Transport and Teachers
From Sandy on a Friday afternoon in Vinnytsia...
Walking down the street today, I started thinking of all of the changes that will soon come to our lives. One of the most evident in every day activities will definitely be transportation. Currently, we have the option of taking public transport - in the form of trolley buses, trams and mini bus marshrutkas - or splurging on a taxi for $2 or so. With so many options, it never takes more than 15 minutes to get anywhere in this city of 350,000 people. And if we have the time and weather conditions cooperate, walking is always the best option. We both average about 5 miles of walking a day. I know this because I regularly wear a handy pedometer that encourages me to walk instead of taking public transport (not literally - it doesn't actually talk). With so much walking, the need for time at the gym and other exercise activities has faded from our lives. The best part about walking here is that you are always walking TO somewhere - to work, to the grocery store, to the library. So I am wondering if it will be possible to continue this trend in the USA. Our neighbors in Tampa always chuckled at us for walking around Hyde Park to do errands, but there are very few neighborhoods like that around. And even there, we certainly didn't get in 5 miles a day. Does this mean we are destined to end up back at the gym?
On a separate note, I taught my last teachers seminar to 30 english teachers today. They are such an enjoyable audience - although I can never decide whether I like the teachers from the city or the village better. They are all great. It was a sad moment for me, as it's been a very rewarding part of my Peace Corps service working with Valentina at the Recertification Institute and meeting so many dedicated teachers. I never thought I'd be teaching civics education and classroom methodologies as an Economic Development Volunteer, but I feel very fortunate that the opportunity presented itself.
Just sharing a few of my thoughts as we get ready for the big move in 3 weeks.
Paka,
Sandy
Walking down the street today, I started thinking of all of the changes that will soon come to our lives. One of the most evident in every day activities will definitely be transportation. Currently, we have the option of taking public transport - in the form of trolley buses, trams and mini bus marshrutkas - or splurging on a taxi for $2 or so. With so many options, it never takes more than 15 minutes to get anywhere in this city of 350,000 people. And if we have the time and weather conditions cooperate, walking is always the best option. We both average about 5 miles of walking a day. I know this because I regularly wear a handy pedometer that encourages me to walk instead of taking public transport (not literally - it doesn't actually talk). With so much walking, the need for time at the gym and other exercise activities has faded from our lives. The best part about walking here is that you are always walking TO somewhere - to work, to the grocery store, to the library. So I am wondering if it will be possible to continue this trend in the USA. Our neighbors in Tampa always chuckled at us for walking around Hyde Park to do errands, but there are very few neighborhoods like that around. And even there, we certainly didn't get in 5 miles a day. Does this mean we are destined to end up back at the gym?
On a separate note, I taught my last teachers seminar to 30 english teachers today. They are such an enjoyable audience - although I can never decide whether I like the teachers from the city or the village better. They are all great. It was a sad moment for me, as it's been a very rewarding part of my Peace Corps service working with Valentina at the Recertification Institute and meeting so many dedicated teachers. I never thought I'd be teaching civics education and classroom methodologies as an Economic Development Volunteer, but I feel very fortunate that the opportunity presented itself.Just sharing a few of my thoughts as we get ready for the big move in 3 weeks.
Paka,
Sandy
posted by Jacobs PC | 1:09 PM
1 Comments:
I would love our towns to be conducive to walking. Don't forget about the heat during Florida summers. They are treadful and dangerous. You would have to bring a different outfit to change into due to sweating! March is so beautiful in Florida, weather wise. It is this time of year that I wish for more walking chances. Maybe I could try it?
Post a Comment
<< Home