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