Miriam's Blog

Today we visited Colegio menor, the high school in Cumbaya,Ecuador. We left Hotel Quito at 7:15 and arrived at Colegio Menor at 7:45. When we arrived at Colegio Menor we went into a meeting with a group of juniors, administrators, and the dean of students. During the meeting we discussed future exchange opportunities for CSIHSIS students and the Colegio Menor students. Afterwards, me and Khaijat attended classes with the high school students.We went to Chemistry,AP history, Latin american studies and Salsa gym. Most of the classes are in english because Colegio Menor is a bilingual school. All the high school students speak really good english. Me and Khadijat liked Salsa Gym and Latin American studies. In Salsa gym we learned a few combinations in merengue and Salsa. We even got to dance with some of the students.The boys were really good dancers. In ecuador it is typical for the guys to be the first ones out on the dance floor. In Latin American Studies we discussed the changes that are being made in the ecuador constitution. Because the constitution is very old the people of ecuador think it needs to be updated. the argument is whether same sex couples and abortion should be legal. Also, many religious groups want to the church and the state to be collaborated while others feel the state should be secular. It was interesting to hear the different perspectives of the students. Eventhough they were speaking spanish we could hear the passion in their voices. SOME TEACHERS AT COLEGIO MENOR ALLOW THEIR STUDENTS TO LISTEN TO THEIR IPODS DURING READING ACTIVITIES(WINK,WINK).
After Colegio Menor we went to Tracey's house,shes the dean of students and the AP Biology teacher. While we were relaxing, Ms.Sullivan went for a walk and thought she knew her way around town she ended up getting lost.she had no cell phone. Don't worry Tracey found her in a matter of minutes. For dinner we went to a restaurant outside of Cumbaya called El Sitio. They served authentic ecuadorian foods and even typical american foods. after dinner we went back to the hotel.
Buenas Noches,
miriam