¡A Mindo!

     I have been enjoying my time here to the fullest. I've been getting involved in the culture, tasting new foods everyday, picking up the slang, and listening to local music. I went to a concert at the bar, El Pobre Diablo, and saw Spiritual perform. They're a reggae band from Quito. This band is a pretty big deal here. The energy at the concert was charged, and everyone in the crowd knew every word to every song. You should definitely look them up. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZwbmHRL80

     I've been making local friends and closer connections with those in my school. My professors are my role models, and my host family has included me in their lives. I'm very appreciative for my family here. Pily is a woman of many strengths and grace. My life here is full of blessings and adventures. I can't believe I'm already at the halfway mark in my semester. 

     My professors taught me a card game called Cuarenta. They told me this game is special to Ecuador. I wrote down the rules, and I've been practicing. My host mother is so good at this game; I haven't been able to beat her yet. I can't wait to show everyone at home how to play.

    Last weekend my friends and I hopped on a bus to Mindo. It's about 2 hours by bus from Quito, and costs $2.50. Mindo is a small-small-small town with much to offer: hiking tours of the waterfalls, zip-lining, butterfly sanctuary, chocolate factory, water rafting, and repelling. We all split a hostal for 8 bucks--not bad, huh? 

     Mindo is an incredible place; the air is clean, the water is fresh, the naturaleza is breathtaking. 

     Last night was Cari's--one of the students here--last night with us. We all went out to Plaza Foch and danced the whole night away. Plaza Foch is filled with bars, clubs, restaurants, and everything for the nightlife. We love meeting people from here. Everyone has been welcoming and we exchange pleasant conversations in Spanish. We had so much fun dancing, singing, laughing, and just being silly. I'm going to miss nights like these.

Hugs. Chao.

Baños Trip

     Last weekend was a blast. Me and five other students went to Baños. This city is well known for its extreme sports and flashy tourism. We stayed in a hostal that was pretty dang good, ate some tasty locro de papa soup, and laughed. We also rode horses through the mountains, zip-lined from one cliff to the next, climbed the treehouse at "the end of the world" and swung from its rope swing, and visited a roaring waterfall. 

       But by Monday, we had to be back in class. I like class, however, homework is still homework: it's a drag. In fact, I'm writing this post instead of preparing for my oral presentation. It seems I'm still a procrastinator even in a different country. The classes are small, and students always come and go. I enjoy meeting and making new international friends. It's been more than a treat.
     I couldn't be more happy to share this adventure with these lovely-traveling-students. We've laughed together, cooked, cleaned, and clashed together. I'd say we're a good bunch. I've made a few friends in a restaurant and in a bar. They're teaching us Ecuadorian slang. We had a good chuckle when they tried teaching us to call your friends "brothers." But they also taught us that "pana" is slang for "friend" here. 
     Alright, I should get my homework done because I'm planning on heading out to a concert tonight. 

Chao, panas. 

Settled In

     Everything has been going well, and I feel settled into a routine by now. I enjoy life in Quito, but my least favorite part of the day is the seven minute bus ride to school. However, before I get to hop into that mess, I always start my day off with fresh juice. People of this country really take pride in their produce here. Ecuadorian fruit is starting to make a home in my heart. So far my favorite fruit is pitahaya. 

     On the weekends we get to go on little excursions. Some students and I went to Otravalo, which is well known for its market.

    This city has the most colorful market I've ever seen. I just want to stuff everything in my backpack. We had to negotiate prices, and even if I talked them down I still felt a little robbed. All of my little gifts to you will most likely be from Otravalo. 

    My host mother, Pily, has been amazing. She's like having another abuelita in my life, and there can never be too many of those around. She took me to a concert that featured local musicians, and my favorite was Pancho Teran. I've been trying to find a CD of his. 

     Yesterday, Pily took me to the middle of the world! She woke me up and I thought she asked me if I wanted to go to "el centro comercial." Sure, sure, the mall sounds great, but really she meant the center of the world! It was more than a treat; I got to cross something off my bucket list.

     

    I miss my family and friends, but I'm not ready to come home yet. Not if Ecuador keeps feeding me like this:

papas, empanadas, platanos, carne, and tostadas

     Although, the big holiday was Carnaval here in Ecuador, we still celebrated St. Valentine's Day in school. Love you, hope y'all had an amor-filled weekend. 

Chao.

     

     

    

     

First Day of School y Más

     My first day of school went muy well. Pili, my host mother, walked me to the school and I met with the other students. We all had our evaluations which consisted of an oral and written exam. Then la profesora took us to see the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace. We stood in the plaza in front of the palace which is the center of Quito. 

    After that shindig, we visited a couple of churches nearby. I kid you not, the walls of these churches are caked in gold. The beautiful buildings are ridiculously big and completely decked out. 

    Entonces, some other students and I went exploring. We found 3 malls within a few blocks of each other, and a park where we ate a fruit called chirimoya. Speaking of food--my favorite subject--everything is so cheap. And delicious. I've been eating lunch for about $4: salad, soup, rice, meat, fruit, and a bottled water. There are so many different flavors here. I gotta catch 'em all.  

     Today was my second day of school; we started grammar classes. Much fun. But then we went to the market. That was a real treat, and I need y'all to help me not spend all my money there. 

    As I've said before, the streets are always full of life in Quito. Like right now at 10pm there's live music playing somewhere around my block. Every time you turn a corner there's someone selling you fruit or gum or water or who knows. It's a surprise every time, and here's a picture of a man painting landscapes with motor oil:

¡Que chévere! (How awesome!) See, I'm learning stuff.

Chao! 

Sunday Funday

     Today my host mother took me out and about. I've never used so much public transportation in my life. There are loads of people rushing in different directions and the buses come and go so quickly you have to push your way on and off. She showed me how to get to school, and when I saw my building I fell in love. 

And then we walked around back to the patio.

   The streets are busy and full of life. We walked to the mall and ran into her sobrinos, and they greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. Then they kissed me on the cheek again when we parted ways. It's going to take me a minute to get used to that. I felt dumbfounded, and I was all stiff and awkward. 

I start school tomorrow.

Chao! 

(Oh, and everyone says "chao" as a farewell here. Cute, huh.)

Houston, we have a problem. A twenty year old problem.

I met up with Leo--the other student from NMSU--at the Albuquerque airport. We're currently chillin' in Houston on our layover. I was lucky enough to have lunch with my cousin JD here, and I had a weird-but-tasty hotdog for my last American meal. Leo's hitting up an airport bar, and I'm hanging out at the twenty year old's club aka Gate E17. We'll be arriving in Quito around midnight; I'm so excited to meet my host family and ready to ride out this adventure. Love.

Dad's Photos

 

Just showin’ off some of my dad’s photography. I feel like his photos deserve to be seen by more than just my eyes. All of these are from his facebook (https://www.facebook.com/randy.l.kelley).

I will be posting more about Ecuador soon!