Smooth sailing...

Hey guys! Everything's been somewhat chill this week. Nothing too crazy to update you on. But...

My morning track program's been going. I talked to a couple more of the kids today but I still feel like one of them more than a coach. That coach is just so stinkin hard to understand! They have a meet tomorrow morning that I may go to but I'm not entirely sure yet. A bunch of the volunteers went to Cusco today for some "huge fiesta" (like there aren't fiestas everywhere, every weekend) but I have track practice at 4 so I didn't go. I'm still debating on whether I'm gonna go after track or not. It's sweet and fun and crazy, but it'd only be for the night. I was trying to get info from this track coach about the meet and I guess it's gonna be like a bunch of different things, like every competition you can imagine there. I told him I'd see him either tomorrow or Monday and he replied, "Hasta lunes (See you Monday)." Haha. *Hint hint* ? If I can get someone else to come with me I'll probably show up, but otherwise...not so sure.

The afternoon one's a lot sweeter. I actually am one of the coaches and I talk to the kids a decent amount. They asked to count out stretches in english last practice and it made me smile. But, last practice was a bit interesting. The coach didn't show up for awhile so after like 15-20 minutes of the kids playing "futbol", I decided to start practice without him. We just did a short warm-up run (all the kids did it, haha) and then began stretches. He showed up at the end of stretches and announced that we weren't having practice because we were marching up to the Municipality (city council-ish) and demanding the snack and drinks that were promised to us by them. Haha. I was a bit nervous, not gonna lie. I asked him a few questions, and then decided I really had no other choice but to join him. We (kids included) jogged up there, probably like a 10 minute jog, and probably 10 kids came in with us while the rest waited outside. *Quick side-note: On the way in, this like 10 year old girl grabbed my hand. It was probably one of the most comforting feelings I've had since I've been here. It's so weird how such a small, innocent gesture, from such a little, unknowing kid can mean so much. But anyway, we went and hung out in the secretaries office/room and Hector talked to the secretary while I pretended to understand everything she said. We really didn't get very far but I guess it's supposed to be straightened out either today or next Monday. We'll see.

One thing I've really noticed this week, through talking to the kids and Hector (the afternoon coach), is how much we take for granted. Surprise surprise, huh? I think this is the typical, cliche lesson one learns when visiting an underdeveloped country, but I felt it was worth mentioning once more. As I'm walking home from track practice today, I was talking with this girl. I live about 10 minutes from the track, college-walk pace. She lives an hour and a half. I mean, her walk is a bit slower, but still. She wakes up at 6 am, in the dark, in the cold, and walks to the stadium where we have track practice for an hour and 15 minutes. Then she walks home afterwards and makes it just in time for school. And, as crazy as this sounds, it's not uncommon. That's why Hector is pushing so much for food and drinks. The majority of the kids walk about an hour to the track straight from school and make it home in time for dinner. And this is track. Who really likes track anyway?! I cannot count the amount of times I complained about practice after school, when I had to walk outside. And then get in my car when I was done and drive home. Coming to this hour-long-ish practice, with untrained coaches, no equipment, and a rough, rock-filled, dirt track must be an opportunity that they think quite highly of if they are walking a total of 2-3 hours for it. And do you hear any complaints? No. At least I haven't picked up on them, lol. The only reason I know, is because I asked. The little girl that grabbed my hand at the Municipality told me she lived close, about a 45 minute walk, close.

Hmmm...