(Insert Witty Opening Line Here)

My counter-part and I have now been with our new host family for 1 week. I am very pleased to say that it has been fantastic! It is amazing how rapidly relationships can form when all parties are interested in the well-being of the relationship. I am in near disbelief to see the friendships I have formed (with my host-family and other participants) in only 3 weeks! My host family talks to me about many personal details of their life, past and present. I really feel bad for what they have endured, and also very proud of them for how they have dealt with what life can bring. It has been a very good experience for me to hear about what has contributed to making them who they are. It must be known that the food is good and I can eat to my hearts content.

Yesterday, Dales (host mother) brother, Jeff, took Jorge and I to watch him and his daughter ride dirt bakes at his friends dirt bike track. His daughter is 6 and she has her very own little dirt bike. She also has the whole little person dirt biking suit. So Cute! If I had a dirt bike at that age I think my entire life would be complete, then and now… Anyways, Jeff is also very good on the bike. He may be 41, and a very big man, but he can still do long wheelies and get some major air off the jumps! Unfortunately, Jorge and I were not allowed to ride any dirt bikes because it is one of our participant responsibilities to NOT operate any motorized contraptions. Gosh Darn It! After this very enjoyable episode he took us to his house to show us his 950cc KTM motorbike (http://www.ktm.com/950-Supermoto.76.4.html). That machine is Flippin gorgeous! He took it for a quick spin on the road in front of his house where he did some more wheelies. My tongue was hanging out like a Labrador. That night, our host family took us to Boston Pizza. After eating some delicious triangles, Jorge informed us that this had been his best day in Canada. The best way to a mans soul/heart: food, followed by high octane fun! What a day.

Anyways, you may be wondering if I am actually fulfilling the objectives of the program… It just so happens that watching people dirt bike is seen as community involvement/integration. That is an integral part of the program! We were watching and reflecting on how the activities in little Meaford are different than our own, and how they impact the rest of the world. I reflected that motorcycles are good for the environment (low fuel consumption), and that flying through the air with 240 lbs. of steel is a good way to get a large smile. This reflecting would not have been possible without my community involvement. Anyways, Anyways, Jorge and I completed 2 days of work at the library! We did not complete 3 because the library is closed on Mondays. Hopefully we will receive another work placement for Mondays. For now, we must hike with host mother instead of organizing books…:-) On Friday, we cleaned and painted a room. We will continue to paint on Wednesday. Oh, the exciting world of the library.

Today we went for a drive in the countryside. It was very beautiful to see the leaves changing colors. Ontario is really gorgeous this time of year. We also went to see a large Army base. I was able to climb under and inside one of the tanks on display. I am glad to know that there is a slim chance of me ever being forced into one of those!

Well, my experiences have been very good so far!

My love to all,
Zach

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