I haven't had internet at all this week and I'm experiencing a time crunch right now... ahhh! I wish I could write more! I hope that in Thailand I will have internet access, but if not, please don't be offended that I don't write!
We're leaving tomorrow, Monday, morning at 3 AM. It's going to be a crazy 54 hours of travel to Chang Mai.
The past week was awesome! I got to stay with three staff members and three other interns (did I mention I'm an education intern now?) which was really really fun. It's great to get to know the people who I previously knew only as authority figures. We stayed in a newly finished and not yet opened transitional living home for boys.
Mom, Chelsea, Eva and Alex surprised me on Friday when they showed up at Green Room before the show. I was so excited! I knew that Chelsea was coming, but I had no idea bout Mom, Eva or Alex. I've missed them a lot.
Ok, I have to go do laundry... I hope everyone is well! I'm looking forward to my return home and the big party I promised for all my share holders.
Sawadika, (Thai greetting)
Marina
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
So sorry I haven't written in forever!!! It's so hard to remember that I'm living in a time bubble, where a week flies by and it seems like I only packed my suitcase to leave Atlanta yesterday... Let's catch up on a few of the countless cool events that have happened...
In San Louis, we visited an old mining town that is now mostly full of Swiss and Italian people. We had to walk through a mile long tunnel to reach the city, which is in the center of a ring of mountains. A bunch of us stopped in the middle and did the Gumboot dance from the show. For those of you who haven't seen the show, the Gumboot dance is a dance that mine workers in Africa used to communicate to one another in the dark. My friend Erin and I found an awesome cafe called Cafe Azul and spent the afternoon drinking coffee, eating brownies and reading. It was awesome.
In San Louis Potosi, our last city in Mexico, the staff surprised us with a "Cast Appreciation Day," which was sooo cool. Our theater was outside and none of us were looking forward to setting up in 80 degree weather, but when we were let through the gates to the theater, we saw the stage completely set up and covered in streamers, balloons and small heart shaped papers. Martin, explained that it was Cast Appreciation Day and that we would be treated to a show put on by our staff! He started the show with the reappearance of A the bear, who had been MIA since Chicago. I was so happy to see A back! The show consisted of the staff performing their favorite numbers from their student years, and a few of the numbers from our show now. The best parts were Martin dressed in a tiny, sparkly dress singing the lead for one of our Mexican songs, and Pepe, our videographer dancing the female lead in a swing number called Go Daddio. 
The theater was so cool! It had a small pool in front, as you can see, so after the show we all jumped in and played in the water. The rest of the day was great, and we performed that night to our biggest crowd yet this semester of 4,500.
I was a little sad to leave Mexico, but also glad to get back to the US for a few weeks of relative comfort before heading to Thailand. I didn't realize how on edge I was during the five weeks in Mexico. Something about not being able to call, or e-mail whenever I wanted for so long was discomforting. I think I also was just a little uncomfortable being surrounded by a foreign culture. it's odd though, because it didn't hit me until we crossed the border to Texas and i INSTANTLY felt at home, safe and comfortable. To celebrate being back in the US, a bunch of us went to Burger King, which is ridiculous because I've only ever been to a BK once before in my life and it was to use the restroom. But, something about transitioning from Cactus Taco Land to Fast Food Land called for a burger and fries.
When we arrived in New Braunfels, Texas, we were greeted by our awesome advance team Dan and Maiken and a river party! We pulled up in front of a HUGE house and were instructed to leave our luggage in the garage and go over the bridge in the backyard to the island. For the next two hours, we swam in the gorgeous, spring-fed, clear river, ate amazing food (the woman who owned the house also owned a restaurant) and played volleyball. When I looked at my allocation info, I was so excited! Once again I was put with one of my best friends in the cast, Molly Essington! We've been having a sweet week together, along with Erum, from Pakistan and Linn from Sweden.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, we had Community Impact and workshops. Wednesday I stayed at the lovely church where we've been meeting and learned an older version of Up with People that is really cool. It's got great harmonies and a cool, barbershop quartetish sound. Thursday and Saturday I worked at a halfway house for teens called Connections. The building was in need of new paint and some sprucing. Beth, Brittany and I painted this awesome coffee table that you can see below:
In San Louis, we visited an old mining town that is now mostly full of Swiss and Italian people. We had to walk through a mile long tunnel to reach the city, which is in the center of a ring of mountains. A bunch of us stopped in the middle and did the Gumboot dance from the show. For those of you who haven't seen the show, the Gumboot dance is a dance that mine workers in Africa used to communicate to one another in the dark. My friend Erin and I found an awesome cafe called Cafe Azul and spent the afternoon drinking coffee, eating brownies and reading. It was awesome. In San Louis Potosi, our last city in Mexico, the staff surprised us with a "Cast Appreciation Day," which was sooo cool. Our theater was outside and none of us were looking forward to setting up in 80 degree weather, but when we were let through the gates to the theater, we saw the stage completely set up and covered in streamers, balloons and small heart shaped papers. Martin, explained that it was Cast Appreciation Day and that we would be treated to a show put on by our staff! He started the show with the reappearance of A the bear, who had been MIA since Chicago. I was so happy to see A back! The show consisted of the staff performing their favorite numbers from their student years, and a few of the numbers from our show now. The best parts were Martin dressed in a tiny, sparkly dress singing the lead for one of our Mexican songs, and Pepe, our videographer dancing the female lead in a swing number called Go Daddio. The theater was so cool! It had a small pool in front, as you can see, so after the show we all jumped in and played in the water. The rest of the day was great, and we performed that night to our biggest crowd yet this semester of 4,500.I was a little sad to leave Mexico, but also glad to get back to the US for a few weeks of relative comfort before heading to Thailand. I didn't realize how on edge I was during the five weeks in Mexico. Something about not being able to call, or e-mail whenever I wanted for so long was discomforting. I think I also was just a little uncomfortable being surrounded by a foreign culture. it's odd though, because it didn't hit me until we crossed the border to Texas and i INSTANTLY felt at home, safe and comfortable. To celebrate being back in the US, a bunch of us went to Burger King, which is ridiculous because I've only ever been to a BK once before in my life and it was to use the restroom. But, something about transitioning from Cactus Taco Land to Fast Food Land called for a burger and fries.
When we arrived in New Braunfels, Texas, we were greeted by our awesome advance team Dan and Maiken and a river party! We pulled up in front of a HUGE house and were instructed to leave our luggage in the garage and go over the bridge in the backyard to the island. For the next two hours, we swam in the gorgeous, spring-fed, clear river, ate amazing food (the woman who owned the house also owned a restaurant) and played volleyball. When I looked at my allocation info, I was so excited! Once again I was put with one of my best friends in the cast, Molly Essington! We've been having a sweet week together, along with Erum, from Pakistan and Linn from Sweden.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, we had Community Impact and workshops. Wednesday I stayed at the lovely church where we've been meeting and learned an older version of Up with People that is really cool. It's got great harmonies and a cool, barbershop quartetish sound. Thursday and Saturday I worked at a halfway house for teens called Connections. The building was in need of new paint and some sprucing. Beth, Brittany and I painted this awesome coffee table that you can see below:
On Saturday I also helped paint the kitchen cabinet doors and walls. It's amazing what a good coat of paint can do for a slightly shabby room. I feel so great knowing that those kids will have a brighter place to live.
I have plenty more to write about, and I promise I will the first chance I get in the next city.
Only a month and a half left! I can't believe it...
Love to all,
Marina
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