Days 89 - 91: Walking on a bum ankle stinks

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Class was pretty awful again today because Gunter just mumbles about nonsense. I’m pretty sure the topics we have covered have nothing to do with what the class was supposed to be like. After lunch, Stephanie Daly went with me to get an X-ray at the Naval Base. Danny joined us as well because he had to bring her ID in order for us to get in. We had to wait for a while for the x-ray technician to get there, and after about one hour he finally showed up. They really have a much lower level of medical care down here, which was obvious because they let Stephanie stay in the room while I got an X-ray and they didn’t use any lead protection. Oh well – good thing I’m not pregnant or planning on being pregnant soon between all the radiation and fish I have been eating!

Luckily, the guy said my ankle isn’t broken, or at least doesn’t appear to be. Then I was told to not walk on it at all for at least 2 weeks, but they don’t have crutches so I don’t see how that is going to work. We left the place with me walking anyway and I think that is how it is going to be throughout the healing process. I took a taxi back to school, did some work, and eventually walked home so I could shower before dinner. I never thought I would say I felt like this island was huge (because it really isn’t), but when you have a bum ankle and you have to walk at the pace of a giant tortoise it seems much larger than it is. By the time I made it back to town for dinner it was already after 7 pm. Dinner was pizza at Calypso, and it was actually pretty good. We took our time at dinner, and afterwards Katie, Sam, Rachel, and I hung out around the boardwalk.

We moseyed over to Casa Blanca because Rachel was going to steal an Arkabuz poster, but didn’t see one there. We did, however, get beckoned to come join the band who happened to be sitting there having some drinks. It was just a bunch of people hanging out and chatting it up in a mixture of Spanish and English. Sam and Rachel left for a bit so Sam could change clothes and put her school stuff back at her house, and while they did that Katie and I went to her house and watched an episode of Nip/Tuck. I have never really seen it before, and it was pretty awesome.

Around 10 pm we headed over to Polo’s bar because Vanessa wanted us to go out with her since she leaves for Germany on Friday. It was pretty fun with lots of people just hanging out. I was a little bummed because I couldn’t dance at all – but I still had a good time. The walk home took a while, but it wasn’t so bad because Rachel and I walked together. As soon as I was in my room I fell sound asleep and slept like a baby for the rest of the night.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

My mom made Lisa and I awesome breakfast this morning that consisted of really good scrambled eggs, a hot croissant, and patacones (plantains). We walked to school together nice and slowly, and by the time we got there I pretty much had to go right to class. Class was awful again – Gunter is just getting really grouchy and I think we are all sick of him because he rambles on and on and no one really knows what he is saying. All the people who have had him in the past have a joke that says he doesn’t speak English, German, or Spanish, he speaks “Gunter”. And let me tell you, that joke has proven to be too true.

After lunch and class I went to the beach with Shawna, and we proceeded to stay there pretty much for the rest of the day. It was nice and sunny and it was just a great day of me accomplishing nothing. I was going to watch the sun set, but there were a lot of clouds so that didn’t work out so well. I walked home slowly and showered, then headed to Victors place because I was eating there tonight. Tonight is Vanessa’s last night so we were having a little gathering to say goodbye. She was really sad and kept crying, and it was really sad to see her like that. Victor made pina coladas that were to die for, and also cooked up some really good food. It was getting late, so I went down to Casa Blanca where Sam and Rachel were and chatted with the people there for a bit before walking along the boardwalk for a while.

Vanessa and everyone that was at Victors was supposed to be at Polo’s, but when we walked by they weren’t there so we just went home. I was sad because I didn’t get to officially say goodbye to her, but I am sure she had enough goodbyes that were hard enough to deal with.

Friday, November 21, 2008

I am officially a genius and set my alarm for 7 pm instead of am today, so when I rolled over and saw the clock said 9:10 am I was a bit shocked and my first reaction was, “Crap!” (only you can imagine what other words might have flown through my mind). I got up, brushed my teeth, threw on clothes, and walked to class as quickly as I could which is not very fast the moment. Luckily, Gunter didn’t say anything about me being an hour late for class and I don’t think I missed much. The two hours of class I did have was torture as it was, so maybe getting those 2 extra hours of sleep (and missing breakfast) was ok after all.

When we discovered that we are not getting a thanksgiving dinner from the school (which they have made every other year…) everyone was kind of upset about it. Since they are not making us anything, and half the students are going to be on Isabela or Santa Cruz anyway, we are going to all make a thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, December 1st instead. It won’t be the same as having turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing at home, but I think it will still be pretty good. I will, however, be expecting the works for Christmas dinner if you happen to read this Mom. We’re talking turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, shrimp, salad, rolls, etc. And don’t worry, I plan to help out with all of it!

After lunch I came back to the school and took an hour and a half nap on one of the couches at school. I woke up to the sun shining right on me and probably giving my bum a sun burn. Rachel and I decided to go out to the beach for a little, and we stayed out there for about 1 hour before it got kind of chilly and we headed back into the school. Now I am just killing time before dinner – I still have to make it home to shower and then stop by Victors possibly to get a wet suit and fins. Although I may skip that as I was just informed that the water was really warm and I can borrow Shawna’s fins if I want to…

Dinner is at Calypso again tonight, and after I think we may just be hanging out, getting crepes, and calling it an early night since our class has to be on the pier at 7:30 am tomorrow for our day trip to Punta Pitt, Kicker Rock, Isla Lobos, and Puerto Grande.