America

It has come that point in the trip where I crave everything American. Especially fried food and Chinese and anything really that is not rice. I never was a rice person before I came here, and well I'm still not a rice person, no matter how much I shovel down. Speaking of shoveling, have fun with all that snow in Wisconsin that I've been hearing about from my very accurate Facebook.

In just six days I will have been here for an entire month! That's 30 days, 4 weeks, 1/12 of a year. How ever you measure it, it's been great. Now here are some fun facts that I don't feel like making into sentences.

1. I have never like pineapple until I came here, and now I can't get enough.
2. I've seen 4 cats, all within the same day and within 3 hours.
3. I've lost 14.5 pounds since I've been here. I probably won't go looking for it.
4. Everything I buy is now measured in how many buses I could buy for the same amount.
5. I hate getting pennies on the bus as change.
6. Finding a dime on the ground made my week.
7. Having an actual quarter for the bus means it's your lucky day.
8. Not sweating all day means you can wear those clothes again. 
9. I'm a little jealous of the snow, mostly because I didn't get a snow day. 
10. I have my first test tomorrow. 

There are no exciting plans for this weekend as of yet, but I did discover a spa on my way home today. I might have to check out their services and maybe get a mani, pedi, haircut, massage, ice cream, and mud bath while I'm at it.

A weekend full of laughter and sore bodies after

Well last weekend was our first official weekend excursion. The other 7 SNC girls and I went off to the city of Baños. We hired a tour guide to help us out and to keep us safe, he and his assistant? came and picked us up after classes on Friday and after a three hour drive, a bathroom break, and a stop for some famous ice cream we checked into our hostel. It was more like a hotel, we got breakfast every morning and there was even a pool. Friday night we went out for pizza (I voted for anything except for rice). The pizza was delicious and fairly inexpensive. After dinner and some freshening up we decided that we were going to go out to the bars. Our quote to live by for the weekend "when in Ecuador". Our guides came out with us to keep tabs on us and scare away creepers. The plan was to tell all the bartenders that it was Willow's birthday to get free drinks, us not only being poor but also poor and in a foreign country. The first bar was awesome with a camp fire and a mini waterfall in the back. After we left the first bar we decided that at every bar we would claim it was two different girls birthday so that the drinks could be shared. This plan was amazing and worked flawlessly. We went from bar to bar on the street and only got turned down only 2 times making a total of 15ish bars with only spending about $2 each at the first bar. There were a few run-ins with a couple of weird guys, one I told that my name was Stephanie and to another I said that our group was form California. After all I was never going to see them again. At about 1am we headed home.

On Saturday we started the day early at 8am and headed off for our day of adventure. First up, zip-lining (canopying). Each girl got to do this one and heading into the activity we all thought we would be able to sit in out harnesses but instead we had to fly on our bellies with arms extended like a bird. This made us all very nervous but it was well worth it and I would do it again any day. Next up was puenting (jumping off a bridge connected to a cord). Only 4 girls did this one and the other 4 (including myself) stood on the side lines. I wish I could have done it but there was no way I would be able to jump once I got up there. After this we all went rafting, and this was much more fun than I thought it would be. Our rafting guide was awesome. We all got briefed on what to do if we flipped or someone fell in and then we were off. We made it through all the rapids without falling in... accidentally. About 10 min into the workout we all got pushed in and had to pull each other back into the raft. About 5 min after this it started pouring, imagine 8 girls in the middle of no where in a raft. Could be a TV show or something. The rain although did not ruin our time but more enhanced it with our crazy jokes and voice impressions. After rafting we were all wet and needed to get into dry clothes, being that there was not a bathroom in sight we walking into the forest and changed. After going to the hostel to fix our faces and hair we headed off to glide past a waterfall in a basket. Once on the other side we hiked down the mountain. On the way I was the only one to fall and beat up my legs, good thing people don't wear shorts here! Getting to the bottom was an amazing view and I took a million pictures. Then to all of our surprise we hiked back up, talk about a workout. Not being able to breath at the top we headed to a smaller waterfall to cool off. Saturday night we spent relaxing in the pool and going to bed early.

Sunday was another early morning and 6 of us went horseback riding... for two hours. It was well worth it but my horse was sassy and kept stopping for treats on the side of the road (grass). On Sunday we went home and dreaded going back to school and instead of doing homework we uploaded pictures and videos to share with the world of our amazing experience       

Becoming daily life

Nothing all too eventful has happened this week. School is going fine, a little better but still not great. I have my first quiz on Thursday in Economics (in Spanish) and a test sometime next week in my Evolution of Jazz class (in English!).

With the weekend just two days away all the SNC girls are headed off to Banos for the weekend, our first official "away from home" trip. Everything is pre-planned, pre-paid, and safe. Today I also had to go to the wonderful SuperMaxi store to buy supplies. Shanna and I went after her last class today, while I waited for her I had lunch at a great hamburger place then laid in the awesome hammocks on campus. I had to finally pick up shampoo, conditioner, and things like that because I only brought small containers. I actually found my favorite kind of nail files and only for .90 cents! Shanna bought all junk food and I bought all beauty products...

Last night I had the best dinner of my life. It was fish, I think, BUT it tasted like it swam in butter and not water, in a good way. On top of this buttery fish was bacon... yum. I can't even describe the taste.

I do have to say that I'm getting a little homesick and I feel like it will get worse before it gets better. Unless you have ever been homesick there is no way to comprehend how I'm feeling. The weeks up until yesterday were what the Study Abroad office called the "honeymoon" stage. Only now do I believe them. My life here is becoming just that, life. I miss Ben so much, I see all these couples, including the ones in my house, and wish he was here to experience this with me. As this experience continues I know it will go faster and faster and in the end I will wish that it wouldn't have gone so fast, until then I keep taking one day at a time.

The Zoo and other crazy things

So on Sunday a few SNC girls and I had planned to go to the Zoo. This was an adventure. First we sat at our usual bus station for about 30 min trying to figure out how to get there. Eventually, after asking 15 million people for directions we took a half stab in the dark and got on a bus, and then another bus, and then another. On the way there we kept going further and further away from the city, this made me think more and more that we were going to a different country, which was ridiculous because we hadn't even been driving for an hour. We eventually saw some signs for the Zoo and the bus helper announced out stop so we got off. Basically in the middle of no where. We had some idea that we needed to get a taxi to get to the actual zoo so we asked some guys how to get there and they basically said "get in the back of the truck". So being 5 American girls, we did. So we cruised down some back roads with the wind in our hair and the sun on our skin and got to the Zoo. It took us about 2 hours to walk through the entire thing and even get some great pictures. Some of the more extreme animals included the white tail deer and two cows. We ate at the Zoo for lunch and one of the only things they had left were papas con queso (potatoes with cheese). We were all thinking we would receive french fries with nacho cheese sauce, but this is Ecuador so you must expect the unexpected. It turned out to be small potatoes with a slab of cheese, no not melted or anything, just sitting on top. We only questioned the plates for a moment and ate those things right up. Then we thought to ourselves... wow we just ate mini potatoes with cheese for lunch and thought nothing of it. Nothing here phases us anymore. After lunch we headed home.

When I got home Ani, Meli, (my younger sister), and I drove around the city to drop a friend of Ani's off at the bus. At home we ate dinner and I sewed my backpack back up, received my cleaned and folded laundry, and then had to ask for toilet paper. I hate doing this because she only gives me one roll at a time and I feel like I'm asking all the time for it. I'm starting to realize some things that I should have left at home and some things I should have brought along. I clearly under estimated the amount of walking I will be doing and didn't bring enough cool shoes, not to mention a size 9 is not easy to find here. I also wish I would have brought more nail polish and such, what was I thinking? That I could go 4 months without doing my nails when at home I do them once a week at home? Before I left I was told to keep doing some of the things you love doing, and let's be honest, I love doing my nails. So I might have to go out and find some cool colors to bring back to the states.

The Little Things

Originally I was not going to write this but here it goes, enjoy!

Today miss Shanna and I decided to head out to the Historic Center of Quito. I was super excited about this because I knew there was tons of shopping and beautiful old buildings. Shanna on the other hand, I think she came along for the ride and maybe a tan. I was a bit nervous about the bus/trollie because of yesterday's incident but I was determined not to let it ruin my day. We got on and as the stops increased in number the only thing I could think was "o no, it's happening again." But instead of concentrating on the number of people filling the trollie I stuck my head out the window and watched the city go past. We missed our initial stop but got off on the next one and everything was fine. Shans and I spent about 3 hours walking around, getting lost, and looking for jerseys and flags (the two things I've vowed not to come home without). I took about 60 million pictures and Shanna took 4, that's it, 4. I really didn't care that I was walking around looking like a tourist because honestly I can't hide it so I should embrace it. We found this cute little pizza place where we got lunch and then we headed home. Near my house is a sweets shop that's I've been wanting to try out so we decided to stop there. This was a bad idea, the stuff was so good and the atmosphere was so relaxing I think I might stop there every day after school! (see pictures)

I got home and tried to take a nap but since I got 11 hours of sleep the night before I was unsuccessful. I sat around and did nothing until 6 when I ate and then did nothing again. I got invited out with Ani (my host mom) so I decided to go, even though I just had eaten. We went to this pizzeria which was great. I loved the restaurant and the food. I'm pretty sure the people that invited us out own the place, I also think they are loaded. They live next to us and drive a very nice car and their house is amazing, or at least what I've seen from the door. At the pizzeria I met the family that live upstairs, a mom and dad and two kids. They have a little boy named Martin and he was the cutest little guy I've ever seen. He was about 2 or 3 years old and kept trying to give me things and climbing over the table to be my friend. His parents tried to get him to talk in English but he was too shy.

Walking up the stairs to our house Ani asked me what shoe size I was, she guessed 8 and I had to reply... no actually size 9. I think she had a heart attack, she couldn't believe I had such big feet, in my head all I could think was yeah thanks for making me feel good about it... but it was all in good fun. I followed up by telling her I gave up shoe shopping today because I knew no one would have a size 9 and she basically said the biggest they have here is a size 8. So there goes all my new shoes I wanted. Every where I go I'm usually the tallest girl, therefore the average height is 5'4'' and average shoe size is 7. (I made these stats up, so don't quote me).  Making me a giant in a small people world.  

It's Friday

Well today was supposed to be just like any other day. The plan was to go to my two classes, got lunch, and go back to the Ecuadorian office to pick up my passport. Thing went as planned, except for some unexpected things in between.

After class Shanna and I decided that we could not eat at the almuerzo place for lunch because that meant eating soup and rice for two meals, which is too much, so we headed off to McDonald's. How classy, Americans at an American place. The food was just as good, if not better because it seemed to be healthier, key word seemed. The next part is where things get interesting. Getting on the Ecovia bus to the office is terrible, we knew this, but we didn't know how terrible it could be. The bus there was so crowded I honestly thought I couldn't breath and thought I was going to have a panic attack. It got to the point where the bus doors could not shut because there were so many people. This I do not get, Ecuadorians take time as a suggestion, say be there at 3? They will arrive at 3:15. So why do people hurry to get on the bus and not just wait for another? I'm not sure; and also everyone walks SUPER slow, so again, why do the hurry on the bus? It's stumped me. Shanna and I got to the office, got in line and got our stuff in about 20 min. Which was great, I probably did the happy dance in my head for about 3.5 min just because I was so happy everything was ready.

Dreading getting back on the bus to go home we took our time walking and tried to convince Shanna to get shopping but that didn't work. Eventually we got on, this time it was even worse, didn't think it could be worse, but it was. I stood there angry as could be because there was a baby crying, kids fighting, and it was about 99 degrees inside. Finally I got off... and saw my bag was cut open. Instantly I checked for my valuables as I kept walking to the next bus. Everything seemed to be there, including my ever important passport that I just so happen to be carrying. In that moment I was so mad, why would you want to steal from me? What did they think I had? Then I felt the need to cry but there was no way that was happening in public and after all nothing was even gone. When I thought back to the last bus I realized I was very distracted and it could have been anyone. I kept it together, called Shanna to make sure her bag was OK and got home. I feel like there was nothing I really could have done to prevent it, I had already had my backpack on the front and there were tons of people.

On a side note, home life is great. My host mom, Ani, is catching on to the fact that I love ice cream and she usually asks if I want any at night and more often than not I say yes. Also, my laundry is getting done for the first time today, I'm not sure how this will turn out because people have said that their clothes die here. I guess I should just be happy that someone does my laundry for me, even though they really don't have to.

I'm glad to say that I get two days off without carrying my backpack which I am so excited about and this weekend means more adventures.  

Buses

Well school continues to move on whether I want it to or not. That feeling of "I never want to get out of this bed" has come back to me and school has become the usual. Within 25 days of arriving here, each student needs to register their Visa and get an identification card. After checking to make sure Shanna and I had the right papers about 60 times we got on the bus to find this place. After awhile on the Ecovia (name of the bus route to get there) our stop is up next, so on the extremely crowded bus her and I move towards the door. Now it's our stop, I push through the people and out of the door just as the doors are closing, by the time I hop off and turn around the bus is leaving, with Shanna still on it. What?! Are you kidding me, my worst nightmare has just come true. Separated in Quito with no clue where I am. The situation was not as bad as I thought it was but in the moment all I could do was scream swear words in my head. With many years of being a child I knew the best thing to do was not to move, I got on my phone and called her up, "where are you now?" She eventually got back to me and we were on our way. We found the place fine and handed all our stuff in and now we must return tomorrow to pick everything up. I am NOT looking forward to riding that bus again, because it is always like that.

It also has become that time where I am craving American food. I have stayed away so far because it is more expensive than the great $3 almuerzo places where I normally eat. By the time I leave I for sure will never want soup or rice again, it is probably safe to say that I've had both those things every day since I've been here. It's been nice to get some ice cream at home because sweets are one of my main food groups and I have not been getting my healthy dose.

I've finally figured some important things out at school and even found one of two books I need. After looking for 3 days for the darn thing the bookstore finally had it and I paid a nice $71 for it, a book that I cannot sell back, and that is Spanish Accounting. Who are we kidding, I will never look at this thing again. I just have to buy an Economics book, which will probably be an arm and a leg, and then I'm done going to the bookstore. 

Walking, I see a trend

Well yesterday was full of sunshine and crazy beautiful views. Originally nothing was planned for Sunday, but when I woke up the sun was shining. So, still being in the mindset of living in Wisconsin, I felt the need to do something on this fine day, even though everyday is a fine day here. So after what felt like 1,000,000 miles, Shanna and I walked to Whitney's house, then to the mall where I could not affording anything ever in my life. The only thing I could afford was the bathroom, because it was free. But the weird thing here was that you had to take the toilet paper before you went into the stall, ALMOST a fatal mistake. After this Lauren's host dad, who should be a tourist guide (he seems to know everything about the city, even after knowing him 2.3 min), took us to a park for a beautiful view of the city, I tried to take pictures that would catch the beauty but my hand-me-down camera just doesn't do it justice. After walking more and more we eventually made it to the right buses. But at this time it was about 5 and getting dark, the time where bad things happen and I lock myself in my room. So me being a little freaked out and over cautious, I started running. Bad, bad idea. I was out of breath in about 10 steps, not only am I not a runner, this altitude still affects me. So to power walk it was, up the mountain, still as hard as it was from day one. I made it home and was starving from the day out, I started to make toast but noticed it was not working, great I broke the toaster. After trying to turn on many lights and other electronics I realized the power was out for some unknown reason. It eventually went on and I got real food.

Today started my first full week of school, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be my easy days and every day I will be done at one. Not too bad. I'm getting used to running in front of cars and buses just to cross the street and it's starting to become a little game. Today was the first day I needed to go to the ATM and I am awaiting the foreign fee to show up on my account. Tonight again was a race home, it was getting dark and it appeared as if a nasty nasty storm was rolling in. As normal, I made it home too sweaty and too tired to do anything but lay on my bed. The plans for this weekend and the next are starting to come together and I'm feeling the time going faster and faster as I get a set routine. Today was also the first of many "big" days that I have missed, Ben's birthday. Many more are to come, I count the days until home but also count the days I have left, this number is bittersweet and I can only imagine how hard it will be to leave this amazing country.

One Week

Officially today is the one week mark of me being in the land of fresh fruit and lots of sun. I'm starting to get that feeling like I need to go out and do stuff, which is great, so yesterday some SNC girls and I, along with one of my Ecuabuddies, went to the equator. It was lots of fun with pretty sites and loads of pictures. There were also lots of little stores selling hand made things, I wanted to buy EVERYTHING but bought nothing believe it or not. I have a list in my head of about 10 things I MUST have before I go home. Including some gifts. One of the things I want is a hammock, but I have not yet decided if I want to bring that home, or all my clothes, it's a close race. These things are beautiful, they come in about every color and are huge. I've always wanted a hammock and what's better than one from Ecuador? 

I actually got to skype my mom yesterday for the first time and see my kitty Spice, there are no cats here, I have not seen a single cat, but I've seen hundreds of dogs. Which probably is a good thing that I have not seen a cat because I probably would want to bring it home. 

After our little, well big, equator trip I came home ate and then Ani said she was going to drive me around and show me Quito. This was probably the most fun I've had since I've been here to be honest. The city was so beautiful at night and driving around with her and my SNC friend Shanna, we just talked about everything. Even though it was raining, for the first time in a week, I still loved it. The centro historico is filled with elegant streets and buildings which I will hopefully be visiting next weekend and taking loads of pictures. Today is homework day and probably meeting up with some friends. Tomorrow starts our first full week of class! 

Day 6

A week ago tomorrow I got on a plane and left. It's gone so slow and so fast all at the same time. Today I had two classes. I switched out of a class into the same one only with a different teacher and it was amazing how much it helped. I went from understand about 50% of what the teacher said to about 99% of what the teacher said, just by switching teachers. It's amazing how someone even says a word changes how I hear it. So now I'm pretty confident in three of my classes and only 25% lost in the other two. Nothing comes without challenges right?  Today being Friday and being done with class around 1pm I went to an almuerzo(lunch) place with a friend for $3 each. That included juice, soup, a main dish, and a cookie. After that we chilled on campus because being at home means being alone. I've spent $14 on two books for class already and only have to buy one or two more keeping me under $100 for the semester, compared to the $200-$300 I would have spent at SNC. I made the mistake of wearing flats today and my feet were black and sore after my walk up the mountain when I got home. Even after this pretty uneventful day I still feel tired, so let's blame it on the altitude. Tomorrow is our first outing to el mitad del mundo (the equator line)! The only problem is that we don't know where it is and don't know how to get there. 

If you can't blame it on the altitude, blame it on being and American.

Well today was the second day of classes. Two were very hard and one was in English. It is so weird to go from one class in Spanish to one class in English. After today I knew what classes to switch so I've been working on my schedule again, after working on it hours upon hours in the United States. I met someone today who had family in Kohler, talk about small world. She said all she remembered was snow, cheese, and cows and I responded "Yeah, that's about right." It's still so weird to be living in South America because it doesn't really feel different, all I feel is that I'm not at home, not necessarily that I am not in the United States. So far I have switched one class and maybe another, but if I had my way I'd drop them all and go home. It's not that I am not happy it's that I'm somewhere different, unknown, where everyday is different, hard, fun, and beautiful. I feel as human beings we don't like to be in different situations and we like the known, and the known for me is working at the Piggly Wiggly and going to SNC. I'm sure after awhile I'll never want to leave but I'm still waiting for that day.

I've found that being away you miss the weirdest things. Besides the obvious I miss my slippers, my watch everyday, my endless supply of clothes and nail polish, and not having to ride the bus to school. The food here is great, and I eat the weirdest things. Not to mention food is cheap but everything else is expensive. Except gas, gas is... are you ready for this? $2 a gallon, and that's the expensive stuff. Say what?! I think I'll bring some home. If fact they still have service gas stations, like where someone fills it up for you and takes your money. Also they have roundabouts, only bigger, and everyone drives crazy and there is ALWAYS traffic. But when I say crazy I mean it, no rules, even red lights are suggestions if no one is coming, therefore under no circumstance am I allowed to drive. Sounds like drivers ed 101 when I get back. Also, the police are a joke. And it's time for: fun facts of the day!

• I've only had to fish out the toilet paper from the toilet once
• There are no copy right laws here so any book can be copied, so one text for school =$10!
• Everyone drives stick shift, even my 17 year old host sister, impressively might I add    

Who needs a workout when it's built in?

Alright, first day of classes. Here we go. I left my house around 8:45 this morning for my 11 class. Today was the first day I had to walk to the bus station alone, and get home alone. I made it to campus with plenty of time so I scoped out my classes and looked like a lost gringa for about 20 min. Once I finally met up with my SNC friends we went to class, no big deal. Then we had a break for lunch and found an empanada place which was really good and only cost $3 for a meal that filled me up. yum. Then to our second class. This class was almost a disaster, almost. The teacher talked super fast and we only caught about half of what she said and not not mention I thought I was going to die of heat stroke! After walking around campus and taking pictures it was time to head home and hopefully not get lost. I had no problem getting to the first station, but now it was the hard part. I had to find the right bus out of a million to take home. So I did it the only way possible, asking. I asked about 5 people to find my bus and make sure it was the right one but I made it. And I do have to say that my "intimidating" look came in handy because everyone left me alone. Once I got to the last stop I shimmied through the door and starting walking home thinking that the worst was behind me. Boy was I wrong. The walk home was all up hill not to mention in high altitude so I was huhing and puffing like I just ran a marathon, meanwhile wearing my huge bulky backpack on the front to avoid getting robbed. So just imagine it, me sweating bullets looking like a fool trying to get up a stupid hill, not to mention I'm white. So I got lots of looks but I eventually got home safe.

So in total today I sweated out about 10 pounds of water and if me living here doesn't get me in shape I don't know what will.

What you always wanted to know about Ecuador

First I'd like to start off by listing the answers to many questions you might have.

• Yes, I am in Ecuador and NOT Al Salvador
• It's on the equator, hence its name
• We are one hour ahead of Wisconsin time
• There are 12 hours of day light and 12 hours of night time, starting around 6am and 6pm
• I'm studying abroad and not on a missions trip
• Sure it's dangerous, but so is NYC
• Starting tomorrow I will have to take two buses to get to class including a 15 min walk
• I am attending the University San Francisco de Quito
• They put the toilet paper in the trash and not in the toilet
• They drive on the right side of the road
• I'll be here for 4 months and 12 days
• All but one of my classes is in Spanish
• I'm living with a host family
• My host family speaks mostly Spanish but they do know some English
• I have my own room and bathroom
• I like the "SuperMaxi" it's like a Piggly Wiggly
• I am not alone, 9 other SNC students are here
• We are very high above sea level and the altitude can be a problem sometimes
• My family boils their water then puts it in jars and cools it

Hopefully this can help you understand where I am.

The first two days

Well it's my second day here, in Quito, Ecuador that is. I left Cedar Grove, WI at 4am on January 5th. Many tears had been shed over the days, packing, saying goodbye to my best friend Ben, and then saying "see you later" to my parents, who I can not thank enough. They will never know how much I am thankful for them or how much they have helped me. My mom is the most incredible person in the world. Thanks mom.

Well once at the airport my good friend Shanna and I went to Atlanta where we sat for 7 hours. During this time I managed to get sick and we sat at the wrong gate for 4 hours. Needless to say we made it to the right gate and met up with the 4 other girls going to this amazing place. On the plane I sat in the middle of an Ecuadorian women visiting her family and a Chinese girl wearing a medical mask...thanks for making me more nervous. The best part of the flight was getting to have free TV screens as our disposal, talk about cool, o and we got dinner, which wasn't bad by all means. Arriving in Quito all 6 of us started to get excited, nervous, and most of all tired. We stood in line with what seemed like a million other people for an hour to get our stamp from immigration. After this we found our luggage (all of it made it!) and the pack of 6 girls toting two rolly bags each and a backpack headed for customs (probably looked pretty intimidating).

Right away we all found our host families and the Spanish speaking now started. Getting home at 1:30 and trying to talk spanish was impossible. My host sister eventually said "you can go to bed if you want". So I found the best clothes to sleep in on the top of my bags and went to bed, and slept until 10:30. The first day was overwhelming. I got my three different keys to get into my house and then "learned" the bus system. The rest of the day we went out to each with included a ton of food and then I think we drove around for 2 hours and after that, at 8 I locked myself in my room and went to bed.

Today I slept in and found of that no one was home except the 2 women who I assume are the house keepers. I did some busy work and tried to get ready for orientation. At 2:00 I met up with Sammy (a student who is starting her second semester in Quito and who is from SNC) she picked me up in the taxi right at my door and my host mom even walked me to the taxi... 5 feet from the door. She is such a nice lady. We went to this place and talked a lot and I got to put more money on my cell. After that I decided to start a blog, here we are! Enjoy.