Following my unexpected visit to the colegio in Curití I've spent the last 2 days working with pupils in English lessons.I originally only planned to go yesterday but I'll be going at least Monday to Wednesday, possibly up to Friday! By pure coincidence yesterday was the first day back of the new school year in England so whilst my teacher friends back home were getting up to go in for the first day I was getting up to go to lessons here (if we forget the 6 hour time difference because otherwise they were having lunch as I got up! Ha ha)

I have got into a bit of a routine: the alarm going off at 7 L I get myself ready, luckily my clothes are not scruffy (yet) and I look ok to go into a school! I have even started making use of the GHDs to straighten the wayward bits that stick out when my hair dries naturally in an effort to look more presentable! I go to the local bus terminal, stopping for my breakfast on the way- some small slightly sweet bread rolls, the bakery lady tells me it's 4 for 1,000 pesos (about 33p!) so I keep one for later! The bus is cheap too at 2,100 pesos so getting to the school is a cheap and easy.

I've spent 4 hours in lessons, both yesterday and today, speaking a mixture of Spanish and English. On arrival yesterday the head teacher wasn't there and I wasn't expected- understandable since school had finished by the time I offered my help on Friday. But this was no problem, the man in charge of timetabling, etc (I forget his title) went off to speak to the English teachers to see if they'd like me in lessons. At this point it crossed my mind that maybe they'd say no, but then I decided that hopefully they'd be keen to have a native speaker visiting for the day, I know I'd be happy if I was able to introduce my pupils to a native French or Spanish person….the English teachers shared my opinion and I was shown to the first class- a 7th grade class, aged 12 and 13. I spoke a little about myself in English, checking their understanding in Spanish and then they asked me questions in English and vice versa. They then had the opportunity to ask me questions in Spanish as their English knowledge, vocabulary and understanding would not always enable them to ask in English. This meant I could tell them about England so they could find out more and I got lots of Spanish practice too! The 4 lessons yesterday were similar. One class I was even left with them for about 15 minutes on my own, luckily they behaved! Today in the first lesson (my first lesson, not their first lesson as they start at 6.30am!) I went to a sixth grade, 11-12 years old, Geography lesson where I spoke in Spanish for an hour! Firstly me talking about anything I thought might be of interest and then them asking me questions about anything to do with England. After that I went to a 9th grade class, 14-15 years old, and in this class I spoke more English. They wrote down questions to ask me and took turns. Then it was back to a different 7th grade class and then 11th grade. I found out they have 5 hours of English a week and they have to buy their own exercise books. The school has about 750 pupils and just under 30 teachers. It gets really hot by about 11 and the classroom despite having open windows (no glass) and a couple of fans starts to become uncomfortable. I guess they are used to it and also that's why they start so early. Over the past two days I've answered lots of different questions. Just some examples: about religion, if we have children living on the streets as they have in Colombia, what happens to criminals, how much things cost in England, did I know Princess Diana (7th grade have been learning about her life), what's England like, what is typical English food…. I usually had to keep my answers quite short or simple, either for them to understand in English or for me to explain in Spanish where I didn't know all the words I needed! We spoke about school in England: the school day, subjects, detentions, uniforms, rules- I explained about my school's uniform rules: no makeup, no jewellery, no hoodies and they were surprised! They also wanted to know if I like Colombia, what I think of it, what I am doing here. The pupils seemed to enjoy and appreciate being able to talk to a native speaker, many of them thanked me on the way out, some wanted to shake my hand or kiss me on the cheek, one even hugged me! It's been a great experience and I've really enjoyed it too, hence I'm going back again tomorrow!

After lessons finished I went for lunch at the restaurant where I went with the headteacher on Friday. One of the English teacher's sister owns it and I have not been allowed to pay for my lunch, which is very kind of them. Yesterday the teacher's husband drove us, their grandson and friend to the 'pescadito' which is the nearby natural swimming hole/area. Very popular with locals, they were enjoying playing in the water- it was pretty hot so a great way to cool down! The water was so clear. We sat for a while then headed back to town. We looked around the artesania shops to see the locally produced crafts, a lot of bags and other things made from fique. I bought a purse but resisted a bag! We then wandered round the town before I got the bus back to San Gil. Today after lunch I chatted with one of the children of one of the ladies who works in the restaurant. I had chatted to her yesterday and today she read a book to me- I learnt lots of new words like lizard, squirrel, tail, woodpecker….all a bit random but new words nonetheless! She also learnt how to draw my rabbit- 'que bonito' she said! There was a massive downpour and after that I got the bus back to San Gil. I went to get my laundry, a bargain at about £1.60, washed, dried and folded! Both yesterday and today I went to the café up the road for my tea where I am becoming bit of regular! Had a 'patacon' (mashed then fried plantain) and a salad. Tried a new fruit juice too called Lulo! I have found that the cold shower is just about bearable if I have it as soon as I get in while I may be even the tiniest bit hot, can't say I like them, but I have got used to it I guess, no, more resigned myself to it! It's just not hot enough here in the evenings/mornings to warrant a cold shower so have to say I'm really looking forward to a hot water shower somewhere sometime soon!