The Bittersweet End

I've been putting off writing this blog because I didn't want to write it. I tried to promise myself that I wouldn't cry even though I know I'm terrible at goodbyes.

Here's what I've been doing.

Finals week went super quick. Two finals on Monday and two on Tuesday- which turned into one. I got out of my Econ final- SCORE! Wednesday Lauren, Anne, and I went to a Ecuadorian restaurant with some guys we've become friends and tried some Ecuadorian food we had been missing out on. Thursday night Lauren, Anne, and I headed out to the beach! We took an overnight bus and got into Canoa around 6am, so we sat around until Hostels opened. We found a super cheap hostel about 2 feet from the beach, just what we wanted. After napping for a few hours we bought some lunch, rented a tent, and sat at the beach until the sun went down. Repeat that for three days. The goal of this trip was to relax so we didn't do much, and just tanned and played around in the ocean for the last time here in Ecuador. Sunday night we headed back to Quito and took a taxi home and then I proceeded to sleep the rest of the day because the bus ride provided zero sleep. Fun fact about the trip:

• Our hostel had ants everywhere, beds, floor, you name it. We grew to care for those little ants.
• Ecuadorians love taking pictures of Americans, especially blondes...woo.
• Most hostels don't have hot water, including this one. 
• I accidently ordered two main dishes for dinner and proceeded to eat almost all of it. Oops.
• Anne basically sprained her ankle so she had to hobble around for two days. 
• No one looks up to hostel balconies, perfect people watching spot.  

Monday I started packing and did about nothing else. Tuesday Shanna, Lauren, Anne, and I headed out to the Art Market in Quito for a last gift getting trip, I spent $1 due to the fact that I've been shopping all semester and I think my bags will be overweight. Great. Then we had planned a "Goodbye Dinner" with the guys we've gotten to know so we said we'd bring a desert. First option- puppychow- too bad the chex cereal doesn't exist here, then we tried rice crispies, only to realize we didn't have enough time or the right dish, so last option- s'mores. YUM. Zero prep and everyone loved them. It was sad saying goodbye to them but I know it's only "so long for now".

Today I'm planning on packing the rest of my things, tomorrow a day of manis and pedis then around 6pm I'm heading off to the airport with my flight buddies-Lauren, Anne, and Shanna.

I've made this country my home for 4.5 months and it's been the best, craziest, most stressful, happiest, worst, most educational experience I've had, and many more describing words. I came here with 6 complete strangers and Shanna. I can't believe that in the end I've made 7 best friends that I can go home and still see. Us 8 girls have made this life long experience that only us share, that gives us a connection no one else has. Ecuador has taught me so many things about my country, culture, and more importantly about myself. I could not have done this trip without my family and especially my parents. They have helped me more than they know, raising me to be a well rounded person and helping me get here, get thought this, and on Friday taking me home.

Besides the obvious, I've missed the craziest things. Food, throwing the toilet paper away, snow (ok maybe like once), and many other things. I can't wait to see Ben, my family, friends, and my cats! But it is going to be terribly hard to say goodbye to Ecuador, but only for a little while. I plan to come back with friends and family to show them all the amazing things I've been experiencing for 4.5 months.

I love all you who have read my blog these past couple of months. And I can't wait to see everyone on Friday!