you. I made my way towards the queue for national tourists as I have residency and therefore don't have to pay the full entrance fee of $100.

A kind gentleman in the queue pointed to the international queue. 'Yo tengo residencia,' I told him - he was most apologetic. I was surprised by how nervous I felt. I knew that I had the right to be in that line but also thought that my residency might be questioned or I might be asked complicated questions in Spanish.

By the time I reached the desk I was shaking like a leaf - I can't remember the last time I shook like that (which is a good thing!). It was all fine - I needn't have worried. I paid $6 to get into the Galapagos National Park.

We were whisked off on a bus, a boat and another bus to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. The journey was mostly silent as we all took in the beauty of our surroundings - the greeness of trees; hills in the distance; the wonder of being in the Galapagos.*

After lunch on the boat, we headed to the Darwin Station to meet Lonesome George. We bumped into my friend Jen on the way which was really lovely. I like going to obscure places and knowing someone there!

Mum was chuffed to pieces to see so many tortoises - although we did agree it was a bit like a tortoise zoo and that maybe Lonesome George would be a lot happier back on his own island. However it is good that they are breeding more tortoises to release into the wild.

Our guide imparted information to our group, including the fact that I apparently live in the most expensive part of Ecuador!

Afterwards we met Jen for a drink, then back to the boat for dinner.

An early night was had by all - in my case in an attempt to ignore the rocking motion of the boat.

A word about the trip:

It was more organised than a school residential! T-shirt, rules, kit list, appropriate amount of spending money!

Thursday 9th April...

I awoke at 3.45am as the anchor was lowered and sleep was fitful after that. My alarm went off at 5.30am. Not realising, I got up and saw the sunrise - beautiful.

The next hour or so was fairly rocky - trying my best not to be sick!

After breakfast we headed on to South Plazas (or Plaza Isla Sur) where we were greeted by a very territorial male sealion. We also saw: land iguanas, blue footed boobys, lizards, more sealions, and swallowtailed gulls.

Our guide, Willo, informed me that he was happy for me to correct his English, but not in the hearing of anyone else!

Back on the boat for lunch and to set sail for Santa Fe. I also had a couple of much needed siestas, both before and after lunch!

At Santa Fe, we went snorkelling. I never enjoyed this as a child - but decided to give it a go. At first I had the same panicky feeling that I remembered from childhood and thought I wouldn't be able to do it - I almost gave up. Then Dad pointed out a shoal of fish and after several attempts I found I had control of my breathing.

At the second snorkelling site I swam with sealions which was amazing! Some were quite playful and some were really shy.

At the third site we saw sea turtles - fantastic!

After a reasonable respite we went walking on Santa Fe and met lots of sealions - the babies were particularly cute.

The evening brought an orange moon and beautiful sunset. Time to relax and recharge.

*To see photos, go here!

Estoy un poco triste...

I know I need to catch up on the adventures over the past couple of weeks and I will aim to do that tomorrow...

Tonight I'm feeling a little sad because Mum and Dad head off to Peru tomorrow - I wish I could go with them. I'm glad that they will be back again for five more days after that part of their adventure.

Also, had the hangover of a bad dream hanging around all day - not good.

Chilling with me folks!

Y'know you've got your Mum and Dad staying when you're washing up is being done regularly; something has been ironed; you're woken up by a cup of coffee!

It's all good!!

Thursday's reunion was emotional, as I knew it would be. Waiting at the airport I was very glad to have the company of Roy & Kay, especially as the flight was delayed by an hour. As soon as I saw Mum and Dad, I rushed over to hug them.

Many more hugs have followed - well I have got 8 months to catch up on!

Last night we went to Cactus to listen to the jazz, eat, and celebrate the fact that we are on holiday (helped by quite a few of my friends from school). It was a lot of fun and probably the first time I've been a bit tiddly with my parents since I was a teenager!

Today we headed up to Quito to peruse the market stalls and explore. The morning was spent in the Mariscal area and this afternoon in the old town - I wanted to show Mum and Dad the many contrasts you can observe in Quito.

It really is lovely having them here, I have missed them so much. I am really looking forward to the rest of our adventures.

The day has finally arrived!

Mum and Dad arrive today!! I'm so happy! I can't wait to hug them - blimey just the thought of it makes me all emotional!

I have been waiting for this day for so long, I'm so glad it's finally here.