tranquilo domingo

31 de enero

Today was a very relaxing day, so I won't bore you with too many details.

After breakfast and a shower, I worked on Spanish homework on the terrace for about an hour.
I then decided to take a walk, trying to get to know the neighborhood a little better. I basically made a giant circle in a new direction from my home (new as in the only direction I had not walked yet).

Once home, I had lunch with Martha, Marco, and Pancho's (Adriana's boyfriend) mother. She was there to get help with using the computer to build her resumé with Martha. We had a pea and carrot salad and potatoes prepared by Margarita. [Oh yes Margarita. She lives in a room behind the house and I guess she lived with Marco growing up as well. I believe Martha said she has an intellectual disability, and this, the fact she is missing most teeth, and I am still very subpar at Spanish, I can hardly understand the sweet woman. She has given me many hugs, and helps with laundry and sometimes cooking]...okay back to the meal. Martha had also prepared papaya juice. Pancho's mom brought some wonderful fish filet, which we dressed up with lime ("limón", not to be confused with lemon which is "lima"). For dessert we had some canned peaches.

I talked (a slight overstatement, listened would be more accurate) with Martha and Pancho's mom for a while until I decided to go to my room to work on more homework, blogging, reading and relaxing.

Vivi, Adriana, and both their boyfriends drove to Colombia this morning. They were going to get Andrés' (Vivi's bf) TV fixed. But apparently, many things are cheaper in Colombia including toilet paper, pads, and technology. Once they all arrived back home we all had dinner together. This was fun eating with everyone again, even if I didn't totally follow the conversations. We had pasta, chicken, and a yogurt pea salad. Following this was bread, cheese, coffee and some cookies.

I helped with dishes until Martha kicked me out of the kitchen and told me to relax, she is so sweet.

After writing I am going to read a bit more before I call it a night.

Buenas noches,
Zoe

¡Reunión de la familia!

El sábado de enero. My family, so kindly, included me in their family reunion.

Martha prepared a breakfast of yogurt, papaya, coffee, bread, smoothie and scrambled eggs which I greatly enjoyed with Vivi.

I was told we were leaving at 10:30 and the Geiger in me had me all ready to go by 10:25. The rest of the family besides Marco was still getting ready and cleaning. I think it was because of this and the amount of people we had to available car seats ratio that Marco drove me to his mother's house to go in one of the cars there. The house was only a few blocks away and WOW was it beautiful! It was grand and antique and filled with family members of Marco. He has 6 brothers and each one has a wife and children, some with children of their own. His mom was especially sweet. Although no one in my car ride up knew English, I conversed pretty alright I think...

We drove up to Guayllabamba, a small agricultural town about 45 minutes northeast of Quito, to a very nice hostel. I met one of the cousins who was 20 and talked with her for a while (in Spanish of course). Once everyone arrived we enjoyed a bowl of mote with tomatoes, pickled onions, some other wonderful flavors and bits of pork. FYI mote is corn but boiled and cooked. It's very delicious, here is a picture of plain mote I stole from the interweb:

We then started the games in the courtyard. First we played a game where we each had to name a fruit which had not yet been names. We played until a couple people repeated fruits and had to dance in the middle. Then we played American football! This was a lot of fun. It turned into each team hiding the football under our shirts, with the rest of the team pretending to do the same and then all running together to the other side of the field. In the next game, I was paired with Vivi, and we had to keep a tomato between our foreheads while we danced. We didn't last long, but then again only about two partner groups did. There were a few more games after, some in which I did not participate in but have pictures. Another one in which I kept losing and so we finally moved on...It was a combination of me not understanding the rules (everything was in Spanish) and also being humiliatingly poor at accurately throwing a ball far enough. In the last game we had to balance eggs on a spoon we carried in our mouths and get from one to the other end of the field and back without dropping it.

Since Carnival is in a week and the family gets together a week earlier, they all celebrate it during the reunion. This consists of water fights, or rather dumping water on people, and spraying something similar to silly string everywhere. While I knew there would be a pool, I did not anticipate these activities. It was really fun and I felt very included into the family of 26. I was soaked by the end, but luckily escaped being thrown in the pool by hiding in the sauna. I had a dry skirt in my bag, Martha lent me a dry shirt to wear and an aunt lent me some flip flops,...my undergarments remained wet...

After the games we had a wonderful late lunch of more mote with the same onions, tomatoes, and spices, but with more pork, avocado, and toasted corn (tostada, like a gourmet version of corn nuts). On the side was a cooked banana (YUM), fresh lemonade. For dessert was some sort of delicious mouse-y, fruit-y cake and coffee.

Everything was so wonderful and fun, and I felt so welcomed by the family. I slept most the way home and was only at Marco's mother's home for about 10 minutes before Martha and Marco picked me up. Once back at the house, I quickly changed into some warmer clothes. Some of the family was continuing festivities and going to Martha's father's home. I was invited but very tired and decided to stay back.

After reading a few pages, I decided it was a good time for a nap, which turned into a 12-hour sleep...oops.

Feliz fin de semana,
Zoe

viernes 19 de enero

Classic delicious breakfast followed by a walk to the bus joined by that nice man again.

We had another show today!

My favorite costumes of theirs!

That makes one everyday this week. I met and spoke with some of the tourists after the show. One was from Seattle, and another couple who were very excited to meet me, are visiting their daughter in Seattle in a few weeks. I also met a Physical Therapist from the states! She was very interested in how I would like to integrate dance into my profession. She said she had always thought dance would be really great for many children with disabilities. It was really great to chat with her. They all wished me luck and thanked me for volunteering my time at SINAMUNE.

After the show the students went home while the staff and volunteers had a seminar on fire safety, given by some firemen of Quito (bomberos). This is likely because of the small electrical fire that happened a few weeks before. PS. I don't think there are smoke detectors here. The first half was a lecture and you guessed it, I did not understand much. But following the lecture, the firemen started controlled fires for staff to learn to use the extinguisher. The first fires were started on a pile of clothes, paper, and newspaper with lighter fluid of sorts. The second fires were started using a gas tank (one I believe is used here for the stove). This one made me a little nervous. Nevertheless everything was fine and I even have a few photos.

At 1 I left with Martina, Kathi, Albita (the other volunteers), and Christofer (teacher), for some encebollados and beer. After refueling, Christofer took us to the Central University of Quito (where he studied Psychology). We found a spot outside the performing arts building to sit and play cards. There were bands playing the whole time. Unfortunately they were what I would call "Screamo". Regardless, I enjoyed observing the University lifestyle here and noting how similar it was to those in the States. They even have a fair amount of hipsters here! I also met one of Christofer's friends who studies theater and dance there. She only spoke Spanish, but it was great talking to her. She seemed like so many people I know from the dance program at Western, aka a really awesome gal.

When it started to get dark we walked down into the central Mariscal area at Plaza Foch. We stopped for a cheese-stuffed tortilla for only 50 cents. It was delicious, and something I will be looking around more for while I am here. They were looking for a bar go to, but being the lame-o I can sometimes be, I decided to catch a taxi home at 7:30... Not sure why I have such little motivation to go out at night and go to bars here, but I am really enjoying being home early and getting lots of sleep.

My family was actually even still out (making me feel a little more lame), but I found some left over arroz relleno in the fridge and warmed some up for dinner. As I was finishing my dishes Marco (host dad), came home. I heated some water for us and we had coffee, bread and cheese while we chatted about places to go in Quito.

After a shower, some catching up with my folks, and booking a hostel in Baños for next weekend, I fell fast asleep.

Zoe

3 in 1 (martes-jueves)

I've fallen a little behind so this entry will cover Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Luckily for my readers, my days were pretty typical so this should not be too long.

Papaya and kiwi, or banana and pineapple began each morning just right. That is with coffee, yogurt, granola, and a fruit smoothie of course :)

On one of the days my walk to the bus was joined by the same nice man from last week. He is so cheery, sweet, and not at all creepy. He adds a wonderful delightfulness to my morning walk. It is great to meet men here like that, sometimes or often rather, that is not the case (i.e. the nice cop who escorted me to the ATM machine but then asked for my number and if we could go out dancing.... to which I said no thank you).

On Wednesday night, I had a little reunion at Diana's restaurant with her, Carlee, Quinn, Grant and Emma (the last three are study abroad students at a University here). Diana, 8 months pregnant, just returned from Costa Rica and wanted to hear all about our first few weeks. She is an amazing human being; so caring, thoughtful, strong and truly dedicated to her job. We were the first to try a new addition to the menu, PIZZA! This was different than one might imagine though. Think crust like pastry thin, flaky, and sweet. It was scrumptious. We were also given dessert options for which Carlee and I split a slice of banana and quinoa cake, and a slice of some chocolatey nutty goodness cake.

At work I had been asked to help translate and e-mail draft to a Cultural Department in Miama, requesting an invitation for SINAMUNE to take part in an arts festival there. So exciting! I am happy to be of more help to this amazing foundation. Using SpanishDict.com I managed to create a draft, but it didn't quite sound right. After dinner on Wednesday, Diana and Carlee helped me figure out just what they were trying to say and how to change words and phrases to ones more common in the United States. For some of these, such as "nos despedimos" or "we say goodbye" I had to just remove for we have no relevant saying in English that would suffice. This process was fun and very helpful for my Spanish language education. Wahoo Spanish!

Today, around 11:30, while I was teaching a dance class to about 20 students, all of them spread out and took seats in the chairs. Martina and I were both very confused. This cofusion grew as more and more students came upstairs to join them in the seats. Confusion about what is happening is quite a common occurrence for me, but this was even more confusing than normal. Next thing we knew, all of the teachers, students and some guests in vests with boxes of candy joined us. Bags of mixed candy were handed out to each student, faculty and volunteer!

Apparently, this was supposed to be for Christmas, but either SINAMUNE or the people who brought the candy bags (not sure because #languagebarrier) had been too busy until today. Also, one of the guests in vests was actually one students' father. The kids were all so happy. To thank them, Pamela, who is blind mind you, hopped on the piano to play and sing, another student on the drums, and two more on microphones to sing. Everyone joined in to sing three songs. Almost every student was participating. I had never seen so many of them smiling, laughing, dancing, and singing all together. It was a wonderful experience. I was very thankful Christmas came so late :)

Before Spanish class, since I had my homework done, I spent my break wandering through the market. I found some coffee to go, which is quite rare here, and enjoyed it as I pondered what else I may want to purchase while I am here.

Spanish classes were great once again this week. I have started re-learning past tense! This is handy, since I have been speaking in only present tense these past few weeks...

Crowded buses: This morning I spend half my ride in the doorway, being smooshed by the door each time it opened, and stepped on by a large man trying to exit the bus. On my way home from Spanish classes, the bus is often so packed I don't have room to take off my sweater and free my sweat. These are a few of the things I will not be missing.

On the contrary, I will be missing my family here dearly. Tuesday and Thursday night I spent talking with Martha throughout dinner and well after. Also on Tuesday I met her dad and spoke with him for a while. He is very sweet, just like Martha. The family has invited me to their family reunion this Saturday and I am very excited and honored to be joining them!

This adorable lil' guy is Colón. He belongs to Pancho, Adriana's (my host sister) boyfriend. He is a pitbull puppy and so very playful.


















Hope this is sufficient for a three-day catch up.

Cheers to the Weekend,
Abrazos,

Zoe

lunes 25 de enero

Becca and I shared papaya, banana, bread, something like hot chocolate made with milk and coffee. It rained hard all through the night. I learned a valuable lesson with this: if it is and has been raining, I must leave 20 minutes early... Becca and I left at 7:20 (my normal time) and by 7:50 there still was no bus so we hopped in a taxi. Ten minutes late, and $5 later, we ran into Sinamune. It was no big deal, but as many of you know, being late is a large stressor in my life. In other words, I really, really, hate being late.

Anyway, Becca was warmly welcomed to sit with the tourist groups and watch the performance. It was awesome to have her there. I even snagged a picture of her dancing when the dancers invite the audience up with them :)

She went to a coffee shop and I finished volunteering. I taught warm ups for two classes and then helped Rosita in teaching the Cumbia choreography. She had us both wearing skirts to enhance our instructions (the skirt helped to show directions as we dance holding the ends of the skirt). The last hour and a half I was alone teaching two different classes with the more disabled students. Per usual this is difficult and honestly I do wish Rosita would stay with me for one of them, but it is getting a little easier each time.

After work, Becca and I went for Encebollados with the other volunteers, Albita, Martina, and Kathe (which I learned how to spell today...pronounced kawt-ee). Since it had finally stopped raining, Becca and I decided to go to Mitad del Mundo!

For 15 cents we caught a bus right to the museum. Apparently this monument was built before people with GPS's realized this is not really the center or latitude 0º0'0" but really about 300 meters off. Regardless we paid to at least get close to the monument and take pictures on the line. The whole area was very beautiful and peaceful. We stopped at a small outdoor restaurant on the property for some ice cream for Becca and coffee for me.

We did walk over to the actual equatorial line....but it cost another $4 to get in and since it was a small area, with many people waiting in a line to take pictures in front of the sign, we decided not to go in.

Once back at my house here, Becca and I said our goodbyes and she left in a Taxi to her hostel in Old Town of Quito. I may see her tomorrow but Sinamune and Spanish classes have my day pretty full.

I enjoyed a stir fry and burger (sans bun) with fresh naranjilla juice with Martha and Vivi. ** I found out what fruit I had in Otavalo: Ovos! (Picture on the left)

I worked on some homework for a while but am now ready for some sleep.

Saludos,
Zoe

¡OTAVALO! & meeting up with Becca!

On SATURDAY morning I enjoyed a breakfast of tree tomato juice, yogurt with granola, bread and coffee, all prepared by and eaten with my host dad Marco. Him and Vivi organized a cab for me to get to the Carcelén bus station to catch a bus to Otavalo. This station had enough signs and friendly people where I could fairly easily my way to buy tickets and board the bus. (a whoppin' $2.50)

The whole assigned seating didn't really work out. Someone was in my seat, so I went to another, got asked to move from there and then sat on a stool in the front of the bus for the first 5 minutes of the 2 hour ride. Thankfully, the man collecting tickets on the bus kicked the man in my seat to the stool and I got a real seat for the remainder of the ride. Behind me was a sweet lady and elder man asking about my travels. They were surprised to see a white gal of my age traveling alone... The woman told me all about places I should go in Ecuador and got my name to find me on Facebook. She even shared her chips with me. Another classic Quito sweetheart.

*Which reminds me. I met another one of those Friday on my walk to the bus in the morning. This middle aged man popped up next to me. At first I was startled but he was very sweet and excited to hear about my travels. A very jolly and social man.

In Otavalo, I met Becca!!! She is a friend from Western Wa University who has been working and traveling around Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador for about 5 months! For the past two weeks she was working on a coffee farm in the Intag Valley near Otavalo.

The sign says Otavalo but the bus moved too quick to get a good picture.  

We checked into an adorable hostel that had been suggested to her called Hostal Valle de Amanacer. Becca had not had Encebollado yet and so we found an outdoor restaurant to enjoy some wonderful food. Then we quickly got to shopping in the famous gigantic market of Otavalo where I found many gifts for others and a couple for myself :) It was really, really hot and sunny so we were relieved to find a man selling coconut juice for 50 cents. Yum.

We found some fruit, chocolate and a few beers to bring back to the hostel and enjoy in the common area with hammocks. After some wonderful catching up, relaxing, and enjoying some new fruits (granadilla and something else will find out soon), we headed out for some dinner. For $1 we had some chocho beans, corn and some other wonderful flavors and then found some crepes for dessert...hehe with nutella of course.

SUNDAY
The next day we headed back to the market for a few more gifts (looking at you friends in the States ;)) First, of course, we had some lovely breakfast at our adorable hostel.

After eating some more fruit and laying around in hammocks, we decided to head back to Quito.
We took a nice walk to and around Parque Bicentario right near my house. This very interesting park was the Quito airport until a couple years ago. The runway is now a perfect place for walks, biking, rollerblading, running and pups. Finding our way home was a little complicated, the entrance we came in had been padlocked when we tried to leave. We turned the other way and walked until we found someone to ask whadup and where is the exit. Luckily it was not too far from my house and we found our way just fine. Even stopped for a cheese empanada and pan dulce on our way back.

My sweet, sweet host family made us dinner and sat with us chatting. Becca had a ukelele and since they had never seen one before, insisted on her playing something. She played Elvis Prestly's Can't Help Falling In Love With you. It was great. She has brought this uke around with her throughout her travels.

After dinner Becca and I watched a show and are now winding down for some sleep. Excited to show Becca SINAMUNE tomorrow.

Muchos besos,
Zoe

viernes 22 de enero

My morning began with papaya, coffee and juice. Probably also some bread but I can't recall.

Rosita and I spent the morning working on choreography with some students who are scheduled to perform Monday. She had me teach Maria Jose, one lovely chicita some ballet to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, another song the orchestra plays beautifully. We went upstairs to practice with the music and people seemed to be really excited seeing ballet. This type of dance is not popular here, nor is it very affordable when it is offered. I am happy to be able to share my passion with these students.

Since it was Friday, after recess we go to the nearby "park" (actually someone's giant backyard) to play games. Some teachers had me lead a few games and exercises with hula hoops. On the account of my broken Spanish, I misunderstood Rosita and the schedule. Apparently, I was supposed to stay back and help more with choreography and rehearsal. I was really bummed, not only because I messed up but also because I wanted more time to teach Maria Jose. After I returned to Sinamune, Maria Jose had to go back to class. I am hoping next week we can work more together.

The last few hours were more rehearsals, but the students were very tired and not so attentive. It was a struggle. I apologized to Rosita about earlier and thankfully she said, "No te preocupes" (don't wory about it). I still felt bitter at myself for it.

After 1, I went for lunch and beers with the other volunteers at Sinamune: Albita (Germany), Katy (Austria), and Martina (Switzerland) Christofer (works at Sinamune), and Jaime (who just left Sinamune for another job). We had encebollados again, my favorite food here besides the fruit, and shared a few beers. Pilsner is the main beer here. Katy had me try a chocolate-ey beer that was very rich and yet delicious. We sat around in the park for a while listening to music and talking. We listened to Katy's ipod and went around, each choosing a song. I was pleased to find I listened to a lot of the same music as the European girls (Tallest Man on Earth, Jose Gonzales, Amy Winehouse, Milky Chance, Shins, etc.) It was wonderful bonding time and pretty cool to be among people from only countries other than America.

At home I had amazing spaghetti with chicken, tomatoes, and greens. I was really exhausted from the day, and from being slightly burned again, so enjoyed a nice early bedtime at 9:30.

Abrazos,
Zoe

jueves 21 de enero

The day began with bananas, papaya, coffee, and the same warm juice/tea I had at Sinamune.

The first two hours were again spent sewing costumes with Rosita. During Recreo/lunch I tried another new fruit called Capulin. They are similar to a cherry but much smaller and slightly more bitter.

In classes after recreo, I warmed the kiddos up and then we worked on the Cumbia dance. For the last hour I helped another volunteer with her class (academico 2). The prof who the volunteer usually helps left his job last week for another. The volunteer I assisted is Martina, she is 26 and from Switzerland. A very awesome gal.

Once arriving in La Mariscal, the neighborhood where my Spanish classes are held, I stopped at the same place I have been all week for coffee. This time, I also ordered some bread on the side. Just ordering bread here, 20 cents, is un poco differente than in the US. This cheap bread resembles more of a croissant in its sweet, softness.

Spanish class is starting to become a little more difficult, but no less enjoyable. We are studying the difference in the word "it", "them", "her", "his", when referring to direct or indirect complimentary nouns.

After class, I had a reunion with Gaby, Carlee, and the study abroad students from the US that I had met last weekend. We went to the movies and watched Spotlight. For those of you curious, it was in English with Spanish subtitles. Fabulous film, and quite intense watching the movie is a country in which 90% of the population is Catholic.

I had almost filled up on snacks at the movie but when I came home I still had a nice large glass of a naranjilla smoothie with Martha. She and I talked about traveling to America, specifically how difficult it is for people here. The process sounds stressful, expensive, and extensive. For me to come here, since less then 87 days, all I needed was my passport and a plane ticked. I felt a little ashamed and the need to apologize for my country.

After this long talk with Martha followed by few chats with loves from back home, I'm quite ready for sleep.

Saludos,
Zoe

Miércoles 20 de enero

Pineapple, coffee, and a naranjilla smoothie, these are a few of my favorite things...  for breakfast.

The first two hours at Sinamune consisted of fixing and sewing costumes with Rosita.
During recreo I led myself to visit the puppies once more :) The snack today was some cookies and some sort of warm juice...whatever it was, it was enjoyable.

The next few hours were spent with a large group and three Occupational Therapists (I found out a few a still students and are leaving after next week). Rosita and I led games today rather than dance class. I taught red light, green light...in what I think was mostly correct Spanish. We did a few relays and then played duck duck goose and hot potato...in Spanish of course. For the last few minutes we sat in a circle and one or few would dance in the middle to a song Rosita chose. When it was my turn, she played a classical song and so I of course did some ballet. This felt wonderful and very therapeutic. In being in such a constant state of unfamiliarity, ballet made me feel right at home. After class Rosita and two of the OT students told me they want me to teach them ballet! And English!

The last 40 minutes were spent with the students of Cuidado Diario (Daily Care). They were all very tired and so we mostly sat around and passed a ball around, with a little bit of "pat your knees", "pat your feet", "now your head".

Once in Mariscal, I stopped at the same small restaurant I had gone to yesterday for coffee and some brief studying before class. Class was great once again. I actually have some homework tonight! Nothing too complicated though.

Miscommunication...
I thought Gaby and the other students/volunteers with Ecua Explora (my program's sister program in Ecuador, which has several other sister programs) had a dinner and evening plans. Turns out this was cancelled. I had already told my family I would be gone for dinner and when I returned home, no one was there. I am still struggling with my keys so I couldn't actually get inside. My hunger was growing and so I decided to walk a few blocks until I found a restaurant. I spent $2.75 for soup, a coke, roasted chicken, salad and fries! I was looking for something a little more Ecuadorian, but my stomach didn't want to wait, and I didn't want to wander to far as it was already dark.

When I returned home, the house was still empty but I had received a reply from Martha that they would be home in about a half hour. I spent this time on their peaceful terrace using the wifi to chat with my parents on What'sApp. They asked about the dogs in the background, to which I replied that the sound is a constant around here, a combination of pets and wild dogs barking.

Around 8:30 Marco returned home and let me into the house. Later Martha showed me how to use the keys with their door...you have to pull and then push as you turn the key, so it is a little complicated and yet I still was embarrassed I couldn't figure this out.

After studying some Spanish, a nice warm shower and writing this blog, I am ready for some sleep.

Buenas Noches,
Zoe

Martes 19 de enero

Well I missed the boat on taking a picture of the giant papaya. It was already cut up when I woke up, but boy is it delicious. Papaya and strawberries for breakfast with a smoothie, café, and some cheese.

Rosita had a doc appointment and since we had tourists today, I had to get the gals ready by myself. I had finished their makeup and costumes, but had yet to begin hair, my weakest area, when Rosita arrived! (earlier than we thought! phew).

10: recreo (recess and lunch). Next to the kitchen, there was a room with about five or six puppies running around. They were from a litter of 9! A man, I think he must work at Sinamune, was kind in letting me pet the cute pups.

As I enjoyed my soup, one of the tourists from Atlanta spoke with me about my volunteering. She told me she was very proud of me for doing this, and alone especially, and just how impressed she was with me and everything I want to do in life. That meant a lot and was really wonderful to hear from a stranger. It was also pretty nice to speak in English.

Rosita and I spent the next hour and a half working on coordination and choreography with a group of about 10 students. These dances were to songs the orchestra plays including La Bamba, I like to move it move it, and la vida de Brian (from the movie Life of Brian). I enjoy learning these dances and practicing them with these students.

For the last 40 minutes Rosita stayed with me to work with the students from "cuidado diaria" (daily care). I was very happy Rosita stayed this time. She taught me a better, more effective, way to work with these more severely disabled students, showing me what she likes to work with them on (learning body parts, directions, counting).

After my bus ride, I stopped in a restaurant for some café and studying. I felt bad only ordering coffee, but when I tipped, the gal seemed very grateful. Class was great. We are moving on to verb tenses! Although the school is an hour from my home, I am happy I have these classes during my entire 2 months here in Quito. Being immersed in the language is extremely helpful, but structured class is also very important for my grammar, verb tenses and so forth. Both compliment the other.

When I got back to my home and set my stuff down, I saw Martha had put some flowers in a vase, with some chocolate and a sweet note next to my bed. She is the sweetest.

I had dinner with Martha. I'm not sure what these delicious cheesy, potatoe-y, corn balls are but I do have a picture (also showing my whole dinner including the largest corns I have ever had) Martha and I talked for a long time. Some wonderful bonding time :)

Martha then fixed up dessert (strawberries and spongecake) which I enjoyed with her, Marco, Adriana, her boyfriend, and Vivi. I spoke a little but mostly listened trying to follow along. It felt really wonderful to be with all of them at once, just enjoying each others company and eating. I am so happy I was placed with this family.

Well, another tiring day has come to a close.

Ciao,
Zoe

Quite the lunes

(lunes=Monday)

Breakfast was a delightful banana smoothie, café, cut strawberries and bananas and bread (pan). I love how much fruit I eat here. My family also has the largest papaya I have ever seen and I am pumped to have some. I'll post a picture soon.

There were no tourists today so Rosita and I had two hours to organize the dressing room and fix some costumes. I sewed (yo cocí) elastics onto several pairs of shoes to help changes happen faster. Very sweetly, Rosita made me some café while I sewed. Then spent the last half hour untangling yarn.

10 o'clock is recess and lunch (what they refer to as "recreo"). I enjoyed some homemade pizza (YUM) and lemonade with Rosita and some children. I listened to Rosita while trying to help to stop a couple for kissing under their jacket, then comfort a girl who was jealous and explain to a boy that he can only have one girlfriend at a time.. Many, many couples here (novios).

At 10:20 we had our first group of dancers. I warmed the students up for about 15 minutes and then Rosita and I worked on Cumbia again. The next group at 11 was merely the same.

Then last two classes I was more or less on my own while Rosita finished cleaning the dressing room. These classes were with the more severely disabled, both mentally and physically and was a bit more difficult. Teaching these students is more of spending a few minutes with each student, dancing or moving with them and then moving onto the next. Keeping the students involved is extremely difficult. Many try to run out of the room or refuse to participate. Luckily, I have another volunteer in the room to help me manage. In the second group one very energetic student was dancing quite a bit which was excellent, but she was a little aggressive with her movements and when I held her hands to dance with her...she blew in my face spraying me with spit. Cueing why I called this "Quite the lunes"... It was unpleasant. Thankfully this was near the end of my day at Sinamune...

Once home I enjoyed lunch with my mom and younger sister Adriana. I had tuna, rice, a salad with green beans and some veggies I do not know the names of, guava juice/smoothie, and some delicious chocho beans. These legumes are an ancient staple for the Incans and are considered a superfood, with more protein than quinoa and soy beans with high amounts of fiber, minerals and omega-3s. Muy rico!

I took a short walk to the big supermarket (Supermaxi) for a few essentials, and made a quick stop at a bread shop for a sweet treat. After some studying and reading I helped my mom and Adriana look into colleges in the US for her to study English at. Knowing English is extremely helpful for finding jobs here. In addition, universities are expensive for them here and learning English in the US could be quicker and more effective. Also her mother and sister work in tourism and she may want to as well. She had a community college in mind that she had heard about in Los Angeles so I helped find out if they taught English, took International students, and who to e-mail. I crafted an e-mail in English, with their input (this was great for my Spanish to translate back and forth), that we sent to several professors and the international office. Hoping they reply soon!

Dinner was with the whole family and was steak? or some meat with zucchini, with the same salad from lunch, rice, and a little more café.

After some great catching up with Jacob and then my parents, a nice shower and a little more studying, I am officially ready to call this lunes done.

Besos,
Zoe

Domingo. Día de Adventura

Today I caught a taxi to meet Carlee, Gaby, and a few others in the middle of Quito to depart on our excursion to Quilotoa.

**the few others are students from the US studying abroad at a university here in Quito. We were joined by several others from all around the globe including Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil and Israel.

On our way our tour guide had us stop at a few places. The first was a hostel where we stopped for bathrooms, but to me it was so much more. There was a family of beautiful dogs! A golden lab and black lab with their two pups, one golden and one black.

We stopped at a large food market where I tried hard boiled quail eggs, small mangos, and a legume called "mote". The mote was served in a bag with onions, hot sauce, cilantro and garlic.

Our next stop was out in the country in a farm town where a wonderful family showed us their handmade home. This family has been there 50 years farming all sorts of goods from barley to guinea pigs. Inside their home were over a hundred guinea pigs on the floor and in baskets. We got to hold some of the babies.

Next we stopped at Cañon del Toachi, which long ago was a volcano and is now a large canyon. It was vast and very beautiful. There was also a boy with llama charging a dollar to take pictures with, so Carlee and I each decided to support him and jump on the opportunity to pet a llama.

Finally, three hours from Quito we arrived at Quilotoa. This also was once a volcano and is now a beautiful caldera. The hike down was not too bad, but for all my fellow kinesiology nerds out their, took quite a bit of eccentric strength. The way up was even more difficult. There was the option to ride a horse back up, but I liked the challenge. There was also the reasons of my mom almost losing her ear on a horse in Costa Rica, and the fact that I felt sorry for the exhausted horses that walked up and down all day long.

We stopped at a restaurant/hostel for lunch and enjoyed kale soup, rice, chicken, potatoes and peach juice.

Once home I had dinner with my family, took a much needed shower, and am now feeling exhausted from the day. Off to sleep before my second full week!

Abrazos,
Zoe

Sábado 16 de enero

Sleeping in until 8:30 was magnificent.
Breakfast was coffee (cafe), bread (pan), eggs (huevos), tomato juice (different than in the States, more sweet and less acidic, much better in my opinion).

A few days ago my family had so thoughtfully invited me to join them on their Saturday activity. Although I didn't totally understand what we were doing, I ecstatically agreed.

It was a bridal shower, birthday party, going away party all in one for Martha's friend's daughter. She is moving to the Texas where she will marry her fiancé in just a few weeks.

On our way, we stopped at a mall to grab a gift for the special lady (Bel or Anabela).

We drove out south of Quito into a very nice gated neighborhood inside Ciudad Jardín (Garden City). The party was in a reception room right through the gates. There were adorable decorations, and pictures of Bel and her fiancé all about the room. The room was lined with chairs and had a table with a cake one might see on Cake Boss, with a bra and panties created from fondat, and chocolate covered fruit on sticks.

Within the fruit on the sticks was yet another fruit I have never tried but loved. It is called uvilla! I'll post a pic.
Later in the evening Marco (my host dad) showed me their uvilla plant right outside their house! I had a fresh one from it and it was scrumptious and very sweet (muy dulce). My house has a lot of plants with beautiful flowers all around their house.

The party was a lot of fun, and even though I didn't understand everything, it was a blast and I am very thankful my family included me. A cute and kind of silly looking dog, named Mia Elizabeth was running around the party. She was very sweet and I enjoyed her company.

 There were games and other food including arroz con pollo, aka fried rice with peppers and chicken. There was a spot for pictures in which I was included in the one with my host family and Bel. These folks are so very sweet. Bel came and spoke with me for a while, as did her aunt and a few others. Everyone was very welcoming.

Bouquet throwing.
Can you spot the bouquet??

Each game's winner received a gift from the bride-to-be/birthday gal. In one of the games, a picture of Patrick Dempsey was posted to the wall with blank papers surrounding it. Each person put on lipstick before being blindfolded and turned a few times. We were to try to kiss McDreamy on the lips.

Vivi trying to plant a blind kiss
on McDreamy

I unexpectedly won this game by leaving my kiss mark the furthest from his lips. I won a conditioner! This was perfect because I need some and was planning to buy it on Monday. Around 4:30 the party winded down and we left to return home. We were all exhausted and I went straight to my room to take a nap, which lasted about two hours :)

Martha had started feeling pretty sick at the party and has slept since we got home :( I wish her well soon.

After my nap and a refreshing shower I had more bread with pineapple jam from the party with Vivi, my host sister. I talked with her and Marco for a while about places to visit in Ecuador. Vivi helped me call a taxi for my very early morning excursion tomorrow to Quilotoa. I am meeting Gaby and Carlee, (possibly others?) in a plaza in central Quito tomorrow morning at 6:45! Muy temprano.

It's 10:30 and I am already back in bed. Time to read and get more sleep before tomorrow's adventure.

Ciao,
Zoe