Un Techo Para Mi País/A Roof For My Country

<Disclaimer: I had some technical problems with this post and some patience problems with myself and so I am posting this a week late.>

 I am so excited to share with you this week. There are so many experiences, thoughts and feelings that I could share about this past week and this past MONTH in Uruguay, but I am going to focus on just one specific experience this time. This past week, I made the best decision I have made so far since being here: I chose to participate in a three day service project with and organization called Techo ("roof" in Spanish).


This organization is based in South America, parts of Central America and Hispaniola (Haiti and the DR) and uses large numbers of youth (18+) to give back to their home country through participating in construction projects to build houses for families in the community. One thing that I loved about working with Techo is that they not only want youth to participate physically, but they long for their minds and hearts to be engaged as well. Therefore, they provide the space for stimulating conversations, reflections, and community to take place. I encourage and challenge you to look them up (Everything is in Spanish, but you click "English Version" at the top of the page).

http://www.techo.org/en/

When I decided to participate in this service project, I didn't really know much information or how many other exchange students would go. But I knew that I had to be me, even if what I wanted to do didn't fit with what everyone else wanted out of their weekend. It turned out that there were three other exchange students at my university who decided to participate as well (1 from Germany, 2 from NC, and one from Puerto Rico). I really did not know them very well before, but I am so grateful that I was able to share this experience with them and can now call them great friends.

There were around 600 young adults in total who participated in the project this weekend! But by the end of the night, we were divided into small groups of around 10 and were given a leader. Every group was a mix of guys and girls who have and have not had experience with construction in the past. Here is a picture of my crew (our leader is in the front).

 Our task: build a house in 2 days. It was tedious and challenging at times, but it was so much fun and such a blessing. I am grateful that I was able to peel back the layers of this foreign land and the people that inhabit it. Here is a look at what the house looked like towards the end of the process. Do not be deceived...all of the necessary components were pre-constructed; we just had to build the foundation and assemble the house. Of course, I helped with the roof! Surprised?! I think I subconsciously search for the highest possible location and find a way to get there. Haha.

Once the house was constructed, we "painted" the house white to protect the wood from future damage. I had never painted with a sponge before. That was fun and interesting. Haha.

One of the coolest parts about the project was celebrating with the family and handing the house over to them once it was completed. The joy on their faces was deeper than any lens could capture or any eye could see. I am grateful that I was able to know them and contribute even slightly to their joy and new life.  

 Here is one final picture of all of us with our family. Techo means roof in Spanish and so I made sure to use this dorky pose as often as possible and applicable throughout the weekend...it caught on by the end of the weekend. This picture is evidence. 

 Thank you again for reading! I am so grateful for everyone who takes the time to learn about my experiences while I am here. It means a lot. 

Much love,

Courtney

The View From Here

I have not done a very good job of giving you all a visual experience of my time in Uruguay. Therefore, in an effort to mix things up and continue to share my adventures with you(in new and exciting ways), I have decided to make this week's post a picture post!

As promised, here is a picture of all of the international students studying at the university with me this semester. There are about 60 of us. I am on the third row from the top on the right side.

My new(and temporary home):



Abuela's sweet house...It is the same house that Gaby grew up in and before she was later able to move in next door with the girls. I love the history and the character of this house, inside and out.

The Flee Market in Ciudad Vieja...

Ciudad Vieja:

 The beautiful Plaza:

This is a snack called an "alfejor." This one is vanilla and has dulce de leche and then is dipped in chocolate. Yum!

Me and my beautiful tour guide, Florencia:

 This is my "I am at the beach" pose that I took the other day on my first walk on the beach:

I love how there are trees and plants on the beach here. It was a beautiful for exploring!

 It is not even beach weather yet and I could get used to this.

Thanks for joining in on my adventures!

Until next time,

Courtney

Week 2-Rapid Movement

Time for a week 2 update! It is crazy to think I have been here two weeks. You will probably get sick of hearing me say that I am surprised at how much time has passed because I will probably say it every week. haha. I am so grateful for every moment I am able to spend here. Like the title suggests, this week was a blur and packed with many new and different experiences, people, and thoughts. I am going to try to unpack some of these things with you, but keep in mind that it took me 3 hours to tell my parents about my week, so I will only be able to scratch the surface.

Here are some of this week's components (There is no way I could go day-by-day, so if you want to know more about something, feel free to ask.):

1. International Student Orientation
-I can not even express how excited I was for other international students to arrive and for the opportunity to meet and get to know them. It has been great to have time to get settled with only a few other students, but I was anxious to meet some of my future classmates and friends! Orientation started Wednesday and included lots of get to know you games, important information, and a placement quiz(eek!). There are students from all over including the US(2 others from NC!), France, Germany, England, Belgium, Spain, Brazil, Puerto Rico and I am sure other places as well. I do not have the group picture of all of us yet, but when I get it, I will share it with all of you. I am used to attending a school alongside a lot of international students from around the world, so it is weird to think that I am a part of that group now. I can't really explain it. I have met some pretty cool people and I can not wait to get to know them better. I am also grateful for the faculty and current students that are helping to enhance and better my university experiences.

2. Pre-semester Spanish Course Ended
-Friday was my last class for my pre-semester course...which means classes start Monday! What?! I am still not really sure what my semester will look like, but I have learned that it is a process here that allows for change, exploration, and flexibility. I am grateful for that. It has been cool to see how a bond has formed between me and the other students in this course(2 from US and 1 from Belgium). If I had run into the two girls from the US at home, I do not think that we would be friends. But interesting circumstances can lead to interesting formation of relationships. It is clear that we all feel a responsibility to look out for one another and care for one another, even if we all end up having different friends while we are here. I had an interesting conversation with Vale(Valentina-my older host sister) the other day about how if she meets someone in Spain from Uruguay, they will instantly become like a brother or sister to her, even if they never knew each other before. But because the US is so vast and filled with different cultures, that is not necessarily the case for me. It really got me thinking.

3. "Spontaneous Adventures"
-Let me define what I mean by this, since this will mean different things to different people. What I really mean is that I have found myself in a large number of various situations due to misfortunate events-with a positive spin. haha. Most of these have to do with he bus system. God has been teaching me this week to be flexible, patient, and humble. I have become aware that I often feel entitled to things such as a working car whenever I want or need it, the ability to sleep and isolate myself whenever I want, as well as the choice of community and fellowship. All of these things are not always in my power and control and I have found that God has been shaping and molding me to embrace every situation with humility and flexibility. For example, I was late to school 4 out of 5 days this week due to various problems that I encountered. It would have been so easy to get frustrated and crumble under the overwhelming feelings of continued failure when I am trying to be intentional and responsible. I have also continually had to release control to other people and systems instead of possessing it all on my own. But most importantly, these feelings of failure and lack of control has helped to bring me back to the only one that can and does not fail and is control of more than I am even able to grasp with my feeble brain. Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable in this space.

4. Family Time
-I have gotten to spend quality time with both my host sisters and my host mom this week. One night this week, I was able to go to a kind of "girls' night" with Valentina at her friends' apartment. She has been so nice to share herself and her friends with me. Her three friends welcomed me graciously and encouraged me that they would look out for me when Vale leaves. I am so glad that I had that experience, even though I mostly just observed and listened, as I was unable to comprehend and participate in their "girl talk," filled with rapid language, and local vocabulary and slang. I also went to a spinning class at the gym with Vale this week. That was another awesome experience I am not getting into. Last night, I went to the mall and a movie with Gaby and Euge. I was exhausted after having a long day(I got up early to go on a tour of the city with other international students-no time or energy to talk talk about that. haha.) and came home to Gaby telling me I had 2 choices: go to a birthday party with Vale or go shopping and to a movie with them. A big part of me wanted there to be a #3: sleep until morning. But I had to surrender my desires and I chose to go with her and Euge. I am so glad I did. The mall was crowded and stressful, but the movie theater was probably the coolest theater I have ever been to. You go to a kiosk and choose your movie, show time, seats, and snacks and then you go to the concession stand to pick it up(and you can choose between sweet or salty popcorn!!! SOOO GOOD!!). The movie theater only shows American movies with Spanish subtitles, so I felt right at home. Anyway, it was fun to share that experience with them.

Ahhhhhhhhhh.....I literally just had a big sigh after writing all of that. There are so many thought, feelings, and sore muscles lingering that remind me of this week. Excited for what is to come. Thank you for being patient as I unwound all of these things with you, without the use of pictures. You are troopers. haha.