I never wrote about my mom's trip and the Galapagos Islands.
I waited anxiously for my mom to walk down the runway, took her to our hostel and went to bed. I could see how anxious but excited she was that first night, and I blabbered away showing her everything I had seen and learned and where I had been in my four months there.
The first morning we ate a typical Ecuadorian breakfast- eggs, juice, bread, coffee, etc, and headed out to meet up with Jeff. We took our parents on the Ecovia bus and his dad immediately was pickpocketed and lost $200 or so. Why he was carrying that much and why he put it all in the same place we're still not sure, but he quickly learned how life was in Ecuador and how careful you had to be. We went downtown, went up to the Panecillo to overlook the city and then went and climbed around the Basilica. Mom got a first class look at the taxis and the city- everything that went on and she seemed astonishingly okay with it all.
We went back to my host parent's house for lunch. They made llapingachos- potato pancake type things- not really sure what they are but they're delicious. Mom loved talking to my family, thanking them for being great to me, and they loved meeting her too. I was amazed how great their Spanish was and how these two worlds of mine could mesh so well. Mom got to meet everyone in the family, including Sammy and we had a wonderful time. That night we went to dinner with Jeff's family at Cafe Mosaico to overlook the city at night and had a lovely time.
The next day we just hung out, ate and went to Mitad del Mundo. It was a fun little journey out there, met Jeff's family and his host mom and walked around. Jeff thought his family would hate it and it's commercialism, but they loved it. Even though it's not the real one, it's still cool to be so close? Then we went back to the hotel, rested, met Jeff's family for dinner at Mamasomethingorothers where Jeff and I tried Cuy (guinea pig) because it was one of the things we had been meaning to do during our journey abroad. So we did. And it was gross. Just kind of slimy and fatty, not exactly appetizing but Jeff (a vegetarian) loved it. Then we headed on over to quiz night (THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT!) and everyone who came brought a family member if they were in town so it was kind of special. We ended up winning, don't tell anyone we cheated and they added up the score wrong, but it was cool to win on the last time. We weren't able to use our money very well but oh well. We still won! I had to say goodbye to everyone- Meaghan was by far the hardest and my eyes filled with tears. The people on my trip really enriched the experience and I can't imagine it any other way.
Then we headed off to Galapagos. I'll write about that later since I need to go study now.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
People
One of the most drastic differences is the way I look at people. I'm now able to see everyone as pretty equal. Everyone has faults, everyone has wonderful qualities. No one person is better than the other, but some think that. Some of the happiest people I've met were also the most economically poor, with tattered clothes and little to their name. This all sounds so cliche but it's so very true.
Take Anderson, for example. He was a five year old boy who came to the after school program at Munequitos school in Lumbisi, a small farming community not too far from the town where my university was located. His clothes never fit him, his shirt was always dirty, and the zipper on his pants always fell down. He was a little bit behind in school and never seemed very interested in learning, but he was so happy and loving. Maybe he just craved attention and the volunteers at the school were the only ones to give him some. He was always climbing over someone and sitting on someone's lap. I know he didn't mean to, but he just exuded love toward us. He just needed people and he made every day of volunteering more interesting and worthwhile. I still don't know the impact he had on me, but he made me feel needed.
I'm drastically more understanding and accepting of people's differences. Race, disabilities, language barriers, economic status, and other qualities that normally divide people are now purely people, and it doesn't matter their status in life because they're just people who are all special.
Everyone strives for something. A lot of people strive for money. We all need things in our lives- food, water, shelter, heat in the winter, and clothing. But to what extent do we have to have everything be fancy? It's nice to have a great meal, clean water, a space heater and nice clothes. But these are not necessities. As much as I try to eliminate material possessions from my life, I can't get rid of everything or many things. I wish I could, but I'm stuck in the material world and I am a material girl.
Some people strive for a good time. Most of the time that involves alcohol. That fact... is the same in both the US and Ecuador. I still realize I don't need it to have fun and everything that comes with it, but it's good to experience different things at different times. Lots of people all around the world do, but I only want to every once in a while.
I like differences. And change now. And that's a good thing.
Take Anderson, for example. He was a five year old boy who came to the after school program at Munequitos school in Lumbisi, a small farming community not too far from the town where my university was located. His clothes never fit him, his shirt was always dirty, and the zipper on his pants always fell down. He was a little bit behind in school and never seemed very interested in learning, but he was so happy and loving. Maybe he just craved attention and the volunteers at the school were the only ones to give him some. He was always climbing over someone and sitting on someone's lap. I know he didn't mean to, but he just exuded love toward us. He just needed people and he made every day of volunteering more interesting and worthwhile. I still don't know the impact he had on me, but he made me feel needed.
I'm drastically more understanding and accepting of people's differences. Race, disabilities, language barriers, economic status, and other qualities that normally divide people are now purely people, and it doesn't matter their status in life because they're just people who are all special.
Everyone strives for something. A lot of people strive for money. We all need things in our lives- food, water, shelter, heat in the winter, and clothing. But to what extent do we have to have everything be fancy? It's nice to have a great meal, clean water, a space heater and nice clothes. But these are not necessities. As much as I try to eliminate material possessions from my life, I can't get rid of everything or many things. I wish I could, but I'm stuck in the material world and I am a material girl.
Some people strive for a good time. Most of the time that involves alcohol. That fact... is the same in both the US and Ecuador. I still realize I don't need it to have fun and everything that comes with it, but it's good to experience different things at different times. Lots of people all around the world do, but I only want to every once in a while.
I like differences. And change now. And that's a good thing.
Language
One of the main things that has changed has my language abilities. I can now understand most people when they talk in Spanish, whether it's every 5th word or the whole conversation. It's especially fun when they don't think I know Spanish so they gossip and I can know what they're saying.
I now want to speak in Spanish any chance I have, want to use the random little phrases I learned from various people, and when I use those phrases, people give me weird looks but they became so natural for me to use.
Spanish is a great, structured language so I feel better about writing in English too. I don't know if I am, but I try to be.
I now want to speak in Spanish any chance I have, want to use the random little phrases I learned from various people, and when I use those phrases, people give me weird looks but they became so natural for me to use.
Spanish is a great, structured language so I feel better about writing in English too. I don't know if I am, but I try to be.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time for Reflection: School Days
As I sit here, listening to "Papa Americano" and "Loca" and reflect on my time in Ecuador, thousands of images and thoughts rush through my head. I've been gone for 3 months and I've gradually been able to see the changes in my life. The way "Papa Americano" would play every single time we went out to the bars, how annoying it was at the time but how very comforting it feels now. Surprisingly I hear that song often here as well, but it will forever remind me of Whyna or whatever the bar was where they served $1 Cuba Libres (wonderful).
But then thousands of images of scenery I tried not to but took for granted rush through my brain. Even my journey to school was memorable. The way I would greet the bellman in the morning, walk up the hill and slide my feet on the sewers and painted sections along the way. If I was lucky, I could cross Eloy Alfaro and walk down it the whole way to De los Granados. Most days I wasn't so lucky, so I would walk down the sketchy dirt path, looking at the trash along the way and be completely immersed in the smell and filth that came from the diesel exhaust and would stretch the entire road. Men would constantly be hooting and hollering at me, saying "Hola bonita," or "Hola princesa," or my personal favorite "Tss tss tss." People would sell antennas, mandarins, cell phone cases, and any other random household item for a dollar in the middle of the street. Everyday I would see the black man smoking a cigarette sell his newspapers, the nice ladies at their little booth selling everything from crackers and candy to phone minutes. I would hop on one of the big green buses with the men, and occasional woman, yelling "Tumbaco Tumbaco" or "De la Reina del Sol" or other neighboring towns. Some days I would marvel at the scenery- the mountains and the cliffs, the signs, the houses, the colorful buildings, what people were selling that day, if the Hello Kitty bed sold yet (which it did around October because it wasn't there anymore) and knew I was in Ecuador. The best days for going to school were clear days toward the beginning of the trip where I could see Cotopaxi clearly in the distance, as well as the two other mountains- Cayambe and Itchimbimba maybe? Eventually someone would come and grab the random quarter or nickels and dimes I had. Sometimes people would sell mandarins, $1 knock-off DVDs, jewelry and the occasional empanada to the fellow bus riders.
Then I would jump off the bus in Cumbaya, just past the Fybeca drug store, in front of the Supermaxi. Then make my way across the street to the shopping center, which was especially difficult after they set up the traffic light so you had 20 seconds to run across 5 lanes, but always made it. Walked past the taco stand, Bigote (mustache) coffee shop, Banco Pinchincha, the Rastafarians selling various forms of bracelets, and saunter into the paradise which was Universidad San Francisco de Quito. A sort of Laguna Beach, a place that was so luxurious buried within the mountains and poverty of the rest of the country. It is the only liberal arts university in Ecuador, has the largest library (2 small floors) and is the most expensive, so only the very rich can go there. I can probably speak for everyone who went there that the academic side of USFQ was not nearly as demanding as our universities in the USA, even with the language barrier.
These small details are so rich and inviting, even after being away for so long. Simply going to school was an adventure. What a way to live.
But then thousands of images of scenery I tried not to but took for granted rush through my brain. Even my journey to school was memorable. The way I would greet the bellman in the morning, walk up the hill and slide my feet on the sewers and painted sections along the way. If I was lucky, I could cross Eloy Alfaro and walk down it the whole way to De los Granados. Most days I wasn't so lucky, so I would walk down the sketchy dirt path, looking at the trash along the way and be completely immersed in the smell and filth that came from the diesel exhaust and would stretch the entire road. Men would constantly be hooting and hollering at me, saying "Hola bonita," or "Hola princesa," or my personal favorite "Tss tss tss." People would sell antennas, mandarins, cell phone cases, and any other random household item for a dollar in the middle of the street. Everyday I would see the black man smoking a cigarette sell his newspapers, the nice ladies at their little booth selling everything from crackers and candy to phone minutes. I would hop on one of the big green buses with the men, and occasional woman, yelling "Tumbaco Tumbaco" or "De la Reina del Sol" or other neighboring towns. Some days I would marvel at the scenery- the mountains and the cliffs, the signs, the houses, the colorful buildings, what people were selling that day, if the Hello Kitty bed sold yet (which it did around October because it wasn't there anymore) and knew I was in Ecuador. The best days for going to school were clear days toward the beginning of the trip where I could see Cotopaxi clearly in the distance, as well as the two other mountains- Cayambe and Itchimbimba maybe? Eventually someone would come and grab the random quarter or nickels and dimes I had. Sometimes people would sell mandarins, $1 knock-off DVDs, jewelry and the occasional empanada to the fellow bus riders.
Then I would jump off the bus in Cumbaya, just past the Fybeca drug store, in front of the Supermaxi. Then make my way across the street to the shopping center, which was especially difficult after they set up the traffic light so you had 20 seconds to run across 5 lanes, but always made it. Walked past the taco stand, Bigote (mustache) coffee shop, Banco Pinchincha, the Rastafarians selling various forms of bracelets, and saunter into the paradise which was Universidad San Francisco de Quito. A sort of Laguna Beach, a place that was so luxurious buried within the mountains and poverty of the rest of the country. It is the only liberal arts university in Ecuador, has the largest library (2 small floors) and is the most expensive, so only the very rich can go there. I can probably speak for everyone who went there that the academic side of USFQ was not nearly as demanding as our universities in the USA, even with the language barrier.
These small details are so rich and inviting, even after being away for so long. Simply going to school was an adventure. What a way to live.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Montanita
This weekend we decided to go to the hippie beach town of Montanita. Took a night bus which wasn't a bad way to spend a night since I just sleep on buses anyway to try to not have motion sickness. Basically all we did was sit on the beach, the gross beach with LOTS of creepers creeping. We also rode the waves. First time I've been to a beach with surfers everywhere. Or been body surfing in such powerful waves. But it was incredible.
I would go out in the water. First of all, salt water is not enjoyable, sorry to say. But anyway, the waves were the biggest I've ever ridden. Some were a good 5 feet above the water line. Waited for a while for a good wave to pass by, then would ride it. Never got super far, but got super torn up and flipped around by those waves. My hair suffocated me multiple times and I would come up, gasping for air, and a wave would come and smack me in the face. Good times.
We stayed in Montanita for a few days then Friday morning 4 of us decided to take a plane back to have more time in Quito. So we got to the airport, found the cheapest flight ($80 ugh) and checked in, ate some sketchy Chinese food, went through security where I had to check a bag because I forgot I had a Swiss Army Knife in my bag. My bad... Haha. Waited around for a bit, looking for Gate 4 but it had a different airline completely on the TV behind it. We asked Gate 4 where our plane was, they told us to go to Gate 3. Went to Gate 3, they told us to go back to 4. Confusion. Basically what happened was there wasn't a plane for us, a physical actual plane was not to be found. So instead of leaving at 3, having a 30 minute flight and getting home by 4, we left Guayaquil around 5- finally. Got on the plane, flew for a while, then the pilot came on the microphone and said "Due to bad weather in Quito, the airport is closed until at least 6pm. We're going to turn back to Guayaquil now." It was 5:20 at this point. So that's what we did. Then we sat in the Guayaquil airport for hours, eating overpriced Chex Mix and waited until about 9 when we finally got to leave. Needless to say, if we had just taken a bus, we would have gotten back half an hour before we did via plane, for about an eighth of the price. Good times.
And I got lots of weird bites all over my face. My face looks like a pepperoni pizza with all the bites/zits going on. Not pleased.
Oh well. Ecuastyle.
I would go out in the water. First of all, salt water is not enjoyable, sorry to say. But anyway, the waves were the biggest I've ever ridden. Some were a good 5 feet above the water line. Waited for a while for a good wave to pass by, then would ride it. Never got super far, but got super torn up and flipped around by those waves. My hair suffocated me multiple times and I would come up, gasping for air, and a wave would come and smack me in the face. Good times.
We stayed in Montanita for a few days then Friday morning 4 of us decided to take a plane back to have more time in Quito. So we got to the airport, found the cheapest flight ($80 ugh) and checked in, ate some sketchy Chinese food, went through security where I had to check a bag because I forgot I had a Swiss Army Knife in my bag. My bad... Haha. Waited around for a bit, looking for Gate 4 but it had a different airline completely on the TV behind it. We asked Gate 4 where our plane was, they told us to go to Gate 3. Went to Gate 3, they told us to go back to 4. Confusion. Basically what happened was there wasn't a plane for us, a physical actual plane was not to be found. So instead of leaving at 3, having a 30 minute flight and getting home by 4, we left Guayaquil around 5- finally. Got on the plane, flew for a while, then the pilot came on the microphone and said "Due to bad weather in Quito, the airport is closed until at least 6pm. We're going to turn back to Guayaquil now." It was 5:20 at this point. So that's what we did. Then we sat in the Guayaquil airport for hours, eating overpriced Chex Mix and waited until about 9 when we finally got to leave. Needless to say, if we had just taken a bus, we would have gotten back half an hour before we did via plane, for about an eighth of the price. Good times.
And I got lots of weird bites all over my face. My face looks like a pepperoni pizza with all the bites/zits going on. Not pleased.
Oh well. Ecuastyle.
The 12 days near Christmas
On the first day near Christmas, my mother comes to town. I will see people off who I may never see again but hope to at some point during this crazy life.
On the second day near Christmas, I show her around Quito, meet my friends, spend lots of time together
On the third day near Christmas, more tours of Ecuador, and it’s Family Quiz Night. Last night all together SUPER BITTERSWEET
On the fourth day near Christmas, I LEAVE FOR THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS. it’s only been my dream since i was 10 to go there. flight#3 of the 7 I’ll do in a week.
On the fifth day near Christmas, we spend time touring islands, snorkeling, getting tan, living the dream, looking at iguanas and blue footed boobies and finches and giant tortoises.
On the sixth day near Christmas, it’s my birthday! No longer will be a teenager. But I get to spend it at the Darwin Center being a nerd so it’s worth it. Get to see Lonesome George that day DREAM COME TRUE. hope he lives.
On the seventh day near Christmas, it is Christmas! Spent on Santa Cruz exploring and enjoying the warmth. But I have to say goodbye to Jeff that day. mehhhh.
On the eighth day near Christmas, return to Quito, flight # 4 of 7 for the week, say goodbye to my host family and spend my last night in Ecuador.
On the ninth day near Christmas, I GET TO GO HOME!!! not excited about flights 5-7 of the week when it’s high holiday travel. but that’s okay. I get to see snow and freeze my ass off and have a grand ol’ time.
On the tenth day near Christmas, I will go shopping and spend time with my family. Probably have Christmas celebrations. It will be splendid.
On the eleventh day near Christmas, more family time, breakfast club reunion.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, I will ponder the spelling of ‘twelfth’ and throw a baby shower for my sister because I’m SO EXCITED FOR HER BABY TO COME but have no idea how to throw a baby shower.
atypical like my life. busy. absolutely amazing. living the wavy life and the dream as my pal will would say.
On the second day near Christmas, I show her around Quito, meet my friends, spend lots of time together
On the third day near Christmas, more tours of Ecuador, and it’s Family Quiz Night. Last night all together SUPER BITTERSWEET
On the fourth day near Christmas, I LEAVE FOR THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS. it’s only been my dream since i was 10 to go there. flight#3 of the 7 I’ll do in a week.
On the fifth day near Christmas, we spend time touring islands, snorkeling, getting tan, living the dream, looking at iguanas and blue footed boobies and finches and giant tortoises.
On the sixth day near Christmas, it’s my birthday! No longer will be a teenager. But I get to spend it at the Darwin Center being a nerd so it’s worth it. Get to see Lonesome George that day DREAM COME TRUE. hope he lives.
On the seventh day near Christmas, it is Christmas! Spent on Santa Cruz exploring and enjoying the warmth. But I have to say goodbye to Jeff that day. mehhhh.
On the eighth day near Christmas, return to Quito, flight # 4 of 7 for the week, say goodbye to my host family and spend my last night in Ecuador.
On the ninth day near Christmas, I GET TO GO HOME!!! not excited about flights 5-7 of the week when it’s high holiday travel. but that’s okay. I get to see snow and freeze my ass off and have a grand ol’ time.
On the tenth day near Christmas, I will go shopping and spend time with my family. Probably have Christmas celebrations. It will be splendid.
On the eleventh day near Christmas, more family time, breakfast club reunion.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, I will ponder the spelling of ‘twelfth’ and throw a baby shower for my sister because I’m SO EXCITED FOR HER BABY TO COME but have no idea how to throw a baby shower.
atypical like my life. busy. absolutely amazing. living the wavy life and the dream as my pal will would say.
One week left!
So much has happened in the past month or so. Finished up classes/still have to correct a project to "comply with the objectives" or something of the assignment and make it perfect. I guess I could be doing that right now but don't really want to. My grades are a lot better than I thought they would be- definitely a good feeling, but I still might get straight B's. Oh well.
My uncle Dave found out last week that he has pancreatic cancer, one of the worst kinds of cancer to treat, and it's spreading to his liver and to all his organs. He decided not to do chemo because it wouldn't buy him much time. So instead he's going to live his life to the fullest for about a month, travel to visit my aunt and uncle who live in the Florida Keys so he can enjoy himself for a month or so and then his body will attack itself and he'll be in too much pain to continue on so he'll have a few months of suffering. Basically he has 3-6 months to live. Such a weird thing. I've never had someone this close to me on the verge of death/die. It's especially weird just hearing about everything over skype or the phone and not actually being there. He's trying to be positive and just live as long as he can fight. Guess that's all anyone can do.
Last night was the last night of all my friends all together. We went out and got pizza at El Hornero- our favorite/the cheapest pizza for good reason, but it's a tradition. Then went to our favorite bar, Finn McCools for drinks, foosball, and just great company. Definitely bittersweet. But our favorite song came on at the end of the night to dance to- Learn to Fly by the Foo Fighters so we just danced our hearts out, said our goodbye's/see you laters and left. Everyone is excited and ready to go home but we'll never be all together again. I'm one of the last to leave which is always strange. I haven't cried yet but my closest friends haven't left yet, well Jessie and Ben did but I know I'll see them. Valerie does tomorrow. Have to say goodbye to Meaghan on Wednesday and Jeff on Saturday. Jeff's going to be the hardest. Don't want to think about it.
But on a brighter note, my mom comes in tonight! We'll be touring Quito (what we're doing I have no clue) and then go to the Galapagos on Wednesday until Sunday and home on Monday. I'm so excited. I've wanted to visit the Galapagos since I was 10 or so. Dreams come true!
My uncle Dave found out last week that he has pancreatic cancer, one of the worst kinds of cancer to treat, and it's spreading to his liver and to all his organs. He decided not to do chemo because it wouldn't buy him much time. So instead he's going to live his life to the fullest for about a month, travel to visit my aunt and uncle who live in the Florida Keys so he can enjoy himself for a month or so and then his body will attack itself and he'll be in too much pain to continue on so he'll have a few months of suffering. Basically he has 3-6 months to live. Such a weird thing. I've never had someone this close to me on the verge of death/die. It's especially weird just hearing about everything over skype or the phone and not actually being there. He's trying to be positive and just live as long as he can fight. Guess that's all anyone can do.
Last night was the last night of all my friends all together. We went out and got pizza at El Hornero- our favorite/the cheapest pizza for good reason, but it's a tradition. Then went to our favorite bar, Finn McCools for drinks, foosball, and just great company. Definitely bittersweet. But our favorite song came on at the end of the night to dance to- Learn to Fly by the Foo Fighters so we just danced our hearts out, said our goodbye's/see you laters and left. Everyone is excited and ready to go home but we'll never be all together again. I'm one of the last to leave which is always strange. I haven't cried yet but my closest friends haven't left yet, well Jessie and Ben did but I know I'll see them. Valerie does tomorrow. Have to say goodbye to Meaghan on Wednesday and Jeff on Saturday. Jeff's going to be the hardest. Don't want to think about it.
But on a brighter note, my mom comes in tonight! We'll be touring Quito (what we're doing I have no clue) and then go to the Galapagos on Wednesday until Sunday and home on Monday. I'm so excited. I've wanted to visit the Galapagos since I was 10 or so. Dreams come true!
Monday, December 13, 2010
2 weeks left
Today marks my day with 2 weeks left in Ecuador. I cannot believe it. People are starting to leave and have already left, and I read their facebook status's about being home and it's so weird! The first month or so was really slow. Lots of new things. Lots of places to go. The language was overwhelming and everything was brand new. But once I got into the swing of things, everything has flown by. Especially the last month. I haven't done anything too substantial. No crazy journeys to the jungle, only one trip out of Quito to Otavalo for the 3rd time haha but other than that just lots of Quito time. I feel really comfortable here. I still am cautious when I know I have something valuable on me. I actually brought my laptop to school today to take an exam. But I've just learned that being street smart is just being aware of your surroundings, knowing what you have to lose, and keeping it safe. Blending in is the best way to do that, even though whenever we walk around, we always talk loudly in English which draws attention but we're normally fine.
I'm done with my semester! As of about 10 minutes ago I turned in my last paper and can fully enjoy the rest of my time here. Not that I didn't fully enjoy my time thus far, but I don't have any schoolwork left. Definitely the worst semester thus far as for my grades. Hopefully it doesn't matter too much, I think only one matters for grades for my GPA and the others will show up on my transcripts and hopefully won't matter too much. The learning I've done since I've been here has been amazing and I'm sure it'll reveal itself to me in the upcoming months and years. More about taht when I get home. I still have 2 weeks.
Plans for the next 2 weeks:
Leave tonight at 10pm for Montanita. The hippie beach.
Return Fridayish sometime.
Hang out with everyone on Saturday before most people leave Sunday
Mom comes Sunday night.
Monday hang out with Mom and my friend Jeff and his family
Tuesday do the same
Wednesday head for the Galapagos until Sunday!!!!!!!!
Monday the 27th head home.
I didn't think I'd be this ready to go home and this excited for Mom to come down. Thanksgiving was rough because all my family was together and I couldn't be there. So I'm incredibly glad she's going to be here. I've never ever spent a birthday or Christmas away from my mother. How many people can say that? Very few.
The next two weeks will be filled with all sorts of emotions. Excitement for Mom to come and to go back to the States. Sad to leave these wonderful people I've met from my friends to my host family. Scared and curious for the future. Pure joy to go to the Galapagos. Probably many more I'm forgetting. But I'm going to live it up!
I'm done with my semester! As of about 10 minutes ago I turned in my last paper and can fully enjoy the rest of my time here. Not that I didn't fully enjoy my time thus far, but I don't have any schoolwork left. Definitely the worst semester thus far as for my grades. Hopefully it doesn't matter too much, I think only one matters for grades for my GPA and the others will show up on my transcripts and hopefully won't matter too much. The learning I've done since I've been here has been amazing and I'm sure it'll reveal itself to me in the upcoming months and years. More about taht when I get home. I still have 2 weeks.
Plans for the next 2 weeks:
Leave tonight at 10pm for Montanita. The hippie beach.
Return Fridayish sometime.
Hang out with everyone on Saturday before most people leave Sunday
Mom comes Sunday night.
Monday hang out with Mom and my friend Jeff and his family
Tuesday do the same
Wednesday head for the Galapagos until Sunday!!!!!!!!
Monday the 27th head home.
I didn't think I'd be this ready to go home and this excited for Mom to come down. Thanksgiving was rough because all my family was together and I couldn't be there. So I'm incredibly glad she's going to be here. I've never ever spent a birthday or Christmas away from my mother. How many people can say that? Very few.
The next two weeks will be filled with all sorts of emotions. Excitement for Mom to come and to go back to the States. Sad to leave these wonderful people I've met from my friends to my host family. Scared and curious for the future. Pure joy to go to the Galapagos. Probably many more I'm forgetting. But I'm going to live it up!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Lady Guaguas and Fiestas de Quito
Tuesday night was quiz night. Our teams won 1st place (Lady GuaGuas) and 3rd place (The Pinchinchillas) so we had to have our prizes. 3rd place got a pitcher of beer to drink. 1st got $50 behind the bar to be used by Monday. So last night we went to use the 1st place prize, during happy hour. Lots of cuba libres were had. But this week is also Fiestas de Quito which are celebrations of the foundation of Quito as a city. We were told they were really dangerous. We just didn't expect them to be as dangerous as they got. Inside Finn McCools, we were fine. Had some creepers creeping but nothing out of the ordinary. We left at one point to go dancing at another bar. One girl from our group had gotten completely wasted so we took care of her, but there was a lot of other activity going on so there were NO cabs around. What other activity, may you ask? Well, we walked and saw a crowd of people, mostly police officers which didnt make sense. But there were 5ish people laying on the ground, hands on their heads, with masked gunmen pointing their guns at the people. I have never seen this in real life. It was scary. But we stayed and watched, I don't know if it was real or what was going on but it was mildly terrifying. Went back to Finns for safety, left, got home safe with a really nice cab driver. I get up this morning and see that two of my friends got mugged- like thrown on a wall as the robbers dug through their pockets for money.
I knew Quito was a dangerous city, but didn't really see things in real life until today. I just want to stay home now, or stay in super safe locations. Hopefully I can find these locations to stay.
I knew Quito was a dangerous city, but didn't really see things in real life until today. I just want to stay home now, or stay in super safe locations. Hopefully I can find these locations to stay.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
December
Thanksgiving was last week and it was definitely an interesting day. Went to school, took a test. That day was also the International Day Against Violence of Women so my Gender and Society class had a day to recognize it. My group made these big cardboard cutouts of different shapes of people, painted them black, wrote different facts about violence like "8 out of 10 women in Ecuador experiences some sort of domestic violence at some point in their lives" and had a little slogan. They looked really cool. Had about 20 that we put around the campus. Another group did a little play. Others handed out flyers and information. We all handed out little purple lassos to everyone to wear. It was really cool. Then I went to my host aunt's house. She's originally from New Mexico but married an Ecuadorian and tries to teach her kids English and celebrate traditions. So she made a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Turkey. Stuffing. Mashed Potatoes. Corn. Cranberry sauce. Fresh apple cider. Pecan pie. Pumpkin pie. So delicious. It was nice to be able to celebrate, but wasn't the same as being with my family, doing our traditions of watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade (which I watched a bit of online!), then the dog show, eating together, picking at the turkey as it's being cut, scoping the ads for the best deals for black friday, etc. I talked to everyone, though, which was definitely nice.
Then I went to my friend Vale's house for another Thanksgiving feast- this time it was less than traditional. We opened bottles of wine and cranberry sauce cans with knives, had homemade mac n cheese, sweet potato casserole, avocado and grapefruit salad, cranberry sauce, pan de yuca, cookies and cake. It was definitely abnormal and what college students would do, but it was also nice to be all together, even though we lost in the finals of the South American Cup in soccer that night.
Sunday was the census day so we all were legally forced to stay in our houses from 7am-5pm as high schoolers would come around and have you fill out a form. My census girls came at about 4. The questions were necessary but semi-interesting. How many lights does your house have? How old are you? Where were you born? What is your race? (70ish percent of Ecuadorians say they're white... lies. They're mestizo which is a mixture between Spanish and indigenous.) So that was interesting.
Tuesday night was quiz night. It's every week at a bar called Finn McCools. There are 5 categories with 10 questions each, all are super random. My friends go almost every week. I've gone 3 times now. But we actually won it this week! We get $50 at the bar to spend before Monday so we're going to spend that tonight. Should be fantastic. I didn't really contribute, but it was still fun.
It's getting to be crunch time for school. Next week I have a dramatization, 2 tests, presentation, 3 papers due, and much more. I'm trying to be productive but it's difficult when I just want to sleep and get over this cold I'm getting. I'll go buy some coke and cold medicine and hope for the best.
Then I went to my friend Vale's house for another Thanksgiving feast- this time it was less than traditional. We opened bottles of wine and cranberry sauce cans with knives, had homemade mac n cheese, sweet potato casserole, avocado and grapefruit salad, cranberry sauce, pan de yuca, cookies and cake. It was definitely abnormal and what college students would do, but it was also nice to be all together, even though we lost in the finals of the South American Cup in soccer that night.
Sunday was the census day so we all were legally forced to stay in our houses from 7am-5pm as high schoolers would come around and have you fill out a form. My census girls came at about 4. The questions were necessary but semi-interesting. How many lights does your house have? How old are you? Where were you born? What is your race? (70ish percent of Ecuadorians say they're white... lies. They're mestizo which is a mixture between Spanish and indigenous.) So that was interesting.
Tuesday night was quiz night. It's every week at a bar called Finn McCools. There are 5 categories with 10 questions each, all are super random. My friends go almost every week. I've gone 3 times now. But we actually won it this week! We get $50 at the bar to spend before Monday so we're going to spend that tonight. Should be fantastic. I didn't really contribute, but it was still fun.
It's getting to be crunch time for school. Next week I have a dramatization, 2 tests, presentation, 3 papers due, and much more. I'm trying to be productive but it's difficult when I just want to sleep and get over this cold I'm getting. I'll go buy some coke and cold medicine and hope for the best.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Lately
Hm. I don't know what I've been doing lately. Haven't traveled outside of Quito since my class trip. I went to a soccer (futbol) game and it was absolutely insane. Fireworks. Toilet paper thrown on the field. Fire extinguishers. Every crazy thing you can imagine, people had it. It was the quarter finals for the south american cup. They won that game, won the next one. Onto the finals! Should be quite exciting. I don't know anything about the game but I'll probably go.
My Spanish has really improved lately. Everyone who I talk to says it's really strong and I'm good at grammar and pronunciation and all that jazz. That's why I came here, I guess, so it's good that I'm finally getting to that point to communicate. Of course, when people talk too fast or mumble or use words I don't know it's difficult, but I'm definitely learning a lot.
My friend Jessie turned 21 and her parents came down from the states for a week. They rented a Chiva (party bus) which took us all around the city. So much fun!
I've been helping out at a school in Lumbisi which is a small, poor country town. We have English lessons and then recess. I don't know if the kids are actually learning anything or just regurgitate what we tell them and immediately forget it. But it's very fulfilling to go sometimes. The kids are really nice, well some of them. There are 3 bullies that are almost kicked out of the program, but they're also the ones who really want to learn English. So we have a special class for them so they don't interrupt the main class.
I've been hitting the party scene in Quito more. I go to the same 5 bars, do the same things, but it's always different with different people.
Lately it rains every single day from about 2-10pm. Oh, the best part? I left my raincoat in a computer lab. Sucks. So much. I loved that raincoat. I bought an umbrella but it's not the same. Now I have to buy a new winter coat because that was the outside layer of mine. UGHHHHHHHHH.
My friends and I got all dressed up as various Harry Potter characters and went to see the 7th movie. I'll admit, I didn't read the book. But the movie was phenomenal. So sad. Jumpy. But really good. Even better when we dressed up and the boys in my group battled in front of the movie theater.
My mom is coming to Ecuador on December 19th and then from the 22nd-26th we're going to the Galapagos Islands! Christmas and birthday in the Galapagos? Cannot wait.
My Spanish has really improved lately. Everyone who I talk to says it's really strong and I'm good at grammar and pronunciation and all that jazz. That's why I came here, I guess, so it's good that I'm finally getting to that point to communicate. Of course, when people talk too fast or mumble or use words I don't know it's difficult, but I'm definitely learning a lot.
My friend Jessie turned 21 and her parents came down from the states for a week. They rented a Chiva (party bus) which took us all around the city. So much fun!
I've been helping out at a school in Lumbisi which is a small, poor country town. We have English lessons and then recess. I don't know if the kids are actually learning anything or just regurgitate what we tell them and immediately forget it. But it's very fulfilling to go sometimes. The kids are really nice, well some of them. There are 3 bullies that are almost kicked out of the program, but they're also the ones who really want to learn English. So we have a special class for them so they don't interrupt the main class.
I've been hitting the party scene in Quito more. I go to the same 5 bars, do the same things, but it's always different with different people.
Lately it rains every single day from about 2-10pm. Oh, the best part? I left my raincoat in a computer lab. Sucks. So much. I loved that raincoat. I bought an umbrella but it's not the same. Now I have to buy a new winter coat because that was the outside layer of mine. UGHHHHHHHHH.
My friends and I got all dressed up as various Harry Potter characters and went to see the 7th movie. I'll admit, I didn't read the book. But the movie was phenomenal. So sad. Jumpy. But really good. Even better when we dressed up and the boys in my group battled in front of the movie theater.
My mom is coming to Ecuador on December 19th and then from the 22nd-26th we're going to the Galapagos Islands! Christmas and birthday in the Galapagos? Cannot wait.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
being abroad has made me learn so much about cultural differences and the world in general. grown up so much. but it also has made me miss things about the USA that i never though i'd miss. those things include:
- drinking fountains
- being able to go to a sink, stick a glass under and drink the water. not boil it. not waste lots of plastic bottles getting water.
- chinese food that doesn't make you sick
- thai food that doesn't make you sick
- food in general that doesn't make you sick
- Hershey's cookies'n'creme bars
- chocolate
- goldfish/cheezits
- my sister
- Halloween
- texting endlessly
- cell phone plans, not ones that run out every week
- phone with a keyboard and not my little nokia, even though it has snake
- weather that changes with seasons
- being productive
But don't get me wrong. There are definitely things I'll miss when I'm gone
- getting a full meal for $2
- traveling each and every weekend around the country
- improving my language and conversation skills
- warm weather
- the beach so close
- living in the mountains
- learning so rapidly about cultural differences
- buying bread for 20 cents regularly
- flowers everywhere
overall it's been a great experience thus far. some bumps along the way but that's to be expected. less than 2 months to live fully. let's do it.
- drinking fountains
- being able to go to a sink, stick a glass under and drink the water. not boil it. not waste lots of plastic bottles getting water.
- chinese food that doesn't make you sick
- thai food that doesn't make you sick
- food in general that doesn't make you sick
- Hershey's cookies'n'creme bars
- chocolate
- goldfish/cheezits
- my sister
- Halloween
- texting endlessly
- cell phone plans, not ones that run out every week
- phone with a keyboard and not my little nokia, even though it has snake
- weather that changes with seasons
- being productive
But don't get me wrong. There are definitely things I'll miss when I'm gone
- getting a full meal for $2
- traveling each and every weekend around the country
- improving my language and conversation skills
- warm weather
- the beach so close
- living in the mountains
- learning so rapidly about cultural differences
- buying bread for 20 cents regularly
- flowers everywhere
overall it's been a great experience thus far. some bumps along the way but that's to be expected. less than 2 months to live fully. let's do it.
Salida de Campo
I don't really think anyone reads this. Oh well. It's a good way for me to journal what I've been doing.
This weekend I went with my Areas Protegidas class on a field trip for 4 days. I kind of wasn't too excited because it's not my favorite class, but went anyway. We had to be at school at 7am Friday morning to leave. Hopped on our private Jaguayana bus and headed for Jerusalem. The class is about protected areas of Ecuador/the world and all the organizations that protect them/why to protect them because of the species they have and whatever else. Kind of interesting, makes me appreciate special areas of the world but it's just kind of boring to learn about and hard in Spanish.
Jerusalem is kind of deserty, it's a dry forest. Not exactly my thing. I felt like I was in Utah or somewhere. We walked around in the heat for a while on trails. There were signs everywhere with braille on them. Not exactly sure how a blind person would be able to enjoy them as they're hilly trails with things to trip over but oh well.
Next stop was Cotocachi Cayapas, a huge protected area with a volcanic lake called Cuicocha within. It was beautiful although a bit cold. The lake was cool- there's these little mountains in the middle of it. It's a sacred site for indigenous groups to do ceremonies to worship the earth, etc. Jessie and Meaghan had already climbed around the whole thing and none of us were really feeling the trip so we just sat around, staring at the lake. Probably wasn't the right mentality to be always wanting to go to the next place, see the next thing, but that's how we all were all weekend.
We went to an indigenous village, not really sure what tribe it was, and stayed in a really nice hostel there. The men of the tribe played some traditional songs on their drum, pan flutes, recorder-type instrument and guitar. Reinforced that I want pan flutes to be obnoxious with. Also learned how all the fabric for everything in Otavalo is made- with oldschool weaving machines that seem to take forever to use. So much respect for them now. And all the designs have meanings about how the people work and use the land and worship it, they're not just random people or houses.
Next day we went to Golondrinas, one of the areas I'm studying. We went on this hike that we were told was one hour. Kept walking. I figured it was a loop but I also didn't know what the destination was. Just kept walking. Walked through a cow pasture. Walked to a waterfall that was pretty big. Then I was told we had to turn around and go back the same way we came. Started at 12. Got back at 5. Hadn't eaten lunch and everyone felt so weak and hungry. Totally not cool. But they did let us go to this resort thing and swim/shower so that was very nice.
Next day we hopped back on Fernando (the bus) and headed to a town near the coast called San Lorenzo. Walked down a boardwalk and got stopped to take photos with people merely because we were white and everyone in the town is black. The park was Cayapas Mataje Manglares. Took a boat ride through the estuaries. Ate some ceviche (cold soup with shrimp that isn't cooked but somehow lemons and other things cook the shrimp) and then went for a little hike through the mangroves that are there. The biggest, tallest mangroves in the world. But the thing was, the river was too high and not everyone had rubber boots so we had to get a little canoe. This man set fire to the brush near the river edge that burned for like 2 hours. It was crazy. Not cool at all but no one really stopped him. But the mangroves were pretty cool and worth the hike.
Slept in this little village that was so poor and unproductive. It was kind of sad, actually. Lots of children just running around in tattered clothes without any supervision, bound to just work in the town and have lots of babies and try to survive.
Stopped in Otavalo on the ride home and ate at my favorite restaurant- pesto chicken, potatoes and salad.
Last night I wasn't doing well so Jessie came over and we watched time traveler's wife and ate junk food and talked about life. So nice.
Overall a fair weekend.
This weekend I went with my Areas Protegidas class on a field trip for 4 days. I kind of wasn't too excited because it's not my favorite class, but went anyway. We had to be at school at 7am Friday morning to leave. Hopped on our private Jaguayana bus and headed for Jerusalem. The class is about protected areas of Ecuador/the world and all the organizations that protect them/why to protect them because of the species they have and whatever else. Kind of interesting, makes me appreciate special areas of the world but it's just kind of boring to learn about and hard in Spanish.
Jerusalem is kind of deserty, it's a dry forest. Not exactly my thing. I felt like I was in Utah or somewhere. We walked around in the heat for a while on trails. There were signs everywhere with braille on them. Not exactly sure how a blind person would be able to enjoy them as they're hilly trails with things to trip over but oh well.
Next stop was Cotocachi Cayapas, a huge protected area with a volcanic lake called Cuicocha within. It was beautiful although a bit cold. The lake was cool- there's these little mountains in the middle of it. It's a sacred site for indigenous groups to do ceremonies to worship the earth, etc. Jessie and Meaghan had already climbed around the whole thing and none of us were really feeling the trip so we just sat around, staring at the lake. Probably wasn't the right mentality to be always wanting to go to the next place, see the next thing, but that's how we all were all weekend.
We went to an indigenous village, not really sure what tribe it was, and stayed in a really nice hostel there. The men of the tribe played some traditional songs on their drum, pan flutes, recorder-type instrument and guitar. Reinforced that I want pan flutes to be obnoxious with. Also learned how all the fabric for everything in Otavalo is made- with oldschool weaving machines that seem to take forever to use. So much respect for them now. And all the designs have meanings about how the people work and use the land and worship it, they're not just random people or houses.
Next day we went to Golondrinas, one of the areas I'm studying. We went on this hike that we were told was one hour. Kept walking. I figured it was a loop but I also didn't know what the destination was. Just kept walking. Walked through a cow pasture. Walked to a waterfall that was pretty big. Then I was told we had to turn around and go back the same way we came. Started at 12. Got back at 5. Hadn't eaten lunch and everyone felt so weak and hungry. Totally not cool. But they did let us go to this resort thing and swim/shower so that was very nice.
Next day we hopped back on Fernando (the bus) and headed to a town near the coast called San Lorenzo. Walked down a boardwalk and got stopped to take photos with people merely because we were white and everyone in the town is black. The park was Cayapas Mataje Manglares. Took a boat ride through the estuaries. Ate some ceviche (cold soup with shrimp that isn't cooked but somehow lemons and other things cook the shrimp) and then went for a little hike through the mangroves that are there. The biggest, tallest mangroves in the world. But the thing was, the river was too high and not everyone had rubber boots so we had to get a little canoe. This man set fire to the brush near the river edge that burned for like 2 hours. It was crazy. Not cool at all but no one really stopped him. But the mangroves were pretty cool and worth the hike.
Slept in this little village that was so poor and unproductive. It was kind of sad, actually. Lots of children just running around in tattered clothes without any supervision, bound to just work in the town and have lots of babies and try to survive.
Stopped in Otavalo on the ride home and ate at my favorite restaurant- pesto chicken, potatoes and salad.
Last night I wasn't doing well so Jessie came over and we watched time traveler's wife and ate junk food and talked about life. So nice.
Overall a fair weekend.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
La Casa de Rafa
I went to lunch at this really awesome restaurant called La Casa de Rafa which was in Tumbaco, a town about an hour away, just past Cumbaya where my school is. We went way into the mountains/country to this random awesome house where the restaurant was. It has a normal restaurant with brunch and lunch and maybe dinner? The house itself was really cool. But we decided to take it to the next level- eat in a cave. In complete darkness. To get the complete sensory experience. With waiters who were blind. And it was awesome.
It was definitely hard to eat in the dark. I had to feel around the table to find my fork, knife, plate. Find my glass, guide my face to it, take a drink, make sure nothing was beneath it and put it down. Had to use my hands to eat even though I ordered meat with rice and a weird cauliflower sou-flee.
I have so much respect for blind people now. Not that I didn't before, but they have such a hard life. I think I realized before that I'd rather be deaf than blind. You could at least get around and read and know what family and friends look like, but not hear music and voices and waves crashing and birds singing.
But anyway, living like a blind person for 2 hours was a great experience.
It was definitely hard to eat in the dark. I had to feel around the table to find my fork, knife, plate. Find my glass, guide my face to it, take a drink, make sure nothing was beneath it and put it down. Had to use my hands to eat even though I ordered meat with rice and a weird cauliflower sou-flee.
I have so much respect for blind people now. Not that I didn't before, but they have such a hard life. I think I realized before that I'd rather be deaf than blind. You could at least get around and read and know what family and friends look like, but not hear music and voices and waves crashing and birds singing.
But anyway, living like a blind person for 2 hours was a great experience.
Otavalo
This weekend I went to Otavalo which is a town in the north where the indigenous community makes and sells SO MANY different types of items. I mean, everything.
Llamas
Half ton sized pigs
Live rabbits, dogs, and kittens in bags
Chickens
Purses
Hammocks
Clothes
Scarves
Alpaca anything you can imagine
Trinkets
Tribal masks
Hats
EVERYTHING
... so I spent a lot of money on souvenirs. But that's okay. My family and friends will enjoy the stuff hopefully.
Llamas
Half ton sized pigs
Live rabbits, dogs, and kittens in bags
Chickens
Purses
Hammocks
Clothes
Scarves
Alpaca anything you can imagine
Trinkets
Tribal masks
Hats
EVERYTHING
... so I spent a lot of money on souvenirs. But that's okay. My family and friends will enjoy the stuff hopefully.
Banos
Oh my starry eyed surprise. I'm so great at keeping up with everything. I guess that's a good thing, means I'm busy. But not entirely.
Hmm last weekend I went to Banos which has so much to do! Got there at night, I thought I would have thrown up on the bus ride there but score! I didn't. The next day we got up and ready and went mountain biking. By mountain biking it meant biking through the mountains on the back country-ish roads. It was beautiful scenery. We took forever to bike about 10 miles because everyone kept stopping to look at the waterfalls, take this little thing over to one of them and to take lots of photos. We then continued and got to this bridge where people were jumping off. They had harnesses and all, and the ropes looked pretty secure. Wasn't as high as I thought it would be but Michael, Ben, Jeff and I jumped off. It was definitely a thrilling experience. The first part was the most terrifying when I was actually flying unconnected to anything, or so it felt. But it wasn't as crazily terrifying as I thought. Then we continued on our bikes to a huge waterfall, it's name had something to do with being the devil's waterfall. We climbed down to it, looked around, then climbed up right next to it through these tunnels and could go behind it. So cool. So wet, though. Then we rode back in the back of a truck to the hotel, my butt hurt so much from the bike riding and I was so tired so napped. We ate some delicious pizza, and by delicious it was like the best thing I've ever eaten. Went on a chiva that night which is basically this open bus that took us up a mountain in the fog to this weird little place with lots of other chivas so we could drink this weird cinnamon drink and then head back down the mountain to go out at an irish bar called the Leprechaun.
The next day some people wanted to hike, some wanted to go home. But me, Valerie, Meaghan and Jeff decided to go to the hot springs, what Banos is famous for. Big mistake, strange use of $2 but a cultural experience. We walked around trying to find the pools near a waterfall, found them, the guy told us they were really full and we might have to wait but we were dumb and went in anyway. Walked in. Looked around. Saw that the water was brown. Lukewarm-warm, like body temperature. Absolutely packed so there would be no room for us. Therefore, we made a group consensus to turn around and head home. Best decision. Who knew what diseases we could have gotten if we had gone in.
Hmm last weekend I went to Banos which has so much to do! Got there at night, I thought I would have thrown up on the bus ride there but score! I didn't. The next day we got up and ready and went mountain biking. By mountain biking it meant biking through the mountains on the back country-ish roads. It was beautiful scenery. We took forever to bike about 10 miles because everyone kept stopping to look at the waterfalls, take this little thing over to one of them and to take lots of photos. We then continued and got to this bridge where people were jumping off. They had harnesses and all, and the ropes looked pretty secure. Wasn't as high as I thought it would be but Michael, Ben, Jeff and I jumped off. It was definitely a thrilling experience. The first part was the most terrifying when I was actually flying unconnected to anything, or so it felt. But it wasn't as crazily terrifying as I thought. Then we continued on our bikes to a huge waterfall, it's name had something to do with being the devil's waterfall. We climbed down to it, looked around, then climbed up right next to it through these tunnels and could go behind it. So cool. So wet, though. Then we rode back in the back of a truck to the hotel, my butt hurt so much from the bike riding and I was so tired so napped. We ate some delicious pizza, and by delicious it was like the best thing I've ever eaten. Went on a chiva that night which is basically this open bus that took us up a mountain in the fog to this weird little place with lots of other chivas so we could drink this weird cinnamon drink and then head back down the mountain to go out at an irish bar called the Leprechaun.
The next day some people wanted to hike, some wanted to go home. But me, Valerie, Meaghan and Jeff decided to go to the hot springs, what Banos is famous for. Big mistake, strange use of $2 but a cultural experience. We walked around trying to find the pools near a waterfall, found them, the guy told us they were really full and we might have to wait but we were dumb and went in anyway. Walked in. Looked around. Saw that the water was brown. Lukewarm-warm, like body temperature. Absolutely packed so there would be no room for us. Therefore, we made a group consensus to turn around and head home. Best decision. Who knew what diseases we could have gotten if we had gone in.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Violencia Domestica
Today in Gender and Society we talked about domestic violence/gender violence/violence against women. Lots of names, none of them are completely accurate. For some reason this topic was pretty interesting and captivating to me, even though I didn't voice my opinion in class. I didn't realize how prevalent it is. 500 women died in Spain between 1999 and 2004 because of it, but many more didn't die but still were abused. It's not just physical, can be verbal as well. We then read a story by a girl who had genital mutilation surgery as a child and how it affected her. I'm more thankful that I don't live in an area where that is culturally accepted. It makes me feel bad for all the people who have this happen to them, though.
It also makes me think that many people are not treated how they should be. Everyone is different, yes. But so many people don't have legs or arms or are psychologically affected by all of this.
Just something to think about :)
It also makes me think that many people are not treated how they should be. Everyone is different, yes. But so many people don't have legs or arms or are psychologically affected by all of this.
Just something to think about :)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Esmeraldas
This weekend I went to my friend Brian's host family's resort north of Esmeraldas. It was very nice and secluded. We had 12 students who went and it was a fun group. We spent most of the time just relaxing, riding the waves, sea kayaking, found a donkey or horse skull and tried to break the teeth out for souvenirs, etc. The difference between high tide and low tide was crazy. Normally it's a few feet or like 20 feet, no this was about 300 at least. Crazy! We also had a bonfire that took a bottle of gasoline and a bunch of effort to start, but once it started it lasted for a long time.
I got my first F written on an exam. I don't remember the last time that happened. So that's a feat. Luckily the teacher is letting me retake the exam Monday so I'll have to study. It's just so hard to be motivated to study here, especially after getting a grade like that.
I just got an email saying that the state of emergency has been extended for 60 more days only in Quito, not the rest of the country. It's rated Critical in the warning scale. Good thing I live in Quito... Just have to be extra careful, especially after dark it says. But nothing seems different from before the whole Coup thing happened. I'll still be careful- don't want to get robbed or kidnapped!
I'm in a really weird mood lately and I can't shake it. I feel like I'm just tired, which I probably am, but it seems more than that. Hopefully it will pass soon.
keep truckin' life keeps goin. dont forget to fasten your seatbelt.
I got my first F written on an exam. I don't remember the last time that happened. So that's a feat. Luckily the teacher is letting me retake the exam Monday so I'll have to study. It's just so hard to be motivated to study here, especially after getting a grade like that.
I just got an email saying that the state of emergency has been extended for 60 more days only in Quito, not the rest of the country. It's rated Critical in the warning scale. Good thing I live in Quito... Just have to be extra careful, especially after dark it says. But nothing seems different from before the whole Coup thing happened. I'll still be careful- don't want to get robbed or kidnapped!
I'm in a really weird mood lately and I can't shake it. I feel like I'm just tired, which I probably am, but it seems more than that. Hopefully it will pass soon.
keep truckin' life keeps goin. dont forget to fasten your seatbelt.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Strange week.
Well, after the whole Coup thing happened, everything pretty much went back to normal. The next day I didn't have school but I was so glad about that because I had a history test I hadn't really studied for.
Friday my host uncle called me and asked if I wanted to go to the cloud forest with him and Valerie. We said yes, went there and stayed at my dream house. Literally this house was adorable. So many little details that just made it homey and awesome. Like the sink had painted flowers in it, it had an old bathtub for the shower, lots of antiques and little cool trinkets, hammocks, wraparound porch, great view, in the middle of nowhere. Perfect. We went to the town of Nanegalito to try to find fritado (fried pork, I think) but they were out. So we went to a discoteca, meaning a little hut in the middle of nowhere off the side of the road with a bar, colored lights, a DJ, the whole works. Stayed there for a while and we probably looked kind of sketchy- an old guy with two younger girls next to him? Haha. Oh well. Still was fun. Next day we woke up, had a great breakfast on the porch and then went to the Teleferico. Now, the teleferico is basically a ski lift going up the mountain and they're pretty common in Ecuador. This one, however, was made out of plastic lawn chairs and old seatbelts. Had some metal parts, too, but it was definitely not the most legit thing in the world. Had some good views and climbed a tower without being completely scared (getting over my fear a bit!) and then walked around the fish pond to look at the pretty flowers. We then went back to the house for some lunch and then went across the street to have these two kids, Natalie and David show us around the property. There were a bunch of cabanas that were awesome- some had 3 story bunk beds! Then we went to go bowling. In the forest. Near a river. On a wooden bowling alley. So legit! So fun! Then we left and came back to Quito.
Sunday I was home alone because someone died in the family. I love being home alone here. So much. But I was pretty productive and found internet in my room again! Score.
Monday I took the worst exam in a while. But the thing was, it wasn't fair at all. It was over material that we didn't focus on, didn't really explain in class and wasn't covered in the reading she gave us. Instead, it was obscure events that I had to research on Wikipedia the night before. NOT COOL. I still don't know the outcome of this. We shall see.
The rest of the week I've been pretty lazy but I haven't had much homework since my classes all had exams recently. So I've been watching movies, going out on Tuesday to quiz night at an irish bar called Finn Mccools- my friend's favorite bar. Never knew I knew so much about Canada or inventors. But I do. It was really fun.
I feel like everyone else is busy which makes me feel even more like a bum. Oh well. I'll get busy sometime.
This weekend I'm going to my friend Brian's host family's resort on the beach near Esmeraldas but it's near a reserve of some kind so that should be fun. Nice and relaxing since I need more relaxation. But I like most everyone going. Should be great.
Friday my host uncle called me and asked if I wanted to go to the cloud forest with him and Valerie. We said yes, went there and stayed at my dream house. Literally this house was adorable. So many little details that just made it homey and awesome. Like the sink had painted flowers in it, it had an old bathtub for the shower, lots of antiques and little cool trinkets, hammocks, wraparound porch, great view, in the middle of nowhere. Perfect. We went to the town of Nanegalito to try to find fritado (fried pork, I think) but they were out. So we went to a discoteca, meaning a little hut in the middle of nowhere off the side of the road with a bar, colored lights, a DJ, the whole works. Stayed there for a while and we probably looked kind of sketchy- an old guy with two younger girls next to him? Haha. Oh well. Still was fun. Next day we woke up, had a great breakfast on the porch and then went to the Teleferico. Now, the teleferico is basically a ski lift going up the mountain and they're pretty common in Ecuador. This one, however, was made out of plastic lawn chairs and old seatbelts. Had some metal parts, too, but it was definitely not the most legit thing in the world. Had some good views and climbed a tower without being completely scared (getting over my fear a bit!) and then walked around the fish pond to look at the pretty flowers. We then went back to the house for some lunch and then went across the street to have these two kids, Natalie and David show us around the property. There were a bunch of cabanas that were awesome- some had 3 story bunk beds! Then we went to go bowling. In the forest. Near a river. On a wooden bowling alley. So legit! So fun! Then we left and came back to Quito.
Sunday I was home alone because someone died in the family. I love being home alone here. So much. But I was pretty productive and found internet in my room again! Score.
Monday I took the worst exam in a while. But the thing was, it wasn't fair at all. It was over material that we didn't focus on, didn't really explain in class and wasn't covered in the reading she gave us. Instead, it was obscure events that I had to research on Wikipedia the night before. NOT COOL. I still don't know the outcome of this. We shall see.
The rest of the week I've been pretty lazy but I haven't had much homework since my classes all had exams recently. So I've been watching movies, going out on Tuesday to quiz night at an irish bar called Finn Mccools- my friend's favorite bar. Never knew I knew so much about Canada or inventors. But I do. It was really fun.
I feel like everyone else is busy which makes me feel even more like a bum. Oh well. I'll get busy sometime.
This weekend I'm going to my friend Brian's host family's resort on the beach near Esmeraldas but it's near a reserve of some kind so that should be fun. Nice and relaxing since I need more relaxation. But I like most everyone going. Should be great.
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