Beaches beaches beaches

So the last couple weeks have been filled some amazing beach time. First was the beginning of last week (almost 2 weeks ago) When me, Kendra, and Meghan went to Canoa. That beach is my favorite beach in Ecuador (though I didn't see them all or some great ones in the south) I loved it! It was a very small town with really cool backpacker hostals, lots of interesting travelers and locals and some really nice beach. We spend about 3 days 2 nights there laying around on the beaches and drinking some unbelieveable juices and cocktails. We took some slightly tramatic night buses to make the 9 hour trip each way but definitely found it to be worth the trip!

At the end of the week after we had rested a bit after the night bus on thursday, friday we took a girls night out. We went to this phenomenal wine and tapas bar for a bit of a spurge on $15 for all you can drink wine and all you can eat tapas... Not a bad deal. Then the 4 of us went out salsa dancing. We had an absloute blast and the night surved as a great going away party for Kendra (who left last weds) and myself who left for Colombia before her departure (I left Monday) That weekend involved a date with a very nice chico from Mexico where we went to the Guyasamin Museum in town (he is the most famous artist in Ecuador) looked at some art, drank cappuccini and watched an Italian film... to bad I am leaving the country so soon.

Monday morning Dylan and I preped ourselves for our trip running errands and such then caught our flight in the afternoon and after a connection in Bogota we arrived in Cartagena. It was kind of an adventure being so tired having to change currencies, catch a cab to a general part of town to search for a hostal (after having called around all morning with no hostal availability). We luckly found one around midnight and after chatting with our british roommates went to bed. When we woke up we wondered around town sight seeing before clumsily catching a bus to the bus terminal for Santa Marta. 2 buses, 1 taxi and 6 hours later we were there!

We pull up to this building in awe... it is on the beach, brand new and really expensive looking, how do 2 american boys who teach english live here you ask? Because the rent is about $600,000 pesos or about 300.00 dollars a month.. TOTAL. They are on the 11 floor with beach front property in a 2 floor condo with a maid and cook. We basically hit the jackpot. We stayed with them for 2 days hanging by one of the 2 pools and touring Santa Marta. 2 days ago we set off for a nearby national park called Tyrona.

After hiking through the jungle seeing some monkeys, taking a '50's truck to the trail head, hiking another hour in we reached the beach and it was SO beautiful. We slept in hammocks and drank fresh squeze juices and layed in the sun. There were some good hikes around we took and found some isolated beaches with no one else around. It was so tropical and beautiful! We moved to a beach a little further in for our second night there and it was even prettier (if possible). It was busy because it was a Colombian holiday but filled with international travellers and Colombian couples (it was quite romantic). We had a blast but were exhausted after the hour and a half long muggie jungle hike out, bus ride and taxi home to a hot shower and air conditioning!

Dylan and I are parting from the boys off to Cartagena for a 2 night and a full day of seeing the city before our flight back to Quito. We are both dreading returning to the real world and leaving the Carribean. I am leaving so soon and feeling really torn, excited for school but not wanting to leave. It will be here before I know it... barely 3 more days.

So the beach was awesome. It was just Dylan and me and we stayed the first night in Atacamtes which is a HUGE party destination for Ecuadorians. It was a little out of control and we stayed in a place that was a little sketchy, but overall enjoyed ourselves. The next day we went one beach over (which was highly reccomended to us by many Eucadorian friends) Tonsupa. It was AMAZING! Absolutely beautiful much calmer and nicer people. We laid on the beach and eat TONS of wonderful Ceviche. Delicious! We lost our key in the sand, watched vollyball on the beach, swam in the ocean, got sunburnt, overall it was a great weekend!

This week was nice, finished my mural. Had my last day of work friday. A great couple nights of salsa and dancing Wed and Fri night. I was told I danced like a latin girl!!!! I spend hours convincing people I was not of Latin decent most of whom still didnt believe me after outlining my herritage in detail. I feel fairly accomplished that I can really salsa dance! (I did take a couple lessons down here that def helped). Will update more about this weekend when I have more time!

JOURNAL FOUND! Haha... crazy world. Someone left it later that afternoon and the guy painting the other walls gave it to me the next day! YAY!

In other news, I am leaving for the beach tonight for the weekend! Still investigating tickets to Colombia! Pretty sure it's going to work out. It'll definitely make the next 3 weeks fly by. One week to finish the mural and work, a week or so depending at the beach with friends in Ecuador then Dylan and I will jet off to Northern Colombia for free room and board on the beach of Santa Marta maybe we'll throw in a trip to La Cuidad Perdita! Why not!?

Haha, so life is good, we've been having sunny days here in Quito. I went to Yoga last night, quite interesting. Then after we went to a live poetry reading, that was even more interesting! Haha.. the guy doing it was way artist and seemed cool then ended up being REALLY full of himself! It was a very good night. I had sushi! Yes, sushi in town today with Meghan, a good friend down here after we went apartment hunting for her! We found her a cute place totally furnished, all utilities included in the center of town... for a whole $150 a mo. CRAZY cheap. I'm moving! Not quite what I'll be paying in Boulder if I ever find a place to live! I'll worry about that later...

MURAL!

I have started! We are painting a mural on one of the blank walls on the exterior of the orphanage. It is a scenic view of the mountains of Quito with the famous statue (the virgin mary) on one end near the church entrance then a row of kids holding hands infront. Above them in the sky is a bible quote that kids say before eating every day. (the nuns asked for it!) I will post pics.

Sadly, while I was sketching out the mural my journal was sitting open with my prelimiary sketch and someone stole it. The whole journal filled with personal notes, spanish words to remember, addresses, pictures of my family etc... So, the first thing I've ever gotten stolen while abroad just happens to be the most sentimental item I have here. I am hoping is was some kid who walked by and that it will be there this afternoon when I go back after lunch, it´s not valuable.

Otherwise, this weekend was relaxing. I spent Saturday with Dylan having ¨"una dia de la cultura" (day of culture) going to museums and a contemporary art exhibit, looking at the artisan market, and eating out in Quito. It was lovely. ALso, let me know if you have any movies you want me to buy... they sell them everywhere here (mostly pirated) but usually for around a dollar each! I bought and watched Persepolis!

I haven't moved out of my house, it is nice having it to myself! I get to chat with Mercedes in spanish at meals and then have good private time when i want! I'm planning on staying for the next two weeks while I'm still a volunteer then after that travelling around or living with my friends here who have an apartment.

Trying to plan a trip to the beach this weekend! Thinking about heading north to Esmereldas to a town called Atacames! It's supposed to be a great beach! Still looking into Colombia for a few weeks from now! Vamos aver!

¡Ciao!

sick....

Well I have managed to avoid any stomach sickness (lucky lucky me) but instead i have a horrible chest cold. Bummer. Worst part is I recieved it right before leaving for Baños. So, update-

New Volunteer position-

I LOVE it... it's been unbelievable! I really enjoy my new placement. I work with 4 other volunteers, 2 girls who have been there a month and 2 newbies who came last friday. There are a lot more younger kids at this facility and they are adorable. The nuns are much much more organized then the people at REMAR which makes it much easier to be helpful. They have tasks to give the kids, games, activities, movies, things like that so that the volunteers are spending quality time with the kids. My newest project is painting a mural on the huge white wall on the outside of the building. It was painted white just days before I arrived (a sign??) so me and another volunteer are designing a mural that the volunteers will paint.

I am now living alone with Mercedes which has proved a great opportunity to speak spanish one on one. She moved back in the house with me... it's been nice! I might not move. We'll see.

This weekend I was in Baños, sick. It is similar to a Teluride meets, Boulder in Ecuador. It's filled with rafting, hiking, backpacking, bungee jumping, waterfalls, international food (even vegetarian options, which are impossible to find here) and coffee shops and yoga studios. I am moving. But seriouslly it was great especially because the girls we went with, me Dylan, Kendra and Meghan, (Kendra and Meghan) both studied here last fall and knew tons of people who live there. We got free guides all over. Even though I was sick i still hiked a lot and went out a little (which I'm sure didn't help) but was so so so much fun!

I will try and write more about my happenings soon, I have been in bed sleeping for the last 2 days and finally when to work today feeling a bit better. So we'll see!

Portoviejo and Cayambe

First off- I loved all the comments so far. I'm glad some of you are reading this. Having to pay for internet all the time, it's nice not to have to write too many emails everytime I'm on, but can still share my stories. So thanks!

So the van was successfully dropped off! It was quite the drive, about 10 hours with 9 of us in this small van. We drove from about 1am till 11am with little sleeping in the process. When we arrived we were greeted by many small children and women with babies. Many of the children are handicapped whether mental or physical. A large majority of the kids had some form of downsyndrom. It seemed (and we were later told) that there is a surprisingly large percentage of people with downsyndrom in that region, hence why the school is so important, as they focus specifically on these types of kids.
It was all a bit overwhelming. We were settled into the hallway of the open air school where it was bit cooler (it was blisteringly hot out now that we were much closer to the coast). Everyone watched patiently as they signed the bus over the the school and then we passed out donations. This was actually fairly problematic. Our director, Mariana, well intentioned woman but with very particular oppinions on how everything should be, and her's always the correct one. In this instance she INSISTED that WE individually hand out each item, choosing which kids needed or deserved each item. This had happened to some of the girls in a previous visit to a different site where many of the kids would recieve an item from a volunteer then when it didn't fit later on it was taken away, then would go home empty handed. It seemed silly not to let the women who live and work there, who know the kids, choose what clothes they wear or what school supplies they need. Though this was frustrating, it was an amazing experience.
We had lunch with some the kids and women who worked there, bummed around town completely exhausted. Some of the girls parted off to go to the beaches nearby and Lindsey and I went home on the night bus back to Quito with Mariana, her 9 yr old daughter Joanna, and her friend our driver Mario.

The next day, without school, we slept in, ran errands and then headed to Cayambe for the weekend. That night the town was slow, we learned that No one goes out on fridays there. Then Sat morning, there was the parade of the flower plantations. Ecuador is one of the world leaders in flower production, specifically roses, and so during the parade the girls on the flower floats threw handfulls of roses into the crowd. That afternoon we went to a traditional spanish bullfight in town, which was unsruprisingly bloody and a little hard to watch. We only stayed for the killing of 3 bulls and then left after about and hour. It was only $5.
We spend the afternoon eaching biscochos, somewhat similar to biscotti, with caramel and cafe. That night there was live music in the streets, dancing, and uneccessary hotdog eating at 12am. I, somehow, didn't get sick.
Sunday morning we went to watch the parade of the indigenous people coming down from the mountains in traditional clothing. They sang and danced in the streets wearing bright colors with masks and huge alpacka britches. We had an almuerza, or a set lunch, soup with a mystery meat, potatoes and chocolo (corn). Then beef, rice, beans, plantains with dessert of fresh fruit, juice and water. All for $1.50... I payed the extra .20 for a coke (in the glass bottle, of course). We then all took the bus home in the afternoon.

That night I met up with Jes (from the tea house) who is here running an outdoor adventure program for HS kids. We had coffee, caught up and exchanged Ecuadorian cell numbers so we can meet up again when they come through Quito. I am quite jealous, she is in the Galapagos right now.

This week has been interesting so far. I am most likely changing orphanages. Since being here we have done Nothing with the orphanage at Remar, just helped some in class. Honestly, Remar is one of the wealthier schools for orphans. In no way is it up to the standards of American schools but the kids have a full time staff (hired help to clean/paint) we just assist the teachers and play. It's a rewarding experience befriending a child who has had so little in life and being able to spend time with them but, I feel that there are other orphanages in the city that physically NEED the extra hands. Luckly, I'm not alone in this thought. There are already 5 volunteers at Remar and the 2 girls who work at the other orphanage through ELI (the only 2 who work there) are leaving so I'm being moved over tomorrow. It's perfect timing as all the kids had continuation today and school is officially done, tomorrow there will be only the girl orphans at Remar, so about a third of the kids with the 4 other volunteers. Plus even though the new orphanage is run by catholic nuns (dun dun daah... that's for you dad) the head nun is Italian, so almost no language barrier when asking questions or if I have concerns.

With this change in jobs, I might also be changing host families, though that one is not set yet. I would most likely be living with my friend Dylan, who is this amazingly down to earth girl from Salt Lake, speaks Spanish quite well and works here in a Human Rights internship. It would be a great switch in my opinion. I love Mercedes (my current host mom) but she doesn't live in the house and instead it's filled with my two/three young American roommates. It feels like a college dorm with a Ecuadorian woman who comes to cook and clean (it actually saddens me a bit). We end up speaking English WAY too often. Dylan lives with an American girl that is leaving at the end of the week (I beleive, very convienently) They live with Jackie, Fernando and their 3 sons. Jackie, is young and loves us as we have become her new daughters. We're planning Salsa classes and trips to the local independent film center(we might even throw in some yoga). I'll keep you updated!

Trips

This week has been going well. My brain is constantly being drained thinking in 3 languages. English most naturally and comfortably but then wanting to speak in Italian, trying to speak in spanish... it's quite the challenge. I have been meeting the most interesting people. For example last night alone I met two guys from the Coast who are in Quito part time. One works at the Galapagos and might be able to hook me up if I want to go. Then we met two American guys last night when we were out in town. They both have been living in Colombia teaching for the past 3 years and I'm most likely going to stay in their spare beachside appartment in the Northern coast in August. We'll see. The night before I was drinking some wine with two great girls I met here Dylan and Kendra when Kendra's friends joined us. One who is Ecuadorian but grew up in the US, and the other who is half Colombian half Italian who speaks fluent Italian, Spanish and English but grew up in Switzerland! Good times...

Yesterday we went to pick up the bus. Georgia, my American roommate raised about $4,000 before arriving (I'm a slacker) and bought a bus here that she's going to donate to transport disabled kids to school. We spent 4 hours picking the bus up with our director Marianna, which like always, took way too long and was way to difficult. It was quite the experience, so much so that I really enjoyed it all, even the frustrating parts.

Today work went well, I'm helping make a flyer for the school to pass around to help raise money. My class is adorable, yet difficult as usual. The langauge barrier ( I understand them then struggle answering) is still problematic. I'm looking into private lessons or classes here (they're like $5dollars for a one on one tutor).

We have a 4 day weekend so tonight after we go into town to watch to game (Ecuador, Brazil) we're leaving for the coast to drop the bus off. It's a 8-9 hour drive which we'll do ALL night. Then be near the coast all day tomorrow to drop the bus off and see the city and school. We get back either Thursday night or Friday morning. We'll hang in the city then take off for the North. We're going to Cayambe for a huge indigenous festival this weekend. I'll be back on Sunday when Jessica V., friend from the Tea House, is in Quito that night and I'm hoping to meet up for dinner!

Working and weekend trips

SO this weekend I got a cell phone on friday (call me in Ecuador- 09-5875545) and started work. We went to a waterpark in the middle of the Andes on Thursday with all the kids. I got assigned to help the 3rd graders. My kids are really cute but definitely need a lot of attention and fight a lot. Litterally I am breaking up fistfights 2 or 3 times a day. For the most part my days are low key, I wake up at 7am, eat breakfast around 7:10 get ready for work at 8am. WOrk till 1pm grading papers, helping the kids with their exams (its the end of the semester still) and playing with them.. My spanish is still coming along and I find myself speaking in Italian on accident more often then I would like.

I am still getting used to how cheap everything is, my host mom told us never to pay more than 2 bucks for a cab or else we're being ripped off! Meals for lunch can cost as little as 1.10 for 2 courses bottled water and juice! Though I know I will soon be quite sick of rice (as it is served with EVERY meal minus breakfast) I am really enjoying the food! Lots of meet and potatoes actually and always soup to start off with!

On Friday we hit up the Mariscal neighborhood or Gringolanda (Gringo land) where most of the bars and clubs are in town. We went salsa dancing and met up with this girl who studied in Quito last fall and came back to work this summer who has lots of awesome friends here. We got ripped of at one club but otherwise the night was spent enjoying the national beer (Pilsner) 3 x 18oz for 2.50!

Saturday we caught the 2 dollar bus with my friends Dylan and Marissa with their host mom to a town called Cotacachi which has the cheapest leather goods I have EVER seen, then Otovalo famous for its indigenous market at which I bought lots of nice gifts for some of you! Then to Cayambe in which their host mom's family owns a night club! We're going back this weekend for a huge festival they have! Sunday was relaxed we read and studied. Today in the morning I worked and now am going exploring!

Quito!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I have much to tell-

After my post previously, I chatted with Mario and went to bed. There was an intense fan war with people turning it on and off all night (it was loud and yet also hot) with 10 people sharing a room we were indecisive. (I slept and didn´t participate)

The next morning I woke up and met a girl in a bed near by from Holland. She was really sweet and we walked around the neighborhood and found a place for breakfast. She told me about how she just graduated and had been backpacking alone through central america for 3 months! Great stories. Interesting breakfast, I stupidly drank the water given to me in a glass but didn´t get sick (yay). We headed back to the hostel and went our ways I went to check email. While checking I heard an American boy asking the woman at the main desk to call him a cab in spanish. I asked him if he wanted to split the cost and we shared the ride. We happened to be on the same flight and sat next to each other all the way to Quito. It was most definitely an enjoyable expericence and we shared some great stories and he even bummed (payed for) a ride from my director and host mom when we arrived in Quito.

In quito-

Once I arrived I was greated by a balloon, my director, my host mom, and the directors daughter´. We got in her car and drove around, dropping off Mike (my travel partner) and then off to my new home. Mercedes my host mom is the SWEETEST woman, probably ever. I was shown my room and met my roommates. Two girls, Georgia and Alyse, 18 and 19 from St Louis working with me and another Lindsey, 18, from Florida. We all work together at Remar (the Orphanage) That night we went out and met the other girls (not many guys working here) at a cute bar in a part of town called Gringolanda... haha.
The next day I met the rest of the new volunteers about 10 total spread out all over the city doing all sorts of things. We had a tour with our disorganized swindler of a tour guide (he´s a little shady but nice) we rode the TelleferiQa (i believe that´s how it´s spelled) basically a gondola that takes you up to one of the highest overlooks of Quito near Pinchicha the active volcano. We hiked up to almost the top and it was breathtaking (will post photos soon).
Then we went to buy tickets to the game yesterday, sat in line of hours and finally got them. We all bought tees so we´d be ready.
Yesterday morning me and another late comer (tours started when I was in Panama) got the end of our tour at the Basilica/main cathedral in town. It´s also amazing with views of Quito... it is GIGANTIC! (will also post those)
After the Basilica we went to wait in line for the game got all decked out and stood in line forever! We finally got in, and after over 5 hours waiting in line (over two days), 3 hours of rain (during the game and before), we were drenched and yelling Ecuadorian cheers at the game Ecuador verses Colombia a world cup qualifier (there was a tie). It was AMAZING!!!! Seriouslly a blast even though we were soaked at the end.

Today I woke up early (like every day here) and went to Remar. School is ending and so the kids all got to go to a water park! It was about an hour drive through the Andes and the countryside of Ecuador to this isolated water park in the middle of the Andes! Crazy! It was awesome the children are adorable and I´m really excited. I´m in a 3rd grade class and got to hang with my kids today at the pool.. I got a little burned but overall it was fun and exhausting. After we had a big late lunch and then came down to the center of town to use the internet at this really nice cafe. I will update with more and photos soon!

PANAMA

Well, I made it. In my hostel in Panama. It is so humid, my hair is going crazy. We landed and after an hour and a half waiting for customs I walked out to my driver. The hostel said they´d send a taxi and he even had a sign with my name (first time ever). My driver, Ronaldo, spoke only spanish but we had a nice little chat (yes, I managed to speak, horrible, yet comprehensable, spanish) He told me I am one of the few people, outside of fluent spanish speakers, who has ever had a conversation with him on a ride. Plus, I threw him off guard when I sat in the front seat. We are the same age and it felt wierd having him be my ¨driver¨as I sat quietly in the back, so I sat in front. I heard about his opinions on president Bush, imbasile translates well... he told me how surprised he was that I am a morena from Colorado (doesn´t imagine many people with dark coloring from Colorado I guess). I got to see some of the city at night, because the sun sets at 7pm here still. So far I am just camping out in the hostel, its not very busy, not many people here, I assume some are already out. Just a couple people hiding in rooms, the owner, and this really nice older biologist from Patagonia, Mario, who speaks beautiful fluent italian (we´re friends) who just got done studying sea turtles in Costa Rica. So far so good, I´ll probably go to bed soon, I am quite tired from the journey and head to the airport mid morning.

Houston International

Well, the first bit of the trip is on its way. I am currently in the abiss that is the Houston International Airport for the next 3 hours... layovers are not enjoyable. I am estatic to have started my journey. After several miserable hours of packing and re-packing last night I feel I FINALLY packed Most everything I need and want now I'm just ready to be there!

Tonight I spend the night in Panama City (if I ever get out of this GIGANTIC airport) at a backpackers hostel. I met a nice older man on the plane here who told me about how his daughter not almost 50 went to Panama City when she was in her 20s and LOVED it. I'm sure I won't be able to experience it like she did (in only 12 hours I'm there) but it was a nice way to pass the time of the flight. Hopefully I meet a couple interesting people in my hostel and am able to see a bit of the city. If not, I will get a good nights rest for my flight into Quito in the morning. Either way, I am so excited. The nervousness has passed me and I am looking forward to Ecuador.

First Post!

The departure date is approaching quickly and I am getting anxious. I am all over the place. Living in Boulder and Littleton at the same time. Working full time. Just finished summer school. Don't have anywhere to live for the fall (*yet) I have barely even had time to think about the fact I'm turning 22 tomorrow. It is kind of an insignificant birthday after having the 21 celebration but I am excited as the celebration will be a great opportunity to say goodbye to my friends for the summer.

I have been "couch surfing" for a couple weeks now. I am finding it entertaining and exhausting. Predominantly because carrying all of ones basic belongings around is cumbersome and it would be nice to sleep in one bed more consistently again. I won't have that till my homestay in Ecuador (I am SO excited about that).

I am ready to go.