The first couple days of class have gone smoothely, of course we have already been assigned homework, but it's nothing, at least not yet. The hours of reading and presentations are just around the corner. At the end of the program, all of us in level 3 will present something from our grammer class, on anything we chose. We'll present it to not only the students in the program, but the professors, and all of our families. Should be scary but fun! Scary mostly because it'll be in Spanish infront of a ton of native speakers. The professors are great, Margarita, Fernando, and Ernesto. Every class is only an hour, which is nice. Finishing at noon, we have a couple hours to have lunch at home with our families (the main meal of the day) and then afterwards head to our internships or "trabajos sociales". We were told what we were assigned today, I'll be working at a school that helps children who don't have the best resources and come from low-income families. I'm not sure if it will be with just children or with students up to 12th grade. Me and two other girls are doing this. I think we start next week.
We finally received the schedule for our summer program!!! That has lots of activities and trips that are all set up for us. We have several over-night trips, and day trips with the group. Food and transportation provided. Already by the 4th day in this program here in Quito, I love it extreeeemely more than the USAC program I chose in Madrid. Granted, that has no affect on my opinion of either country or experience. This Humboldt program is basically just a lot better.
Yesterday I took the bus by myself for the first time, from a mall up in the Pichincha hills and just used common sense to figure out what bus, where, and when to get off. I felt accomplished. Although I did get a little scared at one point, when I thought it was going too far. But it was fine!
Today me and a few others walked all the way from UTE (our university) down to La Carolina park, all down the Pichincha volcano/mountain which was about a 45 min walk. Played frisbee, and had my first drink here in Quito. Although they say you feel the effects faster and more intensely at a high altitude, I felt just the same as I would have back at sea level. We then walked all the way to La Mariscal or Gringolandia as the locals call it because of all the tourists. Gringo=white/foreigners. I was told to never come here alone, its a prime spot for smugglers, robbers, and such. I've been on high alert in general here, especially these first few days. Took a taxi for the first time here, with a friend, but still I felt accomplished again. There are all these small steps I have subconsiously set up for myself to adjust and find compfort in my new city.
Walking confidently (looking like you know where you're going, even if you are completely lost) is key, and of course asking for directions if needed. Sometimes that's the only option! One thing that you have to do here is yell "PARE!" which means stop, to the bus driver. They basically stop wherever, often skipping marked bus stops if no one is waiting or has yelled "pare". Still being self conscious of my accent, this will be difficult for me to do, especially if I'm trying to keep a low profile.
The creepy stares and annoying whistles haven't been as bad as I thought they would be. They do happen, but not to the extent that I thought. Covering up is key to not getting whistled at of course. The women here in general wear pretty conservative clothing, but nice shoes. They are into heels here, which is hard to adjust to coming from Humboldt, sandal/no shoe capital of the world. I want to go shopping. But I'm restricting myself until at least a week or two has passed since my arrival.
We have a tour of the city this Friday with the program after a breakfast all together, which I'm looking forward to. It's nice having a class all together as well, even though it's mostly lecture.
One of the bad things about having a Net-Book is that they don't have CD things, so I can't watch any of the many DVDS my host family has...kind of a bummer. Hulu has been funky too, but at least there's the Simpsons website.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Arrival
I flew into Quito, Ecuador last night along with the program director and a few other students around 9:30pm and got to the hotel where we ate dinner and pretty much fell to sleep right after, although by that time it was already almost 1am. The flight went well, little turbulance, no movies, but I kept myself occupied with sleep and my Ecuador travel book where I noted a ton of things I want to do while here. I don't think I will have the time or money to venture off into neighboring countries (I was REALLY hoping to go to Peru, but that'll call for another trip). I am going to keep my travels to this country which in itself has so much to offer from the hot springs of the volano Tungurahua (which is incredibly active) located in Banos to the beaches of Guayaquil which reminds me of the Manu Chao song, "Guayaquil".
Quito itself has much to offer, and I got to see a good part of it today via car rides. My host mom Margot picked me up with her friend who lives very close and who also was picking up my friend Juan from the hotel. They drove us around the grand park La Carolina which we are apparently very close to, I still need to walk about and figure out my surroundings. I plan on taking runs there. Her husband is Chileno (from Chile) and his name is Manuel, they have 3 children two of which are married and out of the house and their daughter Maria Jose (Moja) who is 22, still lives with them and is working. Moja has been great with me, she took me out to the mall because she was shopping around for a birthday present for her boyfriend, and afterwards we went out to see a movie with two of her friends. Super sweet girl, and the parents are great and warm and have already been calling me "mija" which means "my daughter" on more casual terms. I think I ate some bad ice cream today that they had made but my stomach was able to handle it, thanks to multiple trips to Thailand.
I have my own room, much bigger, with a bigger bed, in comparison to Spain. I'm trying my hardest to not compare/contrast this experience with Spain because to each country their own. It smells better in Quito than it did in Madrid, although it is a progressing third world country, kind of reminding me of Thailand a bit. Large buildings and such but also run-downed abandonded buildings right next to them. Not many stray dogs, which I was happy to see. OH! The family has an old Beagle dog that is 8 years old and makes funny snorting sounds all the time, her name is Moka. She's kind of slow, but you can tell the family adores her.
Last night I got uneasy vibes from driving around and seeing no women on the streets, actually barely anyone, minus the crowded bar areas in El Mariscal where many of the foreigners (and thieves) tend to hang out. During the day however, plenty of women, men, and children walking about. I was told to not walk home alone at night, which I have never taken very seriously until I got here. I'm sure I will become more comfortable as the weeks past, but better safe than sorry! It tends to get dark around 6 or 7, kind of a bummer since in California it was staying light until 9 or so.
I've been taking it easy (for the 20 hours I've been here) and plan to do so for the next couple days to adjust to the altitude. I haven't experienced that much altitude sickness (headaches, nausea, tiredness) except for when I climb stairs or walk fast for long periods of time, because there is just not enough oxygen up here! But I'll get used to it.
I think I might have boughten a stolen phone from a store today...that's what my host parents think at least. When they dial the number it doesn't work, but I am able to make calls. I'm no good with that kind of stuff, maybe a new SIM card or something. Everythin is closed on Sundays so I will check Monday after classes. Monday I also get to find out what my internship will be! We only have class from 9-12 in the morning, but Monday-Friday, which will make weekend trips difficult. I want to make at least two trips to the coast, one to Guayaquil and the other to Canoa or Bahia de Caraquez.
Excited to discover the streets of Quito tomorrow, at least in my area, which I should actually locate on a map come to think of it.
Nos vemos!
Quito itself has much to offer, and I got to see a good part of it today via car rides. My host mom Margot picked me up with her friend who lives very close and who also was picking up my friend Juan from the hotel. They drove us around the grand park La Carolina which we are apparently very close to, I still need to walk about and figure out my surroundings. I plan on taking runs there. Her husband is Chileno (from Chile) and his name is Manuel, they have 3 children two of which are married and out of the house and their daughter Maria Jose (Moja) who is 22, still lives with them and is working. Moja has been great with me, she took me out to the mall because she was shopping around for a birthday present for her boyfriend, and afterwards we went out to see a movie with two of her friends. Super sweet girl, and the parents are great and warm and have already been calling me "mija" which means "my daughter" on more casual terms. I think I ate some bad ice cream today that they had made but my stomach was able to handle it, thanks to multiple trips to Thailand.
Last night I got uneasy vibes from driving around and seeing no women on the streets, actually barely anyone, minus the crowded bar areas in El Mariscal where many of the foreigners (and thieves) tend to hang out. During the day however, plenty of women, men, and children walking about. I was told to not walk home alone at night, which I have never taken very seriously until I got here. I'm sure I will become more comfortable as the weeks past, but better safe than sorry! It tends to get dark around 6 or 7, kind of a bummer since in California it was staying light until 9 or so.
I've been taking it easy (for the 20 hours I've been here) and plan to do so for the next couple days to adjust to the altitude. I haven't experienced that much altitude sickness (headaches, nausea, tiredness) except for when I climb stairs or walk fast for long periods of time, because there is just not enough oxygen up here! But I'll get used to it.
I think I might have boughten a stolen phone from a store today...that's what my host parents think at least. When they dial the number it doesn't work, but I am able to make calls. I'm no good with that kind of stuff, maybe a new SIM card or something. Everythin is closed on Sundays so I will check Monday after classes. Monday I also get to find out what my internship will be! We only have class from 9-12 in the morning, but Monday-Friday, which will make weekend trips difficult. I want to make at least two trips to the coast, one to Guayaquil and the other to Canoa or Bahia de Caraquez.
Excited to discover the streets of Quito tomorrow, at least in my area, which I should actually locate on a map come to think of it.
Nos vemos!
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