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