And what you have all been waiting for....

As I have been here for almost two weeks and have not written much I figured it was time to update this blog.

First thing I have to say is that the hostels here that I have stayed in so far rock my socks. That’s right, hostels that are amazing with comfy beds and showers and such. The first night I stayed in one and it was amazing. The next day we met our host families at a huge lunch with amazing food and yummy-ness. I live in the third floor of an apartment with my host mom and her 8 year old son. I actually have my own room! I live about 15 minutes walking distance from the Universidad and the office of the program that is in the World Trade Center. Also I am in the middle of La Mariscal, otherwise known as Gringolandia, otherwise known as the location with all the places to hang out shall we say. Let me further say that there is no way that I will ever drive on a road in Ecuador. The drivers are insane, the pedestrians are insane, the roads are insane. It is a city.

Anyway the food is absolutely fantastic, I am going to come back like 50 pounds heavier than I am because it is literally impossible to say to no to food put in front of you for two main reasons: 1. it is soooooo good and 2. Ecuadorians generally keep asking if you want something until you say yes. My kind of place.

I have started classes, but only with the program and not with the Universidad yet. I have Spanish class (surprise right) and the core class where we learn about Ecuador (another surprise). I start History of the Church in Latinoamérica next week, then at the beginning of March I start classes at the Universidad although I don’t yet know which ones.

We went on a three day trip to first Cotopaxi, a volcano, where we walking to 4800m (I don’t know what that is in feet but it is high up). It was hard to go up but coming down was great because you couldn’t really stop yourself. The next day we went to Riobamba and went to a waterfall but it was raining so we couldn’t actually rappel down the waterfall but it was still fun. We also we to the nariz del Diablo and I have pictures but not online yet but we went in a ferrocarril which is like a bus on train tracks. We sat on top of the bus for a while and it was great fun although a little uncomfortable but with a fantastic view!!! The next day we returned to Quito, but I still cannot get over the great views from everywhere and anywhere! The mountains are beautiful and no it is not difficult to breathe thanks for asking. This week was just classing and having to actually do work and reading and stuff, easing back into the swing of things.

Well I have rambled on for long enough. Give me addresses and I will send postcards although they apparently cost a bit more like $1.60 to send so I may do bulk mailings but please paciencia I have 4 more months here I can’t do everything at once

besos besos