First day of school.

---

We woke up horrendously early due to the time difference but lucky we did as breakfast is at 7.30 every morning(!) The three other students living with us (Silvie from Switzerland and Elisabet and Louise from Denmark) have lessons in the morning so they have to be there at 8.30. We took a taxi to Quito old town which was really gorgeous and made up of plazas full of fountains and flowers where people indulge the national pastime of sitting in the sun doing nothing. I think I could get used to living here! Really random place. There was one guy with a machete selling coconuts out a wheelbarrow which he peeled with said machete and then stuck a straw in. Also, another guy just standing on a street corner with a saw - we gave him a wide berth! There are also police everywhere here although all they seem to do is lounge against buildings and play on their mobile phones. Returned for lunch and then Lorena (our ´mother´while we are here) walked us to school. It´s like being a kid again! Luckily it´s only ten minutes away so no need to get a taxi home whatever she says. Had to do a test to assess our level of Spanish (which in my case is unfortunatley non-existent) and then were given teachers. I have Cristina who is very nice and speaks perfect English so at least there´s no trouble understanding her. Four hours one-on-one tuition was a bit much but they have real tea at the school so I´m not complaining! I´m trying to convert myself to coffee but not much luck. I´m English after all! We stayed after school for our first salsa lesson and proof that I´m really not as uncoordinated as I thought! Tea and salsa really is my idea of school! Unfortunatley I also got homework and have a test tomorrow. Met up with the others most of whom are staying with real families and do stuff with them so looks like there´s going to only be a few of us on trips for a while. Some have already done Mitad del Mundo so we might try that on Saturday as the bus leaves literally opposite our house.

---

Photos

Plaza de Independencia
A relaxing day in old Quito!

Comments

[Keely]

Congradulations!
Yaaaay you made it Katherine!!! I bet you didn't think you'd ever get something from me huh?? Any ways I'm so l glad your having a good time! Here, to keep you up-to-date with our President's stupidity, I'll send you quotes whenever I write something. By the way, is it hot over there right now??? -Keely I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them. - W. Bush

[Anna]

Life of luxury
Hi Tats! This is what you call a Gap Year! Tea, food cooked for you, free salsa lessons?!? You certainly know how to do it in style! No roughing it for you obviously. When is the hard work going to start? Wish I could be there with you, Your Wonderfully Jealous Big Sister, Anna.