First Four Days in Quito

Today is my fourth day in Quito and my first day teaching in the orphanage here. When I got to work this morning I realized that rather than being their English teacher, I´m the only teacher for eight children ranging in age from 6 to 12. I´m really not sure how classes are divided, but it doesn´t seem to be by age or ability level. They are adorable, affectionate children, but discipline is lacking, and I don´t have a lesson plan. They just said teach them to read and write and their numbers!

I brought in a few pictures and my cousins Charlotte and Nathan were definitely the most popular....in particular, two little boys declared their love for my beautiful cousin on the spot.

Other than school, I´m starting to adjust to the altitude and Marianna (my host mother) is introducing me and Alli (an 18-year-old volunteer staying at the house)to many Ecuadorians. Marianna´s favorite game is "guess how old Jessica is." So far, everyone guesses between 19 and 22 and then Alli and I laugh at the shocked expressions when I tell them how old I really am.

Yesterday, we had the whole afternoon free, so we went to the Valle to see some of Marianna´s friends, then Alli and I hung out at an aprtment in Quito with some college students, playing guitar and dancing salsa. I am very bad at salsa, but everyone took turns trying to teach me different steps.

This weekend, we´ll go to Ottovalo and another city whose name I keep forgetting. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics and please send to anyone I´ve left off the list.

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