Oh-the-job

Today was the first official day at work in the small school in the favela. We have teen-agers and adults who have had between 4 months and no experience in English. They are very eager to learn and some are very quick. The first half hour or so was fairly hairy getting oriented and figuring out what might work best. We wound up splitting the group into "newbies" who went with Chuck and the more "experienced" who stayed with me. Let's say it's a fair description that it was a learning experience for all of us. It's amazing how your Portuguese improves when you actually have to communicate. They are very patient, though, so it would appear that it will work out. Back afterward is to prepare for tomorrow's lessons.
It is extremely hot here over 90 most of the day. We still walk, though. Most areas are quite safe during the day and we try to take advantage of that.
I can hardly wait to show you the photos of our "quarters" - and by that I mean about 1/4 of a room. At least we have our own bath, unlike the others who share with m-a-n-y people. Water cannot be drunk directly, the "does not accept paper of any kind" (and you can figure out what that means), and rules for use of water are extremely strict - as in don't let it run while you wash the dishes (or, ideally, yourself).