I decided to take a break from my paper outline and write to y’all back at home – it is Friday afternoon after all. I don’t feel much like working on a paper!
All is still well in Ecuador. We leave for the Galapagos Islands a week from today!! I am so, so excited (environmental concerns in the Galapagos – specifically with tourism – is actually the paper that I’m working on right now… it’s pretty interesting, and making the tree hugger in me a little angry). Anyway, we leave next Friday morning and we’re going to be traveling between the different islands for five days. It’s going to be so great! I’m really looking forward to the trip, I’m sure when I get back home it will be one of the highlights from my time in Ecuador.
I feel like this past week has been really good for me in the way of learning about the lifestyle and culture of Ecuadorians. There is a lot going on in the country right now (socially and politically) and my time in the classroom over these past few days was also really helpful in understanding life down here.
Elections for the National Assembly are on Sunday. My entire time in Ecuador so far has been filled with observations about the upcoming elections. In the past couple of weeks it has gotten to be pretty intense. There are soooo many candidates!! Ecuador is going to elect 130 representatives to this assembly from all over the country; 24 of the members will be national representatives, 6 will be from outside the country (two who are currently living in Europe, two from North America, and two from other countries in South/Central America), and the remaining 100 will be from the different providences of Ecuador. There are 22 providences in Ecuador and each one will have the correct number of representatives to equally represent the population living within the providence – so, Quito is in the providence of Pichincha, which will elect 14 representatives. This part is pretty similar to the U.S. The crazy part is looking at the newspapers and all the representatives that there are to choose from. There isn’t so much of a primary process down here – Sunday is the big (and only) day. Quito has been very alive with political campaigns and demonstrations. I’m sure Sunday will be interesting.
It’s a law in Ecuador that you cannot consume anything alcoholic for two days before or two days after elections. So from this morning until Tuesday at midnight it is illegal to drink. This isn’t anything that matters at all to me (I didn’t even know about the law until I overheard a bunch of people upset about it) but it has also been kind of interesting to watch – in a very different way. If I had to pick the thing that I like least about being in Ecuador it would be all the drinking. I don’t really fit into this aspect of lifestyle down here and it can make it tough at times (or lonely, really) when everyone goes out and parities and drinks all the time. I’ve been out to events with some of the other students, but I find myself getting tired of always being the sober one and always being asked over and over why I don’t drink. So I just stay home a lot. But, because of the elections this weekend, no one can party. I kind of think its funny because no one knows what to do. I do have a few friends that I have made who also don’t drink and we spend a lot of time together. Tonight we’re going out – accompanied by a bunch of unhappy people who have to remain sober. Maybe they can see that there is more to life in Quito than only partying…? They’re all great people and I like them a lot, we just have different lifestyles. Anyway, all of Ecuador is prohibited to drink for the next few days. A lot of places that are usually loud and partying by this time on Friday afternoons are dead quiet right now.
Yesterday in my Andean Religion class we ended up on the topic of modern-day (and recent historical, within the last 100 years) Catholicism in Ecuador – how in many places if you’re not Catholic when you pass away you’ll have to go though tons of trouble just to get a burial plot in a cemetery… stuff like that. This is a topic that I’ve had some trouble with since my arrival in Quito. My host mom is Catholic… along with the rest of my host family, although my host mom is the only one who goes to mass on a regular basis. One of the first things she asked me about when I got here was if I was Catholic. I told her no, I’m Episcopalian… which is similar but a different denomination with some different practices. She didn’t know what the denomination was at all so I tried my best to explain it to her (it’s a little tough in Spanish) but she almost seemed disappointed in me. The topic has come up more than once since then and every time the conversation goes about the same way as the first time. It seems like she thinks I’ll convert to Catholicism while I’m here if we keep talking about it and I keep experiencing things in Ecuador. The thing is, I’m really happy with my faith and I don’t want anything to change. So nothing will. I just think it’s funny that so many people down here declare themselves to be Catholic – but never attend mass and then behave in ways that they later turn around and criticize – and then also turn around and criticize my faith and me just because I don’t declare myself to be Catholic. It kind of bothers me sometimes. But then in class yesterday our professor (who is Catholic) was talking about this aspect of Catholicism and life in Ecuador. It helped to have him acknowledge it and explain it to us. I understand better now that it’s more a way of life and practice… and just something to observe while I’m here more than anything else.
This weekend my other host sister is coming home. She has been studying in Chicago for the past year. My host mom is so excited! It’s really sweet to see her getting everything ready. On Sunday (after they all go and vote) we’re having a birthday party for my host cousin. That should be fun too.
Tonight we’re going to a concert – it’s supposed to be something like movie music and soundtracks by this brass ensemble or something like that. I’m excited. There are a bunch of people coming with us and we’re going to have supper before the concert. It’s going to be a nice break from work because it was a pretty intense week academically (and there is another one to come). I like spending nights out because it really helps me with my Spanish. I can tell that I’ve really improved a lot (with speaking and comprehension) since I got here. I’m also getting to know the city fairly well. That’s nice, too.
I need to walk home and see my family before tonight. Have fun on reading days SBC!!!
28 September, 2007
25 September, 2007
the beach and spring 2008
Hi everyone!
We’ve been back from the beach since Sunday evening and I have to say that I’m a little bummed. This kind of surprises me because normally I don’t like the beach or the water... especially the water – but the beach down in Ecuador is quite different from any beach that I’ve ever been to in the U.S. I still didn’t swim much (pretty much just long enough to say that I had done it) but I had an awesome time.
The trip was with PUCE. IES went, along with three or four other study abroad and exchange programs. All together there were about 45 students. We left Quito on Thursday morning and had a seven hour drive to get to the coast. I don’t remember much from the drive… I spent the first two hours reading and then proceeded to fall asleep for almost five hours! One of my friends woke me up when we were almost to the coast because she was worried I was sick or something (really, I was just exhausted from a midterm on Wednesday). She has so pictures from the bus ride that I’m sure will haunt me for years to come – I have no idea how I managed to sleep in some of the positions that she got pictures of (or considering the fact that most of the roads we were traveling over were twisty and in the mountains)… I guess I really must have needed the sleep. By the way, Megan, Harlem J. Sac looks fabulous in these photos. :-) Me, not so much. You’ll laugh. Hard.
We stayed on the shore of Esmeraldas on some property that is owned by PUCE. The main university campus is in Quito but there are two other campuses in Ecuador – Esmeraldas is one of the cities. It was so nice! We could walk down to the shoreline easily from where we were staying… and if we walked about ¼ of a mile in either direction there were “boardwalks” and restaurants. We spent a ton of time going up and down the shoreline and talking to natives from the coast.
Debbie will be so proud of me. Everyone came back with either really bad sunburn or with a ton of bug bites. I didn’t have either. I was really careful to use strong sun block (which they all teased me for during the first few days!!) and I was lucky enough to come home without a burn… but with a tan. Most of the other students weren’t so lucky. A lot of them got stung by jelly fish too. It pays to be afraid of the water!!
On Saturday night we went to a traditional market in Esmeraldas. It was pretty neat – very different than Otavalo was. We had supper out and then went dancing. One of the directors (from Ecuador) told us, “We Latin Americans exist only to eat, talk and dance… go do that until 1a.m. and learn some stuff”. And that’s what we did. I think we are finally starting to blend in with the natives a little more – our Spanish is improving, we aren’t so white anymore, and we’re finally getting this dancing business down. It was tough to spot the gringos when I was walking around. I’m not used to that. Normally we stick out.
My step dad’s family at home tells me (especially during the late summer months) that I look like I could be from a Latin American country. They say this mostly because my eyes are so dark. I was wondering how long it would take until I could fool someone down here about being from the States… it turns out all I needed was a tan to go along with my eyes. I met this guy on Saturday night on the beach and he eventually asked me where I was from. I said the U.S., but then he told me that my eyes looked like I could be from here (or somewhere else in LA) and that my Spanish was really good for an exchange student. I told him my step dad was from El Salvador and that I had grown up hearing quite a bit of the language at home… he took this to mean that I was from El Salvador and he didn’t quite understand the word for 'step father' or even the literal expression ‘the husband of my mother’. Despite explaining to him that I’m from D.C. and that I'm actually IRISH (I did this numerous times), he still called me ‘Salvador’ for the rest of the night and continuously asked me how I managed to get a green card. Geez… Although, it was pretty funny.
It was a great weekend. It was nice to get out of Quito for a few days. I found a really awesome sand dollar – that I hope will get home to the U.S. safely – and went for super long walks on the beach three or four times each day. Some other students are trying to arrange another trip to a different beach one weekend sometime soon. I don’t like to swim, but I think I’ll go anyway.
Things are going well back in Quito. Classes are still the same and the professors are keeping us working hard. I read the first Latin American novel (of seven) and I understood it. My brain hurt afterwards though, a lot. Today we went to a museum with the Spanish PUCE class and were able to learn a lot about the history of Ecuador. It was really neat and I think I’m going to go back sometime on my own. It was also right near the historic center. I’m sure if I go back I’ll be able to find plenty of other things to do, too.
So for the past couple of weeks I have been trying to work some stuff out with my schedule for next semester. It turns out that there is some confusion about return dates for the spring (that I can’t get back here for) if I want to take only Ecuadorian classes – it’s the difference of almost 3 weeks!! I’ll have to take another Spanish class and another core course with my host program if I don’t transfer to another university in Quito. That wouldn’t be so bad, except that it means that nine credits won’t transfer back to SBC and I really can’t afford to not receive that many credits. I would also be 100% separated from the other exchange students. I don't want that either. So then I was looking at the classes that are offered at the Briar for spring 2008 and my schedule will work perfectly (for the first time ever) if I come back. Earlier today I finalized the decision and paperwork to be here only for this semester, so it’s official. Coming back means less stress for senior year – since I’m going to have Spanish senior seminar and senior environmental research to do. I can take care of some classes this spring. Plus I get to see everyone at home again, which is a nice bonus. I’m a little bummed to be leaving Ecuador earlier than I had planned, but I’m just trying to remind myself that I’m lucky to have had a semester here and also lucky to be able to spend part of my junior year at home.
I need to get some more reading done before class this evening. I hope things are well at home for everyone – I miss you guys as always.
We’ve been back from the beach since Sunday evening and I have to say that I’m a little bummed. This kind of surprises me because normally I don’t like the beach or the water... especially the water – but the beach down in Ecuador is quite different from any beach that I’ve ever been to in the U.S. I still didn’t swim much (pretty much just long enough to say that I had done it) but I had an awesome time.
The trip was with PUCE. IES went, along with three or four other study abroad and exchange programs. All together there were about 45 students. We left Quito on Thursday morning and had a seven hour drive to get to the coast. I don’t remember much from the drive… I spent the first two hours reading and then proceeded to fall asleep for almost five hours! One of my friends woke me up when we were almost to the coast because she was worried I was sick or something (really, I was just exhausted from a midterm on Wednesday). She has so pictures from the bus ride that I’m sure will haunt me for years to come – I have no idea how I managed to sleep in some of the positions that she got pictures of (or considering the fact that most of the roads we were traveling over were twisty and in the mountains)… I guess I really must have needed the sleep. By the way, Megan, Harlem J. Sac looks fabulous in these photos. :-) Me, not so much. You’ll laugh. Hard.
We stayed on the shore of Esmeraldas on some property that is owned by PUCE. The main university campus is in Quito but there are two other campuses in Ecuador – Esmeraldas is one of the cities. It was so nice! We could walk down to the shoreline easily from where we were staying… and if we walked about ¼ of a mile in either direction there were “boardwalks” and restaurants. We spent a ton of time going up and down the shoreline and talking to natives from the coast.
Debbie will be so proud of me. Everyone came back with either really bad sunburn or with a ton of bug bites. I didn’t have either. I was really careful to use strong sun block (which they all teased me for during the first few days!!) and I was lucky enough to come home without a burn… but with a tan. Most of the other students weren’t so lucky. A lot of them got stung by jelly fish too. It pays to be afraid of the water!!
On Saturday night we went to a traditional market in Esmeraldas. It was pretty neat – very different than Otavalo was. We had supper out and then went dancing. One of the directors (from Ecuador) told us, “We Latin Americans exist only to eat, talk and dance… go do that until 1a.m. and learn some stuff”. And that’s what we did. I think we are finally starting to blend in with the natives a little more – our Spanish is improving, we aren’t so white anymore, and we’re finally getting this dancing business down. It was tough to spot the gringos when I was walking around. I’m not used to that. Normally we stick out.
My step dad’s family at home tells me (especially during the late summer months) that I look like I could be from a Latin American country. They say this mostly because my eyes are so dark. I was wondering how long it would take until I could fool someone down here about being from the States… it turns out all I needed was a tan to go along with my eyes. I met this guy on Saturday night on the beach and he eventually asked me where I was from. I said the U.S., but then he told me that my eyes looked like I could be from here (or somewhere else in LA) and that my Spanish was really good for an exchange student. I told him my step dad was from El Salvador and that I had grown up hearing quite a bit of the language at home… he took this to mean that I was from El Salvador and he didn’t quite understand the word for 'step father' or even the literal expression ‘the husband of my mother’. Despite explaining to him that I’m from D.C. and that I'm actually IRISH (I did this numerous times), he still called me ‘Salvador’ for the rest of the night and continuously asked me how I managed to get a green card. Geez… Although, it was pretty funny.
It was a great weekend. It was nice to get out of Quito for a few days. I found a really awesome sand dollar – that I hope will get home to the U.S. safely – and went for super long walks on the beach three or four times each day. Some other students are trying to arrange another trip to a different beach one weekend sometime soon. I don’t like to swim, but I think I’ll go anyway.
Things are going well back in Quito. Classes are still the same and the professors are keeping us working hard. I read the first Latin American novel (of seven) and I understood it. My brain hurt afterwards though, a lot. Today we went to a museum with the Spanish PUCE class and were able to learn a lot about the history of Ecuador. It was really neat and I think I’m going to go back sometime on my own. It was also right near the historic center. I’m sure if I go back I’ll be able to find plenty of other things to do, too.
So for the past couple of weeks I have been trying to work some stuff out with my schedule for next semester. It turns out that there is some confusion about return dates for the spring (that I can’t get back here for) if I want to take only Ecuadorian classes – it’s the difference of almost 3 weeks!! I’ll have to take another Spanish class and another core course with my host program if I don’t transfer to another university in Quito. That wouldn’t be so bad, except that it means that nine credits won’t transfer back to SBC and I really can’t afford to not receive that many credits. I would also be 100% separated from the other exchange students. I don't want that either. So then I was looking at the classes that are offered at the Briar for spring 2008 and my schedule will work perfectly (for the first time ever) if I come back. Earlier today I finalized the decision and paperwork to be here only for this semester, so it’s official. Coming back means less stress for senior year – since I’m going to have Spanish senior seminar and senior environmental research to do. I can take care of some classes this spring. Plus I get to see everyone at home again, which is a nice bonus. I’m a little bummed to be leaving Ecuador earlier than I had planned, but I’m just trying to remind myself that I’m lucky to have had a semester here and also lucky to be able to spend part of my junior year at home.
I need to get some more reading done before class this evening. I hope things are well at home for everyone – I miss you guys as always.
24 September, 2007
19 September, 2007
Hey everyone!
I’ve had a very busy week – and it’s still not over. I’m pretty tired right now (we had a midterm today) but I wanted to write and update the blog before leaving for the beach tomorrow. The rest of this week will be just as busy, but with less stress (always good).
I spent last weekend with Nancy and her family and it was amazing. The wedding was beautiful and I had a lot of fun. There was a ton of dancing... and I think I’m finally starting to get this salsa business down. We went to Papallacta on Sunday – back to the hot springs – and had another great day. Nancy’s family is a lot of fun and they’re all very nice. It was a great weekend.
Having Nancy here was like having a full dose of Caroline, and it was great. I miss everyone at SBC so much… it was really nice to have someone around for a few days that could help to remind me of home. After spending so much time with Nancy I can see how and why Caroline has grown into being the person who she is. Nancy’s amazing and Caroline is just like her – sweet, energetic, unconditionally caring for others, and just happy to be living life. I’m sad she had to go back to the States!
I’m not going to write too much more tonight because I’m really tired. But thing are still going well down here. We’re going to the coast tomorrow and we’ll be there until Sunday night. I’m excited to see the ocean! I’ll be sure to update here as soon as I can when we get back into Quito, but until then, take care everyone!
P.S. I heard that 2011 won the rock and hitching post fight – is this true!?! Haha sophomores... my sister class rocks!!!! :-)
I’ve had a very busy week – and it’s still not over. I’m pretty tired right now (we had a midterm today) but I wanted to write and update the blog before leaving for the beach tomorrow. The rest of this week will be just as busy, but with less stress (always good).
I spent last weekend with Nancy and her family and it was amazing. The wedding was beautiful and I had a lot of fun. There was a ton of dancing... and I think I’m finally starting to get this salsa business down. We went to Papallacta on Sunday – back to the hot springs – and had another great day. Nancy’s family is a lot of fun and they’re all very nice. It was a great weekend.
Having Nancy here was like having a full dose of Caroline, and it was great. I miss everyone at SBC so much… it was really nice to have someone around for a few days that could help to remind me of home. After spending so much time with Nancy I can see how and why Caroline has grown into being the person who she is. Nancy’s amazing and Caroline is just like her – sweet, energetic, unconditionally caring for others, and just happy to be living life. I’m sad she had to go back to the States!
I’m not going to write too much more tonight because I’m really tired. But thing are still going well down here. We’re going to the coast tomorrow and we’ll be there until Sunday night. I’m excited to see the ocean! I’ll be sure to update here as soon as I can when we get back into Quito, but until then, take care everyone!
P.S. I heard that 2011 won the rock and hitching post fight – is this true!?! Haha sophomores... my sister class rocks!!!! :-)
13 September, 2007
the great side of quito and the not-so-great side of quito...
Hmm, well I have two recent things to tell y’all about.
Yesterday Nancy (Caroline’s fantastic childhood nanny) came to PUCE just as my morning class was getting out. She brought her sister, her brother, and her sister-in-law with her. What a cool family! We went out for an enormous lunch and I got to learn all about Nancy’s life in Quito. Caroline has told me tons of great things about growing up with Nancy and childhood trips to Ecuador – I always though she must be exaggerating about how great of a time she always had – but I know now that there was no exaggeration at all. Nancy and her family are wonderful. We didn’t get to spend too much time together because I had an afternoon class… but on Saturday I am going to see her again. The family is having a wedding in Quito and then a reception about an hour outside of the city. Nancy has invited me to come along and see what an Ecuadorian wedding is like --- I’m so excited! We’re going to stay the night outside of the city on Saturday and then on Sunday we’re going to Papallacta before returning to Quito. Papallacta is cool – it’s the same place that I went with IES to the hot springs. There is a lot to do there and I’m looking forward to going back. I’m looking forward to the entire weekend in general. :-)
The other thing that has happened recently isn’t as exciting, not in a good way at least… it was more of a learning experience, and a little bit of a scary one. I spent most of the day today with my friend, Laura. She’s one of the first friends I made when I arrived in Quito and I’m sure she’ll be one of the friends I stay close with after returning to the U.S. After our morning Spanish class we decided to walk to the IES center (a little over a mile) and have lunch with some of our other friends. We made it to the center okay – we walk between PUCE and IES at least 3 times a week – and spent about an hour at the center. After lunch we went back out into the city to look for a camera store that one of the directors had told Laura about. After Laura had got what she needed we were walking back towards IES on a road called Amazonas. I live two blocks off of this road (about ½ a mile down from where we were walking) and I know it pretty well from going back and forth between home and PUCE on the bus. But, this was the first time that I had walked this stretch of it. As we were walking Laura was telling me about how one of our other friends in our program had said that this area could be dangerous at night (it was 2:00pm). We were chatting and walking for quite a while and I noticed three men about 200 feet in front of us who were also chatting and walking in the same direction. Two women were coming from the other direction towards us – when they passed the men they stopped for about 30 seconds and started talking to the men. It seemed strange to me because they were all really close to each other, as if they were friends passing each other and saying hello, but they didn’t do the traditional Ecuadorian greeting upon first meeting (a small hug and kiss on the cheek). After about 30 seconds the women continued walking in our direction and the men continued ahead on ahead us, glancing back over their shoulders at the women and at Laura and me. Laura and I were a lot closer to the men at this point because they had been stopped for so long with the women. I didn’t think much of how the five people had stopped – it seemed odd to me but I didn’t really think much of it – Laura was telling me something and I had been listening to what she was saying. The two women passed us. Laura was on my right and they passed to our left. The woman closest to me turned just as we were passing and grabbed my arm harder than anyone has ever grabbed me before. I instinctively grabbed on to Laura and tried to pull away from the woman. She started speaking really, really fast, “por favor, no pasan, no pasan. Necesitan venir con nosotros, los hombres son ladrones. Tienen chuchillos.” Roughly translated she was telling us to turn around because the three men ahead of us had just robbed them and had knives. Really, we didn’t have much of a choice as to if we were going to turn around and go with the women or not; she pretty much pulled me with her. We turned around and went the other direction with the women (they were careful to sandwich us between them because they had already been robbed and it was obvious that Laura and I aren’t from Ecuador) and they took us about ¼ of a mile back down the road until they could get us onto a bus. As we were walking they told us that the three men had came up really close to them (as I saw taking place) and held them at knifepoint the entire time. Once they were happy with what they women had given them they let them continue on – making sure they were leaving and then looking to me and Laura.
We’ve been told at IES to be really careful about robbers and violence that takes place in Quito – it happens and it’s not something that is going to go away. So far everyone in our programs has been okay. But the experience today just goes to show how out of your control these situations can be. The two women who helped us, both natives to Quito, were completely taken by surprise with the three men. What’s more, where we were walking is one of the busiest streets in Quito and it was 2:00pm in the afternoon with tons of people nearby. It just goes to show that you can never, ever let your guard down – not even for a second or two.
The good thing is that Laura and I (and the women, too) are okay. We were a little shaken up but otherwise we’re fine. We were lucky that the women grabbed us like they did and that the men didn’t try anything funny when the women took us. Like I said earlier, Laura had needed to go get something for her camera and she had a lot on her that could have created trouble with the robbers. Plus - they were dangerous to begin with. Plus - we’re obviously gringas. I’m hoping that we won’t have anything like this happen again while we’re in Ecuador… one story is more than enough for me.
But again we’re both fine. We got back to the IES center and told the directors what happened in a very Spanglish splash of a story. I don’t think I’ll be walking that part of Amazonas ever again, but other than that I’m trying to think of this as just another day abroad and another lesson learned. It was an interesting afternoon.
p.s. – no one is allowed to tell grandma this!! Or Mary and Helen.
So it has been an interesting couple of days. Tomorrow I am going to go climbing – finally!! – and then I have to get ready to leave with Nancy on Saturday morning. I probably won’t post again until Sunday night or Monday – whenever I get back into Quito and have time to write all about the fantastic wedding and reception and trip to Papallacta.
(Brother… last night I went out with some of my friends to karaoke. Haha, you totally would have been proud of me! Except that the selection of English songs in a Spanish speaking country is kind of small – we had quite the variety of your typical “American” songs to chose from and I think the Ecuadorians we met are never going to want to hear another English song again. Or see a pack of 15 white kids who can’t sing to save their lives… :-)
Yesterday Nancy (Caroline’s fantastic childhood nanny) came to PUCE just as my morning class was getting out. She brought her sister, her brother, and her sister-in-law with her. What a cool family! We went out for an enormous lunch and I got to learn all about Nancy’s life in Quito. Caroline has told me tons of great things about growing up with Nancy and childhood trips to Ecuador – I always though she must be exaggerating about how great of a time she always had – but I know now that there was no exaggeration at all. Nancy and her family are wonderful. We didn’t get to spend too much time together because I had an afternoon class… but on Saturday I am going to see her again. The family is having a wedding in Quito and then a reception about an hour outside of the city. Nancy has invited me to come along and see what an Ecuadorian wedding is like --- I’m so excited! We’re going to stay the night outside of the city on Saturday and then on Sunday we’re going to Papallacta before returning to Quito. Papallacta is cool – it’s the same place that I went with IES to the hot springs. There is a lot to do there and I’m looking forward to going back. I’m looking forward to the entire weekend in general. :-)
The other thing that has happened recently isn’t as exciting, not in a good way at least… it was more of a learning experience, and a little bit of a scary one. I spent most of the day today with my friend, Laura. She’s one of the first friends I made when I arrived in Quito and I’m sure she’ll be one of the friends I stay close with after returning to the U.S. After our morning Spanish class we decided to walk to the IES center (a little over a mile) and have lunch with some of our other friends. We made it to the center okay – we walk between PUCE and IES at least 3 times a week – and spent about an hour at the center. After lunch we went back out into the city to look for a camera store that one of the directors had told Laura about. After Laura had got what she needed we were walking back towards IES on a road called Amazonas. I live two blocks off of this road (about ½ a mile down from where we were walking) and I know it pretty well from going back and forth between home and PUCE on the bus. But, this was the first time that I had walked this stretch of it. As we were walking Laura was telling me about how one of our other friends in our program had said that this area could be dangerous at night (it was 2:00pm). We were chatting and walking for quite a while and I noticed three men about 200 feet in front of us who were also chatting and walking in the same direction. Two women were coming from the other direction towards us – when they passed the men they stopped for about 30 seconds and started talking to the men. It seemed strange to me because they were all really close to each other, as if they were friends passing each other and saying hello, but they didn’t do the traditional Ecuadorian greeting upon first meeting (a small hug and kiss on the cheek). After about 30 seconds the women continued walking in our direction and the men continued ahead on ahead us, glancing back over their shoulders at the women and at Laura and me. Laura and I were a lot closer to the men at this point because they had been stopped for so long with the women. I didn’t think much of how the five people had stopped – it seemed odd to me but I didn’t really think much of it – Laura was telling me something and I had been listening to what she was saying. The two women passed us. Laura was on my right and they passed to our left. The woman closest to me turned just as we were passing and grabbed my arm harder than anyone has ever grabbed me before. I instinctively grabbed on to Laura and tried to pull away from the woman. She started speaking really, really fast, “por favor, no pasan, no pasan. Necesitan venir con nosotros, los hombres son ladrones. Tienen chuchillos.” Roughly translated she was telling us to turn around because the three men ahead of us had just robbed them and had knives. Really, we didn’t have much of a choice as to if we were going to turn around and go with the women or not; she pretty much pulled me with her. We turned around and went the other direction with the women (they were careful to sandwich us between them because they had already been robbed and it was obvious that Laura and I aren’t from Ecuador) and they took us about ¼ of a mile back down the road until they could get us onto a bus. As we were walking they told us that the three men had came up really close to them (as I saw taking place) and held them at knifepoint the entire time. Once they were happy with what they women had given them they let them continue on – making sure they were leaving and then looking to me and Laura.
We’ve been told at IES to be really careful about robbers and violence that takes place in Quito – it happens and it’s not something that is going to go away. So far everyone in our programs has been okay. But the experience today just goes to show how out of your control these situations can be. The two women who helped us, both natives to Quito, were completely taken by surprise with the three men. What’s more, where we were walking is one of the busiest streets in Quito and it was 2:00pm in the afternoon with tons of people nearby. It just goes to show that you can never, ever let your guard down – not even for a second or two.
The good thing is that Laura and I (and the women, too) are okay. We were a little shaken up but otherwise we’re fine. We were lucky that the women grabbed us like they did and that the men didn’t try anything funny when the women took us. Like I said earlier, Laura had needed to go get something for her camera and she had a lot on her that could have created trouble with the robbers. Plus - they were dangerous to begin with. Plus - we’re obviously gringas. I’m hoping that we won’t have anything like this happen again while we’re in Ecuador… one story is more than enough for me.
But again we’re both fine. We got back to the IES center and told the directors what happened in a very Spanglish splash of a story. I don’t think I’ll be walking that part of Amazonas ever again, but other than that I’m trying to think of this as just another day abroad and another lesson learned. It was an interesting afternoon.
p.s. – no one is allowed to tell grandma this!! Or Mary and Helen.
So it has been an interesting couple of days. Tomorrow I am going to go climbing – finally!! – and then I have to get ready to leave with Nancy on Saturday morning. I probably won’t post again until Sunday night or Monday – whenever I get back into Quito and have time to write all about the fantastic wedding and reception and trip to Papallacta.
(Brother… last night I went out with some of my friends to karaoke. Haha, you totally would have been proud of me! Except that the selection of English songs in a Spanish speaking country is kind of small – we had quite the variety of your typical “American” songs to chose from and I think the Ecuadorians we met are never going to want to hear another English song again. Or see a pack of 15 white kids who can’t sing to save their lives… :-)
11 September, 2007
Hey friends,
I’ve had a great couple of days – and I have another great few to look forward to. Time is really passing fast (tomorrow I will have been here for 3 weeks already!) and I can see that the semester is going to fly by. It will be 22 Dec. before I know it!!
I haven’t been able to update y’all much since last Friday, so I’ll start back there. On Friday I only have that 6-credit, never-ending, 3-hour-and-15-minute class… and then at 12:15pm I’m free for the rest of the day. Last Friday I spent the afternoon with three of my friends, Laura, Katy, and Becca, and we went on a mini adventure around Quito. We were using the Lonely Planet book and looking for cool places to visit and see. We certainly found many places, but we did manage to get a bit lost. The Lonely Planet book is fantastic – it has everything in it… maps, places to stay, museums, awesome food places, transportation recommendations, climbing places!!!, outdoor adventure suggestions – everything. We just need a little more practice at reading/following a map, and then we’ll be set. Next time we’re going to try using it for starters.
Our adventure ended up taking up all of the afternoon (which was totally fine). We all went back home to change and get ready for a cocktail that PUCE was hosting for all the exchange students. There was A LOT of dancing at the cocktail – salsa mostly, which I’m still pathetic at, but learning slowly – and it was still a ton of fun. The cocktail ended around 11:00, at which point we decided that we hadn’t had enough dancing, so we continued on to La Mariscal. It was a great night with all of my new friends and I really had a lot of fun.
I slept and studied for most of the weekend. I was pretty tired and didn’t feel up to doing much so I spent most of the time getting ahead on class work. I definitely had my first real bout of homesickness/SBCsickness. I’m through it now, but it was kind of tough. I was actually doing okay until I read a really sweet e-mail from Helen and saw a picture of Laura Jahnke on Facebook… then I got pretty bummed out for a little while. I’ve decided that homesickness is a bittersweet thing. It totally sucks to feel it – it’s pretty awful – but at the same time it wouldn’t be there if you didn’t have something wonderful and worthwhile to miss. I’m not bummed anymore, I feel a lot better, but I do have to say that I’m a lucky kid to have so many great friends at SBC and in WI and VA to miss, and so many family members to look forward to seeing. I never imagined that I would miss home like I was a few days ago; it was something totally new to me that I’m hoping not to have too much more of… and yet I appreciated at the same time.
The other thing that I was thinking about with going home is how strange it is going to be to go from August to December without experiencing any change in the weather. When I left DC it was sooooo hot, even for me, and I’m always cold. When I go home in December it will be two days before Christmas and cold again. Quito is the same temperature and same weather every single day (with the exception of wet season and dry season cycles). In my mind it’s still summer time in DC and that’s how it’s going to stay… I’m not experiencing any change at all in seasons down here. It’s going to be a strange transition to go through.
I’ve been able to experience some more of the culture and daily life in Quito. It’s cool how diverse the culture is down here – there is everyone from Europeans to indigenous cultures, and everything in between. A lot of people follow their traditional customs and beliefs (whatever they may be) while others seem to more like what we’re used to seeing in the States.
How people dress is a whole new thing to me. A lot of indigenous people (women in particular) follow their native dressing traditions. It’s really neat – I’ve seen some beautiful scarves and ponchos that they make themselves. The thing about dressing down here that confuses me the most though is how people dress for work. I’ve noticed, more often than not, offices have “uniforms”. This is true at PUCE – all the office workers must wear light grey and light pink (the exact same shades) everyday. PUCE’s is rather simple from what I’ve seen… some of these offices get really elaborate with their dress codes. I saw some women earlier today and they were wearing black with the same striped pattern of different colors. I’m not sure why they dress like that for office work, but it’s more complex than I’ve ever seen at home. People who are vendors on the streets also have uniforms that they work in – but they’re more like jumpsuits. Generally big and blue and look super hot to work in.
Another thing that I’ve noticed (I think this is pretty specific to Ecuador) is how many diminutives are used while speaking. At first I didn’t think too much of it – or I just didn’t notice too much – but with more time here I have really started to pick up on how often words are used differently. ‘Momentito’ seems rather normal to me… but ‘enfermita’ and ‘mapita’ were starting to push it. And then, yesterday in my environmental class out came the word ‘animalitos’. Seriously? ‘Animalitos?’ Yeah, Ecuador likes the diminutives. I though this was all too much until earlier today when I was eating lunch with one of my friends and I used one myself. It’s contagious!!!
The vosotros form of verbs has vanished for the year. It’s not used, it’s not taught, and it’s not even really recognized as a verb form. (Sorry Spanish professors at SBC) …but I’m kind of glad to say my goodbyes. It’s funny, in class I keep waiting to go on to the vosotros form and they just skip right over it into uds. I’ve been studying it on my own, but it’s not used here, ever. P.S. – my best move in the world when I came to Ecuador – I brought my intermediate Spanish book from a few years ago. Brilliant move… it’s saving me just about every day and helping me review the basics.
My environmental professor came to class yesterday almost an hour late. When he finally arrived he told us why he was so late: his car was stolen over the weekend. He told us the whole story, but basically what it came down to was that the police won’t help him. He said that he and his son had spent two days looking for it, and thought they found it, but the people who stole it are looking over it with weapons. And when he called the police to ask for help they told him to handle the situation on his own and they didn’t care to help. How crazy is that!? Again, this is another thing that I read about and learned about back in VA, but it’s different to see it actually take place. My professor is essentially out of luck. Bad day.
Elections are also coming up in Ecuador. People are starting to get very active in trying to promote the candidates that they want to see take office. It has been interesting to watch. It’s also completely different from the U.S. I was talking to a political sociologist a few days ago about the election process in Ecuador and about politics in general. He was more interested in speaking English to me (for his practice), which I was completely fine with. My favorite thing he said (I had to write it down because it really made me realize what life is life down here, in a comical sense on his part)… he said to me; “…checks and balances in the U.S… the, umm, where you have to, how do you say in English… ah, ‘accountability’. We don’t have that word in Spanish; we don’t even know the concept actually.” I had to laugh, but it seems that what he was saying (this among other things) is true. It’s going to be interesting to watch what happens down here. Ecuador is very politically active right now and in the process of changing many things – it’s a good time to study and learn.
So with all that, things still going well in Ecuador. Classes are great (although I’ve never read so much Borges in my entire life!!) and I’m really starting to settle into Quito.
I had a great day today – Nancy, Caroline’s childhood nanny who I’ve gotten to know over the years at SBC – is originally from Quito. She’s in town right now and she called me earlier today. I love Nancy to death; she’s absolutely one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Tomorrow I am going to meet her for lunch after my morning class and on Saturday she has invited me to a wedding with her entire family. I’m really, really excited – I’ve heard tons about her family from Caroline and I already know that they’re a great group of people. Plus I’ll get to meet more Ecuadorians and expand who I know down here. And a wedding!? Always fun…
When I got back to my host family tonight I told them all about Nancy and Saturday and the wedding. My host sister started pulling out dress after dress that I could borrow to wear. I got lucky with my host family – I have great parents and three siblings my age. ¡Qué suerte tengo!
I hope that everyone is doing well back in the States. I’ve had some really good (and long) Facebook conversations with some of you – and like I’ve already said, I miss you tons. Do your homework, study hard, play harder, and enjoy your year. I’ll see y’all in December or January and I expect good stories!!!! I already have some for you – ask Helen. :-)
I’ve had a great couple of days – and I have another great few to look forward to. Time is really passing fast (tomorrow I will have been here for 3 weeks already!) and I can see that the semester is going to fly by. It will be 22 Dec. before I know it!!
I haven’t been able to update y’all much since last Friday, so I’ll start back there. On Friday I only have that 6-credit, never-ending, 3-hour-and-15-minute class… and then at 12:15pm I’m free for the rest of the day. Last Friday I spent the afternoon with three of my friends, Laura, Katy, and Becca, and we went on a mini adventure around Quito. We were using the Lonely Planet book and looking for cool places to visit and see. We certainly found many places, but we did manage to get a bit lost. The Lonely Planet book is fantastic – it has everything in it… maps, places to stay, museums, awesome food places, transportation recommendations, climbing places!!!, outdoor adventure suggestions – everything. We just need a little more practice at reading/following a map, and then we’ll be set. Next time we’re going to try using it for starters.
Our adventure ended up taking up all of the afternoon (which was totally fine). We all went back home to change and get ready for a cocktail that PUCE was hosting for all the exchange students. There was A LOT of dancing at the cocktail – salsa mostly, which I’m still pathetic at, but learning slowly – and it was still a ton of fun. The cocktail ended around 11:00, at which point we decided that we hadn’t had enough dancing, so we continued on to La Mariscal. It was a great night with all of my new friends and I really had a lot of fun.
I slept and studied for most of the weekend. I was pretty tired and didn’t feel up to doing much so I spent most of the time getting ahead on class work. I definitely had my first real bout of homesickness/SBCsickness. I’m through it now, but it was kind of tough. I was actually doing okay until I read a really sweet e-mail from Helen and saw a picture of Laura Jahnke on Facebook… then I got pretty bummed out for a little while. I’ve decided that homesickness is a bittersweet thing. It totally sucks to feel it – it’s pretty awful – but at the same time it wouldn’t be there if you didn’t have something wonderful and worthwhile to miss. I’m not bummed anymore, I feel a lot better, but I do have to say that I’m a lucky kid to have so many great friends at SBC and in WI and VA to miss, and so many family members to look forward to seeing. I never imagined that I would miss home like I was a few days ago; it was something totally new to me that I’m hoping not to have too much more of… and yet I appreciated at the same time.
The other thing that I was thinking about with going home is how strange it is going to be to go from August to December without experiencing any change in the weather. When I left DC it was sooooo hot, even for me, and I’m always cold. When I go home in December it will be two days before Christmas and cold again. Quito is the same temperature and same weather every single day (with the exception of wet season and dry season cycles). In my mind it’s still summer time in DC and that’s how it’s going to stay… I’m not experiencing any change at all in seasons down here. It’s going to be a strange transition to go through.
I’ve been able to experience some more of the culture and daily life in Quito. It’s cool how diverse the culture is down here – there is everyone from Europeans to indigenous cultures, and everything in between. A lot of people follow their traditional customs and beliefs (whatever they may be) while others seem to more like what we’re used to seeing in the States.
How people dress is a whole new thing to me. A lot of indigenous people (women in particular) follow their native dressing traditions. It’s really neat – I’ve seen some beautiful scarves and ponchos that they make themselves. The thing about dressing down here that confuses me the most though is how people dress for work. I’ve noticed, more often than not, offices have “uniforms”. This is true at PUCE – all the office workers must wear light grey and light pink (the exact same shades) everyday. PUCE’s is rather simple from what I’ve seen… some of these offices get really elaborate with their dress codes. I saw some women earlier today and they were wearing black with the same striped pattern of different colors. I’m not sure why they dress like that for office work, but it’s more complex than I’ve ever seen at home. People who are vendors on the streets also have uniforms that they work in – but they’re more like jumpsuits. Generally big and blue and look super hot to work in.
Another thing that I’ve noticed (I think this is pretty specific to Ecuador) is how many diminutives are used while speaking. At first I didn’t think too much of it – or I just didn’t notice too much – but with more time here I have really started to pick up on how often words are used differently. ‘Momentito’ seems rather normal to me… but ‘enfermita’ and ‘mapita’ were starting to push it. And then, yesterday in my environmental class out came the word ‘animalitos’. Seriously? ‘Animalitos?’ Yeah, Ecuador likes the diminutives. I though this was all too much until earlier today when I was eating lunch with one of my friends and I used one myself. It’s contagious!!!
The vosotros form of verbs has vanished for the year. It’s not used, it’s not taught, and it’s not even really recognized as a verb form. (Sorry Spanish professors at SBC) …but I’m kind of glad to say my goodbyes. It’s funny, in class I keep waiting to go on to the vosotros form and they just skip right over it into uds. I’ve been studying it on my own, but it’s not used here, ever. P.S. – my best move in the world when I came to Ecuador – I brought my intermediate Spanish book from a few years ago. Brilliant move… it’s saving me just about every day and helping me review the basics.
My environmental professor came to class yesterday almost an hour late. When he finally arrived he told us why he was so late: his car was stolen over the weekend. He told us the whole story, but basically what it came down to was that the police won’t help him. He said that he and his son had spent two days looking for it, and thought they found it, but the people who stole it are looking over it with weapons. And when he called the police to ask for help they told him to handle the situation on his own and they didn’t care to help. How crazy is that!? Again, this is another thing that I read about and learned about back in VA, but it’s different to see it actually take place. My professor is essentially out of luck. Bad day.
Elections are also coming up in Ecuador. People are starting to get very active in trying to promote the candidates that they want to see take office. It has been interesting to watch. It’s also completely different from the U.S. I was talking to a political sociologist a few days ago about the election process in Ecuador and about politics in general. He was more interested in speaking English to me (for his practice), which I was completely fine with. My favorite thing he said (I had to write it down because it really made me realize what life is life down here, in a comical sense on his part)… he said to me; “…checks and balances in the U.S… the, umm, where you have to, how do you say in English… ah, ‘accountability’. We don’t have that word in Spanish; we don’t even know the concept actually.” I had to laugh, but it seems that what he was saying (this among other things) is true. It’s going to be interesting to watch what happens down here. Ecuador is very politically active right now and in the process of changing many things – it’s a good time to study and learn.
So with all that, things still going well in Ecuador. Classes are great (although I’ve never read so much Borges in my entire life!!) and I’m really starting to settle into Quito.
I had a great day today – Nancy, Caroline’s childhood nanny who I’ve gotten to know over the years at SBC – is originally from Quito. She’s in town right now and she called me earlier today. I love Nancy to death; she’s absolutely one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Tomorrow I am going to meet her for lunch after my morning class and on Saturday she has invited me to a wedding with her entire family. I’m really, really excited – I’ve heard tons about her family from Caroline and I already know that they’re a great group of people. Plus I’ll get to meet more Ecuadorians and expand who I know down here. And a wedding!? Always fun…
When I got back to my host family tonight I told them all about Nancy and Saturday and the wedding. My host sister started pulling out dress after dress that I could borrow to wear. I got lucky with my host family – I have great parents and three siblings my age. ¡Qué suerte tengo!
I hope that everyone is doing well back in the States. I’ve had some really good (and long) Facebook conversations with some of you – and like I’ve already said, I miss you tons. Do your homework, study hard, play harder, and enjoy your year. I’ll see y’all in December or January and I expect good stories!!!! I already have some for you – ask Helen. :-)
10 September, 2007
hey y'all!!! things are great down here but very busy ~ I promise, promise, promise to write more later (either later tonight or tomorrow). But please don't worry about me. I've been getting e-mails and facebook messages because I haven't updated my blog. I'm totally fine! :-)
I've got lots to write about and I promise to do it as soon as I get some free time.
For now, I'm off to class.
Abrazos grandes, amigos,
Lizzie
p.s. CONGRATS! to Jenn and Marc - we have a new baby in the family!!!!!!!
p.p.s Dad, I met Raul Juanito Jorge Antonio Benedicto Pedro Rene Bonito de la Cruz. Just kidding!!! :-) (don't worry people, if you're not brother, Judi or my dad you probably won't get this joke...)
I've got lots to write about and I promise to do it as soon as I get some free time.
For now, I'm off to class.
Abrazos grandes, amigos,
Lizzie
p.s. CONGRATS! to Jenn and Marc - we have a new baby in the family!!!!!!!
p.p.s Dad, I met Raul Juanito Jorge Antonio Benedicto Pedro Rene Bonito de la Cruz. Just kidding!!! :-) (don't worry people, if you're not brother, Judi or my dad you probably won't get this joke...)
07 September, 2007
05 September, 2007
Classes have started and they’re great – tough, but great. There were a ton of last minute changes at PUCE and I had to make some adjustments to my schedule. I feel a lot better now that things are settled and I know that this new schedule will workout.
So, it is,
(1) Spanish/Ecuadorian Culture Studies – this is a six week class that is worth 6 credits. It has “intensivo” in the title and I’ve learned in three days that that part is no joke. We have class everyday (Mon-Fri) from 9am until 12:15pm. It is long and I always leave with my brain hurting. But – it’s a good jumpstart to some serious intensive Spanish learning/immersion/review. It is going to be an intense 6 weeks, but I think this class will be worth it and I’ll be glad I took it.
(2) Religion of the Andes – of all the classes I’m taking, this one is going to totally kick my butt. It is taught at PUCE and with all Ecuadorian students. It’s about religion but is technically out of the Anthropology department (which I don’t know much about). The class is 500 level and the professor is said to be one of the hardest. But, according to my entrance exam and our director “puedes, no te preocupa” Yeah, well see. I’m really interested in the topic. I think I’ll just be spending a lot of time in the book. The other problem with this class: PUCE’s semester doesn’t end until 18 Jan. I have to take my final over a month early and teach myself the material!!
(3) Environment!!! One of my two favorites – just because it’s environment. We’re learning a ton about the ecosystems and environmental problems of Latin America (more Ecuador, specifically, but Latin America as a whole too). Later this semester we’re going to go to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon. :)
(4) Andean Literature – this is the other class that I think will be one of my favorites. I love reading. Having an excuse to read novel after novel makes me very happy. Our professor isn’t rushing us and he’s willing to help out with whatever we need. We’re reading 5 novels this semester (two of which are pretty long), and an additional 2 if we have time. It’s going to be so much fun.
I’m pretty happy about classes. They’re a bit stressful just because there is so much Spanish to take in in such a short period of time. But everyday I know more than I did the day before. The way they add credits down here is a bit strange. After the 6 week/6 credit class I’ll only have 3 classes to go to… but I’ll still be working on 10 credits. Normally I wouldn’t like the idea of this, but I think I’m going to need more time near the end of the semester – as more reading assignments are given and I’m getting ready to take that final a month early.
So for all my SBC friends, I had a total Lizzie-is-an-idiot moment yesterday and none of you were there to laugh at me!! It made me kind of sad.
I was on my way to PUCE (about a 15 minute bus ride - south from my house) for my morning class. The buses don’t run as frequently during the early hours. I got to the street where I normally pick up the bus and I waited for a few minutes… but none passed. So I started walking in the direction that I had to go and decided that as soon as one was coming down the street I would get on. I walked for a long time and got to an intersection that was more like a huge traffic circle. It had 6 different streets connecting into it. Being tired, dumb and Lizzie, I took the wrong street. So finally a bus came – I got on it – and before I knew it, I was at the airport (10 minutes north of my house). Quito is huge and all I could do was laugh at myself. I sat there for a few minutes and watched as they loaded a plane (that was going to Italy!! I’m not going to lie, I seriously considered trying to pass as baggage). But seeing the airport made me a little homesick, so again I went bus hunting. I felt so dumb. But! I still made it to class on time thanks to running like a crazy person. Don’t worry SBC people, all my friends down here aren’t going to let me forget my issues with the bus. (Really, this is just one of many problems I’ve had) :)
So, it is,
(1) Spanish/Ecuadorian Culture Studies – this is a six week class that is worth 6 credits. It has “intensivo” in the title and I’ve learned in three days that that part is no joke. We have class everyday (Mon-Fri) from 9am until 12:15pm. It is long and I always leave with my brain hurting. But – it’s a good jumpstart to some serious intensive Spanish learning/immersion/review. It is going to be an intense 6 weeks, but I think this class will be worth it and I’ll be glad I took it.
(2) Religion of the Andes – of all the classes I’m taking, this one is going to totally kick my butt. It is taught at PUCE and with all Ecuadorian students. It’s about religion but is technically out of the Anthropology department (which I don’t know much about). The class is 500 level and the professor is said to be one of the hardest. But, according to my entrance exam and our director “puedes, no te preocupa” Yeah, well see. I’m really interested in the topic. I think I’ll just be spending a lot of time in the book. The other problem with this class: PUCE’s semester doesn’t end until 18 Jan. I have to take my final over a month early and teach myself the material!!
(3) Environment!!! One of my two favorites – just because it’s environment. We’re learning a ton about the ecosystems and environmental problems of Latin America (more Ecuador, specifically, but Latin America as a whole too). Later this semester we’re going to go to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon. :)
(4) Andean Literature – this is the other class that I think will be one of my favorites. I love reading. Having an excuse to read novel after novel makes me very happy. Our professor isn’t rushing us and he’s willing to help out with whatever we need. We’re reading 5 novels this semester (two of which are pretty long), and an additional 2 if we have time. It’s going to be so much fun.
I’m pretty happy about classes. They’re a bit stressful just because there is so much Spanish to take in in such a short period of time. But everyday I know more than I did the day before. The way they add credits down here is a bit strange. After the 6 week/6 credit class I’ll only have 3 classes to go to… but I’ll still be working on 10 credits. Normally I wouldn’t like the idea of this, but I think I’m going to need more time near the end of the semester – as more reading assignments are given and I’m getting ready to take that final a month early.
So for all my SBC friends, I had a total Lizzie-is-an-idiot moment yesterday and none of you were there to laugh at me!! It made me kind of sad.
I was on my way to PUCE (about a 15 minute bus ride - south from my house) for my morning class. The buses don’t run as frequently during the early hours. I got to the street where I normally pick up the bus and I waited for a few minutes… but none passed. So I started walking in the direction that I had to go and decided that as soon as one was coming down the street I would get on. I walked for a long time and got to an intersection that was more like a huge traffic circle. It had 6 different streets connecting into it. Being tired, dumb and Lizzie, I took the wrong street. So finally a bus came – I got on it – and before I knew it, I was at the airport (10 minutes north of my house). Quito is huge and all I could do was laugh at myself. I sat there for a few minutes and watched as they loaded a plane (that was going to Italy!! I’m not going to lie, I seriously considered trying to pass as baggage). But seeing the airport made me a little homesick, so again I went bus hunting. I felt so dumb. But! I still made it to class on time thanks to running like a crazy person. Don’t worry SBC people, all my friends down here aren’t going to let me forget my issues with the bus. (Really, this is just one of many problems I’ve had) :)
04 September, 2007
I don't have a whole lot of time right now to write about classes - but, they've started, they're going well, and I'm learning Spanish like crazy.
I met my host dad last night. He's really cool. He spends most of his time at our family's farm outside of the city. I haven't been able to get to know him too well yet because he just got home yesterday and classes are already keeping me busy. I think I'll learn a lot from him - he was telling me all about Latin American politics and culture (as he ate his supper of frosted flakes and chocolate milk). I got lucky with having an awesome host family.
Over the weekend I got into a fight with some kind of bug and I think it won. I have three bite marks on my leg. A few days ago they looked similar to mosquito bites... but now they are huge and swollen and solid black in color. Gladys, one of our directors, thinks they're spider bites. My host mom thinks they're from a fly. If it was a fly, that was one powerful and hardcore fly. The day I got them I also had swelling in my face and lips. The bugs down here are intense. I'm hoping my leg will go back to a normal color sometime soon.
I have two more classes tonight and then lots of work (already!). I'll write more about how they're going sometime soon... like after I've been to all of them at least once. :)
I met my host dad last night. He's really cool. He spends most of his time at our family's farm outside of the city. I haven't been able to get to know him too well yet because he just got home yesterday and classes are already keeping me busy. I think I'll learn a lot from him - he was telling me all about Latin American politics and culture (as he ate his supper of frosted flakes and chocolate milk). I got lucky with having an awesome host family.
Over the weekend I got into a fight with some kind of bug and I think it won. I have three bite marks on my leg. A few days ago they looked similar to mosquito bites... but now they are huge and swollen and solid black in color. Gladys, one of our directors, thinks they're spider bites. My host mom thinks they're from a fly. If it was a fly, that was one powerful and hardcore fly. The day I got them I also had swelling in my face and lips. The bugs down here are intense. I'm hoping my leg will go back to a normal color sometime soon.
I have two more classes tonight and then lots of work (already!). I'll write more about how they're going sometime soon... like after I've been to all of them at least once. :)
01 September, 2007
a mí me encanta quito mucho, mucho, mucho
There is so much to write about. It has been a very long (but great!) few days. We’re done with all our orientation classes and meetings and we’re ready to start classes on Monday. Our last day of formal lessons was on Wednesday – we’ve pretty much been playing and having a great time since then.
On Thursday morning I met up with two of my friends, Cami and Laura, and we decided to explore Quito. We wanted to get to know where everything is a bit better and to practice using the bus system (since it’s insane) before classes start. We used the Ecovia first. It’s a specialized bus system that only goes between certain areas and streets. Then we used a connection-type bus that connects the Ecovia and the trolley. From there we used the trolley, and from there we went to some of the “normal” buses. Basically, all the others that we hadn't used. I still don’t understand most of it, but I’m sure I’ll figure it all out eventually. I hope. :(
After spending the morning going around Quito we decided to do something fun. We went to TelefériQo, a huge sky tram that goes 2.5km up the side of Volcán Pichincha to the top of Cruz Loma. The base of the sky tram is right in Quito, but the top is 4100m (and amazing, overlooking the entire city). From there you can hike up to 4680m to the top of Rucu Pichincha. When we got to the 4100m mark we spent some time getting adjusted to the altitude. The air was soooo thin and cold. It was hard to get even part of a breath in. We had té de coca, a hot tea that is made from the same plant that cocaine is produced from. I had no idea that a drug that is so dangerous can also be really helpful when it is used properly. The leaves that are used in the tea help to cure hunger and altitude sickness. We had the tea and it helped all three of us a lot. We tried to hike some of the ascent up to the peak of Rucu Pichinha but didn’t make it all the way. It’s a tough hike. We sat for a long time at the top of the highest peak that we did manage to get to. It was really amazing. On one side we could see all of Quito, on the other it was all native farmland and mountains. The clouds were so close to where we were that it looked like you could reach up and grab them. If we had hiked much longer I think we would have been about to. The peak of Rucu Pichinha was up in the clouds – you couldn’t see it! We decided that we weren’t going to try to peak that day because we weren’t really prepared for it (it turned out to be the right decision because one of my friends did start to have some of the difficult symptoms of altitude sickness) but we want to go back another day and do the whole hike. I’m really excited and I can’t wait.
After our hike and TelefériQo we went back into Quito and explored a bit more. Then we all went home because we had to be back at PUCE early the next morning.
The exchange students for the Fall 2007 semester got to go on a trip to the Imbabura Providence for Friday and Saturday. This area is where Otavalo is located; a fairly famous indigenous market in Ecuador. We met a man who was from the indigenous population of Imbabura. He explained a ton to us about the culture and traditions of the area – history, religion, family, marriage, death and life, food, nature. There was more, too. He also took us out into the wooded part of the Providence. We saw an amazing waterfall that crashed 80ft down between two of the Andean mountains. It was incredible.
After we left from meeting some of the indigenous population, the directors took us to the hotel where we were going to stay for the night. They fed us (again) and then told us that we needed to spend the rest of the two days having a good time. Leave it to your imagination, but the job was well taken care of by the 45 college students. The directors definitely weren’t lacking in taking part with us. We walked around the area for a long time and explored the terrain. Around 5pm we went back to the main lodge of the hotel and they gave us tea and empanadas. The tea was really different from the US also. It was the second time in two days that I got to have new tea, and being a complete tea addict, I was very happy.
So then the directors told us to get warm clothes on because we were going to go out on a boat (the hotel was on a lake in between a mountain range). We did as we were told and then went to where we were supposed to meet. We were all thinking that we were going to spend an hour and a half before supper being cold and floating on a boat. That’s not so much how it was. The boat was like a huge pontoon, decorated to fit the culture of Ecuador and Latin America. Along with the students and the directors came more food, drinks and a traditional band to the area. All of our chins about hit the floor – especially when the directors were all telling us to get it together and have fun. So fun it was. We spent a long time in the middle of the lake in the mountains. It was awesome.
We came back to shore and they gave us more food… supper I guess is what they were going for, but it was a little late and we weren't really too hungry. We hung out for a little while, but for the most part all went to bed pretty soon after the boat experience. My friend Anna and I tried to watch Spanish TV. Tried bing the key word. It’s hard! And the telenovelas… I couldn’t stop laughing long enough to listen, so Anna eventually gave up and turned off the TV. We both needed to sleep anyway.
This morning we went to Otavalo market. Again, how cool. We spent about 3 hours looking around and learning a lot more about the traditions of the Imbabura Providence. It was really neat.
We got back to Quito at about 6:30pm tonight. Tired is the understatement of how life feels right now, but the last few days were totally worth it. I really feel like I am starting to get to know Quito. Debbie, I’ll try to embrace the hot springs but I can’t make any promises. If the hot springs are the biggest problem that I run into in Ecuador then I think everything is going to be just fine. I think for the rest of the night I’m just going to rest and try to get some sleep. If I wake up in time in the morning, I’ll try to go to church, but right now I’m so tired that thinking (not to mention communicating) in Spanish is just about impossible.
So to everyone in the US, I miss you guys a ton and I hope you’re doing well. If you want my contact information down here and I haven’t sent it to you yet just let me know. Un abrazo muy grade para todos!!!
On Thursday morning I met up with two of my friends, Cami and Laura, and we decided to explore Quito. We wanted to get to know where everything is a bit better and to practice using the bus system (since it’s insane) before classes start. We used the Ecovia first. It’s a specialized bus system that only goes between certain areas and streets. Then we used a connection-type bus that connects the Ecovia and the trolley. From there we used the trolley, and from there we went to some of the “normal” buses. Basically, all the others that we hadn't used. I still don’t understand most of it, but I’m sure I’ll figure it all out eventually. I hope. :(
After spending the morning going around Quito we decided to do something fun. We went to TelefériQo, a huge sky tram that goes 2.5km up the side of Volcán Pichincha to the top of Cruz Loma. The base of the sky tram is right in Quito, but the top is 4100m (and amazing, overlooking the entire city). From there you can hike up to 4680m to the top of Rucu Pichincha. When we got to the 4100m mark we spent some time getting adjusted to the altitude. The air was soooo thin and cold. It was hard to get even part of a breath in. We had té de coca, a hot tea that is made from the same plant that cocaine is produced from. I had no idea that a drug that is so dangerous can also be really helpful when it is used properly. The leaves that are used in the tea help to cure hunger and altitude sickness. We had the tea and it helped all three of us a lot. We tried to hike some of the ascent up to the peak of Rucu Pichinha but didn’t make it all the way. It’s a tough hike. We sat for a long time at the top of the highest peak that we did manage to get to. It was really amazing. On one side we could see all of Quito, on the other it was all native farmland and mountains. The clouds were so close to where we were that it looked like you could reach up and grab them. If we had hiked much longer I think we would have been about to. The peak of Rucu Pichinha was up in the clouds – you couldn’t see it! We decided that we weren’t going to try to peak that day because we weren’t really prepared for it (it turned out to be the right decision because one of my friends did start to have some of the difficult symptoms of altitude sickness) but we want to go back another day and do the whole hike. I’m really excited and I can’t wait.
After our hike and TelefériQo we went back into Quito and explored a bit more. Then we all went home because we had to be back at PUCE early the next morning.
The exchange students for the Fall 2007 semester got to go on a trip to the Imbabura Providence for Friday and Saturday. This area is where Otavalo is located; a fairly famous indigenous market in Ecuador. We met a man who was from the indigenous population of Imbabura. He explained a ton to us about the culture and traditions of the area – history, religion, family, marriage, death and life, food, nature. There was more, too. He also took us out into the wooded part of the Providence. We saw an amazing waterfall that crashed 80ft down between two of the Andean mountains. It was incredible.
After we left from meeting some of the indigenous population, the directors took us to the hotel where we were going to stay for the night. They fed us (again) and then told us that we needed to spend the rest of the two days having a good time. Leave it to your imagination, but the job was well taken care of by the 45 college students. The directors definitely weren’t lacking in taking part with us. We walked around the area for a long time and explored the terrain. Around 5pm we went back to the main lodge of the hotel and they gave us tea and empanadas. The tea was really different from the US also. It was the second time in two days that I got to have new tea, and being a complete tea addict, I was very happy.
So then the directors told us to get warm clothes on because we were going to go out on a boat (the hotel was on a lake in between a mountain range). We did as we were told and then went to where we were supposed to meet. We were all thinking that we were going to spend an hour and a half before supper being cold and floating on a boat. That’s not so much how it was. The boat was like a huge pontoon, decorated to fit the culture of Ecuador and Latin America. Along with the students and the directors came more food, drinks and a traditional band to the area. All of our chins about hit the floor – especially when the directors were all telling us to get it together and have fun. So fun it was. We spent a long time in the middle of the lake in the mountains. It was awesome.
We came back to shore and they gave us more food… supper I guess is what they were going for, but it was a little late and we weren't really too hungry. We hung out for a little while, but for the most part all went to bed pretty soon after the boat experience. My friend Anna and I tried to watch Spanish TV. Tried bing the key word. It’s hard! And the telenovelas… I couldn’t stop laughing long enough to listen, so Anna eventually gave up and turned off the TV. We both needed to sleep anyway.
This morning we went to Otavalo market. Again, how cool. We spent about 3 hours looking around and learning a lot more about the traditions of the Imbabura Providence. It was really neat.
We got back to Quito at about 6:30pm tonight. Tired is the understatement of how life feels right now, but the last few days were totally worth it. I really feel like I am starting to get to know Quito. Debbie, I’ll try to embrace the hot springs but I can’t make any promises. If the hot springs are the biggest problem that I run into in Ecuador then I think everything is going to be just fine. I think for the rest of the night I’m just going to rest and try to get some sleep. If I wake up in time in the morning, I’ll try to go to church, but right now I’m so tired that thinking (not to mention communicating) in Spanish is just about impossible.
So to everyone in the US, I miss you guys a ton and I hope you’re doing well. If you want my contact information down here and I haven’t sent it to you yet just let me know. Un abrazo muy grade para todos!!!
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