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Published: January 7th 2011
Hola amigos!
I have arrived safe and sound in Quito, Ecuador. The journey here was not the most pleasant, definitely a full day of traveling. However, on the way from Minneapolis to New York at 6 in the morning I was able to watch the sunrise and lucky enough to see a shooting star right by the plane! It was beautiful. The highlight of my day was getting off the plane in Quito and walking to the Migración line and seeing Elena and Edgar (my host parents) holding a sign that said my name. I was really worried nobody would be there and I did not have any emergency contact numbers. Fortunately it all worked out perfectly, todo salió bien!
I am living in Tumbaco, which is about 20 minutes outside of Quito. Edgar and Elena live on a plot that is gated with their family. These aren't like the gated communities like in the United States. They are really common here. There are about 5 houses inside the one I am staying in. The people who live in the other houses are family of Elena and Edgar. They share a lot of the land and let their dogs, horses, and cows roam about the whole plot. So far I have counted 6 dogs, 4 horses, and 6 cows. There may be more, I haven't gotten a chance to look around to much yet. Their land is beautiful, full of plants and green as ever. I have my own bedroom and bathroom here and it is very nice. As soon as I take some pictures I will upload them!
So far breakfast is my favorite meal here. I have only had breakfast twice yet, but it has been amazing both times. We have juice, coffee, fruit, yogurt, and bread. The fruit bowl is the best. I have already tried two fruits I have never even heard of. I wish I could remember the names of them, oh well, I'm sure I will have them again. There are also peaches, grapes, melon, cherries, pears, apples, bananas, and papaya. They also use milk fresh from their cows! Very cool, but honestly I am a little scared to try it. I have had it in my coffee but not plain yet. Elena blends the juice freshly in the morning with water, bananas, and a packet of some flavoring and sugar. It is so good. Then the bread has been super fresh delicious croissants. I have had lunch at the Universidad de San Fransisco Quito both days, because that is where I have been spending my days full with orientations. Everyday they have a salad, soup, meat, rice, and a dessert. It is pretty basic. Lunch is big here though so we eat a lot. Dinner is a smaller meal usually pretty late at night, its called Merienda (light meal). So far I love the food, which doesn't come as a surprise to me.
My biggest adventure has been the bus. During orientation they freaked us out a little. They told us all the things to look out for. I think my whole group was a little scared to go out into Quito after that conversation. Whatever, better safe than sorry, right??? But they talked about the bus a little and how to just be really careful. So I was a little nervous when my family told me I will be busing from home to school everyday even though I have a lot of bus experience from Minneapolis. So I took it for the first time today, I took it alone too. I caught it about a block away from the university, which meant I had to cross the street. Crossing the street here is the most terrifying thing I think I will do this whole trip, lets just say pedestrians do NOT have the right away. Driving in Quito is insane. Anyways, so I luckily safely got to the bus station and got on a bus that said "Tumbaco" on the front. There wasn't that many people on it in the beginning but after a few stops it was full to the brim. It was so full I got nervous I wasn't going to make it to the door when I needed to get off. Then the bus started going a way I didn't think it was suppose to go... a little nerve racking. But it wasn't as bad as everyone made it seem. I got to my stop, paid the bus driver, and got off. I did it. And I survived.
Well thats all I have for now! Until next time!
Ciao!
P.S. Everyone here kisses on the cheek when they say hello and goodbye, I love it!
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Cindi Hefferan #2
non-member comment
The Big Adventure !
So glad to here you made it safe and sound. I'm looking forward to seeing your photo's. The fruit sounds so wonderful and I'm sure seeing the lush greenery is a welcome change to the weather you left behind. What a wonderful experience, you are very fortunate . Enjoy, be safe and keep us posted. xox cloo