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