We got history on our free Spanish classes. Turns out the program was started by the mayor of Cuenca to teach Espaniol to gringos and get at least some of them proficient enough in the language that they could then communicate well enough with Cuencanos to teach them English. Very cool plan as teaching English to Ecuadorians is real emphasis in schools. Personally, I 'have miles to go before I sleep (or teach in this case).'
Our free class teachers (maestras) are volunteers, and as will happen with volunteers, they come and they go. Our teacher went....and was replaced with a new one.
The reason I bring this up is that this woman is very interesting. She is from Venezuela and has been in Ecuador one month (un mesa). She was in Peru and her visa was expiring. She told friends that she was going to try for an extension. They said 'you should go to Cuenca instead.' She had never heard of Cuenca before and knew nothing about it, but went anyway. And now she is teaching our class as a volunteer.
She has done a good deal of traveling including two stints in the States with her family (Texas and Oklahoma respectively). She has studied classic languages in Venezuela and at Texas A&M. Her goal is to travel the world as a volunteer. She is a happy and seemingly very centered person.
I know nothing about Facebook as it is a road I have not traveled. Those of you who do though may recognize her handle. She is 'the traveling freckle'. I understand she has quite a following. The best part for us though is that she has a job selling chocolate and is bringing some to class jueves (Thursday). I will say it again, Ecuador understands chocolate.
We just keep meeting really interesting people.