Thursday, September 25, 2014

EMP Kid of the day - María Fernanda


Each day for our bike ride through Oregon and California I pick one kid from the EMP program and dedicate the day to them.  Also I dedicate on photo from the trip to that child.  Today the EMP Kid of the day is María Fernanda!

www.elasticmindproject.org


María Fernanda is known for its tenderness and sensitivity, despite his young age she shows maturity and poise and expresses her ideas with confidence.  

Photo of the day dedicated to María Fernanda


EMP Kid of the Day Solangie


EMP Kid Of The Day - Solangie



Solangie is a young woman who expresses great tenderness and loves to practice English because she wants to study to become a professional.

Photo of the day dedicated to Solangie

From darkness to cell signal and back again

 It was pronounced by the traveling soothsayer that upon the horizon came an epic storm, with much rain and inhospitality.  It was this he said that sent a chill down our spine as we were in no place or means for such a dark menace.   

Upon hearing about the impending rain storm rushing in from the pacific, we headed out of camp and moved the schedule forward a day skipping one of our predetermined camping spots as it would be directly in the path of the storm.  The ride that day took us out of the cascades and on to the coast where we were greeted with light rain and heavy winds, served with a hefty portion of 6% grade climbs.
We pushed on to the camp and arrived just at dusk which is no time to drop in, as various house keeping items need to be done, and done in the day is infinitely better than done in the murky blackness of a clouded night.  Moreover, done while in anticipation of the impending storm, makes the progress rushed and unseemly.  As with each passing second that leaps along you are waiting for that first drop of rain, a tap on your arm, informing you that the time has come.  With luck we found a spot for the tent and got a hot meal prepared and eaten.  At about 2am the rain started and never let up.  Come sunup we found the tent on the verge of leaking and with potentially 2 days of non-stop rain we had to make a decision; stay in this tent for the next 24 hours, a tent that hardly fits two people or launch out into the cold driving rain and head south, in search for dryer and warmer accommodations.  The unfortunate part was that this site had the biggest and grandest trees of the all...and we had planed a run through the park which would have been awesome... We rode 5 hours through the rain and cold to our destination where we feel into deep relief having a bed and an actual TV..internet and phone service were still absent but one thing at a time!

Tomorrow we head south again for a hostel....hopefully we get better weather!   

  










The first view of the pacific coast!


After a long push to get ahead of the storm we arrive super late to the camp....

Sept 24th - Heading out of camp in the rain

Breakfast being made, as it was pouring outside.



Washing dishes the hard way!


Heading out in the cold rain with a wetsuit on!




Monday, September 22, 2014

EMP Kid of the Day German

EMP Kid of the Day German




German is a child that has its clear goals and fights for them.  Presuming he continues with this passion for success through out his life he sill go very far.  Germans parents are also actively involved which is so important. We are looking forward to providing German with as many tools as we can!  Watch this one!  

Watch and interview with German here:
https://elasticmindproject.org/#4thpage

Yet another spectacular day!

Today due to my lack of mental energy I will let the photos do all the talking.....


Don't make another step or else!

I always felt the bike on its side seemed a bit like a pack mule shot down by its drunk owner.


A bit of an accident that happened just a minute or two before we arrived.

Lady was ok she will be just fine

Lunch anyone?

Sandra finally gets to see the majestic Redwoods

And man these suckers are HUGE! No Joke



Cooking dinner among the redwoods!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

EMP Kid of the Day - Michelle

Each day for our bike ride through Oregon and California I pick one kid from the EMP program and dedicate the day to them.  Also I dedicate on photo from the trip to that child.  Today the EMP Kid of the day is Michelle!

www.elasticmindproject.org



MICHELLE: The staff in Bogota jokingly say that Michelle, being blonde and blue eyes, has been sent from the United States to monitor the classes and confirm all is going according to the proposed goals.  All jokes aside, Michelle is really amazing and surprising in her keen interest in English, to the point that she has become a role model to the other students.


EMP Kid of the Day Camila

Each day for our bike ride through Oregon and California I pick one kid from the EMP program and dedicate the day to them.  Also I dedicate on photo from the trip to that child.  Today the EMP Kid of the day is Camila!

www.elasticmindproject.org

Camila


Photo of the day dedicated to Camila

Sandra wearing an EMP biking jersey watches the rapids in South Oregon.




CAMILA: For Camila going to EMP class is a breeze, she simply stays at home! It is because of Cmillas generious family that we have a space for the EMP program. Camila is always ready for class and is a serious fan of getting the others involved in football games!


CAMILA: es verdad que Camila es por así de decirlo la niña de la casa, porque es gracias a su familia que sábado tras sábado tenemos un espacio donde desarrollar las clases, precisamente su casa, Camila se destaca siempre en las actividades lúdicas al punto de hacer siempre parte del equipo de futbol, jugando con los grandes sin ningún problema..