Ok y'all, now things are getting rough.
Imagine yourself seated at a table with lots of Latin Americans eating very delicious bread and rice... yum. Everyone is smiling, laughing, telling jokes.
Now imagine doing that at every meal.
Now imagine your digestive tract.
Still yum?
I don't think so. And so I introduce the second week of Ecuador. The problems begin. Two of my close friends, have had digestive tract infections and one went to the hospital today. I've had my fair share of "dolor de estomago", tambien but so far so good. As my host mom has just said "Comer con cuidado". My stomach is acquiring little friends such as amoebas, and other microbes, and I'm so glad that I can provide them with a pleasant home.
On another note, last night was the welcome party for the foreign students en la plaza foche en la Mariscal. It was a gringo-fest but still quite fun. I managed to find the only ecuadorians there and play fusbol with them and also pick up a few good dance moves. I fiesta-ed until 1am and then Skyped until 2 and woke up a 6am that same morning for my first day of school. It's lucky that the first day of school here is taken so seriously...not!
My classes had a 50% chance of actually taking place since 2/4 of my classes were cancelled today: Advanced spanish and Tropical rainforest ecology.
However, my favorite class, ANDANISMO (mountain climbing) was excellent. In this class we will attend only fridays and excursions. On friday mornings we'll learn technical knot trying, watch movies to learn about the mountains here, and rappell in our gym. There will be 4 excursions that get increasingly more difficult finishing with ice climbing! I think this will be a great prep for my Cotopaxi climb in December.
Tomorrow, I have my elective classes which I find exciting...Political Science, Basic Design, and Human ecology.
Hasta!
Mi Familia
Rosa, Paola, y Yo
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Hola!
I have so much to say.
A few days ago I had my first real study abroad adventure with Beth. Our orientation on Tuesday ran way over in time and por eso, our plans were slightly thrown off. Beth and I had planned to go to the internet cafe and have a drink and connect electronically to our home! Although this was the first time I had ridden the bus, Beth aka"Butt" in Latin America, assured me that she knew the bus system and I knew the way home from her house. At la estacion La "Y" (this is where we screwed up) we took the bus that "sounded familiar" to Beth: Laureles. Unfortunately the reason that this sounded familiar was because it took us directly back to where we came from. Despite this, it was dark and as we looked out the window of the bus, Beth says, "oh, this looks familiar". Well, obviously. This is our stop that goes to Cumbaya! We had to call mi madre, who saved us and funcioned as a chaffuer to drop off 2 of us Kzoo-ers. I felt really bad though because I interrupted Rosa's cita with Carlos!
Then, yesterday also presented another grand adventure. Beth and I decided to go for a run, which is actually not done here to often except by ecuadorians on the weekend. Additionally, wearing shorts also earns you a guaranteed ticket to get cat called....A lot more than normal.
I experience daily what it is like to be a minority. People constantly stare at me everywhere I go. There are hardly any people with light skin and blue eyes, making me (and many of my friends) a novelty here. Needless to say, the run brought even more attention to us and included a man peeing in the street, barking and jumping guard dogs that absolutely scared the crap out of us, crazy traffic ---
Pause here. Boulderites, pay attention. In quito, the pedestrian NEVER has the right of way. Lauren- you would die here. I almost got hit by a car and now Beth and my phrase when at a street crossing is, "Mira, y entonces".
Last night after our running adventure, we went out to El foche, which is in the center of the Mariscal. This is where all of the bars and discotecs are. It was SOOO much fun! I had never been to a club so this was such an exciting adventure. A large group of us went to a Karaoke Bar and got pitchers of Sex on the beach. Mira! I only had one glass and that was enough for me for the entire night plus some sips of Beth's gin and tonic. The drinks here are tan FUERTE! the positive thing there is that it wont really cut into my budget much ;).
After the Karaoke bar, we went to a discotec and danced for hours. I danced mostly with K-zooers but then also danced with an ecuadorian, Cesno? I actually couldn't really hear his name, but this is my educated guess. The diferent style of dance is much more relaxed and effortless than my normal crazy american style.
The entire night was very fun , but I paid the consequence for staying out til 2am in my 9am class. Oh well, mi profe, Jorge, purposely didn't give us homework last night so that we could "experience" Ecuador. jajaja
Well I miss you,
Hasta Pasta
I have so much to say.
A few days ago I had my first real study abroad adventure with Beth. Our orientation on Tuesday ran way over in time and por eso, our plans were slightly thrown off. Beth and I had planned to go to the internet cafe and have a drink and connect electronically to our home! Although this was the first time I had ridden the bus, Beth aka"Butt" in Latin America, assured me that she knew the bus system and I knew the way home from her house. At la estacion La "Y" (this is where we screwed up) we took the bus that "sounded familiar" to Beth: Laureles. Unfortunately the reason that this sounded familiar was because it took us directly back to where we came from. Despite this, it was dark and as we looked out the window of the bus, Beth says, "oh, this looks familiar". Well, obviously. This is our stop that goes to Cumbaya! We had to call mi madre, who saved us and funcioned as a chaffuer to drop off 2 of us Kzoo-ers. I felt really bad though because I interrupted Rosa's cita with Carlos!
Then, yesterday also presented another grand adventure. Beth and I decided to go for a run, which is actually not done here to often except by ecuadorians on the weekend. Additionally, wearing shorts also earns you a guaranteed ticket to get cat called....A lot more than normal.
I experience daily what it is like to be a minority. People constantly stare at me everywhere I go. There are hardly any people with light skin and blue eyes, making me (and many of my friends) a novelty here. Needless to say, the run brought even more attention to us and included a man peeing in the street, barking and jumping guard dogs that absolutely scared the crap out of us, crazy traffic ---
Pause here. Boulderites, pay attention. In quito, the pedestrian NEVER has the right of way. Lauren- you would die here. I almost got hit by a car and now Beth and my phrase when at a street crossing is, "Mira, y entonces".
Last night after our running adventure, we went out to El foche, which is in the center of the Mariscal. This is where all of the bars and discotecs are. It was SOOO much fun! I had never been to a club so this was such an exciting adventure. A large group of us went to a Karaoke Bar and got pitchers of Sex on the beach. Mira! I only had one glass and that was enough for me for the entire night plus some sips of Beth's gin and tonic. The drinks here are tan FUERTE! the positive thing there is that it wont really cut into my budget much ;).
After the Karaoke bar, we went to a discotec and danced for hours. I danced mostly with K-zooers but then also danced with an ecuadorian, Cesno? I actually couldn't really hear his name, but this is my educated guess. The diferent style of dance is much more relaxed and effortless than my normal crazy american style.
The entire night was very fun , but I paid the consequence for staying out til 2am in my 9am class. Oh well, mi profe, Jorge, purposely didn't give us homework last night so that we could "experience" Ecuador. jajaja
Well I miss you,
Hasta Pasta
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Quito, Ecuador
Hola from Quito!
Last night I flew into a mountinous city, sprinkled with orange lights everywhere. I was one of the first students from our group to get my luggage and get through customs. Although I was somewhat reluctant to leave the group, the families holding signs just beyond a sliding door that said Ecuador! were too alluring. As I looked around I began to see the names of my friends on the signs surrounding me, but not my name. I met Tania and Natalie, our program coordinators and they directed me to two nice women. I can't explain the feeling of meeting someone who has been waiting for you and knows your face yet you have only imagined them and know nothing. It was very special. Rosa is my host mom and her daughter is Paola who is 20 years old. We got my giant backpack (even though I packed the least of anyone in our group) into the back of their little white sedan and drove 10-15 minutes to their apartment. Mi cuarto es muy comodo and I share a bathroom with Paola.
They are very open here so they've already asked me many times if I have a novio.
Mi familia es tan generosa y tranquilo. Seriously, Rosa keeps saying "cosas de la casa", tranquilo, understand, and "es tu casa".I looked out my window this morning and saw las montanas! They have a pretty big apartment, but no "empleados" (housekeepers) which makes me feel a bit more at home. Paola is studying to be a doctora. Rosa also has a son Juan Sebastian who is 28. He works at an antenna company...something with technology is what I;ve gotten so far. He doesn't live here but he's been here ever since I've been here.
We had huevos y cereal (Frosted Flakes) para desayuna y Paola esta horneando un pavo para almuerzo. I am only allowed to have water and limonada for the first week and then I get to have orange juice. Woopee! Today I am going to el "super" (mercado) con Rosa y will hopefully buy a telefono celular. I just realized this is very Spanglish, but hey I'm adjusting. haha
Tomorrow we are having our first Intensive spanish class and I have to get to the Rio Coco bus stop by 8:30, I think. Rosa said that she'll help me out for the first week though so thats good.
Chau!
Besos,Sarita
Last night I flew into a mountinous city, sprinkled with orange lights everywhere. I was one of the first students from our group to get my luggage and get through customs. Although I was somewhat reluctant to leave the group, the families holding signs just beyond a sliding door that said Ecuador! were too alluring. As I looked around I began to see the names of my friends on the signs surrounding me, but not my name. I met Tania and Natalie, our program coordinators and they directed me to two nice women. I can't explain the feeling of meeting someone who has been waiting for you and knows your face yet you have only imagined them and know nothing. It was very special. Rosa is my host mom and her daughter is Paola who is 20 years old. We got my giant backpack (even though I packed the least of anyone in our group) into the back of their little white sedan and drove 10-15 minutes to their apartment. Mi cuarto es muy comodo and I share a bathroom with Paola.
They are very open here so they've already asked me many times if I have a novio.
Mi familia es tan generosa y tranquilo. Seriously, Rosa keeps saying "cosas de la casa", tranquilo, understand, and "es tu casa".I looked out my window this morning and saw las montanas! They have a pretty big apartment, but no "empleados" (housekeepers) which makes me feel a bit more at home. Paola is studying to be a doctora. Rosa also has a son Juan Sebastian who is 28. He works at an antenna company...something with technology is what I;ve gotten so far. He doesn't live here but he's been here ever since I've been here.
We had huevos y cereal (Frosted Flakes) para desayuna y Paola esta horneando un pavo para almuerzo. I am only allowed to have water and limonada for the first week and then I get to have orange juice. Woopee! Today I am going to el "super" (mercado) con Rosa y will hopefully buy a telefono celular. I just realized this is very Spanglish, but hey I'm adjusting. haha
Tomorrow we are having our first Intensive spanish class and I have to get to the Rio Coco bus stop by 8:30, I think. Rosa said that she'll help me out for the first week though so thats good.
Chau!
Besos,Sarita
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