Sunday Sushi Supper y Sand Scaling Sabbath

I hope you enjoy the attempt at alliteration in my title.

I arrived in Port Burwell on Tuesday to a small group of four, to watch the summer student team grow. We are living in a renovated church turn dormitory, called "The Ark", with a big screen projector and unlimited food. It's very comfortable. The landscape here is very beautiful, situated close to Lake Erie in the middle of nowhere on Lakeshore Rd. This is where the 12 students on the summer team for Global Shore Opportunities will be living.

The first week consisted of ESL training which was enjoyable and informative. (I have lain down...yes, that is proper grammar). It was rouch learning on the cozy couches! It was great hearing about Tizate, Guatemala and the village I will soon call home.

The week was full of various movies - I now deem I will only watch educational movies - or ones I will find practical benefits from - such as Motorcycle Diaries (a must see! and good review of Spanish) based on Che Guaverra, and the not so intriguing, yet very funny, Nacho Libre (a must see! but in the sense of the quotes) For the Jack Black Lovers, I love the Encarnacion song!

Saturday night the 7 of us who had arrived, experienced "Richard Simmons Sweating to the 80s". One word to describe it "outrageously creepy". Wild I know. Nothing better than that to bond with people I just met!

On the Sabbath, we explore the sand dunes at the beach near the Ark. After the sand dune jumping to the greatness of Lake Erie, we scaled the cliff. A challenging feat with my first war wound - a sliced thumb. I'm okay, just don't pick up old glass you find! We found a deer skull which made it all worth it.

That night - we had a bonfire on the beach behind the Konrad's place. The warmth of a fire and the roar of the waves - as the sun was setting. Lake Erie provides such great scenery.

Soon, the whole team of 12 will be here, and I look forward to the many memories to come. Soon, asparagus land will consume our time in the packing plant. The ease into summer helps relax my brain after a busy school year. This summer is going to be a hoot.

Always and forever, Andrew.

P.S. Leave your comments :)

Off I Go!

Once upon a time, charming young lad, discovered an opportunity - a global one with some shores - Global Shore Opportunities. They offered a Summer Student Program - where you work on an asparagus farm in Port Burwell, Ontario, living in community with 12 students - for a two month term. Then for the months of July and August, this community lives in a small town, El Tizate, Guatemala, where we love the people we encounter, as we are immersed in their culture and lives.

He submitted his application, and much to his delight, he was accepted. Now, in t-minus 1 hour, I will be heading off to Port Burwell.

The last few days I have been at home and have come up with a few conclusions:
1. My family and friends are great.
2. I hate packing (I wish I could really take the scripture, "Take nothing with you" literally)
3. William's Coffee Pub still is amazing.

We'll chat more later. I'll try to post a weekly update, as the adventure unfolds.

Andy