Gualeguaychu

The town of Gualeguaychu is very similar to Hamilton - being a centre of an important farming region. Just to make me even more at home it has started to rain!!

Our first team presentation was to the two local rotary clubs at a very nice welcome dinner. These are very small clubs of only about 10 people each. They were all very impressed with our haka, with Sarita telling me she was scared to go to sleep that night with me in the house!! Last night we had a public presentation to about 50 people. I later found out that the Rotary club had asked people to bring donations for the local public school (for the poor) ... it was awesome to know our presentation has helped in this small way. Earlier in the day we had visited this school and another private school. At both we talked to classes about New Zealand. The schools were worlds apart - the private very well resourced, with English only spoken in the morning, uniforms, etc ... while the public school was using their laundry area as a kitchen while they built a new building. Around 100 orphans and children from poor families lived at the school. During our visit the local Rotary clubs presented them with a hot water heater and sewing machine (for the girls!)

Last night I enjoyed my first asado. This is the Argentinian version of a Kiwi bbq, where they cook the meat very slowly (around three hours) over an open fire. It was muy delicioso!! In fact we are being very well fed here, it seems all we do is eat. Everyone goes home for lunch around 12pm which can consist of 3-4 courses - salad first, then a main, then dessert, then coffee and cake!! Then they do it all again for dinner (and this starts much later than we are used to, around 9/10pm).

Chile

Well what can I say. We have had a great time in Santiago. The people we have meet and the places we have seen it has been great. Getting around has been easy and we have done two tours. Today was the best. We had a great guide Christian. He spoke good English. We have all been using our Spanish and able to communicate with the locals well. Had a few drinks last night and then we started to pratice the Haka. It sounds great in the streets with the echo.

Vina del Mar and Valparaiso were too cool for words. You will have to see the photoś when we return. The houses are built on the side of a hill. Well rock really. Very close to each other. All different colours. Very special.

When you walk down the street you say Hola (hello) to everyone. Nice a freindly. Seen some Churchs and Govt buildings. Many Polica all carrying sidearms.

Its 11.30pm so I guess time to get some sleep

Till next time

Team Departs Today

Well its all real. The bags are packed and we are on our way. I thought that 2 bags at 30kg's would give me lots of space. Well I was wrong.

Yesterday I was running around town getting those last minute things as the shops are not open today. I think I got everything that I needed. Well its too late now.

We depart at 5.25pm tonight and after a 12 hour flight we will be able to start using our Spanish for real. I am a little nervous and excited about this at the same time.

There have been many people that have helped me on this adventure. I would like to thank the Cambridge Rotary Club for nominating me for this trip as well as the support they have given me.

Fulton Hogan have been very supportive of is vocational experiance. With out their support I would not be going.

I am also luck to have a very supportive family. It is not going to be easy for them but I know there are many family and friends looking out for them.

Dale Jack was a great help with our uniform. We look great.

Carolina and Max who lost their Saturday mornings so we could learn Spanish. We appreicate the addtional time that you took in translating our speech. You feel like one of our team and its said you are not coming with us.

Well its time to sign off and close up the bags and put them in the car.

Next post should be from South America.

Chao

Where are we going

We are going to an area called Entre Rios. We have all been looking on the internet to find out more about whats there and what we will see. We had our last team meeting before getting on the plane this Friday. Everyone is very excited and a little worried. Excited about going and worried about how much luggage we are taking

Eight days to go

In a little over a week the team will be getting on a plane heading off to South America. The Spanish lessons have gone well. Everyone is working very hard to learn and pronounce our speeches correctly.

Over the last few weeks we have also been learning to preform the Haka. It is really starting to sound authentic thanks to our tutor George.