tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30625288143900060782023-11-15T22:13:45.738-08:00Adventures AbroadVictoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-31779895628253714172017-11-09T03:46:00.001-08:002017-11-09T03:47:28.176-08:00August to Now <p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">These past few months have gone in a flash of an eye. While on summer break I have been busy with clubs, planning for a Camp YEWA (Young Empowered Women's Alliance) and taking a few vacations between it all. With school starting back up I’ve been readjusting to having a school schedule, continuing to plan for Camp YEWA, and enjoy some hidden treasures Comoros has to offer. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">While nothing to crazy has happened, in the sense of strange stories I continue to integrate into my community and say yes to any and all opportunities I am handed. That includes a brief experience of trying to grate coconuts and ultimately being laughed at and told to just watch, getting a crash course in French because of Comorians visiting from France, and me introducing smoothies to people in my village. Besides these few interactions nothing too crazy has occurred in village. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Besides enjoying summer break in my village I have also been given a chance to take two different trips, one to another island called Moheli. Well known for its natural resources such as whales, turtles, and waterfalls. And the other to Madagascar. Both have been incredible and different experiences. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">In Moheli, I spent a few days with some of my friends from my village and other PCVs and visited around the island. The first day we arrived it turned out to be National Turtle day so we hoped into a car and headed off to Itasmia, known as Turtle beach, but I'll explain that later. It was quite an experience, and we even saw a speech from the President of Comoros, while seeing some turtles return to sea. The next morning I woke up early to head to Mirangoni, which is located on the far west side of the island. There we visited my friends family and the waterfall of the village. The next stop was winding through the mountains until we reached Niomachouia, a beach village. It was so a beautiful place, it share similarities to beaches in the Caribbean. The following day was an adventure to Itsamia, and after </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">a 5am</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> bus ride, waiting for a taxi we finally arrived 4 hours later to Turtle Beach. This beautiful beach is a safe haven for sea turtles to come and lay their eggs. </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">Around 9pm</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> at night we went crawling with our guide through the sand to locate a turtle who just begin laying her eggs. Being given a chance to watch them lay their eggs was quite an experience that I will always remember. The next morning we packed our backs and departed for the capital. The last day in Moheli was spent just relaxing and visiting the capital. That following morning I head early to the airport where I wait for a few hours before finally flying back to ngazidja. Once I arrived I met with some friends and we took a mini tour of the island. In the afternoon I returned home for the night. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The following week was quite laid back, and I just hung around in village as the week following I was departing for a vacation to Madagascar. My trip to Madagascar was incredible. While I was unable to visit all the places I was hoping to, I still greatly enjoyed visiting around this massive island. On my first full day I spent 12 hours traveling by bus to the far west side of the island. The intent was to visit Tsingy, a stone forest. While that did not end up happening, I did get to visit the famous Baobabs, cook and eat some local crab, and watch the sunset over the beach. All in all the two days spent in Morondava were quite successful, and I was able to really embrace the Malagasy life experience. After two days in Morondava I hopped back on the bus to head to Antananarivo. In the capital I was able to enjoy some food, catch up with some old acquaintances, make new friends, and just relax for a few days. While nothing too crazy special happened in Tana, it was quite a nice trip. I was able to just relax and see some key spots around the city. It was also a very difference experience, as while there are some similarities to Comoros, some things are quite different. These differences made the trip just that much more of an adventure. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Upon returning to Comoros I spent some time in village, before heading off to our Mid-Service on Anjouan. For the first few days I visited around parts of Anjouan I had yet to see. I was able to see some friends, visit a waterfall, and enjoy some beach time before a week of Mid-Service Training. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The training was a great time, as we were able to work on literacy based projects, and even learned how to make books from rice sacks (new final project idea). It was also a time to just catch up as a group and enjoy some time in the hotel. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Upon returning back to Grande Comore I spent as much time preparing for school, showing people around my village, and visiting some new spots on the island. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Finally as October rolled around some big activities started to take shape. Firstly was a library workshop my counterpart and I partook in. This week long conference helped for us to establish some goals for our library, and even ideas of some things to do in said library. On top of this I spent some time working on completing my grant application, and I’m happy to say after some weeks of worry,</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">It has been approved and is currently in the funding stage. In village I’ve been enjoying being back home, visiting around, and looking forward to fruit season finally beginning. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text";"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Otherwise things have been just chugging along. School is going well, my clubs are still exciting (especially the kids club), things are starting to come together for Camp YEWA, and my last year in the Comoros is looking quite busy but full of many experiences. </span></p>Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-39254764497586427202017-08-07T01:13:00.000-07:002017-08-09T21:44:28.355-07:00Library Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After months of planning, working hard to establish the space, to painting, to putting the books up, finally I can say the Library of Hambou is now open for business. And of course non of this would've been possible without the help of my amazing community members, friends, and students. </div>
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With all that being said, please enjoy pictures of our adventure in creating the Library of Hambou. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbdSWAQfu7M97fLB7T4OiW_M0FTSmiztgSCjZbatmjz7ipf8wKO2eKm_2-KVl1SdbqnI_sm_S2eURY6YIcax82X50C8vd-B0i1ETF6w7idkNRBJE5anmRk1SfUaJOXr7ycPgKStDBfT4/s1600/IMG_5849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="1600" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbdSWAQfu7M97fLB7T4OiW_M0FTSmiztgSCjZbatmjz7ipf8wKO2eKm_2-KVl1SdbqnI_sm_S2eURY6YIcax82X50C8vd-B0i1ETF6w7idkNRBJE5anmRk1SfUaJOXr7ycPgKStDBfT4/s320/IMG_5849.JPG" width="320" id="id_6f27_e77a_7c74_1e8e" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Library Space</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rJ14VLf52GLY5akHaVTtc8GvddtPMZK5aCXaX8hjAB-VJfnBYwYvWWGtVgPmIvT2PBZhbmJrjdJFZIOItbXKn7L0o1M3M6b9SzhvTqxBffsQx3VI2wwROLV1g83WTMz_ddQPj2R0L9E/s1600/IMG_5850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rJ14VLf52GLY5akHaVTtc8GvddtPMZK5aCXaX8hjAB-VJfnBYwYvWWGtVgPmIvT2PBZhbmJrjdJFZIOItbXKn7L0o1M3M6b9SzhvTqxBffsQx3VI2wwROLV1g83WTMz_ddQPj2R0L9E/s320/IMG_5850.JPG" width="320" id="id_c0f2_ac1c_a3d7_a92" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Reading Space</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoweieAJvm7x5DvDYg-q8xdwyz87yIcR58W-UGHojAfJmcuEjyCUj5xNX3rjhwEhdzK5ZwVJ0EVZUz9HkL65tx7qBrD3825DLfL8hpfcLXd7cG8maKZUHPdxTC7kbWyJMBC7iTp_R6-M/s1600/IMG_5882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoweieAJvm7x5DvDYg-q8xdwyz87yIcR58W-UGHojAfJmcuEjyCUj5xNX3rjhwEhdzK5ZwVJ0EVZUz9HkL65tx7qBrD3825DLfL8hpfcLXd7cG8maKZUHPdxTC7kbWyJMBC7iTp_R6-M/s320/IMG_5882.JPG" width="320" id="id_f7b8_491f_5ee7_47d6" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring Windows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3hITkgVxTxcBNU-SN5h6CZsQNSzLjauGqlZ4ExtAAC374EHAjU9YpSdphq-iIRbVfp3Xs1WgKJyiUz8JN9dsID4pK5GDrmrENY8LZZmSg-dECzTfURYyLLw6JznSfwMfDH6FJxhbQ0Y/s1600/IMG_5920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3hITkgVxTxcBNU-SN5h6CZsQNSzLjauGqlZ4ExtAAC374EHAjU9YpSdphq-iIRbVfp3Xs1WgKJyiUz8JN9dsID4pK5GDrmrENY8LZZmSg-dECzTfURYyLLw6JznSfwMfDH6FJxhbQ0Y/s320/IMG_5920.JPG" width="320" id="id_fd20_ca75_4d66_35ef" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixing the structure</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqox0kjh8xe6rxhkFazRAIVrXOHN7ZlFTkq0GNjoSLqDQG2VLP1v9mK107P82yFWiiHwVZWjLN5M0OVDwhebg9VgUs7TV-mme5gO1z34F3evpxoLMAH4dpdNNHHmNw-BssUh5silePs_I/s1600/IMG_5998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="1600" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqox0kjh8xe6rxhkFazRAIVrXOHN7ZlFTkq0GNjoSLqDQG2VLP1v9mK107P82yFWiiHwVZWjLN5M0OVDwhebg9VgUs7TV-mme5gO1z34F3evpxoLMAH4dpdNNHHmNw-BssUh5silePs_I/s320/IMG_5998.JPG" width="320" id="id_24a5_787c_a09c_7439" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After tearing down beams </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-PlirtDU0FQma6U5eNqlmpI7ndq-yS07NGcZ-kwynwUXKx9r1ruP4nF789y8ktNsiisiPs5LZpLDKUEG5tCNWPYZ05DgvJbwFDyodZ0ewHoJbQb9c5qsB5TPS2VWUrfXZLlf3agIjyc/s1600/IMG_6605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-PlirtDU0FQma6U5eNqlmpI7ndq-yS07NGcZ-kwynwUXKx9r1ruP4nF789y8ktNsiisiPs5LZpLDKUEG5tCNWPYZ05DgvJbwFDyodZ0ewHoJbQb9c5qsB5TPS2VWUrfXZLlf3agIjyc/s320/IMG_6605.JPG" width="320" id="id_f3ed_6116_30b3_8187" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cementing time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo-Xmb5J44FEW3WIR6H3TLOOmjqw4tJyKPHENrTOHb2W6RXGRcXxjnaZiNzXZgCUsynxxPbaDxzlTmFl7JP7xMrfiwSF7z01VXpd6pOmOQAbdiPgh1JVE69cWB_1KGxlRWkJl1z4bbIc/s1600/IMG_6614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo-Xmb5J44FEW3WIR6H3TLOOmjqw4tJyKPHENrTOHb2W6RXGRcXxjnaZiNzXZgCUsynxxPbaDxzlTmFl7JP7xMrfiwSF7z01VXpd6pOmOQAbdiPgh1JVE69cWB_1KGxlRWkJl1z4bbIc/s320/IMG_6614.JPG" width="320" id="id_5ba5_5253_2bd9_d1ce" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leveling the Floor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWYDhtR7DHTiy6uPt1TY3fQxe0DXYr9qu-NPbJfq6fHZVXhoqRqTyMbxb3adD3P6QdeoOyIYd1yA9WCO3l2zX-zUEiPWKWXteLPfVp5g8NE-CClP-UHgPoMLsHqdTOtkSMsENjkrly90/s1600/IMG_6921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWYDhtR7DHTiy6uPt1TY3fQxe0DXYr9qu-NPbJfq6fHZVXhoqRqTyMbxb3adD3P6QdeoOyIYd1yA9WCO3l2zX-zUEiPWKWXteLPfVp5g8NE-CClP-UHgPoMLsHqdTOtkSMsENjkrly90/s320/IMG_6921.JPG" width="320" id="id_f41c_708c_2b87_6efe" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Leveled Floor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv-W1C5iSelltkz8pWM7N3eBYROO5okplmUs8b1AmbY7Sq5LCYpDE-ILEFlpTWeLy0_d2PQYxetikn2Athm-JAQowDR188sUCquqYCD3hBXMdFmpgDtqsSUBjKOxgAShyphenhyphenzJuR6kLp0sk/s1600/IMG_7277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv-W1C5iSelltkz8pWM7N3eBYROO5okplmUs8b1AmbY7Sq5LCYpDE-ILEFlpTWeLy0_d2PQYxetikn2Athm-JAQowDR188sUCquqYCD3hBXMdFmpgDtqsSUBjKOxgAShyphenhyphenzJuR6kLp0sk/s320/IMG_7277.JPG" width="320" id="id_7350_a8ee_5872_89ed" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing for painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG32fICAxCVCqa8nX72vd9PJf9UiC1_S2l-QAFLsndhRGsRkSsVdJ7M9Yem7C5gjKkvNDSLpF6D6NNDBd41UxX3V86A6JYuev3t5wpnikeLxLJUWRS_pT1CtkjTMZw0qY1XKXnXsOWa-8/s1600/IMG_7280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG32fICAxCVCqa8nX72vd9PJf9UiC1_S2l-QAFLsndhRGsRkSsVdJ7M9Yem7C5gjKkvNDSLpF6D6NNDBd41UxX3V86A6JYuev3t5wpnikeLxLJUWRS_pT1CtkjTMZw0qY1XKXnXsOWa-8/s320/IMG_7280.JPG" width="320" id="id_6d4_42c4_6f40_6603" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly installed Windows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_b744_cc24_2d68_d6b9"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHffLuAz_dfqRafr9DNRdYWjnA9bYatAytllz0eGypVKU-TpYmYhX2YOO4-dbCzb_7BZx8g7cSEyiiTbNbEkxfSHOxI18eEGJ9VtGm41iXLRQ_0_kEauZX0UwWlb3gCR45ssUV1MSSAc/s1600/IMG_7513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHffLuAz_dfqRafr9DNRdYWjnA9bYatAytllz0eGypVKU-TpYmYhX2YOO4-dbCzb_7BZx8g7cSEyiiTbNbEkxfSHOxI18eEGJ9VtGm41iXLRQ_0_kEauZX0UwWlb3gCR45ssUV1MSSAc/s320/IMG_7513.JPG" width="320" id="id_8a78_5984_e1f4_946f" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_e9fe_99f3_1bd4_bf0f"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUK0M-_5iw859rmi2t3ulKwDLupcKUewtjFW4k8-zApbh3P1E9qYia6qM7cGnYA37LKQQqE8GNXW8s012K7pP1ZQvvbicRATaEfMO4g495qymU_1-KgB-8vDKE3SkiiWi8M-V76W_9U4g/s1600/IMG_7517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUK0M-_5iw859rmi2t3ulKwDLupcKUewtjFW4k8-zApbh3P1E9qYia6qM7cGnYA37LKQQqE8GNXW8s012K7pP1ZQvvbicRATaEfMO4g495qymU_1-KgB-8vDKE3SkiiWi8M-V76W_9U4g/s320/IMG_7517.JPG" width="320" id="id_2ee2_139b_9156_593f" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding some color to the space</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_51f8_e478_64dd_dcaa"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobrCV1UzzB4GvRzJKG-vAQ_5Egv_zvfSrw18YQSUCqKNUpNh3DIpL2AWeCAjUwgEGGCNhRmvGX0JuqdhKwxJgajJOSVWMDnGN22_-pTA_pVMnqtiPab0UFL_cEipYtE9hlJcdHXfT_GU/s1600/IMG_7551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobrCV1UzzB4GvRzJKG-vAQ_5Egv_zvfSrw18YQSUCqKNUpNh3DIpL2AWeCAjUwgEGGCNhRmvGX0JuqdhKwxJgajJOSVWMDnGN22_-pTA_pVMnqtiPab0UFL_cEipYtE9hlJcdHXfT_GU/s320/IMG_7551.JPG" width="320" id="id_9f75_1b8e_fdad_b6bd" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Painting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_63ff_773c_2e08_a1fc"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3Xerqfr8i1QcwcRewTf0cXO1mTNON4N-mxq1ifmZgyhctdY2jsiDBBC1pKlrvqQu-X8t24PfQlgJPxYodu659mWqC6QkQ_4SeUCvMuAag5K5xenR8RwOe4Om5sKQVzANL3yyv2ap648/s1600/IMG_7753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3Xerqfr8i1QcwcRewTf0cXO1mTNON4N-mxq1ifmZgyhctdY2jsiDBBC1pKlrvqQu-X8t24PfQlgJPxYodu659mWqC6QkQ_4SeUCvMuAag5K5xenR8RwOe4Om5sKQVzANL3yyv2ap648/s320/IMG_7753.JPG" width="320" id="id_81ad_b773_150_c95d" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Map Grid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_c330_2285_c33_86c2"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJbUnfn3sOEVY0rNwWLTjRrbxPFG-UNxgxsuZMSTH0nsftt7lneD_tkG7FnJxlGOzO52Z9Ldx4bgGLSW-8FqfyhjMuWHadhGxlPDwO7FRCQg_3z6mkjmXdWYSDLFYXeSzSJO9atDPLSk/s1600/IMG_7890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJbUnfn3sOEVY0rNwWLTjRrbxPFG-UNxgxsuZMSTH0nsftt7lneD_tkG7FnJxlGOzO52Z9Ldx4bgGLSW-8FqfyhjMuWHadhGxlPDwO7FRCQg_3z6mkjmXdWYSDLFYXeSzSJO9atDPLSk/s320/IMG_7890.JPG" width="320" id="id_980b_7f5_3074_60cc" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaning Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_9ad3_8ac2_d170_8274"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR5fIC_6BKKHx2q49biJCA5PXGl6JlSg4t9SYeCA6THhuG6QZVRmUnK1d93h5gPQ-hfH7Zr7hpl17hanKr9zjmDW5-wWD2oYVlqf-9RVLXB73-300jiMjCwqe08e7DnpzzZtaaO3LKz4/s1600/IMG_7893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR5fIC_6BKKHx2q49biJCA5PXGl6JlSg4t9SYeCA6THhuG6QZVRmUnK1d93h5gPQ-hfH7Zr7hpl17hanKr9zjmDW5-wWD2oYVlqf-9RVLXB73-300jiMjCwqe08e7DnpzzZtaaO3LKz4/s320/IMG_7893.JPG" width="320" id="id_7275_d5b_19e0_b839" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library Space Clean-Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_4f2d_abc9_ee1e_50cc"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7C_67VtU1IisQulAWmmUCKdNGdkZqeGP6S_Pow1RhxocSFkhvKqrG5JvRa7nlLzUwIqS3LE9o260QL318N0T4gEZIUiTFs7rLsuS9nvqzl6fAwgA0v6Q-inw3I8LMnd12VjyrnU0KNZU/s1600/IMG_7902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7C_67VtU1IisQulAWmmUCKdNGdkZqeGP6S_Pow1RhxocSFkhvKqrG5JvRa7nlLzUwIqS3LE9o260QL318N0T4gEZIUiTFs7rLsuS9nvqzl6fAwgA0v6Q-inw3I8LMnd12VjyrnU0KNZU/s320/IMG_7902.JPG" width="320" id="id_34b1_1504_a709_1f72" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-way Library Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_9e5b_c983_65c3_b740"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcKcIhyphenhyphenPgButc2SomtFGiMG58Q3v73erXhhdSXJME1Z8P-0w-Q14HokSOt8OBzGPMKKcc6e7MXmm7ygqOF8KOLKcx1HE1cf5k40D-4qMT7jUH-kct3bKGGacx8SAQqxwq80Km_XhB67s/s1600/IMG_7904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1600" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcKcIhyphenhyphenPgButc2SomtFGiMG58Q3v73erXhhdSXJME1Z8P-0w-Q14HokSOt8OBzGPMKKcc6e7MXmm7ygqOF8KOLKcx1HE1cf5k40D-4qMT7jUH-kct3bKGGacx8SAQqxwq80Km_XhB67s/s320/IMG_7904.JPG" width="320" id="id_664b_55a5_c72b_f8f0" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-way Reading Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_cf76_6d23_e5c3_82d4"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwIsH8SrMF323BVw1Xw5WOSk_A-MthUaRNQDQZBThoRTGhRtQi9V667AQvGM9ARIulrTh7Fk2HTmWpmnCXGNbCE3JiH1qO53l0DEg38d4fXIjXvjaLlu6iPgFa0x0MqvT60YOZIaBmC8/s1600/IMG_8021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwIsH8SrMF323BVw1Xw5WOSk_A-MthUaRNQDQZBThoRTGhRtQi9V667AQvGM9ARIulrTh7Fk2HTmWpmnCXGNbCE3JiH1qO53l0DEg38d4fXIjXvjaLlu6iPgFa0x0MqvT60YOZIaBmC8/s320/IMG_8021.JPG" width="320" id="id_b3e8_eefa_c3e7_6171" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Installing Bookshelves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_ca2f_f886_dece_fdb8"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaOaCu1Rxd_YrF_lK9JKMIVv6j8Bq4pXYC9WyH9a8rwmr3UVC75uF_rxf0MWlQM1K95jq1KZxf93_PIfWcq6uR8f85jwUKnXuPivbFYgeuiEvC1G6IGzZeKiCTdKBTf6FLL-Z7JLGQFY/s1600/IMG_8049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaOaCu1Rxd_YrF_lK9JKMIVv6j8Bq4pXYC9WyH9a8rwmr3UVC75uF_rxf0MWlQM1K95jq1KZxf93_PIfWcq6uR8f85jwUKnXuPivbFYgeuiEvC1G6IGzZeKiCTdKBTf6FLL-Z7JLGQFY/s320/IMG_8049.JPG" width="320" id="id_a0be_e5b3_6e2_1dfe" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookshelves Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_1db4_1378_9cda_9d10"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0djZLeFvlyMoam9m0d4jsv2jKsq-D0XBD9iFNxgjLPtjjUNmfQSdkBP2h9OAYNd_pF2nLU6IL7dHwETZBXwNA4hDdQn6RzNFY2Qm1Z4JaZdPXag-dOgiVgs4Zl5DF8UMpmYBkmFK6XNc/s1600/IMG_8364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0djZLeFvlyMoam9m0d4jsv2jKsq-D0XBD9iFNxgjLPtjjUNmfQSdkBP2h9OAYNd_pF2nLU6IL7dHwETZBXwNA4hDdQn6RzNFY2Qm1Z4JaZdPXag-dOgiVgs4Zl5DF8UMpmYBkmFK6XNc/s320/IMG_8364.JPG" width="320" id="id_9759_326f_eb0c_8bc7" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus: Blackboard for the Reading Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_4fe9_b01c_414_686"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURlbB7F1z3jbNmhRX2BrpxXmKnKrdXVXwoGk0_CADZcN_Es2RjOtf0iqASe1GXIZM5NE1so-t0NxwrQu8r_WwhSvIimPtpcbqt2bFVF-c92ztTQ2p4pKFQMp7p1Va7g-eJI795AZdD8w/s1600/IMG_8733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURlbB7F1z3jbNmhRX2BrpxXmKnKrdXVXwoGk0_CADZcN_Es2RjOtf0iqASe1GXIZM5NE1so-t0NxwrQu8r_WwhSvIimPtpcbqt2bFVF-c92ztTQ2p4pKFQMp7p1Va7g-eJI795AZdD8w/s320/IMG_8733.JPG" width="320" id="id_f441_ca0_39f9_238a" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting help on the World Map Grid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_de39_caca_dee_e370"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp64Yv60jwJ9uvIVe1HVU1qJtLQXPrmaNORnetJxmyJzKbO1ejeKpqL98Bh_7l1yH0lRYSqyviqBwCX4txCS79vSTQe2UrxGGhrHdhcjqOiZv0mqnUs9HEbXuDhgKVqWNrCA_41yzUbM/s1600/IMG_9105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp64Yv60jwJ9uvIVe1HVU1qJtLQXPrmaNORnetJxmyJzKbO1ejeKpqL98Bh_7l1yH0lRYSqyviqBwCX4txCS79vSTQe2UrxGGhrHdhcjqOiZv0mqnUs9HEbXuDhgKVqWNrCA_41yzUbM/s320/IMG_9105.JPG" width="320" id="id_fee3_967b_cf15_1e6" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketching Countries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_fac1_4e07_4244_fba8"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsjcUvJ2In-aKAfsd90GvRB3IQ0wJZgv9w7nHSlnJ-6vBTh9V4J4yZ6oaEp6orrfXCVz0inU8QaqFmgcqpgUSgRc2mSSwHyjf5Zs7LzyffvaPIyNwBpnt843nDMwxa1FuxfTxEZUUO04/s1600/IMG_9106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsjcUvJ2In-aKAfsd90GvRB3IQ0wJZgv9w7nHSlnJ-6vBTh9V4J4yZ6oaEp6orrfXCVz0inU8QaqFmgcqpgUSgRc2mSSwHyjf5Zs7LzyffvaPIyNwBpnt843nDMwxa1FuxfTxEZUUO04/s320/IMG_9106.JPG" width="320" id="id_9a3e_ae34_2cf_2683" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting Books Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_4b7c_6dcd_9e0a_88ab"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE47SmR6PUa9n_puNh07Bd8iULHj090VxtdIka4KaUWO9Iu-YiSCPhtrv16RJVuse_OKeFbZMOU0HzTgsm_PxWL6nbDZ-GLVndYimHEjD29tPNjExqAuFucErY1PW2wNUJ6UoRnOwVmM/s1600/IMG_9152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE47SmR6PUa9n_puNh07Bd8iULHj090VxtdIka4KaUWO9Iu-YiSCPhtrv16RJVuse_OKeFbZMOU0HzTgsm_PxWL6nbDZ-GLVndYimHEjD29tPNjExqAuFucErY1PW2wNUJ6UoRnOwVmM/s320/IMG_9152.JPG" width="320" id="id_5db5_4677_8adc_b721" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished World Map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_f704_1bb3_2bcf_ddb5"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuWwX5_M_rn4flwG7RDWlrUU6Z_lu10asunSMk2d9jDHN1sOAKgttxufOukCPWgk7GR3WVuZM4FMYNnhrpe4T93S5iE1B7LeLaoKZurSq1FWXcBINfHRyxaDqqaSaJplPNp1UsLXofyQ/s1600/IMG_9153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuWwX5_M_rn4flwG7RDWlrUU6Z_lu10asunSMk2d9jDHN1sOAKgttxufOukCPWgk7GR3WVuZM4FMYNnhrpe4T93S5iE1B7LeLaoKZurSq1FWXcBINfHRyxaDqqaSaJplPNp1UsLXofyQ/s320/IMG_9153.JPG" width="320" id="id_222a_9346_bb74_4f94" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books all in Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_7af6_f3c5_fc5a_5edb"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8Kkk9PG0tK2ysh9F8Kzz_oQarVNv0Fcrmjl3n72OAFQKIQiSEsyrzNMDYf8MYrCI082a9XeZ3BsnlJJgErfe7fOPihA2pcDYvjJRKNqb_gwyoa6SYSJrXHxl7qyBFBWyYtVcG3LmfxA/s1600/IMG_9154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8Kkk9PG0tK2ysh9F8Kzz_oQarVNv0Fcrmjl3n72OAFQKIQiSEsyrzNMDYf8MYrCI082a9XeZ3BsnlJJgErfe7fOPihA2pcDYvjJRKNqb_gwyoa6SYSJrXHxl7qyBFBWyYtVcG3LmfxA/s320/IMG_9154.JPG" width="320" id="id_9cb8_11a8_c533_16e9" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading Room View </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYfMNhebbJLzNwEM2GeNDikKC22wC-rDKXcZhkrZY00hSFl6WMLtPGO7Fh96XNdmviPqw0Py3k-iaa_fx82-iohX7hUb2XZLYjttJsmrElg0wIwf-DBBRHIHGOENvkPuwnA-ZD1IQ2Gk/s1600/IMG_9341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="1600" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYfMNhebbJLzNwEM2GeNDikKC22wC-rDKXcZhkrZY00hSFl6WMLtPGO7Fh96XNdmviPqw0Py3k-iaa_fx82-iohX7hUb2XZLYjttJsmrElg0wIwf-DBBRHIHGOENvkPuwnA-ZD1IQ2Gk/s320/IMG_9341.JPG" width="320" id="id_d898_a4a2_5888_fba6" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Library Space </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br></div><img id="id_2fe9_5e57_72ab_3719" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJthLNRNBhg8chIEseIK6ijiqfZAssvkoeWjjJl12qDvmd4Rktfs3bbPienijYEe7ptQB4Qlss9Q1GL4Kv5eYrl_bLq2zGVYvpa0GE8M_M3mstlHjeR8mJvzrbqhWlfMx_uHtMvH8kVBM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><div style="text-align: center;">Reading Room View 2 </div><img id="id_dfd3_cdca_5cd6_36ed" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaBCLmsK7iDCDlBZm7IlCLYacXXvcmhC2g4pUqjIWLlO02FZIQkwWIUay16ewTeTHIt4AvJ8zgnheGi84CiHov-fAcA-dh21FIh22fzlKaWMbWhBLFAWgQx5OQ1359ezrNneBFzyW1SA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><div style="text-align: center;">Opening ceremony </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
After about 4 months of hard work the library has now become open to the 5 surrounding villages, and schools.<br>
<br>
I want to thank everyone who supported the library in every way, and all those in my community who helped make this become a reality.<br>
<br>
Lest's see what possibilities will come from the Library of Hambou.Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-19428947469450313222017-05-29T05:22:00.000-07:002017-06-23T02:59:57.928-07:00Catch-Up<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow, has the time flown by. Since I have been lacking for a
few months, I want to break this blog into two sections. What has been going on
in Comoros, and about my vacation, and a post dedicated to my library project. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To begin where the last post left off, once the trimester
ended I spent vacation going to a National Futbol match against Mauritius, and
taking a trip to Uganda and Rwanda. The match was quite an experience, it was
exciting to see everyone come together to watch their team play, and being the
only Mzungu (Foreigner) in the section it made it that much more special.
Following an exciting match, and our team winning, I packed for a trip to the
continent. I spent a week traveling around Rwanda and Uganda. During the trip I
met fellow Peace Corps Volunteers, Climbed an inactive Volcano, visited the 2<sup>nd</sup>
deepest lake in Africa, Learned how to make Banana Beer, and just basked in the
different foods. It was such an amazing
trip, and one I would love to go back to and visit especially the area around
the border between Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC, where they have several volcanoes
and the famous mountain gorillas. Once my trip had ended I headed back to
Comoros, where I lounged around a few more days, prior to school starting back
up. Though school was quite a short lived activity, currently since about 2
weeks into starting school, we have been on a strike. While I still am not sure
on all the details, from what I understand it has to do with agreements that
were not met. But while school has not been happening, I have managed to keep
quite busy with many different projects. The biggest one currently is the
library/world map project that will be completed soon. Pictures to come in the
next post. Besides this project, I have been busy planning for my girls club,
which discusses Life Skills and teaches English to young girls from the
village. I have also, with the help of an association, been planning for a Week
long camp for girls, that will take place in December, but more on that as time
gets closer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Besides those two recently started projects, I have been
keeping busy with walking around and visiting people in the village, djoshos
(picnics), and planning for other upcoming projects/activities, teaching my
English club, visiting around Comoros, and starting Arabic lessons. All in all
things are going quite well here and I am managing to do different activities,
even with school not in session. Below are pictures from my “spring break
vacation”, and some of the activities that I have been partaking in these past
few months. In the next post I will post on my library project, from its
beginning to its end. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Enjoy! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-21702940690567607712017-03-23T07:10:00.004-07:002017-04-07T22:37:55.798-07:00Island Time<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey All, <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sorry for the long absent, I am still here in Comoros, Time
has managed to slip away, so now let me catch you all up with what has happened
these past 2 months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I last wrote, I was just beginning the 2<sup>nd</sup>
trimester and mainly working on just teaching with my kids, well here we are
about a week out from the trimester ending, and quite a bit has occurred since
the last post. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, January brought little teaching, and an unplanned trip
to South Africa. Although, the school year started at the beginning of January,
due to strikes from both the teachers and students I ended up getting in about
1 day of teaching for each class. Near the end of the month I had to leave for
South Africa for two weeks, due to dental problems. Even though being there I
was limited to many things, even what I could eat for a few days, I still managed to enjoy some time visiting around Pretoria, as well as
meeting fellow volunteers from different posts all over Africa (Tanzania,
Rwanda, South Africa, and Malawi). While none of us were there for anything
exciting and fun, it was a good to share stories, and experiences we all have
had during our time in service. After two weeks, it was time to return to
Comoros, and begin teaching again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was good to be
able to come back home start teaching again, and this time I expanded my
teaching to adding a class with the Governors’ office of Grande Comore on top
of teaching at the Middle school in my village. Not only have I started working
on that, but have started planning with my school to build a library, and
hopefully soon our plans will go into action and the building will commence.
Once it does I will be sending everyone updates on how the project is going.
Another project I am keeping busy is working with a local Association for
Women’s Development on planning both a club for girls, both from my village and
theirs, and a camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World). My experience with them has
been great, even if sometimes things get lost in translation. My final project
that recently began in my village was an English Club, where I work with some
other members of the village to teach the community English. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While these projects have keep me quite busy, I have managed
to do some exploring around the island, and visit with both local friends and
fellow PCVs. Within the past week some of my fellow PCVs and I organized a trip
to Karthala Volcano (one of the largest active volcanoes in the world). It was
quite an experience, though a challenge for sure. But after 6 hours we arrived
to the top and enjoyed the view. Besides that, trip things have been mellow. On
my days in village I do work, and take walks around visiting people and
practicing my Shingazidja. Things have started to settle down and become
routinized. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, I do have some exciting things coming up within the
next few weeks. Firstly, starting with our school break, where I will be going
to Uganda/Rwanda for a mini vacation. After returning from that vacation
hopefully I will be busy with the library and finalizing the lesson plans for
the Girls of Hambou Club. But for now, things are going well, and I am enjoying
my time here. I am looking forward to see what the last trimester of school
holds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking Mouandazaza Crater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSWhhzBDRxDF034e-ZrWlBdlK3pLHot4U_xTKATCCD33T3mOUuKl3H7u-KDdPBuV0YWmdvFgT-PYKnZ9HaNCcqch2uBhcYujdJ5ZMxip3GgrWNNhowlrtZ-49QBipQr6JlnlsG_rhB4I/s1600/IMG_4927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSWhhzBDRxDF034e-ZrWlBdlK3pLHot4U_xTKATCCD33T3mOUuKl3H7u-KDdPBuV0YWmdvFgT-PYKnZ9HaNCcqch2uBhcYujdJ5ZMxip3GgrWNNhowlrtZ-49QBipQr6JlnlsG_rhB4I/s320/IMG_4927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oldeset Mosque in Comoros</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlhFi1lriFjxOhzsIP6582JouDxIhyphenhyphen00K3Qxi1oPh1DAg-wRWv85jzTsWIcUi77_3RBI7tzm_l2Q-tw5_RgglX3EscdMjNjaXteYf3yP_xDV5VBm8Zy99vNZEi4YftL1hyDzmaaFGUSY/s1600/IMG_5014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlhFi1lriFjxOhzsIP6582JouDxIhyphenhyphen00K3Qxi1oPh1DAg-wRWv85jzTsWIcUi77_3RBI7tzm_l2Q-tw5_RgglX3EscdMjNjaXteYf3yP_xDV5VBm8Zy99vNZEi4YftL1hyDzmaaFGUSY/s320/IMG_5014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Karthala Volcano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5qRdRmllRrKshXq_8fZecWCIZLOzfB37ac0SGZf8sSRdcZyKjTygWF-IRRQivtEHTPJS_OZI9BDnwDF_ROtSrrjWZNc2jFxS4S8xgVS3X1FJbr-vEqzshQTINJezXKsyKv1ux799fU4/s1600/IMG_5055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5qRdRmllRrKshXq_8fZecWCIZLOzfB37ac0SGZf8sSRdcZyKjTygWF-IRRQivtEHTPJS_OZI9BDnwDF_ROtSrrjWZNc2jFxS4S8xgVS3X1FJbr-vEqzshQTINJezXKsyKv1ux799fU4/s320/IMG_5055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hetsa vs. Mvouni Soccer Match</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgLTxWz8xyTs4X724zs7BNTnSIVD2OunDRIDYqadALsgQaWp3i4YZkDB2kWKArVQI-9k8qyPNYvHZxac4Fz01VZ5vMTgrX9B_11lUI9RKFFwjTgfgJLIVQBNt5980yk1tHGjMxMXcGqE/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgLTxWz8xyTs4X724zs7BNTnSIVD2OunDRIDYqadALsgQaWp3i4YZkDB2kWKArVQI-9k8qyPNYvHZxac4Fz01VZ5vMTgrX9B_11lUI9RKFFwjTgfgJLIVQBNt5980yk1tHGjMxMXcGqE/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up to Karthala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAARs1uVCBzb9jYo_NUi7qDpjJghl7xPgBO5dfv-2Sk3e0ZQkGl9dO7ZjDKiPw_iqdzmmFWdVqczvKm6X6YHR2CSFuLlI6n6JJQScW4QgCUuF-i6G67cnD6U8Q3wKSHDM5rgvNhMxARXc/s1600/IMG_5256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAARs1uVCBzb9jYo_NUi7qDpjJghl7xPgBO5dfv-2Sk3e0ZQkGl9dO7ZjDKiPw_iqdzmmFWdVqczvKm6X6YHR2CSFuLlI6n6JJQScW4QgCUuF-i6G67cnD6U8Q3wKSHDM5rgvNhMxARXc/s320/IMG_5256.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 hours later made it to the top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPcUjXFP9QWATuNE7P70MS0FDIFalrbuc_G2ZcrCAFkXOqnFZGT9GDHtIZkaGL9kIJv0X2VYhLma0-whsCwrl5LQtp7S1XmnyfkrrLGXKbB8r5Aq-v8vL4GGNu7bh5VGajShUx1upctk/s1600/IMG_4331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPcUjXFP9QWATuNE7P70MS0FDIFalrbuc_G2ZcrCAFkXOqnFZGT9GDHtIZkaGL9kIJv0X2VYhLma0-whsCwrl5LQtp7S1XmnyfkrrLGXKbB8r5Aq-v8vL4GGNu7bh5VGajShUx1upctk/s320/IMG_4331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out in my village with these troublemakers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCMXh8RXvgzaRRYvI6EhLoWy_yZIMuPScLb1fLpIeCPskhk3qCD1eWplXSQL1GMOcUGOJpJQwxsA0zQ-GrmBKfhMJlMcZ63qf8gXLP3nR8bBaI2hplda5tixi_bxubw9N3wPU5Rv1Th0/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCMXh8RXvgzaRRYvI6EhLoWy_yZIMuPScLb1fLpIeCPskhk3qCD1eWplXSQL1GMOcUGOJpJQwxsA0zQ-GrmBKfhMJlMcZ63qf8gXLP3nR8bBaI2hplda5tixi_bxubw9N3wPU5Rv1Th0/s320/IMG_4413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Nelson Mandela Statue in Pretoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMe_re-FajntwKohOMwsfkayUkgewMvq2moQW4IMZ_X7ywoP22AahJ89c8YeLApTzjgnMdnwblcCd7YHDo0KakkU4nvEAU3ms9elhgwUo9oqdjScacHCA4gsA5TkucDm1s_wpA2m5D7mU/s1600/IMG_4471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMe_re-FajntwKohOMwsfkayUkgewMvq2moQW4IMZ_X7ywoP22AahJ89c8YeLApTzjgnMdnwblcCd7YHDo0KakkU4nvEAU3ms9elhgwUo9oqdjScacHCA4gsA5TkucDm1s_wpA2m5D7mU/s320/IMG_4471.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the PCVs I met during my time in South Africa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhMe_jW709O_DvvSzfbnNqPdnojKRIf9Osj9wHE0Qddi-NsmGSuaaGNoqAniwR8A36r3bwDPQjL6EnafTJdDcADKREOMdtlMn3puHSSDVEdwujaMHVWuHfbRzTJZ6dowIRIQ5rMLWh7I/s1600/IMG_4481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhMe_jW709O_DvvSzfbnNqPdnojKRIf9Osj9wHE0Qddi-NsmGSuaaGNoqAniwR8A36r3bwDPQjL6EnafTJdDcADKREOMdtlMn3puHSSDVEdwujaMHVWuHfbRzTJZ6dowIRIQ5rMLWh7I/s320/IMG_4481.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She wanted to show me how to make Coconut Rice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhashUsbt-KfIM8eGUHNxhBGU0RdHvZB3JOxLyjIqw2c64OylbhSJW6ga3UAnlwlm4N-UkhnC6CeJmEzAvxx2v95rQRhTmYnl9HKukAI8Cads7-LpJRpfIY7V2nlWdPKaPpY-x5gnfZZv8/s1600/IMG_4575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhashUsbt-KfIM8eGUHNxhBGU0RdHvZB3JOxLyjIqw2c64OylbhSJW6ga3UAnlwlm4N-UkhnC6CeJmEzAvxx2v95rQRhTmYnl9HKukAI8Cads7-LpJRpfIY7V2nlWdPKaPpY-x5gnfZZv8/s320/IMG_4575.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st day back for the Trimester</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENSYjz0pL6uuAj88kFfFAbPOQdp0J3Tl-JyevtS3Iju6zfgTVbH7L4ESCrwB718BJaAdT25_4zGiRIBY9_m80QyqrErGBREDnNpRfPqqfLVH-6h8nS_WEHAMYJ7roucvruVkUvM778L0/s1600/IMG_4819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENSYjz0pL6uuAj88kFfFAbPOQdp0J3Tl-JyevtS3Iju6zfgTVbH7L4ESCrwB718BJaAdT25_4zGiRIBY9_m80QyqrErGBREDnNpRfPqqfLVH-6h8nS_WEHAMYJ7roucvruVkUvM778L0/s320/IMG_4819.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting with the Women's Development Assocation of Singani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogyxWmMhJQEYhXPozNfrIaqTmaKmS29IO4DjtA7tMK4cjWV8kSYWnnsRT9xONjBq9rYZEgR1FvqNPwSJVT2uVCnpgHS2l3LrFaIKfNR-PHZYHUDYP4mC1TAdtzTIlJrcSYX28CIYn_14/s1600/IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogyxWmMhJQEYhXPozNfrIaqTmaKmS29IO4DjtA7tMK4cjWV8kSYWnnsRT9xONjBq9rYZEgR1FvqNPwSJVT2uVCnpgHS2l3LrFaIKfNR-PHZYHUDYP4mC1TAdtzTIlJrcSYX28CIYn_14/s320/IMG_4836.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Karthala Titi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIy_qykePgKfBdESkqizI2fGGZRrLRFMYNzHypVwG-PcOzJdijkTGtIeVr7RKLyhJEhKCo2Ys_uHGPkVhhHnRdquMoLIV2SRkSQXMFBUF9I0J7hAfrgtoG424GQ6nTzcimWD2UQUu2V8/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIy_qykePgKfBdESkqizI2fGGZRrLRFMYNzHypVwG-PcOzJdijkTGtIeVr7RKLyhJEhKCo2Ys_uHGPkVhhHnRdquMoLIV2SRkSQXMFBUF9I0J7hAfrgtoG424GQ6nTzcimWD2UQUu2V8/s320/IMG_4847.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Day </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl1V5X2Om8dTnqlbY2pH6OfF4hekqfD4tfHcRNQLJbsnPW8ISW9u5fnpbXpbQAz0yFbFWwZ8Tp31flt14Wj9e4GMJ4JsQdVK2Uv3VUUq7u6-wcyVB034kOLdKFJm3FPtWxs7boe3v6dU/s320/IMG_4851.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bachile Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl1V5X2Om8dTnqlbY2pH6OfF4hekqfD4tfHcRNQLJbsnPW8ISW9u5fnpbXpbQAz0yFbFWwZ8Tp31flt14Wj9e4GMJ4JsQdVK2Uv3VUUq7u6-wcyVB034kOLdKFJm3FPtWxs7boe3v6dU/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl1V5X2Om8dTnqlbY2pH6OfF4hekqfD4tfHcRNQLJbsnPW8ISW9u5fnpbXpbQAz0yFbFWwZ8Tp31flt14Wj9e4GMJ4JsQdVK2Uv3VUUq7u6-wcyVB034kOLdKFJm3FPtWxs7boe3v6dU/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5IVCvYqw4Oe5bYc8ZwQZnvWIAbB4a_zKIivU2RluVZJML8k9K3IwxpKrMia-R7upuC4IZ-RbJ3UBkf11lXc29-vD6ThVZLTMXCsuaU0ltuUX0AcKSMMh0rfV8eXfnusesoyy0TqHsjI/s1600/IMG_4864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5IVCvYqw4Oe5bYc8ZwQZnvWIAbB4a_zKIivU2RluVZJML8k9K3IwxpKrMia-R7upuC4IZ-RbJ3UBkf11lXc29-vD6ThVZLTMXCsuaU0ltuUX0AcKSMMh0rfV8eXfnusesoyy0TqHsjI/s320/IMG_4864.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking to get a view of Moroni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Until Next Time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-90438348607794999102017-02-01T07:28:00.003-08:002017-02-01T07:29:05.797-08:00December Catch-Up <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With daily life becoming quite habitual, becoming busy with many
different celebrations during the time of the year, and having lack there of
access to things such as wifi, it is easy to forget about the world outside of
Comoros. With this being said I have lost track of time, and updating on my
life here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where to even begin, I want break this post up, firstly, talking
about my recent adventures and escapades on Comoros. Secondly, talking about
the different events that have been occurring here, as well as cultural
discoveries, such as what it is like to celebrate Christmas (a major holiday in
the USA) in a country where their major holiday (Eid) has already come and gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Many of things have occurred over the past month, and new discoveries
on both my own island and Anjouan (the 2<sup>nd</sup> largest island). To begin
I must go back to Thanksgiving week. During that week, my group luckily were
all together, and in celebration some of us went and presented what
Thanksgiving means, not only to us but the idea behind the holiday. During the
presentation, we discussed all sorts of things, from food, football, then and
now, to even Black Friday. Overall the event turned out successful, and
proceeding the event we met up with our fellow volunteers and enjoyed a
Thanksgiving dinner with our Peace Corps family. Upon ending our week in the
capital, and having a training I returned to site and began to prepare for
Final Exams, and reacclimate myself into village life. While waiting for exam
week to come around I completed daily walks around my village, made Cuscuma
(sort of like fried crepe) with some students, experienced a Mawlida (a dinner
thrown to celebrate someone born during the month of the prophet Mohammed), and
enjoying evening visits to different adopted families in my village. On top of
all the daily activities I experienced the first teacher strike, meaning school
was cancelled for a few days, as well as getting a taste of Mango season in my
region (Mango trees are abundant in my region of Grand Comore). After the
completion of exams, a 3-week vacation started. During which time, I had
planned for a trip to visit the 2<sup>nd</sup> largest island in Comoros,
Anjouan, visit the north part of my island, and I was able to celebrate
Christmas with fellow volunteers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">During my visit to the north of my island I was able to explore a
site called “Dragon’s Back/Spine” which is a set of rocks that form above the
water. It was quite beautiful, and shocking how different the north and the
south are from each other. As in the south there really is only one mountain,
which is the Volcano Karthala, while the north has a serious of mountains
throughout. Upon returning back to site from that adventure I hung around my
village and prepared for another trip I was taking to Moroni, to celebrate
Christmas, and to Anjouan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Since Christmas is a Christian holiday, most Comorians do not
celebrate it, though they know about the tradition. Even being told Merry
Christmas from some of my close friends and family in village both took me back,
and made me super appreciative of my village. As although they do not celebrate
the holiday in any way shape or form, they still understood the importance the
holiday was to me. After having a morning in my village walking around and
saying “see you later” to everyone I headed into the capital to spend the
afternoon with fellow volunteers, and PC staff and celebrated the holiday
together. The next day I set out early to begin my travels to Anjouan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Since I am currently living on an island, and taking a boat
between the two islands is super long, I decided it best to fly via a puddle
jumper to the other island. Where I was going to pass a few days, and visit
fellow volunteers. Since the islands are relatively close together the total
airtime (including taking off and landing) was about a 40-minute flight. Once I
arrived I was greeted by another volunteer and we headed off in the rain to see
some of the capital of Anjouan, Mutsamudu. Even with the rain coming down, it
was a great time seeing the difference in the cities, and it was a really
beautiful city (from what little I had seen). As the day progressed, we decided
it best to head off on our 1.5-hour bus ride, up and over the mountains, to the
other side of the island (where I was going to be staying for the week). When
we arrived to my friend’s village, she took me on a tour of both of her
villages she calls home. Even was able to enjoy some Comorian madaba (cassava
leaves), which although served on both islands still taste different. The next
day brought all new sorts of adventures, beginning with me catching a cab to a
village called Koni Djodjo. Koni Djodjo is one of most populated, poorest, and
isolated villages on Anjouan. The trip up to Koni was eye dropping, as it is
situated in the mountains and the entire way up involves winding roads, and
stunning rolling hill scenery. Once at top I was greeted by a massive group and
gave a quick presentation of myself, in my island language (which no one seemed
to understand, since the islands have such different dialects). When the
struggle ended we proceed to walk all around the village, and every 2 steps
that we took we added a kid or two to our hiking group. Finally, after managing
to get through all the interrogations, which occurred every two steps and my
friend kindly translated for me, we made it to the farm land. Where we walked
around trying to get a beautiful view of the landscape. Unfortunately, due to
rain, clouds covered most of it, but what little was seen was quite beautiful
indeed. Upon ending our walk, and taking another walk through the village
(still adding kids to our tour group) it was time to head out to our next stop,
visiting a waterfall. While on our way we decided to stop by an old palace,
which was built in the 1800 (and looks similar to plantation homes in the
south). Following sometime there we made it to our starting point to hike to the
waterfall. Although it was a little cloudy, and rainy looking outside the time
at the waterfall was such a neat experience. It was crazy how so few people visit
the waterfall, and how not even 10 minutes from the waterfall was the ocean. When
we finally finished admiring the waterfall, and basking in the warm water, we
packed up and headed on a trip to the nearby village to get ylang-ylang, and to
visit the beach. On our way we discovered some ruins, from when the island was
big in sugar production. And while we walked to the village we came across,
what seemed like never ending Ylang-Ylang distilleries. It still amazes me how
Comoros is the only exporter of Ylang-Ylang, however many of the people never
see the benefits from the product. Upon reaching the village we bought what
little food we needed and headed to check out the beach, which was a black rock
beach. When we finished our little photo shot, we decided to return to my
friend’s village and just relax for the evening, as the next day had many events
planned as well. On my last full day in Anjouan, I decided to explore the big
village in the area, Domoni. It is a quant village with many different Medinas
and some beautiful Mosques. Although I quickly went through the village, as I was
walking fast, it was well worth the trip and I quite enjoyed getting lost in
the Medina. After having my fill with Domoni it was time to go up the mountain
to visit another friend of mine for a short time. Her village is quite
different than the village I was staying in, as hers is colder and not much
flat land (as it is literally on a mountain). Even with the style of houses, it
seemed to change between the two villages. After we spent some time catching
up, and a quick little walk around it was time to say goodbye and head back to
my other friend’s village for the evening. On my absolute last day on Anjouan,
we decided to tackle some of Mutsamudu. So, after a quick breakfast we climbed
some stairs, which gave us a beautiful overview of the city. Once down from the
stairs we decided to do some more exploring, so we headed to the medina and
market area. When we finally found out way out we climbed some more hills to
locate the citadel. Unfortunately, even though we found the citadel it was
closed for the day, so we accepted defeat and went back to the office for some
time before I headed to catch my taxi and plane back to my island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Since my return back to island I have been busy with readjusting
to school, Let Girls Learn activities, and dealing with another teacher strike
(meaning questioning whether school was actually in session for the day).
Although school has not quite gotten back to running, I have been able to keep
myself busy, with things like taking my daily walks, visiting different
families in my village, and spending some time with friends as we enjoy mangoes
(as it is peak season). During this past month, I have been able to enjoy in
both my holidays, as well as embrace the holidays that my village/Comoros
celebrate instead. Also during my visit to Anjouan I have learned, that
although there are similarities between the islands, being so far from one
another has caused them to have many differences. Even when it comes to the
language, it seems at times like they are two different languages, not just
dialects. But even with the major differences, on things like houses, language,
and execution of different events, things seem similar and I felt just as
welcomed on Anjouan as I did on Grand Comore. So far, this month has been one of
establishing stronger bonds within my community, and beginning to start/form
ideas for projects/clubs I hope to complete while I serve in Comoros. For now
though it is all rough ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Until Then,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Victoria Tully<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-69264337523217007302017-01-19T04:19:00.000-08:002017-01-30T11:39:59.546-08:00Make Up Time with Photos With the holidays in full swing and not only celebrating my own American holidays, but local holidays, such as Mawlid and the Prophet Mohamed's birth things have been quite hetic around here, meaning I have lost track of updating. Below are pictures from the past few weeks here in Comoros, and as long as all goes well I will be posting a blog at the beginning of the New Year talking about my recent adventures, experiences, and life here.<br />
<br />
Please enjoy!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgYyNjomw7hQuDt9DhHzluHWnr6T_2hfn7GfSGLgyaQOzsyccizEPy9CHERFdVG7NIWsZb_TOiAXRGRES8WnVmeyyuQXVpCpEEqq2jY89Ys6LxKJCqPsBGgCezrVtZlpy7v4D74bdi7E/s1600/IMG_3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgYyNjomw7hQuDt9DhHzluHWnr6T_2hfn7GfSGLgyaQOzsyccizEPy9CHERFdVG7NIWsZb_TOiAXRGRES8WnVmeyyuQXVpCpEEqq2jY89Ys6LxKJCqPsBGgCezrVtZlpy7v4D74bdi7E/s320/IMG_3448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Talk with English Students</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A8bn5JX7n6zk0UMdFs8BZuNgFPIPOrE18gEb3bknKrGap6PMCWR060n2Il-26LN5GyLPL2LdzYDTdkw22W2lba0cu4Sux6I-mSfKEHL43OB8F1JuqNwJpPAf6O5YK17GCdQUkbIDTuk/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A8bn5JX7n6zk0UMdFs8BZuNgFPIPOrE18gEb3bknKrGap6PMCWR060n2Il-26LN5GyLPL2LdzYDTdkw22W2lba0cu4Sux6I-mSfKEHL43OB8F1JuqNwJpPAf6O5YK17GCdQUkbIDTuk/s320/IMG_3511.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Cuscuma</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAe5-T1QuROS3HIbWn3v6Wo9OZXYGtdprcBTwkLsCG6jKT2RyVgHKucWs78tMFeNfZ1cLdpa0Ak7tO7stNb4fYHs-YrspKDOQ3nMniUR3DRRmv6WB5Rs2Q2FEg2fTRLjgSBqHEbpMZCQg/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAe5-T1QuROS3HIbWn3v6Wo9OZXYGtdprcBTwkLsCG6jKT2RyVgHKucWs78tMFeNfZ1cLdpa0Ak7tO7stNb4fYHs-YrspKDOQ3nMniUR3DRRmv6WB5Rs2Q2FEg2fTRLjgSBqHEbpMZCQg/s320/IMG_3632.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local Soccer Game</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFluju3fmHWU_-4GZ4cWEMvRnXiCaViV4fblNrSAPjwZWg5TPpsATea-7XPbZsNMwXjXmHLtDX0ovVUXmMQaaY-wx8y08jTEb8qkDuSNg-WuewqiBDbZJzj55DStRCSUbUxHI8srf8jvE/s1600/IMG_3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFluju3fmHWU_-4GZ4cWEMvRnXiCaViV4fblNrSAPjwZWg5TPpsATea-7XPbZsNMwXjXmHLtDX0ovVUXmMQaaY-wx8y08jTEb8qkDuSNg-WuewqiBDbZJzj55DStRCSUbUxHI8srf8jvE/s320/IMG_3641.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5e Class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGkP42NqRxLg2YqEIWONlSM1Z0_zhEiyhJTS0wzfmeUfl-sCUHrzNPwtLaoOljVZmCGlYWq2745KL2_dLsJde1HD7BwxzOuiVJO24WCw3sMw5eUGCDsoaPtUcPX-dL7pqfie2hv0s1sA/s1600/IMG_3668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGkP42NqRxLg2YqEIWONlSM1Z0_zhEiyhJTS0wzfmeUfl-sCUHrzNPwtLaoOljVZmCGlYWq2745KL2_dLsJde1HD7BwxzOuiVJO24WCw3sMw5eUGCDsoaPtUcPX-dL7pqfie2hv0s1sA/s320/IMG_3668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabFFEFIHYKJuRIc0_9p_QgAdgQ0JZgc7xNtNfyOOPiSadgmHBOJU9nMLmpq2tlhOuODXMfUt-1SuevtfGmpXQYWuj_r4qS7PTePi-y6wM9jECn3ToYveiJkkG7kvaccUubg5SpAOd5Qo/s1600/IMG_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabFFEFIHYKJuRIc0_9p_QgAdgQ0JZgc7xNtNfyOOPiSadgmHBOJU9nMLmpq2tlhOuODXMfUt-1SuevtfGmpXQYWuj_r4qS7PTePi-y6wM9jECn3ToYveiJkkG7kvaccUubg5SpAOd5Qo/s320/IMG_3673.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting around Grand Comore</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNLzr0Vzn-hysm2DZCoU1_3wA4U8kZqnonqQZvIZSYMYj6fAOyBnn5dO2HbGpBKUP4OoRl4j2YRhLLrCxdb8WQf-ZIBKohOhggYSYonC1ZZV_XUTLNArZ-LUYmjnT7AOUMybEBc14CnQ/s1600/IMG_3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNLzr0Vzn-hysm2DZCoU1_3wA4U8kZqnonqQZvIZSYMYj6fAOyBnn5dO2HbGpBKUP4OoRl4j2YRhLLrCxdb8WQf-ZIBKohOhggYSYonC1ZZV_XUTLNArZ-LUYmjnT7AOUMybEBc14CnQ/s320/IMG_3716.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon's Back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBb-T0D36yosNA86DT4HpDj1mu6cVx7YKVutV_fpX5ugB0ubd0FdzjIzpPViJm7pqjXEVlsF2M1aRAuQdf18CeQ3et3wtdUja8wVul7wceRg20w9FTkcxLMsn864SkjiwhtXk81rlEN0/s1600/IMG_3721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBb-T0D36yosNA86DT4HpDj1mu6cVx7YKVutV_fpX5ugB0ubd0FdzjIzpPViJm7pqjXEVlsF2M1aRAuQdf18CeQ3et3wtdUja8wVul7wceRg20w9FTkcxLMsn864SkjiwhtXk81rlEN0/s320/IMG_3721.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Back of the Dragon</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Fs1uwD0JZjVSPuLbXFrYu4EPnqJc9U9e619ehIDjbb3UaaeaqW3Y2pzdtzqq6CFHpD5IqfpypCpeM52Q63K-gnZB7PvQl3HVUwYw_74kHnCQFb9fIBifQUQeqP8iGC2jzGQqXE_4Kls/s1600/IMG_3758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Fs1uwD0JZjVSPuLbXFrYu4EPnqJc9U9e619ehIDjbb3UaaeaqW3Y2pzdtzqq6CFHpD5IqfpypCpeM52Q63K-gnZB7PvQl3HVUwYw_74kHnCQFb9fIBifQUQeqP8iGC2jzGQqXE_4Kls/s320/IMG_3758.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daily Dominos Game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbv2oIWtd8IMOJP1dnV0EXaCFdIlsbHmaWr1cbjJLBRYXdP3kRZqiudujjJVFYI8HFHCtcX_xNMdG2pTTptilFdmxT229hTE9DLvUSUD1f01WSyB1n8Bwi5SU8qrGZOOnx8DX3FeY8io/s1600/IMG_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbv2oIWtd8IMOJP1dnV0EXaCFdIlsbHmaWr1cbjJLBRYXdP3kRZqiudujjJVFYI8HFHCtcX_xNMdG2pTTptilFdmxT229hTE9DLvUSUD1f01WSyB1n8Bwi5SU8qrGZOOnx8DX3FeY8io/s320/IMG_3765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Friend </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIvNCm5CIQ_eq33si5BZycLNd7cUJlcc5HQviEIQwrREWhgUTdIhUh0ySRgU-GDpHFNIZcU_CkaVSuhLGMW6RIb_sre_eQeQhN8VYYF6cE1ArfgD8mxFK70EAuDyjGS6XbkETtNwyNs4/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIvNCm5CIQ_eq33si5BZycLNd7cUJlcc5HQviEIQwrREWhgUTdIhUh0ySRgU-GDpHFNIZcU_CkaVSuhLGMW6RIb_sre_eQeQhN8VYYF6cE1ArfgD8mxFK70EAuDyjGS6XbkETtNwyNs4/s320/IMG_3786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day Lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNyDrG_1dtyAyv8hjEh-Metz8HwQRZ0ug9gYWlELQqclxHOpYuIpRJE1ltP1VxDLs9voIzDAijkg5aHjSw1JUQJpSHu2-CtFZHBljWxSJBoY9JARrpPtAKreS1dZ3hKyaE8vWmUAXSYE/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNyDrG_1dtyAyv8hjEh-Metz8HwQRZ0ug9gYWlELQqclxHOpYuIpRJE1ltP1VxDLs9voIzDAijkg5aHjSw1JUQJpSHu2-CtFZHBljWxSJBoY9JARrpPtAKreS1dZ3hKyaE8vWmUAXSYE/s320/IMG_3834.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road to Koni Djodjo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G9w_8OcLMW-AeVO79wE6jNc-JhWECxV9TubztZprmInZEPizqyE_7EeiVyWwVHj-gM3Y8rwlX3HbeAL2JqrzYn50-ZCc3xdSDngR0H999hig2zwchColBwgoc-VpTmMrKddapswTf2c/s1600/IMG_3874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G9w_8OcLMW-AeVO79wE6jNc-JhWECxV9TubztZprmInZEPizqyE_7EeiVyWwVHj-gM3Y8rwlX3HbeAL2JqrzYn50-ZCc3xdSDngR0H999hig2zwchColBwgoc-VpTmMrKddapswTf2c/s320/IMG_3874.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting around Koni Djodjo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1fw7tKtax5FpbOvcpPGlSDOO4Zy1bS4bY10PQ_8XNhz7eR8wVgtxlZAnMgfGABudrxfxhm93xRVq2RULbMyHbQ9l6xKXg-8V2r0yVg0t0_pqoiPRH_5aSW7nJlzUcHu2b9HydkrCexs/s1600/IMG_3880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1fw7tKtax5FpbOvcpPGlSDOO4Zy1bS4bY10PQ_8XNhz7eR8wVgtxlZAnMgfGABudrxfxhm93xRVq2RULbMyHbQ9l6xKXg-8V2r0yVg0t0_pqoiPRH_5aSW7nJlzUcHu2b9HydkrCexs/s320/IMG_3880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group of Kids Who Walked with me in Koni Djodjo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out Waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Langalanga Disterally </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveling around Anjouan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview of Domoni</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medina in Mustamudu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking around Hetsa, and spotted this cutie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1isjTk6BRdv_utzF6ZWfpfHtbttMOONhsRchkEl1sKmDFVGkyAYh0ANUhKBUsL8CM3ZkGrzSRUrrIlVD3cja1vD_MTzzogehaOY_11BHsKIuw-zf6pllqiP2P9dnP_95v0305oEGzmuY/s1600/IMG_4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1isjTk6BRdv_utzF6ZWfpfHtbttMOONhsRchkEl1sKmDFVGkyAYh0ANUhKBUsL8CM3ZkGrzSRUrrIlVD3cja1vD_MTzzogehaOY_11BHsKIuw-zf6pllqiP2P9dnP_95v0305oEGzmuY/s320/IMG_4101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunting for Mangoes</td></tr>
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<br />Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-85799334839172134322016-11-23T23:04:00.004-08:002016-11-23T23:06:22.189-08:00Around Comoros<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfQTS7FMDeDySBr1xqI_fWoj8cNz2nK13_2KfDE5L0o1N-fu1VPnNInroJblO8Kgoo5yS9xcbip8nY6VIRhk6BYDQ19BzWPg6wJmoDLq7u4YgdA1iYkpc_gvRvhEwyFs73YKIPoBXT8g/s1600/IMG_3020%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfQTS7FMDeDySBr1xqI_fWoj8cNz2nK13_2KfDE5L0o1N-fu1VPnNInroJblO8Kgoo5yS9xcbip8nY6VIRhk6BYDQ19BzWPg6wJmoDLq7u4YgdA1iYkpc_gvRvhEwyFs73YKIPoBXT8g/s320/IMG_3020%255B2%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secret Cove Beach </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Host Brother, Irshad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing in the Muslim New Year with a Parade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehF9MdAZPqAAcpQ0-vrtDw1eWK2Xr1RPdiUwR_KSHgp952T91PHHIWrvK_rHhTbBlFHOID6J40gbQpQrD7rnTuJDQBG9Qb6h-jaORfjnFYhxOgkemlrdsOIyd5NPoFpmoD3NlZMdBVs4/s1600/IMG_3188%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehF9MdAZPqAAcpQ0-vrtDw1eWK2Xr1RPdiUwR_KSHgp952T91PHHIWrvK_rHhTbBlFHOID6J40gbQpQrD7rnTuJDQBG9Qb6h-jaORfjnFYhxOgkemlrdsOIyd5NPoFpmoD3NlZMdBVs4/s320/IMG_3188%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fetching Water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38MwD2J0ejQv3erukfCJZfoDtJ26EnrdWRPu54xlT3Ibac0Ym5Jvcc3m7zKdFKo3suhJI5h7Y21JmgdRbHl47bzpBEdKtgq1HtsKNe_hKUS4-nXPtULyYsX9R-nQynDX3cEJSfPGIXPU/s1600/IMG_3202%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38MwD2J0ejQv3erukfCJZfoDtJ26EnrdWRPu54xlT3Ibac0Ym5Jvcc3m7zKdFKo3suhJI5h7Y21JmgdRbHl47bzpBEdKtgq1HtsKNe_hKUS4-nXPtULyYsX9R-nQynDX3cEJSfPGIXPU/s320/IMG_3202%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abdou and Taufik (my students) cutting up Jackfruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYxCRLb68lU0Sx6ZCBm8IfTfEW5jGSAw2ivdg2ItARNftl9uv63aznrQqeCjvfk2ja5UjoejePBdATUtTXuDBZBILN9oi8BMmzXF1372dV3TryxHq_ZwAqjQ0e-ZKEyflKEnd8Px-vac/s1600/IMG_3216%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYxCRLb68lU0Sx6ZCBm8IfTfEW5jGSAw2ivdg2ItARNftl9uv63aznrQqeCjvfk2ja5UjoejePBdATUtTXuDBZBILN9oi8BMmzXF1372dV3TryxHq_ZwAqjQ0e-ZKEyflKEnd8Px-vac/s320/IMG_3216%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day in Foumbouni</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_fbS0AmLllhln0gusa-4xJskDNFV4tzMeliJRJe4EHDxHbPgc-JkjtZ7d-RzzEeWn1cdNr4U6RrSUG101XPBCSttxOwqsq9X3JjjUpucemmK5ttFgkFEYVr9p2hUGkUaV-pdNpIWJ4o/s1600/IMG_3222%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_fbS0AmLllhln0gusa-4xJskDNFV4tzMeliJRJe4EHDxHbPgc-JkjtZ7d-RzzEeWn1cdNr4U6RrSUG101XPBCSttxOwqsq9X3JjjUpucemmK5ttFgkFEYVr9p2hUGkUaV-pdNpIWJ4o/s320/IMG_3222%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Season</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfIkdSTCWcICWw4KPSjQKhoLKOorwYS-56eCLmGzRxxV8kFVtldhuqQvXHyvIQpe6eP2Lx4N9UUJ_YOBj3lmrPoSL1-Ci7jjoyqTRUnfrkT0x9f91gZYu6Kw8ABQAaIcDPzbA_8QPrhk/s1600/IMG_3230%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfIkdSTCWcICWw4KPSjQKhoLKOorwYS-56eCLmGzRxxV8kFVtldhuqQvXHyvIQpe6eP2Lx4N9UUJ_YOBj3lmrPoSL1-Ci7jjoyqTRUnfrkT0x9f91gZYu6Kw8ABQAaIcDPzbA_8QPrhk/s320/IMG_3230%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Division between what was affected by the volcano eruption and what was not</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuhBt6BUwwsL85r9vYyuYFb7riJyM8sT2e4TPuwgjvfqJJiU3qawc4x1YqhrXk7_5ODHANJKC-THVLzF8Yw-U4q0iw_O8Ri7OPkJG8BWjm1O6W-J1uHLu4lhLwmCy2Ulloa331SjWpzo/s1600/IMG_3237%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuhBt6BUwwsL85r9vYyuYFb7riJyM8sT2e4TPuwgjvfqJJiU3qawc4x1YqhrXk7_5ODHANJKC-THVLzF8Yw-U4q0iw_O8Ri7OPkJG8BWjm1O6W-J1uHLu4lhLwmCy2Ulloa331SjWpzo/s320/IMG_3237%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a Djosho (Picnic)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1BcCcuWZm0MbjYUntXJR6kMS6IYSeO4vzcB867ynthqfk-fyG0J3Z6jZeNR-tJ0UlA08FvZ37P2ofkx8xBH2_b6rLy2_Gb2hKkHuOKyg-BdLXUYPJyvtCWxglU8CoaeVfjqjfcjx-6M/s1600/IMG_3274%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1BcCcuWZm0MbjYUntXJR6kMS6IYSeO4vzcB867ynthqfk-fyG0J3Z6jZeNR-tJ0UlA08FvZ37P2ofkx8xBH2_b6rLy2_Gb2hKkHuOKyg-BdLXUYPJyvtCWxglU8CoaeVfjqjfcjx-6M/s320/IMG_3274%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Movie Night in the Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAcjM42aSygE4V-kVJGxpO2kTVVNvk0yPchBwznNZ1bDN8591rjqJ4oQmPdt42_oux41fb-mvKeAw5-4ndgOl8nefMxDX6nqzUC1sxG07TWnyK0yXsOgPK1vj5M-70G96R2nAf3fZihA/s1600/IMG_3296%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAcjM42aSygE4V-kVJGxpO2kTVVNvk0yPchBwznNZ1bDN8591rjqJ4oQmPdt42_oux41fb-mvKeAw5-4ndgOl8nefMxDX6nqzUC1sxG07TWnyK0yXsOgPK1vj5M-70G96R2nAf3fZihA/s320/IMG_3296%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yulangalang distrillary </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIvkrdnDYT_buv8oUoSvSS3ZsGN7oci8FJYDKgxCKy8RhDN03D3C7yd2yIu8x_xaaslBUBABbCliUmaLXK5SGXEQFjlAL1FnR6wq2r6_Cp0w5pCAqAUHCd8btkKMdYkHXB_sf5eVrc8w/s1600/IMG_3322%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIvkrdnDYT_buv8oUoSvSS3ZsGN7oci8FJYDKgxCKy8RhDN03D3C7yd2yIu8x_xaaslBUBABbCliUmaLXK5SGXEQFjlAL1FnR6wq2r6_Cp0w5pCAqAUHCd8btkKMdYkHXB_sf5eVrc8w/s320/IMG_3322%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner with Fellow Volunteers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq_voey93ijWVOTIXYqfO5L1htCVwcJaLhJ3K6RFKmoFDtOxuAVZKi_g5PzLnMxK93CcvVN_PDPwTtZlYRPcDaL3u3yfhuSr3uFPqa-sE9wJbp6ibg4PKKdddES2uS0tSEyduGbiuU8c/s1600/IMG_3327%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq_voey93ijWVOTIXYqfO5L1htCVwcJaLhJ3K6RFKmoFDtOxuAVZKi_g5PzLnMxK93CcvVN_PDPwTtZlYRPcDaL3u3yfhuSr3uFPqa-sE9wJbp6ibg4PKKdddES2uS0tSEyduGbiuU8c/s320/IMG_3327%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapples for Days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58U1zBtOkW740d8V9xF4ZygMRMxwfyfRaB2RY-IbhbUTlTiX6HmSSbdqbwyXzgPRQ2LHcK3vRELE18TSagW2eFxdhmoq7ZFRt1UtRnQ6l7sz06G9ZC-493TZmtg37a8xZGqjFQ5DGeQU/s1600/IMG_3332%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58U1zBtOkW740d8V9xF4ZygMRMxwfyfRaB2RY-IbhbUTlTiX6HmSSbdqbwyXzgPRQ2LHcK3vRELE18TSagW2eFxdhmoq7ZFRt1UtRnQ6l7sz06G9ZC-493TZmtg37a8xZGqjFQ5DGeQU/s320/IMG_3332%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting around the Region of Hambou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMMV0Y1NTtvBATzMzKZUENu0dA3AO5jwZw2OyfKU413aPu-WAj6crAkvb74Of_2pgLIM6BmTpW9G1c3d8mIQADnIMudSUqDc31FbElrVXOGshOF7c7gwNMoXiU01hIe3Y2_PsLSM6D90/s1600/IMG_3376%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMMV0Y1NTtvBATzMzKZUENu0dA3AO5jwZw2OyfKU413aPu-WAj6crAkvb74Of_2pgLIM6BmTpW9G1c3d8mIQADnIMudSUqDc31FbElrVXOGshOF7c7gwNMoXiU01hIe3Y2_PsLSM6D90/s320/IMG_3376%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonial Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-70631250598146370062016-11-04T05:20:00.000-07:002016-11-04T05:20:27.722-07:005 Months Later<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow time has flown, by the end of next week I will have been
in country for a total of 5 months, at site for 3, and teaching for almost 2
months. Things have started to settle down, with the teaching and slowly and
surely class is getting better. Of course, there are the tough days where I
just want to scream at the kids for lack of listening and other days we have a
fun time, such as this past Tuesday when I had them come and say “Trick or
Treat” in exchange for a lollipop. Otherwise the village life is moving along,
I have my routinely activities I do daily, such as fetch water, cook, and visit
the village and some friends in the village. I even have become to start
planning a project for library as one of my two (hopefully) secondary projects
I am going to do during my time here. On the days, I am not teaching I normally
hang out in the village, do some work at home, or go and visit another
volunteer either at their site or we take a beach day. Without a doubt there
have been struggles, especially last week when I was sick at home and for some
reason everyone decided to come and visit me that day, but in the end it all
worked out and they understood that I was not in the mood to talk with people.
But even with the struggles things still are going and for every struggle
something good happens and brings the mood right back up. <o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-38506325816789814782016-10-21T04:32:00.001-07:002016-10-21T05:06:15.180-07:002 Months at Site <div class="MsoNormal">
Time as flied by recently, but I promise I am still alive
and doing well. School is finally in full swing and even with the challenges of
teaching a class with no previous experience to English (and teaching only in
English), things continue to go well. I have begun to create a daily routine,
consisting of waking up, working out, having a little breakfast, and off to
school. I pass the next 3 hours teaching both the 6<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup>
year students (contrary to American system they count down starting at 6<sup>th
</sup>grade, so 5<sup>th</sup> grade is equivalent to our 7<sup>th</sup>
grade). Upon completion of my classes I begin my walk home. Before arriving to
my house I make some stops to visit some friends in my village. The afternoon
is normally spent completing some basic work at home or planning for the next
day of school. Sometimes if time permits I take a walk within my village and
the surrounding village. When evening comes I take a walk to visit a friend and
return to spend the evening with my “host family”. Some evenings, when electricity
is available, we will watch a film. Then off to bed to start the next day. On
days when I am not in school I find myself keeping busy by visiting different
friends within my village, visiting other volunteers, seeking out a new beach
near me (or exploring a different village in the area), or taking a break in
the capital. As of now things are going quite well, and I have managed to keep
busy with many different activities. Every day I am embraced by a new
experience and challenge at which I continue to face and overcome. Soon I will
be partaking in a conference in the capital, where I connect with the other
volunteers and we discuss our experience at site. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until Then <o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-85483411355230451512016-10-14T03:26:00.001-07:002016-10-14T03:27:15.236-07:00Hetsa Living Here is my village through images.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A5Q05TLvBwVdG6qH3VGo70467MwE4elYqeDO9dIL2_Tlhq9Pc_5I-3vdoA5UF0DfPkuwbcwq46-7kHpQTPhLwHMPm4ed0-c5OdE6PwbhabGIk4Xot7KgJXoGEAeYyQngKDo6PW96vDM/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A5Q05TLvBwVdG6qH3VGo70467MwE4elYqeDO9dIL2_Tlhq9Pc_5I-3vdoA5UF0DfPkuwbcwq46-7kHpQTPhLwHMPm4ed0-c5OdE6PwbhabGIk4Xot7KgJXoGEAeYyQngKDo6PW96vDM/s320/IMG_2507.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Futbol Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ViJOMt69V5xTj0xIZoR8GWlsqkIWFoVWxGWs9FoU2w2SCjAbUVeZ-LLVHiRv96AU9dh33xXxDTI7eQxTTNabrvwI29z96uMcJjo38sRoVZKZS_6ULqVnBqfAApySFN3RskS43dEw4Eg/s1600/IMG_2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ViJOMt69V5xTj0xIZoR8GWlsqkIWFoVWxGWs9FoU2w2SCjAbUVeZ-LLVHiRv96AU9dh33xXxDTI7eQxTTNabrvwI29z96uMcJjo38sRoVZKZS_6ULqVnBqfAApySFN3RskS43dEw4Eg/s320/IMG_2531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going Away party with friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AF5VlIa59wJORwjVGQ8NQofUfSDlEqYAcqub32KN749FkZvoFV9jykUnzwN5OoVGlPx-nPpvOFlRUJDiN-lXwz-KgT6sSLK1wOytwg2ZFb-DnnDhQ8VpDueoby-gZ4qmdcjuvjk6QiE/s1600/IMG_2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AF5VlIa59wJORwjVGQ8NQofUfSDlEqYAcqub32KN749FkZvoFV9jykUnzwN5OoVGlPx-nPpvOFlRUJDiN-lXwz-KgT6sSLK1wOytwg2ZFb-DnnDhQ8VpDueoby-gZ4qmdcjuvjk6QiE/s320/IMG_2758.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview from neighboring village </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvWI8Hx2HnjmFPFcpubLzja7kEeQe9mql4Zbi3D5hN2ogCFwChiBjgdiJ_W2_qgmOpliTchFDx18bjeAsGu0i51LARZmQDXHpW-1iaPVBY4UaSHUGaLuAZNARMeIpM15ityr0ZNbXEfw/s1600/IMG_2772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvWI8Hx2HnjmFPFcpubLzja7kEeQe9mql4Zbi3D5hN2ogCFwChiBjgdiJ_W2_qgmOpliTchFDx18bjeAsGu0i51LARZmQDXHpW-1iaPVBY4UaSHUGaLuAZNARMeIpM15ityr0ZNbXEfw/s320/IMG_2772.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Kathala </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADryy7kN03l2ewlc7NcyUiGqtMqgMe7dW5aejNQubRTAGffcYZrHF7lg-z6V0Hluy-7FYbsUrPOWG37U-wQZ6u9JVTSl7U1GIXeWZGe_c6Vz_DIJaranfjHJSDCENuPCTpQkYTDHA1Io/s1600/IMG_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADryy7kN03l2ewlc7NcyUiGqtMqgMe7dW5aejNQubRTAGffcYZrHF7lg-z6V0Hluy-7FYbsUrPOWG37U-wQZ6u9JVTSl7U1GIXeWZGe_c6Vz_DIJaranfjHJSDCENuPCTpQkYTDHA1Io/s320/IMG_2812.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karthala </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcc6A8ltKcCEYVtK2kzFybEkp9sjpRahaZ1oA8Qzx79KPC5TKmLxT_VSWhf0lt-vCXrZiSZRLBstMzz6BJgd9bWoqD791fOQx8wnm_3r8eiMSNC8SzEZrDSzzblbC5Bp_qJbue_t-Z3E/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcc6A8ltKcCEYVtK2kzFybEkp9sjpRahaZ1oA8Qzx79KPC5TKmLxT_VSWhf0lt-vCXrZiSZRLBstMzz6BJgd9bWoqD791fOQx8wnm_3r8eiMSNC8SzEZrDSzzblbC5Bp_qJbue_t-Z3E/s320/IMG_2960.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Warming get together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYhWWyvFnkNUpwOE4DwlOiRfQSsye2NXZeYMt950DPssjgNyR8bKXpT6MLIjxms0WzcfmUs804vHTAMckCkYCVvjOPl_9uNPeDeQyFx-1frWZFvG8AC3f-4F5ysHfdM8jNSJMCP1PHkk/s1600/IMG_3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYhWWyvFnkNUpwOE4DwlOiRfQSsye2NXZeYMt950DPssjgNyR8bKXpT6MLIjxms0WzcfmUs804vHTAMckCkYCVvjOPl_9uNPeDeQyFx-1frWZFvG8AC3f-4F5ysHfdM8jNSJMCP1PHkk/s320/IMG_3085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year Parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpdCNIz8xsT2z8VH0gni5rJKaGn-ebDE_Gga2tzLbK-x2B36MRKuS0PDSAJbUX77WMyL7Bd9F8djvAL1e9fHg_D4QTBuEWZ1UaitG89xmcSERSIFRJYy1cEwzomlJpTQlbgP3oqaw8lk/s1600/IMG_20160822_163137993_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpdCNIz8xsT2z8VH0gni5rJKaGn-ebDE_Gga2tzLbK-x2B36MRKuS0PDSAJbUX77WMyL7Bd9F8djvAL1e9fHg_D4QTBuEWZ1UaitG89xmcSERSIFRJYy1cEwzomlJpTQlbgP3oqaw8lk/s320/IMG_20160822_163137993_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk to the sea and stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI2nsBeNQIAmVq2bj28X0sVgPWav6lxoOWYxIn9Oy67CueAgcBU8N1brgNaR6LWDAgJiCYpRMek8_7pTlqvHLotktNN7wec7SyEukhGBPWbzD_xAw3hecFOD4ifgZjqJjchvcR7vt1No/s1600/IMG_20160822_173655757_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI2nsBeNQIAmVq2bj28X0sVgPWav6lxoOWYxIn9Oy67CueAgcBU8N1brgNaR6LWDAgJiCYpRMek8_7pTlqvHLotktNN7wec7SyEukhGBPWbzD_xAw3hecFOD4ifgZjqJjchvcR7vt1No/s320/IMG_20160822_173655757_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View returing from the stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7C8mhgKT8YdVKic-R6Y6S0cCNesZqNQL09CQUs0rqhvGrME0kp5SDCwODDlt3yv5-oQ1AQ20xWRoYDQbfSJNPWa3hXxrP2Rrd05WJ_EooZ0VDIV0DoSlY79cudIUhaPQdoVZ6s7VPHU/s1600/IMG_20160911_151112314_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7C8mhgKT8YdVKic-R6Y6S0cCNesZqNQL09CQUs0rqhvGrME0kp5SDCwODDlt3yv5-oQ1AQ20xWRoYDQbfSJNPWa3hXxrP2Rrd05WJ_EooZ0VDIV0DoSlY79cudIUhaPQdoVZ6s7VPHU/s320/IMG_20160911_151112314_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around the Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1jV2ODSUIuOqxMsPs1qSD0eYOcgev8yN_NVSeQGkOp3JnJto9mgDqO-agOukYdUgGQ7_9hR7AslAQeHWMjc2WtVLZIeoR8lzGMmELJJjRfa5ihJZZ41xMvr_7KFXl5k0NF33D45WTjc/s1600/IMG_20160911_151338747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1jV2ODSUIuOqxMsPs1qSD0eYOcgev8yN_NVSeQGkOp3JnJto9mgDqO-agOukYdUgGQ7_9hR7AslAQeHWMjc2WtVLZIeoR8lzGMmELJJjRfa5ihJZZ41xMvr_7KFXl5k0NF33D45WTjc/s320/IMG_20160911_151338747.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73sBPeJoNOJWUNw0yi-qkGCqmN6YweCy9meLenlaSQqrLdzwVV8yb8TAx9QgIJ1K3UUoWv3UZNnNvavmD3GXmHt_RzwwRXwLCzE6mydKrXEbSAuKxsjOhi0LGvzE_sQGXrohLFgPcLPk/s1600/IMG_20160911_170254580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73sBPeJoNOJWUNw0yi-qkGCqmN6YweCy9meLenlaSQqrLdzwVV8yb8TAx9QgIJ1K3UUoWv3UZNnNvavmD3GXmHt_RzwwRXwLCzE6mydKrXEbSAuKxsjOhi0LGvzE_sQGXrohLFgPcLPk/s320/IMG_20160911_170254580.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea of my village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-50zzGKag0lwLw2wqBuQvk4BKOAwL5hlJUOdo2U0prVNyZ_5q4t4l_YNH-toIhhyphenhyphenD5qf8LNuSXDcuw_Av8mBgqRi8DXDDtzAmGqs6woMuTtpFNExiBcNiifAni_EbX1za2WvB8HYpaY/s1600/IMG_20160912_175559383_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-50zzGKag0lwLw2wqBuQvk4BKOAwL5hlJUOdo2U0prVNyZ_5q4t4l_YNH-toIhhyphenhyphenD5qf8LNuSXDcuw_Av8mBgqRi8DXDDtzAmGqs6woMuTtpFNExiBcNiifAni_EbX1za2WvB8HYpaY/s320/IMG_20160912_175559383_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGXz9qvfAvpH_JkYis4SBb85XXR0HLaAHfg6jUNN5TeCrhgGvGgkPaxWFpK4gScYy3vkJAdsyR5FW-vKoghgtQd-Mvrk8Ff1gqtuI0hbVM_XvYMAwyP7SLCjcc_Wo-WQRG7ufamsyRdg/s1600/IMG_20160926_065601230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGXz9qvfAvpH_JkYis4SBb85XXR0HLaAHfg6jUNN5TeCrhgGvGgkPaxWFpK4gScYy3vkJAdsyR5FW-vKoghgtQd-Mvrk8Ff1gqtuI0hbVM_XvYMAwyP7SLCjcc_Wo-WQRG7ufamsyRdg/s320/IMG_20160926_065601230.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My College</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhOVxufu5tlmQgSEFAv7oRVbBOYFJHLa6ZBLyJPJU_Dn_sRc7PwXKapYB2BYmhfdB_E06jCj43SdGjbNLOX1pRlRFKaCRwVm8HUWQM3rOGheO4MnKg99_f2bI9LfRCvQKmA_BcZ5GDIk/s1600/IMG_20161003_174056489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhOVxufu5tlmQgSEFAv7oRVbBOYFJHLa6ZBLyJPJU_Dn_sRc7PwXKapYB2BYmhfdB_E06jCj43SdGjbNLOX1pRlRFKaCRwVm8HUWQM3rOGheO4MnKg99_f2bI9LfRCvQKmA_BcZ5GDIk/s320/IMG_20161003_174056489.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matches bring everyone from around the village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugS83zqYeIzF4Ev7ehKFwnWX5igwKfPa1wftxGIQiAxMSD5pTXSnc3NckDJnaz2885JA63jyd3Tal1c6au8i09h5RUfpdLHX-TDJc_Gtdqfc1SXjtKKOjYTSgQDkNVxYTBtnjyOtUh1Y/s1600/IMG_20161004_084629191_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugS83zqYeIzF4Ev7ehKFwnWX5igwKfPa1wftxGIQiAxMSD5pTXSnc3NckDJnaz2885JA63jyd3Tal1c6au8i09h5RUfpdLHX-TDJc_Gtdqfc1SXjtKKOjYTSgQDkNVxYTBtnjyOtUh1Y/s320/IMG_20161004_084629191_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxbuuuisQrIvsvyIf2ZWfUWvZKqQEg5mb_BcgAGWHB8-_a-KIlOUc8MAayZqBYO4ZWQ587NKpHIQc0fTlC8XxcdVQhXTtzB4DX0gDuilOTMJMxwimtUuFNKP6IxZsi0aYIq6bKI9wdQw/s1600/WP_20160828_033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxbuuuisQrIvsvyIf2ZWfUWvZKqQEg5mb_BcgAGWHB8-_a-KIlOUc8MAayZqBYO4ZWQ587NKpHIQc0fTlC8XxcdVQhXTtzB4DX0gDuilOTMJMxwimtUuFNKP6IxZsi0aYIq6bKI9wdQw/s320/WP_20160828_033.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ending Wedding Season right<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are just some photos I have taken around my village during my first two months. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until Then</div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-57175113788969787802016-10-13T01:11:00.001-07:002016-10-13T01:13:22.442-07:00This is Comoros<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine all around you stands hundreds of thousands of
trees, such as palm trees, mango trees, and many other wide assortments of
tropical fruit trees. As you turn around you are greeted by the clear, blue
ocean that seems almost too clear and too blue to even exist. One might think
at first they have landed on a tropical island in the Caribbean. But look
closer and you see villages filled with houses made of cement, and some of tin.
A singular road that leads to a capital, whose size can’t compare to that of
even some of the resorts that exist on major tropical islands. The language
surrounding you is not that of Spanish, nor English, but instead French and on
some occasions their own native language. Instead of seeing hundreds of old
cathedrals and monasteries, one will hear the call to prayer and mosques galore
(sometimes even in places you would never presume to be a mosque). Move the
idea of a tropical island in the Caribbean to East Africa between Madagascar
and Tanzania, and you have landed yourself on Comoros. A set of 3 to 4 islands
(depending on whom you ask) located in the Indian ocean. Unlike other islands
similar in size and structure, Comoros is one that is visited only by a handful
of people each year. In fact, it is one of the 10 least visited countries in
the world. Even with the lack there of tourism, Comoros is quite a beautifully
preserved country filled with sites that are seen by few people, even beaches
here (outside of the two or three main ones, where the few tourists flock to)
are inhabited by very few people and maintain their charms. Here, a place where
some can’t even point out on a map (myself included, prior to this experience),
I will be serving for 2 years as an English teacher in a village in the south
of the largest island (Grand Comore). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-21632392853535108302016-10-05T02:19:00.000-07:002016-10-05T02:21:16.181-07:00Recap of First Month at Site <div class="MsoNormal">
Where to begin, this past month has seemed to fly by and now
the school year is upon me. The past few weeks have been spent becoming
accustomed to my village, home, and the culture it entails. Village life unlike
that of PST life has been much more laid back, and has been filled with me
having to create things to do. Now after a month I have started to create my
daily routines and I am starting to feel at home. When I am not home cleaning,
preparing for the school year, or playing with my 4-year-old host brother
(those adventures deserve a blog all their own, but let’s say they consist of
dancing around, teaching him yoga, and having him help me do the house chores),
I am out in the village. Normally midday I take a walk into the village just to
say hi. Some of the late afternoons have me attending the soccer games in the
village, which is always a fun time. Sometimes I get adventurous and venture
down to the sea with friends to watch the sunset. I have made some good
friends, and continue to meet new people every day. During the day it is almost
always expected to receive one visitor, at which point I spend time with them
just relaxing and talking about a various of topics. Once a week I make a trip
to the capital to catch up with the other volunteers and restock on food (since
most food here is retrieved from the farm). I have also had opportunities to
visit other volunteers’ sites and having an adventure at their place. Even one
weekend they came to mine to have a djosho (picnic) and celebrate my
birthday/the beginning of school. Within this past week I have begun my
teaching experience. Though due to a shortage of teachers and students the
lessons were more fun introduction activities rather than serious lessons. Next
week should start the actual school year, though only time will tell. We also
get the experience of celebrating the Islamic New Year (a lunar based calendar)
this upcoming week. As the days go on things get easier to do (I consider how
it seems easy to get water from my cistern, when before I struggled not to drop
water all over the floor). With electricity being something semi regular in
this current time I will write a post with my weekly experiences up until now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until Then. <o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-7440978852668548842016-10-05T01:36:00.001-07:002016-10-05T02:21:16.184-07:00Village Life <div class="MsoNormal">
5 am, the call to prayer rings through the streets of town.
Thus begins a new day in Hetsa, Comoros. For the late sleepers the roosters
crow at 6am to make sure you do not let the day pass you by. Upon completing
prayer and preparing for the day everyone begins the work at hand. For some
that means going to the hondze, or farm, to pick fruits and vegetables, that
later will be used for food or sold in the market. For others they grab the
first taxi possible into the capital, where they will go to work for the day.
While others stay more local and go to work in their village or surrounding
villages doing varies jobs, such as teachers or store owners. Some will stay at
home and begin the cooking for the day or cleaning the house. The youth fill
the streets as they head off to school, normally traveling two villages over.
As the day goes on people will come and go. Normally around the time for lunch
everyone will stop and return home to eat with their family. At 12 many are
summoned to prayer for the midday prayer time. And after which many will spend
time relaxing. When the late afternoon arrives those who work in the capital
end their workday and begin their 40-minute drive back. While students will
fill the streets playing different games, or members of the village will head
to the soccer field to watch a match. When evening time arrives many will venture
out to visit with friends or will receive friends and family into their house.
The ones who remained home for the day roll out their meals they have been
preparing. This normally entails some sort of rice and chicken combination.
Once the meal has been finished and the table cleared the families will lounge
around and discuss each other’s day. When all the discussing and family time is
finished to bed everyone goes, ready to start a new day. <o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-33381847818733177932016-08-31T06:01:00.001-07:002016-08-31T06:03:14.513-07:00Life as a New PCV<div class="MsoNormal">
Where to begin…<o:p></o:p></div>
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The past few weeks have been quite busy and full of many
different experience, including swearing in and moving to my site for the next
two years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The last few weeks of training and in Mvouni (the village we
stayed in during training) have been full of many different events and
activities. Especially spending time with my family and friends of Mvouni and
preparing to move to my new home in Hetsa. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The past few weekends in Mvouni have involved cleaning up
the Primary School, painting a world map, and teaching at the Club America in
the village. During the weeks I was busy with training and Model School. Upon
returning home I would just spend time with my family or some of the other
volunteers. Instead of trying to explain all the different events we did
leading up to the last few days in PST (Pre-Service Training) I feel pictures
best describe each event. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The last few days in Mvouni contained many events,
especially a goodbye ceremony and swearing in at Moroni. To celebrate all of us
making it through training we held a Karaoke party with both Group 1 and Group
2. It was a good final hoorah with everyone before departing for our designated
islands, and to celebrate finishing training. The following day some of
volunteers and I attended a picnic, that some of our friends from Mvouni put on
for us. Wednesday was a bit nerve racking as we had our language placement
test, although I do not know the final score, I think I did pretty good.
Wednesday was also a day of celebration in the village. Mvouni (the village we
stayed in for 2 months) held a huge event to celebrate having us and to say
goodbye. The event consisted of a soccer tournament, a basketball game,
traditional Comorian dancing, Taekwondo exposition, and a speech from the mayor
of the village. It was a sad event while also happy. It was for sure hard to
say goodbye to the village that welcomed us all into their homes. When the
ceremony ended one of the volunteer’s host mom held a little dinner for me and
another volunteer to thank us and say goodbye. Upon completing dinner, we went
to attend a dance party that the village was hosting for us. It ended up being
a bit different than what we would consider a dance party. That meaning some of
the different dance groups of the village created dances and performed them for
us. Also us, Peace Corps Volunteers, made an appearance and did a little
dancing too, we ended up doing the electric slide. After a very long night I
crashed as we had to be up early for our swearing in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Swearing in was simple but a nice event. We had a little ceremony and a reception. Both my host family from Mvouni and my new host family in Hetsa attended, which was good to let them both met each other. Upon being sworn in and taking a few pictures I said my goodbyes and headed to site.</div>
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So far site life has been treating me well. Of course there
has been some difficulties when it comes to finding things to do, as I am use
to always being busy and here it is a much more laid back life. Besides that,
minor hiccup all has been good. I have been settling in, meeting people in my
community, attending soccer matches, and I even attended a Comorian dance
party. Within the next few weeks I will be beginning school, continue to get to
know my community, and start to get into a routine. Soon I will post an update
with more details of what I am doing at site and about the different events I
am attending. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Until Then. <o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-28231633324974679572016-08-04T00:32:00.000-07:002016-08-04T00:32:46.901-07:00Comoros Through Images<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg285Kmyrl1mZmbvX5LT6dD42PoVGtwqGUl1FzyrXukCCk59FHd8cesyoZjW3lOv5Qk4U_5_0x8c0akLgfx4LLQ5lEsPvQABs7BHlbNeyVR1hc-qID-rumtLqgP9bx26wBNZ9JsPnXSsLg/s1600/FB_IMG_1466670722108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg285Kmyrl1mZmbvX5LT6dD42PoVGtwqGUl1FzyrXukCCk59FHd8cesyoZjW3lOv5Qk4U_5_0x8c0akLgfx4LLQ5lEsPvQABs7BHlbNeyVR1hc-qID-rumtLqgP9bx26wBNZ9JsPnXSsLg/s320/FB_IMG_1466670722108.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group 1 and 2 of Comoros </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wFLtIc-OBTDLpiFmxiNv2GosQEBe61QVD1mjhYXy-eZzhknNPPoFQ_V6okY6rRmmnjFfsGG_2iTqDOX-VJDtw62nz1TRHb02H4VZucooMWXWAYtNRhoUd18oeK4u_UXFKeVwc_MBIus/s1600/G1172891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wFLtIc-OBTDLpiFmxiNv2GosQEBe61QVD1mjhYXy-eZzhknNPPoFQ_V6okY6rRmmnjFfsGG_2iTqDOX-VJDtw62nz1TRHb02H4VZucooMWXWAYtNRhoUd18oeK4u_UXFKeVwc_MBIus/s320/G1172891.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral Reefs </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiL1HQAwMs3IQ3lULXu8c6Hd5JQNRanqjx8i4GYG1pwtQaZmiYuqBdho3Czil3rsKZn3B6wYKkOqjNllrEvRaksbMcvnVyDtuzXlZXe4-xlkTcVGoK9FnQaKEBWkl2ot7Zg0tERTng0g/s1600/GOPR2974_1469028608162_high.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiL1HQAwMs3IQ3lULXu8c6Hd5JQNRanqjx8i4GYG1pwtQaZmiYuqBdho3Czil3rsKZn3B6wYKkOqjNllrEvRaksbMcvnVyDtuzXlZXe4-xlkTcVGoK9FnQaKEBWkl2ot7Zg0tERTng0g/s320/GOPR2974_1469028608162_high.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daily Sunsets in Comoros </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB-BnRV6ZO8KYqrFSNr94lEqDDAbkJcRzVUCTorMljuKHjlqUwbwdTzT_No6fnKhHp42GLwciGAr3WpICcPxEs_wV8Dk7QiQSx4f3y_Tc1nhLFGzhr3TXu6JvWKxOQEWLZ3Y3Zb0GHD4/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB-BnRV6ZO8KYqrFSNr94lEqDDAbkJcRzVUCTorMljuKHjlqUwbwdTzT_No6fnKhHp42GLwciGAr3WpICcPxEs_wV8Dk7QiQSx4f3y_Tc1nhLFGzhr3TXu6JvWKxOQEWLZ3Y3Zb0GHD4/s320/IMG_1884.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training Camp View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv8fsmOkfO0iy_h0XirKPaDlcYyqMQTs3Zk1dzoZEn2v1nVhQDBWcVc6vdLI16qZf2ex2UNCjAubf_DGT993Q3Cq5gQcVChomUaQ488gypWR7cuHqHwqh_DaJKXLGemO7ZvcED0zyvzk/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv8fsmOkfO0iy_h0XirKPaDlcYyqMQTs3Zk1dzoZEn2v1nVhQDBWcVc6vdLI16qZf2ex2UNCjAubf_DGT993Q3Cq5gQcVChomUaQ488gypWR7cuHqHwqh_DaJKXLGemO7ZvcED0zyvzk/s320/IMG_2057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eid Adventures </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcpTYD83pdydG_GbEaqBKG6I8CttQYiuyGNkwOqv1G750MoYUVJ4sF-VZgnKxDe35JdCnvOr-GDDZK3OGNKb8wqYB70BWRgIZSZg3c-Dap8de4Vi6KYMGQbf1CEgxUyend0dSPPcXgz0/s1600/IMG_2076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcpTYD83pdydG_GbEaqBKG6I8CttQYiuyGNkwOqv1G750MoYUVJ4sF-VZgnKxDe35JdCnvOr-GDDZK3OGNKb8wqYB70BWRgIZSZg3c-Dap8de4Vi6KYMGQbf1CEgxUyend0dSPPcXgz0/s320/IMG_2076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-8MQ3fGYZX4VmKDHBu7C1YmunR8ud5Tbxyvv6g4FH0clB0nW6hKqolFUq4akgeAixJazScOdwnEplqdMPIzPOT49Xje7jF8mdU97ZMckOYublMPe7Ro33XXLCfjD8NEwT8mhrA8f9n8/s1600/IMG_2106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-8MQ3fGYZX4VmKDHBu7C1YmunR8ud5Tbxyvv6g4FH0clB0nW6hKqolFUq4akgeAixJazScOdwnEplqdMPIzPOT49Xje7jF8mdU97ZMckOYublMPe7Ro33XXLCfjD8NEwT8mhrA8f9n8/s320/IMG_2106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4j76v85956lHoAtP-A90vTw0kGJwQjzF8F5czBQrdMn33ACtYRCsld_SeRcXQiyzKI5pYU-DHnEXQrG9F6xgOu4J6XhreiYy-TDDUgMXnah_rIjNcpSGWRDSGKdkh3r0K2yODYHAeSI/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4j76v85956lHoAtP-A90vTw0kGJwQjzF8F5czBQrdMn33ACtYRCsld_SeRcXQiyzKI5pYU-DHnEXQrG9F6xgOu4J6XhreiYy-TDDUgMXnah_rIjNcpSGWRDSGKdkh3r0K2yODYHAeSI/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Marriage Festivities </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGG_eTWSZ5to8e3HXXvivutiNrrDGiVHSfWN35LtKpgybzFJkpn3uygPftiqvg_ipVbvV_DEbVVaUj6KF02HRRyd7xHYiTEkEFozXEjCXJPSpdACh_Qa6P3c4PSHhZi8VWtcnoSqdC9c0/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGG_eTWSZ5to8e3HXXvivutiNrrDGiVHSfWN35LtKpgybzFJkpn3uygPftiqvg_ipVbvV_DEbVVaUj6KF02HRRyd7xHYiTEkEFozXEjCXJPSpdACh_Qa6P3c4PSHhZi8VWtcnoSqdC9c0/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Day with other volunteers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rTxyiCEUgH5-mczxYXQBB0100RutJMcsOHxfCiQljw891CAcGCPrbtal2WT1IMS0YwCfyIPS8MqOK3SlnoQr6_sD9NZcnjkRIInq3QVuc0tQfawqUcHxY_6KD1Be_YgdaicEWVeMN4g/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rTxyiCEUgH5-mczxYXQBB0100RutJMcsOHxfCiQljw891CAcGCPrbtal2WT1IMS0YwCfyIPS8MqOK3SlnoQr6_sD9NZcnjkRIInq3QVuc0tQfawqUcHxY_6KD1Be_YgdaicEWVeMN4g/s320/IMG_2275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Run Views</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGbb5FSx456Cilx367WXuCgk5ZCv2gzX72fx8HajQ9hXndLfFzypGRzwtTeDX3wbjjPL9JgQpsh22bNTSKfACPeevYlMZOu1NxVqWgLw5mmzREYwsWfRO7RkBqd439HxAQmIT9TIw3wk/s1600/IMG_2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGbb5FSx456Cilx367WXuCgk5ZCv2gzX72fx8HajQ9hXndLfFzypGRzwtTeDX3wbjjPL9JgQpsh22bNTSKfACPeevYlMZOu1NxVqWgLw5mmzREYwsWfRO7RkBqd439HxAQmIT9TIw3wk/s320/IMG_2291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirk6Zj18UsFhKw205g3ZTfVDeAGYh-4NfSVv6m9gbYrc0oOzAaQdXBMsOuCN3iy7fOeUqEsg3qCpSxxJmHji4abGed0w0wsu2YHSfyy4dwvYCb6dzDBnzHid5LDk_UfNIZmSi6SlX2T8/s1600/IMG_20160713_155156818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirk6Zj18UsFhKw205g3ZTfVDeAGYh-4NfSVv6m9gbYrc0oOzAaQdXBMsOuCN3iy7fOeUqEsg3qCpSxxJmHji4abGed0w0wsu2YHSfyy4dwvYCb6dzDBnzHid5LDk_UfNIZmSi6SlX2T8/s320/IMG_20160713_155156818.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day at the Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUwNGK1PFZhs8i9kT_x_PrsS980mBxK7rLH1p-Pgp7AI_u2LbrS6Q2zv4BQHoEwp_MhqTE0RWddqoWLPSXyjkXK5IEn9WdilhPTQEDc4qropL5LM1Ulpsq8LZ56Q8277Iua4eFUcsY_Y/s1600/IMG_20160726_183313048_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUwNGK1PFZhs8i9kT_x_PrsS980mBxK7rLH1p-Pgp7AI_u2LbrS6Q2zv4BQHoEwp_MhqTE0RWddqoWLPSXyjkXK5IEn9WdilhPTQEDc4qropL5LM1Ulpsq8LZ56Q8277Iua4eFUcsY_Y/s320/IMG_20160726_183313048_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzGH8DPZGUzTVKUKSTiXRnvAp1LcrWWhcvO4Bn9FSFxv-AlcSBmmxDBrkDJVDZ2qeu16n84e5-HLl6GLNTScAvIU4trRqtP6400DNN6C2rvaCHkPffnFUCIsg2YDSDcHkKpfPqmfECE4/s1600/IMG_20160729_124403706_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzGH8DPZGUzTVKUKSTiXRnvAp1LcrWWhcvO4Bn9FSFxv-AlcSBmmxDBrkDJVDZ2qeu16n84e5-HLl6GLNTScAvIU4trRqtP6400DNN6C2rvaCHkPffnFUCIsg2YDSDcHkKpfPqmfECE4/s320/IMG_20160729_124403706_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moroni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_gw1tCc8KZxhMjXDaRVEPNRRnWm3W8izagCUklV5Nl1eARI-PnfoAWDnZl2MsSgauya3y-XJwVrLTQtaBXqgOwRHHCvp-GYRW04Ut5zWdm0sN1dQcJRF8iB_Z3eOOOSNp_aN0fH-iYk/s1600/IMG_20160729_163114404_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_gw1tCc8KZxhMjXDaRVEPNRRnWm3W8izagCUklV5Nl1eARI-PnfoAWDnZl2MsSgauya3y-XJwVrLTQtaBXqgOwRHHCvp-GYRW04Ut5zWdm0sN1dQcJRF8iB_Z3eOOOSNp_aN0fH-iYk/s320/IMG_20160729_163114404_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbTSFdJWaDyfyFc5GwWVy75QWagirX5se9GyUYeqPZcagJCp4qQkBX6kQo7oED_BQugilXdFnXh_GfdkAyKZP5a_LNPFLKEq3z8aG6bXpoiIdsF4EKyyTqaueBLTG8xoJgpeaoEFrpLI/s1600/received_10209773609119591.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbTSFdJWaDyfyFc5GwWVy75QWagirX5se9GyUYeqPZcagJCp4qQkBX6kQo7oED_BQugilXdFnXh_GfdkAyKZP5a_LNPFLKEq3z8aG6bXpoiIdsF4EKyyTqaueBLTG8xoJgpeaoEFrpLI/s320/received_10209773609119591.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ulanga Day (Earth Day in Comoros)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Marriage Festivities with the Family</td></tr>
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<br />Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-2726147907373977672016-07-29T05:21:00.000-07:002016-07-29T05:22:13.418-07:00Weeks of Cultural Learning <div class="MsoNormal">
These past two week have gone by quite quickly. They have
also been two exciting weeks involving experiencing a Comorian Wedding,
learning about my site, and having my site visit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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During the week it has been quite chill, with going to
training every day and coming home just to relax for the evening. However,
beginning Wednesday evening myself and other volunteers have been busy
attending different events for a Grand Marriage (Wedding), here in Mvouni. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unlike in the USA where a traditional wedding is one day
long has normally only contains a ceremony and a reception, here Grand
Marriages are normally a 4-5 day ordeal. Wednesday night kicked it off with a
Henna party. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the get together. From
what I understand happened at the henna event was that the bride came and
received henna. After she danced in the group of people everyone sat down and
received some food. When the food ended everyone got up and started to form a
line, which they all danced in towards the bride. While they were dancing
towards the bride each person has a little gift, majority was monetary, and
when they arrived to the bride they handed the gift to her. Unfortunately,
since the electricity went out they were unable to finish the party. But from
what I was told after everyone gave their gifts there was a dance session with
henna. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The following day was a celebration of sorts for the soon to
be husband, with that being said I am not quite sure what that entailed. Friday
was another celebration for the husband, where the men formed a circle and,
from what is understood, performed a cane dance. Saturday was another
celebration, which was basically a huge dance party. On Saturday the bride was
not able to attend, as traditionally she is waiting until Sunday to continue
the celebrations. The women of the village line up with money in hands and they
dance around and give money to the people singing and someone else (I have yet
to figure out). The money that is collected will be brought to the bride the
following day by the husbands’ family. That brings us to Sunday, the final
celebration. The day starts with the grooms’ family leaving from their house
and dancing to the brides, where they hand the money collected over to her
family. After which there is a sort of reception held by the bride, where the
women of the village dance around to greet the bride and celebrate the
marriage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Although I am still not quite certain on all aspects of the
wedding it if a very interesting and fun experience. It also blows our
traditional weddings out of the water, as they are all day events that occur
within the 4-5 days of events. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In other news not much other occurred during the week. When
the weekend came some other volunteers and I went to Moroni for the afternoon.
As well as Sunday we held our first Club America (English Club) in the village.
It was a great success. I taught an intermediate class as well as a
professional class. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The following week brought may anticipated events and some
new adventures. Monday morning began our first model school experience, which
was luckily just an observation day. Later in the afternoon we learned our
sites and schools where we would be teaching. I will be teaching in Singani,
which is a village on the road to the south of the island. It turns out that my
village is also considered the Pompeii of Grand Comoros, though the village was
destroyed no lives were lost, as far as my understanding. The following day I
experienced teaching at an English school, luckily with a co-volunteer. It
turned out really well and helped to begin preparations for when I have to
teach by myself. Wednesday was a bite more nerve recking as I had to teach all
by myself for 2 hours straight, even with the minor hiccup of not having enough
material to teach over, it still turned out to be a good learning experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Thursday began with meeting my counterpart from my village,
as well as having a quick workshop before heading off for a weekend at site.
Once I arrived to site things moved slowly, but also quickly. My site is about
a 40 minute taxi ride from the capital, so not too bad of a journey. Once at
site I was greeted by what would be considered my host family, although they
live behind me. After greeting several people in the village, whose names of
course I do not remember, I headed off to bed for an early start the next day
meeting the village and taking a tour of the region. Friday I woke up bright
and early to have a great breakfast of bread with homemade pineapple jam, made
by one the villagers. Afterwards I went on a cruise through the 5 different villages
within the region of Hambu. Upon returning back to my village it was time to go
and great the elders of the village. It turned out a success, they said they
were very happy to have me and that I was welcome to the village. Then it was
time for me to go visit the school that I will e teaching at for the next 2
years, inshallah (If God Wishes). I also was able to meet with my director and
begin talking about my school schedule and all the logistics to me teaching at
the college (middle school equivalent). We also managed to take a trip to the
village next door where I met with some of the elders to introduce me and all.
The evening was spent just hanging with the host family and met some more
people from the village. Saturday was an
adventure with several different family members where we went to the north of
the island for a beach day. During the day we grilled food, played soccer, and
danced. It was a super fun time and was a great experience of a Comorian BBQ. Sunday was just a more relaxed day and involved repacking to return back to my village im staying in during training. All in all the site visit was a success and I am looking forward to moving back there in a month to begin my service. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Within the next few weeks there are many different planned events, lets see how they play out. </div>
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Until Next Time. </div>
<br />Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-52529449718993224532016-07-14T03:14:00.002-07:002016-07-14T03:15:17.641-07:00Week of HolidaysWow, this past week has been quite busy and full of adventure, with our independence, Comorian independence, Eid (ending of Ramadan festivities), a beach trip, and a walk around in the capital of Comoros (Moroni), it has been nonstop.<br />
<br />
So where to begin the week. Beginning from where I left off the weekend was spent just hanging out around the village with other volunteers and also spending some time with me family. When the beginning of the week rolled around it was time for 4th of July, or America's independence. To celebrate the day we went to our Country Director's house and had a massive 4th of July celebration. It was great to have a break from the village and to be able to enjoy some good food with even better company. We ended the celebration with youtube fireworks. Needless to say it was a well spent 4th. The following day was spent with a day full of training. Upon arriving home everyone was in celebration as Eid was confirmed to be celebrated on the 6th, which also happens to be Independence day in Comoros.<br />
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When the day of Eid arrived everything was in full swing. The morning began by me going with my family to a family members house, where we celebrated Eid and a Grand Marriage (Wedding), there was lots of dancing it was almost overweleming, especially since I had no clue what was occurring. After sometime there I procceeded to visit a volunteer, who lived right next door, and enjoyed some time with her. Then I went to visit my neighbor and her sister. While there I ran into a lot of the guy volunteers. As I was not wanting to sit around for the celebration I went to visit with another volunteer, who had the same idea and already went to visit a different volunteer's house. So I ended up going to their house and me and the volunteer hung out some time eating and then we headed out to visit some other volunteers in the village. After we finished our adventures walking around we went back to the house to relax for a little. As orginally I was suppose to go to Moroni to celebrate the independence with a parade I went over to my neighbors, who was going with us, and waited until everyone was ready to go. Since she was not yet ready we decided to go walk around the village some more and visit other volunteers we had not yet seen. Then we returned and headed out to get a taxi to Moroni. Since everyone was wanting to go to the parade, we did not succeed in getting a taxi so I went back to a volunteer's house and hung out with her while she made dinner with her family. In the end her family invited me and some other volunteers to eat with them so we returned home to tell our families and then went back to enjoy the dinner. It was great to just spend a dinner with everyone and relax for sometime. Afterwards I headed home and to bed for the night. Thursday was just a relaxing day as Eid has worn me out quite a bite. I hung out with some volunteers for the day, but all in all did not do anything too special.<br />
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Friday brought some more adventures. This time to the north of the Island to visit one of the beaches called Maloudja. It was such a beautiful beach, it did not even seem real. It was also really neat as since it was low tide we could walk out for what seemed like miles. The downside to that was us walking all around coral reefs. Which although super cool to see, a pain to be near as one wrong step and you could land on one, and not only does it hurt it can hurt the life there, so it made for a challenge. After some time exploring the area it was time to head back to the main land to relax a little. Of course right when I came back onto the main land I did not relax but instead took a stroll to some other beaches that were in the area. All of them were just as incredible as the last. When we returned back to the orginal beach I headed to eat some food and just hung out for the rest of the time. When it was time to go we all packed into the buses and headed to the East side of the island to take a little trip around there. We ended up stopping and seeing the salt lake, which was quite different. After about 2 hours of driving we made it back to our village at which point I headed straight off to bed.<br />
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The following day brought even more things to do as we headed down to Moroni for the day to learn some basic things that we will be utlizing the next two years. This included shopping at the market, how to withdraw money, how to send out letters, and how to cook with a typical stove. Needless to say it was both very fun while also very tiring, as we walked all of Moroni. At the end we all came back and had ice cream as a form of celebration, which was a great suprise for us. When all was said and done we went back up to our village and after dinner meet up for a Volunteer movie night. Although the rain ruined the night it was still super fun and the view, movies under the stars, was incredible. Today was a much more melow day. Though we did enjoy watching a soccer tournament here in Mvouni, which was quite an experience. All in all things are going well here and the days/weeks seem to be going by quicker each day. This week coming up nothing to crazy is planned, apart from being apart of the Grand Marriage. IIll give more details on that in the next update.<br />
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Until Then.Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-17628105532198238592016-07-01T07:50:00.002-07:002016-07-01T07:56:03.815-07:00Weekly Check-In<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This past week has been quite an interesting
experience while also been a cultural exchange. Last Friday I left off having
been placed in the capital for the weekend due to falling. In positive news I
am doing much better. On another note my weekend in the capital, Moroni, was
helpful for recovery and also destressing. The first night there I spent
enjoying the wifi and amenities that the hotel had. Saturday was quite more adventurous
as some of the other volunteers came down from our host village and we spent
the day relaxing and exploring the hotel grounds. It is quite a nice place, as
there is a view of the water and few different access locations to the water.
When dusk started to come they decided to head back to the village and I said
my goodbyes. Instead of just hanging at the hotel for the evening I ended up
hanging with some of group 1 volunteers and spent time learning more about
Comoros and the different islands. As well as hearing about their experiences.
Sunday brought an adventure with both groups to another hotel and a beach day.
It was such a perfect day and the water was truly breathe taking, it was super
hard to believe what I was seeing (Comoros is truly a tropical paradise). When
the evening came I said goodbye to everyone and headed back to my hotel for one
last evening.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Monday was a day for readjusting and getting
back into my routine. Upon returning to our training center I was thrown
straight back into the usual routine of classes. Even though the hotel was a
nice break from everything it was nice to go back and see everyone in my group
and to get back into the swing of the daily life during PST. When our day of
training ended I headed home to see my host family for the first time since
going to Moroni. The greeting quite took me by shock, as we were told that here
affection is quite different than that in the USA, so being greeted with hugs
was both great and a surprise. Luckily our nightly schedule was not distributed
with my return. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tuesday brought an interesting experience
during dinner time. Normally in my family we all eat together, it is relatively
a small family (Me, my host mom, aunt, grandma, and nephew). However, instead
of having our usual dinner we had a huge family get together to celebrate the
breaking of fast. It was an experience as unlike normal dinners we separated into
genders, women on one side of the room and men on the other. We also all sat on
the floor (which I quite enjoy doing). Being as separating genders to eat, even
if it is in the same room, is quite foreign to me I asked my friend about it,
however she was unable to provide information besides to say that it is how it
is. I guess that will be something I will try to figure out over the next few
years. During dinner we also had a funny talk about married. Here married is a
very important aspect and within a matter of seconds of meeting you they will
ask if you are married. So during dinner I was asked if I was married, which I
openly said no, (and if you know me I am quite prideful in being single and
have no expectation in being married anytime in the near future). Once I said
no though my friend’s mom told me that should would find me a husband by
Friday, which I stated in multiple ways that I did not want to get married.
They just laughed, though not sure if they believed me or not, I continued to
state though how I was not wanting to marry. Then her mom said how I should get
married and have kids, which I really stated no. Finally, after being asked
multiple times why I did not they eventually dropped the subject and understood
I was not going to give in. However, the conversation did not end. When dinner
finished one of the male family members came up to ask why I was not wanting to
get married. We had a very interesting conversation, unfortunately though
neither of us were giving into the other’s idea nor did he understand my
logistics behind it. It was however, an eye opening experience because as for
them here they have a belief that being married is a responsibility for each
person and that you are supposed to continue on your family heritage. Which in
a way is how married was viewed many years ago in the USA. Trying though to
explain how now we (in the USA) do not put an emphasis on married and that in
general we view marriage as something you do when you are ready, is quite a
hard aspect to explain (in particularly with the language barrier). I also know
that this change of ideas will only come with time and will not be something I
will try to force them to change unless they want to. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wednesday through today have been
quite normal days. During the day I continue to improve my language skills and
learning about techniques to prepare for teaching for the next two years. In
the evening I return home and hang out with my host family. Some evenings I
take an adventure around the village to visit other volunteers or friends of my
friends, but really nothing too special. The weekend has now arrived for us,
which means a lot of relaxing in the village. Tomorrow my family and I are
planning on going into Moroni to do some shopping. Otherwise nothing too
special is planned. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So far the time is beginning to past
faster and we have really begun to have a routine. The next few weeks holds
lots of adventures for us, we will travel around the island to visit a beach,
have a 4<sup>th</sup> of July celebration, celebrate Comoros’s independence,
Eid (the end of Ramadan celebration), and announcements of our sites. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for
adjusting everything is coming bit by bit. It is quite different here than any
other country/culture I have lived in. But every day is a learning experience
with it and it gets better. The biggest challenge thus far has been the
underlying gender roles, but of course it is a cultural aspect and I am not
going to try and change their ideas because I do not hold the same ideals for
my life. At the same time even with said roles they are very understanding that
being American I have different ideas of what I can and can’t do and they
respect that. I know though the learning experience will continue and
understanding will advance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Until Next Time<o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-54063327438985335252016-06-24T12:27:00.003-07:002016-06-24T12:36:20.386-07:00So the training begins<div class="MsoNormal">
The Beginning in a Comorian Homestay and Village<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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The past few days have been quite a whirl wind of
experiences, emotions, and education. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On Friday afternoon I learned that I will be serving on the
main Island, Grand Comoros, for the next two years. After overcoming the long
awaited announcement of Island placement, we had to be yet again placed in a
nerve racking situation of meeting our host families for the first time. I
lucked out and did not have to wait long, as once I grabbed my bags my family
was already there to greet me. Once I said hello to my host mother, one of our
neighbors (who has become a close friend of mine), and someone else that has a
relation to my family (have not quite figured out what though), we headed off
to our village, Mvouni, which is a village close by our hotel/training center.
Once at the house I tried to settle in a little by putting my stuff up. Not
long into being at the house our neighbor came by and picked me up to go met her
sister. After some time, there I headed home for dinner and family time. Due to
lack of language knowledge and exhaustion from the day I headed to bed shortly
after. On Saturday I woke up and after
getting ready was greeted by our neighbor who took me over to see another volunteer,
which so happens to live right behind me. We all decided to talk a walk around
the village, so we grabbed our notebooks and headed out. On the way we ran into
several other volunteers who were either hanging with their family or were out
on walks also. After a good time walking around it was time to head home for a
rest. Once home however another neighbor took me to meet some of her friends,
and to invite me to her wedding that would be occurring in July (after Ramadan
ends). When I finally finished with my adventures I decided to take a little
nap and arrange some things around the house. A little before dinner some of
the other volunteers were outside my house so I greeted them and then went back
home to eat dinner. When dinner was finished my friend came and we went to see
some of her friends for a short time. Then it was off to bed for me. Sunday
brought a day of more adventure, meeting people (who still to this day I do not
remember their names), and learning my way around the town. The day began with
meeting one of the volunteers at their house and a bunch of our friends. We
hung out there for a bit then decided to migrate to another volunteer’s house.
After which we proceeded to walk around until one of the volunteers was called
to the house. Thus we went back to her house and hung out there until I was
called to go home. It was quite a fun time as all we did was hang out, talk,
and learn some about the Comorian culture. Since Sunday I was fasting instead
of eating lunch I went and hung out with another friend once I was home.
Followed by meeting several other volunteers and talking a walk around to
different houses and greeting everyone’s host families. Here it is quite
different than in the USA, in the sense that most people just come over
whenever and will talk for hours on end. It started to get dark out so I headed
back home for dinner and after a little time with the family I went to bed to
prepare for training the next morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday morning brought training and a walk to our training
center. The day was basically full of learning the language and skills to help
us teach English here in Comoros. Once the day was finally over we all hung out
for a bit to breathe for a minute or two. Then we walked home where I ate
dinner. Then that evening I went on an adventure with one of my family members
to find me a Bubu (a traditional dress found here in Comoros). It was quite an
interesting time, unfortunately we did not succeed in locating one, but it was
nice to see the town at night and how well lite it was by moonlight. Tuesday
was an exciting day for all of us volunteers as we met the 1<sup>st</sup> group
who came to Comoros last year. It was really great having a chance to mingle
with them and learning about their experiences so far. It really made me
excited to start teaching and to be at my site already. It was also great as we
learned some pointers that they themselves wish they knew. After a nice afternoon
with them I headed home for the evening. The evening was quite an interesting one
as once dinner was finished my host mom asked if I wanted henna, which I agreed
to. Upon completing the Henna she proceed to paint my nails with the Henna. (Personal
Recommendation, DON’T DO IT). It was a very interesting time, and brought lots
of laughs. However, personally the results were not as nice as I would have
liked them, and probably won’t paint my nails anytime soon. Another thing which
occurred Tuesday was that I learned our running water was working again. Since
I came here I have been using water from a well, so that fact that I had
running water was quite a surprise and an exciting moment. Here it is not
common to have running water nor electricity. Wednesday was a pretty normal day
of training. The evening brought some more interesting news when we learned the
electricity was back on for our house, however we are fortunate enough to have
solar panels at my house, it was still great news. Thursday was a very
interesting day as it decided to pour down rain all day, so our adventure
homely luckily was met with rides. After which me and some other volunteers
walked around the village for a little. Then I returned home for dinner. After
dinner I was given the experience to visit a mosque. And although I have not a
clue what was going on I picked up the moments quite well. It was also nice to
talk about with my friend the differences and similarities between our
religions. After visiting the mosque, we went over to a volunteer’s house and
hung out with some of our friends before proceeding to return home and go to
bed. Friday went from a very exciting day, and looking forward to the weekend,
to a very interesting one. In the morning we had training as usual. After
training ended we all hung around until lunch was ready. However, when lunch
finally became ready we all headed down the stairs (which were slippery from
the rain) and due to my misfortune I fell landing me in the capital for the
weekend. I will say I am alright, the worst part of the fall is over, it really
only left me with bruises and a hurt elbow. But even with the misfortune it
really has helped me to be appreciative for Group 2, Peace Corps as a whole,
and my host family/village members. As although it is nothing to severe that
happened to me everyone has been supportive and constantly making sure I am ok
and do not need anything. It makes me feel really safe that no matter what will
happen in the next two years I always have people to go to and we all will take
care of each other. So as for now I am in the capital of Comoros, Moroni, for
the next few days. Let’s see what occurs over the weekend and this upcoming
week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Until Then. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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FYI: Photos soon to come! </div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-82031679815161331462016-06-22T10:11:00.003-07:002016-06-24T12:36:20.389-07:00First Days in Comoros <div class="MsoNormal">
Wow, the past few days have been both fun and quite busy.
First off I am officially in Comoros, going into day 4. So far it has been a
wonderful experience as well as a learning one. But let me start from the
beginning, staging in Washington DC. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Beginnings <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So last Friday I left Indiana. After saying goodbye to
everyone I headed on a plane to DC, where I would spend one evening. In DC I
also met for the first time the other 19 PCV in Training that would be serving
in Comoros with me. Once I arrived to DC I was greeted by one of my fellow
cohorts and we proceeded to go to the hotel. Once all settled we decided to
enjoy the free time by exploring our nations Capital. So we headed into to
downtown and walked around the National Mall for an hour or so. Although I have
been a few times to DC and visited the important places, it was great to be
able to see all the monuments again, especially since it has been a few years
since my last visit. After we walked around a little we headed back to the
metro and hotel to meet the rest of the group. As a group we hit it off really
well, everyone was super nice and open to getting to know one another. Upon
completing our staging activities, we headed to a tapas restaurant for dinner.
There I was greeted by an old friend from University. The food was amazing and
the company even better. When we finally finished our time eating, I said
goodbye to my friend and the remaining volunteers and I headed back to our
hotel to get ready to go out in DC for the evening. Since I had another friend,
whom I had met in Italy 6 years ago, living in DC me and two other volunteers
went to meet up with her for a little. After a wonderful time catching up with
her we headed to U-Street to meet with the other volunteers. It was a very
interesting, but fun time with everyone. Finally, after a while we decided we
needed to get back to the hotel to shower up, as we had to be down in the lobby
at 5am and leave at 5.30am to the airport. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>In Transit <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The next morning (well really a continuation of the day
before) we all grabbed our belongings and headed to the Airport to begin our
roughly 21-hour journey via flight to Moroni, Comoros. Once we checked all of
all our bags, entered through security, and located our gate we realized we has
about 5 hours to kill at the airport. So we ended up hanging out until the time
came to board the plane. Our first leg of the flight was a 12-hour plane ride
to Ethiopia. Our plane ride was quite different than other planes I have been
on. Since it was such a long flight many people just stood up and stretched and
hung out in the aisles. Although I managed to make it through the flight, from
personal preference, I highly do not recommend taking a 12-hour flight, if at
all available. Once we finally landed we all celebrated that the longest part
of the flight was over and we continued on to our next gate/flight, which was
to Nairobi, Kenya. This flight was a quick two-hour flight. Once in Kenya, we
had a little time to kill. So we all just hung out (Personally I kept secretly
hoping our flight was cancelled, and that we spent a night in Kenya, but in a
positive way it was not). Then it came time to board our last flight that would
take us to Comoros. We all hopped onto the plane and waited to see the first
views of our new home. When we finally arrived it was a little cloudy to see
much from up above, but we did see some when we started to descend. It was
beautiful what little we saw. When we landed we were greeted by some of the
country staff, and quickly went through customs and onto the cars to head to
the hotel. When we arrived to the hotel we completed some basic logistics forms
and sat down for our first meal in Comoros. After a wonderful meal we all said
goodnight and headed to our beds for a full night sleep. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>In Country <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first day was full of interviews, particularly in
relation to establishing where we would be serving for the next two years as
well as beginning our lessons in Shikomori, which is the language spoken here
on Grand Comore. In the middle of the interview point the staff arranged for a
vendor to come up and we were able to buy bobos (a local dress) and scarfs (as
during Ramadan women must cover their heads). Upon completing the interviews
and all we decided to take an adventure off the hotel property and visit the
local village. It was quite an experience and the hills we walked were
definitely something that will take adjusting too, especially since nothing is
quite that flat here. However, besides that it was nice to walk around and get
our first insight as to how the villages look in Comoros. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day was met with more meetings, but this time
at the end of all the sessions we had a fun break and went into Moroni, the
capital, where we broke the fast with the Peace Corps staff (note us personally
were not fasting, just the staff). This was truly an incredible experience, and
there was so much food that we did not know what do with ourselves. Everything
though tasted amazing! Upon completing dinner, we packed into the cars and
headed back to our hotel for the evening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday our day proceed as normal, with language
lessons and technical sessions. Followed by dinner and passing out for the
evening. Thursday continued for the same in the morning, however the evening
was a little different. With Friday being our last day in the hotel and all
together we decided to celebrate by watching the sunset all together and
following dinner watching a movie as a group. It was a great time, especially
having us all together just relaxing one last evening before we head off to our
host families for the next 3 months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, Friday will be a day that is both exciting and a
little nerve racking. We will learn our island assignments (There are three
main islands here in Comoros and there will be a volunteer on each island), as
well as we will be meeting our host families that we will be staying with for
the first 3 months. This will be an interesting experience as majority of them
speak only Shikomori, and we all only speak about 5-10 words in Shikomori. However
due to France colonizing them we may be able to get by with some french, which
I speak none of, but could at least utilize my Spanish/Portuguese/Italian. So
let’s see how that all will play out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So far though my time here has been great. Besides learning
some basic things that are realities for Comorians everything is going quite
well. Of course we have been lucky enough to be living in a hotel for the first
week. So let’s see how it goes upon going with a host family and all. Though I
rather look forward to the challenges that I will be faced with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until Later <o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-35606351578097804022016-04-02T18:49:00.002-07:002016-04-07T05:21:33.751-07:00Minha Volta no Brasil: Part 1Although this is about 2 months late, this post is over my incredible return to Brazil for Christmas Break.<br />
<br />
Mesmo que isso foi quase dois meses atras, isso e sobre minha volta no Brasil.<br />
<br />
For my last Winter Break I was given an opportunity to return to Brazil for a month, to visit with family and friends and experience a Brazilian summer. Not only was this trip a wonderful time to revist everyone I was able to get an understanding of the progress and problems that have occurred in Brasil since my departure. With that being said I am going to break up this post into two sections, first part just over my general trip, activities, and feelings I partook in/experienced, and part two over my experience as someone returning to a country that has drastically changed over the past two years.<br />
<br />
Minha ultimas ferias eu tinha um chance de voltar no Brasil pelo um mês para visitar tudo mundo. Essa viagem nao so foi um tempo bom pra ver tudo mundo de novo, também me deu uma competência do progresso e dos problemas que ocorrerem no brasil desde quando eu fui embora. Mas para entender as duas coisas vou dividir os posts entre dos partes. Primeira vais ser sobre minha viagem em geral e o segundo parte de minha experiencia na volta e tal.<br />
<br />
Part 1<br />
<br />
A year and a half after I left a country that I considered a second home, a country where I created relationships that will last a life time, and a country that completely stole a part of my heart, I returned back to Brazil during winter holiday. My main goal of the trip was to visit my friends and family that I made during my year study abroad in Florianopolis, and to enjoy the summertime in Floripa.<br />
<br />
Um tempinho atras eu fui embora dum pais que considerado como minha segunda casa, um pais onde criei relacionamentos que vai existir pela minha vida inteira. Eu finalmente voltei nesse dezembro passado.<br />
<br />
During my first two week the weather was quite similar to that of Florida, sunny in the day and a short time of rain in the afternoon to cool down. Even with not the best of weather I still tried to enjoy every second I could. During my time I visted some of my favorite places, while also visiting new ones, and experiencing some of the new fads that were occurring during my visit.<br />
<br />
Durante as primeiras duas semanas o tempo foi bem parecido de Florida, tipo da sol durante o dia mas a noite da um pouco de chuva. Mesmo que o tempo nao tava tao bom eu tentei de aproveitar cada minuto. Durante meu tempo em Floripa eu visitei alguns lugares que erem meus favoritos e no mesmo tempo visitei alguns lugares diferentes. <br />
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Upon arriving I was greeted by one of my best friends during my exchange. That evening we went to a local bar where I meet up with some other friends of mine. It was so great catching up with everyone and being able to see them after being a way for so long. For the first few days it was quite relaxing, as the weather was not the best even during the days. On evening I met up with a good friend of mine and we went to Lagoa for the evening. The following day I woke up bright and early to head out to Lagoinha do Leste. Which is my all time favorite location in Floripa, it is a beach that can only be reached by taking a trail, and not an easy one at that. I went with two of my good friends so it made the journey even funnier. That evening I went out with some other friends. The following day was Christmas Eve. And unlike in the USA where Christmas is celebrated on the 25th in Brazil the big festivities are on Christmas Eve at Midnight. That is the time that everyone goes to their families house to have dinner and open gifts. So since I was spending the holidays with a good friend of mine I went with them to their uncles house. It was a great time and I quite enjoyed experiencing a Brazilian Christmas, including the warm weather (as their seasons are opposite to ours). But the festivities did not stop there. The following day we returned back to my friend's uncle's to have lunch.<br />
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Quando cheguei um dos meus melhores amigos me busco. Naquele noite a gente foi num barzinho onde encontrei alguns outros amigos meus. Era um tempo bom que podia ver bastante pessoas. Pelos primeiros dias forem bem relaxados por causa do tempo mal. Numa noite eu e uma amiga minha fomos pela Lagoa. O próximo dia acordei bem cedinho para ir no Lagoinha do Leste. Que e meu lugar favorito em Floripa. Eu fui com duas amigas minha que ajudou muito com o tempo fazendo a trilha. Naquela noite sai com alguns outros amigos. O promixo dia foi véspera de Natal. Que e diferente por mim porque nos EUA a gente celebra no dia 25. <br />
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The following week started to turn around with the weather, although there still seemed to be weird days where it was super sunny and others where it was pure rain. On morning I woke up and it was beautiful outside I walked to the beach from my friends house and passed a little time there. After which I met with some other friends of mine and we returned back to the Campeche beach, but at a different friend's house. Once the rain ruined the laying on the beach time we decided to go and grab some Açaí, which is my all time favorite food from Brazil. One of the days it decided to rain, but since it was off and on my friends family and I took a trip around the island via car. The following day I returned to Lagoa with some friends for just a relaxing day. That evening was great as I was able to met up with some more friends whom I still had not seen since my arrival to Floripa. We ended up going to a place called Del Raiz, which is known for their forro and samba dancing. Although it was quite a blast, I learned I still greatly enjoy my Sertanejo. The company though I was with made the evening the best, as I was able to finally see some old faces and try something new. After an adventure trying forro the next day consisted of me going into Centro to have lunch with another good friend of mine. It was nice to walk downtown to see how much it stayed the same.<br />
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A proxima semana comecava de ter um tempo bom. Num dia acordei eu fui na praia que ta a lado da casa do meu amigo. Depois encontrei algumas amigas minhas para ir na Praia do Campeche. Depois que comecava de chover dai a gente foi para comer Acai, minha comida preferida! Num dia foi de chuva que comecou e parou e voltou de comecou mas mesmo assim eu fiz uma volta na ilha. O proximo dia eu voltei pra Lagoa por um dia relaxado. Naquela noite foi otimo porque combinei com algumas amigas que ainda nao vi desde quando cheguei na ilha. A gente saiu pra um lugar se chama Del Raiz, onde tem samba e forro. Mesmo que foi um tempo bom aprendei que ainda prefiro o sertanejo. O dia seguinte fui no centro para combinar com uma outra amiga e provar comida arabe.<br />
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After another great week the big, exciting festivities of the New Year arrived. In Brazil, unlike that of the USA, New Year's is it's own holiday. There is a belief that the year must be spent near the water, which is why every year hundreds of thousands of Brazilians flock to the oceanside. For me I decided to celebrate it at Praia Brava with some good friends of mine. Due to high traffic, and lack there of routes to Praia Brava my journey there began quite early. But after about an hour ride I made it to my friend's house. The afternoon we spent relaxing and getting ready for the evening. When evening arrived we all sat down and enjoyed a massive meal to celebrate the coming of the new year. Then about 5 minutes til Midnight we walked down onto the beach where we would be bringing in the new year. Upon the year beginning, and to keep with the tradition, my friends and I went into the water to jump 7 waves. Afterwards we spent the night walking on the beach and hanging out.<br />
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A proxima semana foi a semana de Ano novo. Para celebrar o novo ano eu fui na casa da minha amiga em praia Brava. Por causa do transito a gente saiu de casa bem cedinho para chegar na norte da ilha. Naquele tarde a gente passou na casa da minha amiga e arrumamos para celebrar o novo ano. Quase 5 minutos antes que o virou do ano a gente desceu e fomos na praia. E dai depois a gente andou na praia ate 4 e pouco da manha.<br />
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After an evening of experiencing the traditional Brazilian New Year I spent the next day resting up. That Saturday I headed out to Itapema, where another friend of mine lived. I decided to pass a few days with her. First when I arrived I had to deal with some waiting as I did not have access to a phone to inform her I had arrived. Finally after sometime she arrived and we headed to her house. The first evening was not the nicest out. But we did decided to take a walk on the beach. Sunday we decided to go Jetskiing along the city, which was a super great experience. Afterwards we headed to a beach in Balenario Camboriu called Brava where we met some of her friends and hung out for the evening. Monday was a day to drive around and visit the different beaches in the area. We also planned to go eat hamburgers in the area, however it was closed so we went to aother places close by, the food was excellent for sure. By Tuesday I had to say my goodbyes as I headed back to Floripa. It was a great few days though passing with them, even if the weather did not want to corroperate. <br />
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Depois uma noite aproveitando o ano novo no Brasil eu fiquei em casa o proximo dia para reocupar. No Sabado eu fui para Itapema para passar alguns dias com uma amiga la. Depois um tempinho de esperar encontrei minha amiga e a gente saiu pela casa. Por causa do chuva a gente nao fez muito na primeira noite, mas mesmo assim a gente andou um pouco na praia. Domingo a gente fez ski. Depois disso a gente foi pra praia Brava em Balenario Camboriu onde encontramos alguns amigos da minha amiga. Segunda a gente fez uma volta das praias em Balenario Camboriu. Porque precisava voltar na minha ilha na terca eu deus meu tchaus e fui embora de Itapema. Mas foi alguns dias ótimos. <br />
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Upon returning back to Floripa I meet up with my host family for an evening. It was so great seeing them and being able to pass sometime with them, even if for only a short time. The following day I went to another dear friend of mine's house to stay with her for a few days. The first day we went to praia mole where I met with some friends of mine. I also enjoyed having some Acai. That evening we went to an all you can eat sushi bar, which was super good. Following day we went to dinner with my friend's parents. When the weather cleared up we went to Lagoinha do Leste for the day. It was an incredible experience. Especially considering I took a trail to an overview of the beach, which was quite intense, but well worth the trip. That evening I went to Fields, the sertenejo dance hall. I went with some friends of mine to see a national band. It was a wonderful experience. The following morning I went with my friend to Lagoa de Peri where we just hung out. We ended up meeting a couple that over heard us speaking some Italian. They were amazing to listen to. After spending a while with them I met with another friend to go to the showw of Gabriel, who is a famous singer in Brasil. After such a busy weekend Sunday I met with a friend to say goodbye before she headed home to Sao Paulo, and we met up with the couple we met at Lagoa Peri. It is amazing how Brazilian culture is where you met someone one day and the next day they invite you to their house for dinner.<br />
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Na minha volta pela ilha eu fui na casa de minha host family para passar uma noite com eles. Foi muito bom de ver eles e ter um tempinho com meu bebezinho que cresceu muito. O primeiro dia que passei na casa duma outra amiga a gente foi para praia mole onde achei outros amigos meus. Tambem eu comei Acai. Por o tempo foi otimo o proximo dia a gente foi pra Lagoinha do Leste. Foi uma experiencia incrível especialmente porque a gente subiu 240 metros para ter uma vista de Lagoinha do Leste. Naquela noite fui no Fields, uma balada serteneja. A gente foi para ver um show nacional. E como sempre amei o tempo. Depois um tempo la minha amiga me buscou e a gente foi direto pelo sul da ilha. A gente quis ir pra ilha do campeche. Mas nao deu certo dai a gente foi pelo Lagoa do Peri onde acabemos de encontrar um casal e passamos o tempo inteiro com eles. Eles foram muito legais. Depois fui na casa duma amiga para a gente sair num show do Gabriel Pensador. O proximo dia foi muito tranquilo. Encontrei uma amiga para dar tchau a gente saiu para jantar com o casal que conhecemos o dia antes.<br />
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Monday was spent heading to Barra de Lagoa and just enjoyed some time at the beach. In the evening my friend's Italian boyfriend made us Bolognese for dinner. The following morning began early as I headed out to met with my friends to go to Ilha do Campeche, which is an island off the island. It was an incredible experience as I finally was able to visit the island and it is so beautiful. We even took a trail to see the other side of the island. It was so preserved, which is quite incredible. The following morning another friend picked me up and we went to Guarda do Embau for the day. It is so pretty there, especially since you cannot get to the beach section without taking a boat. That evening I went and met with some friends for the evening. On Friday I headed to praia Campeche with my friend. While there I meet up with my host family and played with my host brother for a little on the beach. It was such a nice time. That evening I held my going away party which started at a like pub type area. Afterwards I went with some friends to a disco for the evening. Following morning I went to a friend's house to have dinner with their family before leaving. That Sunday I went to the beach with my friend as a way to celebrate my time in Brasil. That evening I went to say goodbye to some other friends. The following morning I woke up bright and early to catch my flight back to the states. Before though I went to watch the sunrise and then said my final goodbyes and headed to the airport.<br />
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Minha ultima semana no Brasil foi tao cansativo muito por causa boa. Na segunda eu fui por Barra de Lagoa para aproveitar um tempinho na praia. A tarde o namorado italiano da minha amigo cozinhou bolognese pra gente e foi muito bom. O promixo dia sai bem cedinho para ir na ilha do campeche com algumas amigas minhas. A ilha era tao linda e amei que foi bem preservada. No dia seguinte minha amiga me buscou e a gente foi para Guarda do Embau, que tambem e um lugar tao lindo. Naquela noite encontrei uma outra amiga minha e passei um tempinho com ela num barzinho. Sexta a gente foi pela praia de Campeche onde encontrei minha familia tambem. E passei um tempinho brincando com meu host brother. A noite me arrumei e sai para minha despedida. Para comecar a gente foi num barzinho. Dai depois a gente saiu para uma balada. O proximo dia fui na casa dum amigo para almocar com a familia dele e dar meus tchaus. Naquela noite sai para Fields de novo para celebrar o anniversario da minha amiga. Domingo foi o jeito mais perfeito para terminar meu tempo no Brasil. Durante o dia eu fui na praia. Dai depois encontrei algumas amigas e a gente foi num barzinho. Mas antes que peguei meu voo na segunda eu e minha amiga fomos para ver o nascer do sol. Era uma experiencia.<br />
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My time in Brazil was incredible. I am quite happy that I was able to visit with my friends and family. It reminded me why I love the Brazilian culture and fell in love with the country the first time I lived there.<br />
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Meu tempo no Brazil foi tao otimo. To bem feliz que podia ver tudo mundo. Tambem me deu lembranca porque eu ainda amo a cultura Brasileira. <br />
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Below are just a handful of pictures from my trip.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZgnCBtn80z45v0yHHRotsAjFOWZ-cFen6Ud8-Y7-_E5PZOOQjU_7CDn5DC-vH67LrfG4HP_LZ_8kxO7VPhqYx9ZH6g5b0NpmdheKbw83GZygpNwFYJ6DO4DGRCZp61_7Lu8e24V5YrE/s1600/IMG_9097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZgnCBtn80z45v0yHHRotsAjFOWZ-cFen6Ud8-Y7-_E5PZOOQjU_7CDn5DC-vH67LrfG4HP_LZ_8kxO7VPhqYx9ZH6g5b0NpmdheKbw83GZygpNwFYJ6DO4DGRCZp61_7Lu8e24V5YrE/s320/IMG_9097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on my departure day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_CszGXz2kocn87eW3iS4VcHARudA0LPnXdms_9SCRNOy-RrsQH6h_k6A7PM1pXka7u6myQC-fuYh_ilrKeyNZZfxwypDY0EesaYaBe5WSU_AQKZBREP5WwPAGuYTgm7BPMFCeNS1EK0/s1600/IMG_8481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_CszGXz2kocn87eW3iS4VcHARudA0LPnXdms_9SCRNOy-RrsQH6h_k6A7PM1pXka7u6myQC-fuYh_ilrKeyNZZfxwypDY0EesaYaBe5WSU_AQKZBREP5WwPAGuYTgm7BPMFCeNS1EK0/s320/IMG_8481.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's in Brasil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkytqUnHJMqMI5Ys62Vsx2rXzjAW2uu3HHPytqulG3OtUmQ6rgoqOT-qy3lrMaSXKKV_J4qDQeE3TywovXtfDNWaNREVNtvlByM7kq8O5e3ygf9HJ12Y7M31vAEZ92Bco-wEWMFdqaAQ8/s1600/IMG_8557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkytqUnHJMqMI5Ys62Vsx2rXzjAW2uu3HHPytqulG3OtUmQ6rgoqOT-qy3lrMaSXKKV_J4qDQeE3TywovXtfDNWaNREVNtvlByM7kq8O5e3ygf9HJ12Y7M31vAEZ92Bco-wEWMFdqaAQ8/s320/IMG_8557.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening in Itapema</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3smer97u14awLrZRQRXW83Q8ora124iNwHvnHvXyYjs10o93FBIZ9mmfZXNCGyEQCeEHme2FtSuZGpDMOxDVbYhrCGzGcEyLvl3Lc2vQheDsZwCvLRFKUGFPJdfXs_NdIZ2WBsFiKico/s1600/IMG_8661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3smer97u14awLrZRQRXW83Q8ora124iNwHvnHvXyYjs10o93FBIZ9mmfZXNCGyEQCeEHme2FtSuZGpDMOxDVbYhrCGzGcEyLvl3Lc2vQheDsZwCvLRFKUGFPJdfXs_NdIZ2WBsFiKico/s320/IMG_8661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview of Lagoainha do Leste</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lif7ix5yktKZrUIvxtg583HlkQlS8OZH6uJ4HlYwqSkBQyj6MBt6fV4VwIdGRoUAYGNOO4pfky81P-Vl3BH6TzxqIHiotmGMvJ8ZzJHp0NWk856rjqpcKiG8lAJAmuTCfcb4KIV4fnE/s1600/IMG_8709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lif7ix5yktKZrUIvxtg583HlkQlS8OZH6uJ4HlYwqSkBQyj6MBt6fV4VwIdGRoUAYGNOO4pfky81P-Vl3BH6TzxqIHiotmGMvJ8ZzJHp0NWk856rjqpcKiG8lAJAmuTCfcb4KIV4fnE/s320/IMG_8709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening of Sertenejo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQg56aD4NPBByvzhQ3ogDFevYeWIHH7ew7qV3AsbulALvbcHhA-d6JAp0c9YYGlsXnrhSh2tCnMd8L7VYRd7CBKC69HRMrWRjCbK2aqzmJ4Hk3w2hAPUD3RhPM67BH0yewCPblBxtlVU/s1600/IMG_8731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQg56aD4NPBByvzhQ3ogDFevYeWIHH7ew7qV3AsbulALvbcHhA-d6JAp0c9YYGlsXnrhSh2tCnMd8L7VYRd7CBKC69HRMrWRjCbK2aqzmJ4Hk3w2hAPUD3RhPM67BH0yewCPblBxtlVU/s320/IMG_8731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show of Gabriel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yvtjhzMUWADMD3USts_qkuLVftNlgp7d71BjhQN60HnRAfJa8xHqJsy9VnUQgbkQbB5OsrHgWhaF74IIlcfCJKSLQUx94VqdISeERXxg4ZvSWU7d3xMJWAgbsanAYaA5fWXdqPByJyY/s1600/IMG_8855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yvtjhzMUWADMD3USts_qkuLVftNlgp7d71BjhQN60HnRAfJa8xHqJsy9VnUQgbkQbB5OsrHgWhaF74IIlcfCJKSLQUx94VqdISeERXxg4ZvSWU7d3xMJWAgbsanAYaA5fWXdqPByJyY/s320/IMG_8855.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ilha do Campeche</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGZ9od6RpImcdRvmQid0ZiL_6FzISt3-b1vgJiIuAqBuIjcssnmhzg-zJk0ahfkd864AQLdMaaWyQ0dcvQ8L3nzBSwtnZlWzGUpROpmiXI9U0yztIUJemHdWstItT3NDqJ4z_0zEnmd4/s1600/IMG_8963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGZ9od6RpImcdRvmQid0ZiL_6FzISt3-b1vgJiIuAqBuIjcssnmhzg-zJk0ahfkd864AQLdMaaWyQ0dcvQ8L3nzBSwtnZlWzGUpROpmiXI9U0yztIUJemHdWstItT3NDqJ4z_0zEnmd4/s320/IMG_8963.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guarda do Embau</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKw-uNNJtDhkBvpavdaAI3ysTwc4dZb-qTT_A5wMLcopG8kk1FgvlIf2cu0VJkdrlOY2WzKAXpDlX_fNrNA0lE0FjYXmw7lSYMdW4FrQtM8i7gPAnwDW0RaWiDqLyQdwTw74pLVFgoW4/s1600/IMG_9034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKw-uNNJtDhkBvpavdaAI3ysTwc4dZb-qTT_A5wMLcopG8kk1FgvlIf2cu0VJkdrlOY2WzKAXpDlX_fNrNA0lE0FjYXmw7lSYMdW4FrQtM8i7gPAnwDW0RaWiDqLyQdwTw74pLVFgoW4/s320/IMG_9034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Host Family</td></tr>
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<br />Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-30280641230127419942016-03-21T16:42:00.003-07:002016-03-21T16:42:19.560-07:00Luck has NOTHING to do with it ...When I tell someone about my experience to Brasil, Spain. and then proceed to mention of my previous other experiences they automatically tell me how lucky I am. And I always use to get a little aggravated, as luck had nothing to do with how I was able to study abroad and experience so much. Now though after much thought I have come to the conclusion that there was some luck involved.<br />
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I was lucky enough to be raised to always follow my dreams no matter what one said.<br />
I am lucky to be to so determined that I refuse to let anything stop me from doing what I want to do.<br />
I am lucky enough to have been able to not only live abroad for a year in Italy, but also for a year in Brasil and a semester to Spain. Every single one which greatly helped me become the person I am today.<br />
I am lucky enough to have met so many amazing people from all over the world, who constantly inspire me to travel and learn new things.<br />
I am lucky enough to have been exposed to different cultures and backgrounds other than my own. Thus allowing me to have a greater understanding of where others come from.<br />
I am lucky enough to have made such amazing friends both close and far. Who I truly do not know what I would do without, and all who have so greatly influenced my life that words can not even express my graduated towards them.<br />
I am lucky enough to have a great family who is my support system and has always been there to cheer me on. Who have made me who I am today, and without them would not where I am today.<br />
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And the list of luck can go on and on. But even with all the luck that I seem to have, my gratitude towards every person, that has shaped my life and all the experiences I have been given a chance to part take in, can never be fully expressed in words. But even having every single one of them be apart of my life is the purest of luck I could have possibly had. As without them all this so called "luck" I seem to have to travel all over would never have even become a reality.<br />
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Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-19683448428016423782016-03-01T16:23:00.001-08:002016-06-07T06:57:17.496-07:00Beginning of PC Adventures Last August I begun a process to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. After applying and being interviewed I received an invitation to Teach English in Comoros (An island off the East Coast of Africa).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LTq5CRuffcZG8RmbaumFhlLqmfOVoX8Xcqh5lYv-DozGLOqWhEDicdSDyJQoryxgmCcI-6ZkPQnfaUusHlIz0kdGUGgqdwAiqLOfNZp_VMOap7M9I9l5089c1NMkpEHne_8POYJROgY/s1600/comoros11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LTq5CRuffcZG8RmbaumFhlLqmfOVoX8Xcqh5lYv-DozGLOqWhEDicdSDyJQoryxgmCcI-6ZkPQnfaUusHlIz0kdGUGgqdwAiqLOfNZp_VMOap7M9I9l5089c1NMkpEHne_8POYJROgY/s200/comoros11.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comoros is located here</td></tr>
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Since accepting I have been completing the basic documents to prepare for my 2 years and 3 month service. Now I am waiting until about a month prior to my service. While waiting I have been researching about Comoros and continue to be involved as the on-campus ambassador for the Peace Corps and President of a club geared towards promoting Peace Corps at my local university. <br />
I will be using this blog to talk about both my experience in preparing for my service and during my time abroad. As for now I am waiting for further information. Stay tuned for further posts.<br />
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Victoria Tully </div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-78640467097692556802015-07-10T19:57:00.000-07:002015-07-10T19:57:55.934-07:00International FriendsDuring all my travels one of these three things are that most noted, "How it must be difficult to travel so far away from your friends and family," "How it must be hard to live in a foreign place where I do not speak the language," or "how I must make new connections each time I travel."<br />
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I have received these comments so many times that I have begun to just shrug them off and state how I enjoy the challenge. That was until recently when I was talking with someone over all of my travels and they questioned to me "how it must be so hard consistently moving and having to make new friends and connections each time." I almost begun to just shrug off the statement, that was until I realized that I never thought of it like that. After it got me to start thinking about that statement.<br />
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It made me realize that it was one of the many things that I enjoyed about all my travels. Having the challenge to go to a strange new place, either in the states or in another country, and having to met new people and create new relationships. It is something I greatly appreciate as I am able to meet people from all around the world and from different walks of life then my own. I am able to hear their stories and learn something new from each person. And even though I have to say goodbye to those relationships it makes for a very exciting reunion that I can always look forward to. It allows me to reconnect while I take other travels through the world, being friends from all different places in the world. Those friendships allow me to also make new friends through their connections also. But above all, I think, it allows me to really learn what a true friend is. As even if you are not always together you still can hold onto your friendship no matter where life takes you. It makes me truly appreciate all the friends that I have made in every single place I have lived.Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062528814390006078.post-43990604315430396362015-06-04T18:25:00.001-07:002016-03-01T10:18:28.598-08:00My Time in Spain<div class="MsoNormal">
And just like that these past 4 months have come and gone!
These past 4 months have been quite an experience. During my time I was able to
really enjoy Europe to its fullest. I was able to go back to and visit familiar
places that truly left an impact on who I have become. I have been able to
spend an amazing time in Spain, where I was able to learn and expand my
knowledge of Spanish. As well as being able to practice my Italian and
Portuguese during my trips to Italy and Portugal. It allowed me to actually learning how to try and balance the different
languages. The friendships I have made, and remade are going to hold an
important place in my heart for the years to come. My knowledge of the
Spanish culture has been able to expand quite a bit! Especially learning
that things like Paella and Flamenco are not a typical Spanish thing in all
parts of Spain, though tapas still seems to be quite universal. I was able to
experience two very important holidays in Sevilla, and major parts of southern
Spain. These being Feira and Semana Santa. The opportunities I have been able
to partake in such as visiting special traditional activities, such as not only experiencing Feira of Sevilla but also that of Puerto and visiting a small town which is
famous for its grotto, but not a top place for foreigners to visit, have truly
been incredible experiences. All my travels I have partaken in also have been
quite incredible time, especially my trips back to Bologna, Italy and Lucern, Switzerland where
I was able to see friendly faces and visit revisit places that were quite an impact to me. Being allowed to stay with a host family and learning the culture
through their point of view has been quite a wonderful and eye opening
encounter. Especially in this last month, when I was able to visit and bond
with my host sister. This time has allowed me to have a stronger outlook on the
differences and even helped to get ideas on what I want to pursue after my graduation from University, although nothing is quite set in stone. This semester has held
challenges to overcome, such as taking classes in Spanish and learning how to
articulate my words in the best way possible language that I didn’t know quite
well. I have been able to create lasting bonds during this time too. Everyone I
met while in Spain has really formed an impact on me. Now that I am back from
Spain I can fully appreciate the time I spent while abroad even more. Currently
I have not really experienced any reverse culture shock, but rather just
feeling like I am visiting here for a little and soon will be going somewhere
new soon. My previous experiences have greatly helped me with dealing with the
readjusting, since I have had to struggle through reverse culture shock twice.
The next few months will be quite busy with working. In August I will be
returning back to my university for my last year of undergraduate. Hopefully in
December I will be returning to Brasil for a month to visit with my family and
friends. Nothing else is planned after that. <o:p></o:p></div>
Victoria Tullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179141361805527961noreply@blogger.com0