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!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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!
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!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
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.
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.
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