SOOO...... I don't have time to write in a blog, or rather, it doesn't seem worth my time. I will still try to keep posting photos though, which you can see in the photos link, which takes you to Google's Picaso Gallery. If you want to hear what is going on, send me an e-mail, write a letter, call me, or come visit me. Paz y Amor, John

Just added new pics, have been starting chess clubs with the kids, went to Cuenca for halloween, spanish is coming along, Latacunga is good. Send me an e-mail or a letter and I'll get back to ya.

Theresa, you will probably read this within the next couple weeks, and probably be the only one to read it. hehe. If anyone else should read this post, this is Theresa, well her blog anyways... http://como-esta-theresa.blogspot.com/. Thanks for you comments, friend. I see you have a similar dilema here. May our work these next years produce some surpassingly great fruits. May the system of

So, some people have been wanting more posts... I am trying to be a part of a program called World Wise Schools. It connects Peace Corps volunteers with teachers in the states for cultural exchanges. Mr. Dave Hovis, a social studies teacher in Winnetka and I are partnering up. I just sent him an e-mail with my thoughts, so I will copy them here. Dave, I hope that you can somehow communicate

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)... "I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for

Here is my mailing address... John Coleman casilla 05-01-236 Latacunga, Cotopaxi Ecuador, SA and my phone number: 011-593-9-475-8532

I received my placement today! I am ready and prepared! Province: Cotopaxi City: Latacunga Population: ~51,000 climate: 40-70 F year round Employer: Diocesis de Latacunga Quick Facts: Latacunga is in the middle of Ecuador and on the Pan-American Highway. 2 hours south of Quito by bus. I believe I will be the first Peace Corps Volunteer with this organization. I am close to Mt. Cotopaxi,

This is a traditional Dance or Parade that happens for three day in Tabacundo, the city I am in. Many families get together to dance for drinks from the onlookers. It is in honor of San Pedro day. I got to dance in the streets two nights with a group of my friends. We played guitar and danced for hours.

This is the first of two videos of a traditional "war" in Cotacachi. Here you see the official Ecuadorian Police trying to control the rioting people. My sister says very dangerous, but it wasn´t too bad. It is more of a fight between the different parts of the city; they meet in the central park next to the catholic church, which every city here has.

These are the actual "fighters" as they marched down the street whistling and getting pumped up.

I am in Tabacundo. It is 15 minutes west of Cayambe, it is North of Quito, in the Mountains - which are AMAZING. My stomach has some adjusting to do to the food. Other than that, there is not cause for any worry of exotic diseases or viruses. I will spend 2 months here with a host family and try to learn as much spanish as I can. My family is great, the culture is fantastic and different,