Since I'm leaving on June 15, 2008 to teach English as a Foreign Language in the Galapagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, for two months, I thought it might be useful to find out the history of the islands and useful information cultural information that I could use to integrate myself into their culture and use in my teaching while I'm there. Searching on Google, I first entered: "Galapagos Islands" OR "Islas Galapagos" (as they are called in Spanish) so I could get a full listing of both English and Spanish websites available to me because I am able to read both languages fluently.

Using this search only, of course 241,000 hits came up on the web with this criteria. The first four were Wikipedia, but I didn't want to use that material, so I browsed through other websites and came across the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism, and looking further into the website even though it contained solely things for tourists (of which I will not be because I will be living there) I did find a Ecuadorian dictionary of slang words they use there, something very useful to someone in my situation!

I know Charles Darwin had a lot to do with the Galapagos Islands, but I wanted to find out more about his studies there, specifically when he was there and what he found. So, I entered "Charles Darwin" AND "Galapagos Islands" and found this video where I learned about the Charles Darwin Foundation and all they are doing to save the tortoises and other plant and animal habitats throughout the islands in the name of Charles Darwin.

Being able to use the specific operators helped me to narrow my search functions significantly and did not bring up the usual "Visit the Galapagos Islands Today on our cruise ship vacation websites", which is very comforting.

Finally, I wanted to find the famous book that Charles Darwin wrote on his experience in the Galapagos Islands on natural selection, called: On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. This book was published in 1882, but that's all I've ever known about it. When I typed in, "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" into Google, the entire book came up! You can read the entire book on Google Books. I thought this was remarkable.

Thus, my search of The Galapagos Islands is not over, but I feel confident that I am more prepared to go and teach, and search if I have to, information on the subjects that I will need to if need be!

Over winter break, I was able to visit Key West with mi novio (¿Cómo se dice en inglés?) , who's from Tampa, FL, where we celebrated New Year's on Duval Street. On the way down to the centro of Key West, we met a man on the bus from Mérida, México, located in the Yucatán Península, and he told us all about his life and how he came to live in Key West.

Right before midnight came, there were over 10,000 people on la calle! Key West is known for their conch shells, so there they drop a gigantic conch shell for New Year's Eve! We were standing outside the restaurant/bar where they did it and it was amazing! You can see the photo to the left  after the shell dropped. Afterwards, it was mayhem getting home!