La Cienega - The Swamp. Literally. And it is. Like California and Florida, La Cienega is sinking into the ground, one centimeter at a time. In the past ten to fifteen years, the houses in La Cienega have sunk so far into the ground that many houses have gone from two floor to one. Water constantly fills the streets and the floors of people's homes. On the outskirts of town, brush has been piled onto two meters of water.
Having lived in Honduras, I was prepared for many aspects of La Cienega living. I was prepared for the poverty, the small and ill-equipped houses, etc. However, I lived high and dry in the vegetation-less mountains, so the amount of water in La Cienega added one more dimension to my perspective of the issues of poverty. I look forward to eating with the host families and learning about La Cienega.
On another note, although I was prepared for the effects of Montessori schooling, seeing Montessori in action the past two days was incredible. Even the youngest children are extremely independent and capable beings. These children seem so advanced compared to other 1-6-year-olds with whom I have interacted. Furthermore, the Montessori classroom reflects many of the values I thought I would instill in my own children, as well as in my own classroom. I have been so impressed by these classrooms that I am now considering attending Montessori teacher training. I look forward to spending more time in these classrooms.
Having lived in Honduras, I was prepared for many aspects of La Cienega living. I was prepared for the poverty, the small and ill-equipped houses, etc. However, I lived high and dry in the vegetation-less mountains, so the amount of water in La Cienega added one more dimension to my perspective of the issues of poverty. I look forward to eating with the host families and learning about La Cienega.
On another note, although I was prepared for the effects of Montessori schooling, seeing Montessori in action the past two days was incredible. Even the youngest children are extremely independent and capable beings. These children seem so advanced compared to other 1-6-year-olds with whom I have interacted. Furthermore, the Montessori classroom reflects many of the values I thought I would instill in my own children, as well as in my own classroom. I have been so impressed by these classrooms that I am now considering attending Montessori teacher training. I look forward to spending more time in these classrooms.