Chapter 6: The Tale of 2 Pizzas

<--Previous

A wise man once said, "A great Pizza is not made, it's born". Of course I may be paraphrasing, or even making it up, but I believe that was the gist of it. This is the tale of how two great pizza's were born, and how they were then, promptly killed (consumed) by yours truly.

Spanish For Real Life - “Spanish For Real Life” is a user friendly Spanish text & workbook aimed at the English speaking population. Simple grammar, vocabulary organized by topics, and bilingual conversational segments of daily use.

We arrived in San Cristobal late in the afternoon. And after 5 hour ride on some of the most windy and "topéy" (yes, this is a new word) roads I have ever had the displeasure to travel on, we were tired and wanted nothing more than to rest and relax. So that night I just settled into the house of my new Host Family... or as I call them, roommates (as I have said before they are both my age). We sat around that night and talked and had a nice soup dinner (little did I know that this was just a prelude of what dinner was going to be for the next month... soup every single night, without exception).

The next day we woke up early and headed down the "hill" toward Tuxla Gutierrez, the capital of the state and the nearest big city. The drive down from SCLC to TG is one of the most stunning you will ever experience. The caratera (highway) starts you up at 6000 feet (above the clouds) and in 30 minutes you go to virtually sea level. The highway is constructed so that you can for miles, and watch as the earth slowly gets closer. Add to that the incredible effect of the temperature rising 20-30 degrees (F) in that time frame, and the vegetation changing from pines (like New England) to Palms (think Florida). Sorry no pictures of the ride yet.

At the bottom of the hill we got off at a small town called Cahare. From there we walked to the river and found ourselves a lancha (speedboat). Along with 12 other people we started our 2 hour tour of Cañon de Sumedero. The ride started out disappointing for me. The first 15 minutes we were traveling between small hill, and I remember thinking to myself "they are really exaggerating with the whole canyon thing", but just as I was about to complain, we turned a corner and there it was. Edecanes.

Walls of rock going up hundreds of feet on either side. Small patches of vegetation made could be found all over the rocks. At times our guide spotted small monkeys playing in the trees, vultures sunbathing on hot rocks, and aligators taking a mud bath (I did find out later that there is a swiming competition that takes place in the canyon every year... I wonder if the competitors know they have reptilian company?).

Along the tour we had the typical stops you expect, "look here is a formation of rock that looks like a sea horse... ". And while it was an impressive looking rock, I would have to stetch my imagination pretty far (probably with the aid of alcohol) to see a seahorse. The one, most impresive thing you see on this tour is a calcium formation they call "El Arbol de Navidad" or the Xmas tree. And from the pictures, I don't think I need to explain why. The canyon tour goes until you reach a large lagoon created by the construction of a large hydro-electric plant. I was amused to see a small boat pull up to us and sell us beers at this point in the tour. After this small beer break, we made our way quickly back the way we came. After 2 hours in the hot afternoon sun, we were all happy to finally find some shade.

After the canyon I made my way back to San Cris and spent the afternoon just miandering down some of the streets and people watching. And there is plenty to see. Between the local indigenous people, the hippie population, to the hordes of European tourists, and the local Metzito population, it is almost like watching a parade of interesting cultures. Add to that the backdrop of green mountains and old catholic churches and it is easy to pass the time. Those who visit will get to see, and be part of this.

To end the two days as a group (with Joe and Maryem) we went out to a Pizza place called El Puente. This is a small "hole in the wall" pizza joint with only 4 tables. It is run by a Italian guy named Pietro. It is also home to the best Pizza's I think I have ever had. After two very busy days, I was starving. So I asked him to give birth to two of these delicacies for me... and promptly ended there lives. Ok, so the story did not have much to do with pizzas... but I was at a loss for a title for this entry. :Learn Spanish Mexico Spanish Schools in Queretaro Querétaro Queretaro, Mexico
San Cristobal Spanish School, San Cristobal Language School


Spanish Language School Mexico

• 
  Spanish Courses in Spain
  Intensive Spanish programs with excellent facilities and activities.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Spain Spanish schools
  Spanish language schools in Costa Rica Mexico Argentina Chile and Peru Study Spanish in Spain courses at language schools in Madrid Barcelona Malaga Granada Salamanca Valencia and San Sebastian
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Barcelona Spanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Barcelona. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Madrid Spanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Madrid. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in San Sebastian Spanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in SanSebastian. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Salamanca Spanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Salamanca. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in GranadaSpanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Granada. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in ValenciaSpanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Valencia. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in MalagaSpanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in
  Malaga. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires Argentina Spanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Santiago ChileSpanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Santiago de Chile. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Cusco PeruSpanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Cusco, Peru. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Tamarindo Costa RicaSpanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Costa Rica. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Learn Spanish in Guanajuato MexicoSpanish courses at the Lingua Spanish language school in Mexico. Intensive courses all year round.
  
• 
  Online Universities - Site features a wealth of information about online universities & colleges, campus options available.
  
• 
  Bachelor degree
  
• 
  Employment agencies - Directory of more than 6500 employment agencies.
  
• 
  Buenos Aires apartments for temporary rentals
  
• 
  Learn to Speak Turkish Fast Learn to speak Turkish naturally, easily and fast through MP3 conversation lessons based on short stories.
  
• 
  Learn Chinese Famous Chinese teachers in Beijing provide live class and conversation practice of mandarin from Beijing to anywhere of the world through high technical and professional video classroom on Internet.
  

PUNTA MITA VILLAS RENTALPUNTA MITA VILLAS RENTALS. WE OFFER THE LARGEST SELECTION OF VILLAS,CONDOS AND HOTELS IN PUNTA MITA, PUERTO VILLARTA, CONCHAS CHINAS AND MORE...50% DISCOUNT NOW AVAILABLE. GOURMET CHEF, FULL STAFF AND CONCIERGE FREE..



PUERTO VALLARTA CONDOS HOTELReal Estate Puerto Vallarta Riviera Nayarit Luxury Condo Hotel Investment.



NUEVO VALLARTA CONDOSNUEVO VALLARTA CONDO is Providing Condos in NUEVO VALLARTA Mexico, The site offer Villas, Hotel, Condos with 50% Discount.



NUEVO VALLARTA CONDONUEVO VALLARTA CONDO offers GRET DEALS on HOTELS, REAL ESTATE, RESORTS, TRAVEL, CONDOS, VILLAS, TOURS, GOLF, FISHING and more!



TULUM MEXICOTULUM official travel site for 50% discounts on HOTELS, RESORTS, XELHA, RUINS, TOURS, RENTALS, REAL ESTATE, CABANAS, VILLAS and so much more!



PUERTO VALLARTA TOURSWe provide the very best tours and activities in Puerto Vallarta with discounts up to 30% off!



AKUMAL WE OFFER GREAT DEALS AND DISCOUNTS IN AKUMAL FOR REAL ESTATE, HOTELS, RESORTS, CONDOS, VILLAS, CABANAS, GOLF and more.





Learn French in France | Study French in France | French schools in France Learn French in one of our France schools! Our French Classes are fun, interesting, engaging and excellent value. You will follow a clear course pathway which focuses on learning French you can use outside the classroom. You will make loads of progress and have a great time doing it.

<--Previous

Chapter 5: Under Qualified For Mexico?

<--Previous

Next-->

I never thought that there would be a IT position in the PC that I may be under qualified for. Most of the IT projects I have heard about involve basic computer maintenance and education, and the most complicated ones are setting up databases and writing some simple software. No problem. I can do that in my sleep. But get a load of this excerpt from a PC newsletter describing the current volunteers serving in Mexico.

"The median age of our PCVs in Mexico is 45, with an average work experience of 15 to 20 years. Most have either MAs or PhDs. " - RPCV Newsletter 2006

I am 26, with barely ten years of experience (if you count college). And definitely no Masters or PhD (even though Prof. Ray does have a nice ring to it).

So basically what it comes down to is a numbers game. While I may not be middle aged with two decades of work experience behind me, honestly, how many people can I be competing with for these positions? A person with a B.S. in Engineering and extensive software development experience definitely is not the typical PC applicant.

On the flipside, going to Mexico would almost feel like a cheating. I will probably have a nice apartment with electricity, running water, air-conditioning and even DSL internet. I will also not be sent out, and make close friendships with a group of people my age.

Well, I guess I've decided to roll with it. They warn you when you apply to the PC, that it will probably not be like you expect. So if I get sent to Mexico, fine, if I don't make this program and get sent somewhere else, also fine. I'll leave this one up to the roll of the dice. Isn't that what doing something as "crazy" as the Peace Corps is all about? :)

<--Previous

Next-->

Chapter 4: The Mystery Of The "K" Solved?

<--Previous

Next-->

I think I may have finally solved the mystery of the "K" in my nomination code. I was surfing around the web, and found somebody who was nomintated for exactly the same program I was.

143-06-044-K8/b

The only difference was, he was actually told what everything stood for. So now I know, I am nominated to go to Mexico in September! So, "K=Mexico"... now why didn't I think of that?

This is really exciting. This program was only started two years ago (2004), and is the only one of it's kind in the PC. The Peace Corps webpage describes the Mexico program as follows:

Technical Research and Development
"Volunteers will work with research and development staffs in basic and applied research related to technological challenges facing Mexico's manufacturing and agro-industrial sectors. These activities will promote the technological development of small and medium-sized Mexican companies seeking to improve production processes and product quality and to create jobs at the local level.
The Mexico/Peace Corps program is a unique partnership that provides the first opportunity for the Peace Corps to recruit highly specialized, technically-trained and experienced Volunteers to work side-by-side with their highly skilled and specialized Mexican counterparts. " - www.peacecorps.gov


Hmmm, so they think I am "highly skilled"? Hahaha...

Anyways, as most of you know, if I could choose any region to go with the PC it would be Central/Latin America. It is the only region they offer that has the two things I am looking for in my PC experience. They speak one of the big world languages (Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, and English), and have warm weather! As an added bonus, after this, when I visit California, and everybody assumes I speak Spanish... I actually will!

So now, at least I have an idea! But from what I hear, there is a 50% chance this will change. No use getting my hopes up... :/

<--Previous

Next-->

Chapter 3: Sold My Condo

<--Previous

Next-->

Two weeks.

That's all it took from the time I placed my condo on the market, to signing the contract of sale. As I signed the contract, the reality of I was doing hit me for the first time. Up until this point, joining the Peace Corps had been something that was going to happen in the future. I knew it would happen, but it almost seemed surreal. Now it has become real.

The comfortable life he have been living for the past few years was doing its best impression of George Bush's approval rating, by slowly crumbling away. I suddenly came face to face with the fact that I was an addict. Not to drugs, or alcohol, but to most addicting thing of all. The "routine". This addiction affects 90% of Americans, and is one of the leading causes of the terminal desease "Acute Boring-us Life-itus" or ABL.
The symptoms of ABL are very hard to detect, and it's onset can take many years. Some of the symptoms include:

• Going to the same bars/clubs every week.
• Going to the same party's every year.
• Developing and aversion to trying anything different.
• Not learning anything new.
• Not meeting any new people.
• Being able to recite T.V. Commercials from memory... even the boring ones.
• Trying to convince others that you don't have ABL.

What's even scarier is that the carriers of this disease can even convince themselves (with the aid of alcohol), that they are actually cured.

I realized to my dismay, that I was already showing many of the symptoms of ABL. Most apperant of these symptoms was his ability to recite a dozen different "Real Men of Genius" Bud Light ads from memory.
I was hoping I had caught the disease in time, and that the Peace Corps would be just what the doctor ordered.

<--Previous

Next-->

Chapter 2: K?

<--Previous

Next-->

For the past few weeks I have been trying to figure out what the "K" in his nomination code could stand for. After watching an especially stimulating episode of Law and Order, I thought to myself "if Lenny is able to solve a murder, and collect enough evidence to convict the criminal in an hour (with commercial brakes) I should be able to figure this mystery out."

So, by following the examples set by such great detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Matlock, and Chief Clancy Wiggum I set about sorting through all the facts...

1) By going to the peacecorps.gov, I found out there are four countries the PC goes to that start with K.

• Kenya
• Kyrgyz Republic
• Kazakhstan
• Kiribati

2) By comparing the work areas listed on peacecorps.gov I discovered Kiribati does not have a Business Advising work area... so much for spending the next 2 years on a tropical island. :(

3) After comparing the timeframe for departure (July-September), with my work area on the yahoo newsgroups Unofficial Program list, I was left with the following possibilities.

• Kenya - September - Business/IT Advising
• Krygyz Republic - July - Small Business Advising
• Kazakhstan - October - Business Advising

So in conclusion to my research... I still have no idea when and where I will be spend the next two years.

<--Previous

Next-->

Chapter 1: Ray Decides To Save The World.

Next-->

It was a day like any other in Cleveland, Ohio. Our hero was sitting in his cube, innocently writing another line of code, for another computer program, all in the hopes of making his company another dollar. He was, as most people are, another cog in the great American Corporate Machine. Then with no warning at all, the proverbial light bulb went off in his head. And not one of those household light bulbs that you have in your bedside reading lamp. This was one of those industrial strength light bulbs used to illuminate football stadiums (or at least he assume it was, since he had never actually been in a football stadium).

He, Raymond C. Blakney, was going to save the world. But there was one problem, he had no idea how to go about it. He entertained all kinds of idea's. First he explored the feasibility of donning a spandex outfit and flying around the world saving people from fiery buildings and preventing school buses filled with school children from falling off bridges. But discarded that idea, when he realized he did not know where to buy a spandex outfit.

Next, he thought "maybe I should become a world renowned scientist, and use my extensive scientific know how and resources to discover the formula for World Peace". After an eternity(consisting of 5 minutes) of research and calculations, he came up with the following irrefutable formula for World Peace.

(Global Warming * Cost of Oil)
------------------------------------- - "G.W. Bush" + "1000 lbs of Guava" = World Peace
5.63 * e^9 tons of Unagi Sushi


But then he realized he didn't know where to buy "1000 lbs of Guava", and thus, his inability to shop once again foiled the plan.

How was he going to do it? Was there a way he could go out into the world, and help improve peoples lot in life?

So it is decided. Ray is joining the Peace Corps...

Next-->