Over a Month

I honestly can not believe I have been over a month. It doesn't seem real to me. Time seems to just be flying by. Which in some ways is good, but I don't want this year to pass by to fast. For now I am just taking everything one day at a time.

I have done a lot in the past two weeks. I forgot to write about it all though. Whoops, it happens. School is getting better and better every day. My teachers are The so helpful, and really do their best to communicate with me now. Going to school now really helps me broaden my vocabulary and understand much more. I am taking English class, but the English teacher is not a huge fan of me. I wrote a friends paper and my own, she gave my friend a 28 and me a 22. Ha that made my day let me tell you. After school everyone in my class goes to a friends house to do our homework together. It gets done so much faster that way, plus it's like free tutoring! One boy thought my name was Rachel, so now they all call me Rachel or Gringa Loca (Crazy white girl) as a joke. I don't mind, it's rather funny. I really enjoy everything about my school, and classmates.

Other than schoolwise, I have been doing really well. Two fridays ago, I went to a birthday party. It was at a club, and it was so much fun. Everyone was just dancing and having a good time. I love the music here, I came home and downloaded about 1 million songs. During the weekend I went back to Vilcabamba and just slept/hung out. Always a good time. This past week was so much fun. On Thursday, I went to a concert for Franco de Vita. He's really famous here, and I sat 5 row with my counselor. It was one of the best experiences i have ever had. The next day we didn't start school till 9 because it was a ceramony day. I got to watch the top students from my school have a marching ceramoney. Very different, but it was nice to see my friends get honored for their hard work. This past weekend I hung around the house and with my friends, always a nice change of pace. This week I have been hanging out with my friends after school and relaxing. I love how relaxed this place is and how comfortable I am with everyone. People are so warm and open, however one big difference here is that many people get nose-jobs. People as in my classmates. I found that odd, but whatever makes someone happy.

I almost forgot! I also went to my first Rotary Club meeting! It was held at a hotel in our city. I am the only exchange student in my town. It's differnet, but I enjoy it. I had to talk for about 5 minutes about my home and my life in Ecuador. Luckily they were all pleased with my progress! Yay. We had some incredible food too. Blue- Rasberry shots to start. Followed by rolls and garlic butter. For the main course we had foods such as steak, shrimp, and chicken, with yapping gatcho ( potatoes fried with cheese) and vegetables. Desert was chocolate cake, or tiramasu. So yummy I must say. I can't wait for next months meeting.

One of my friends here almost had to return home because her mother's cancer has spread and her family can't afford chemo and her trip. However, her host family is generously giving her home family and her money. I can't explain how generous, and selfless that is. With that being said, I am just relaxing and living life. Taking everything at face value and not letting oppurtunities pass me by. I miss my friends and family, but still not homesick. My family, especially my grandmother, is in my prayers. I love them all so much. My trip to Manabi (the beach) is October 17-21. I can't wait. Counting down the days till I'm just relaxing with my other exchange students. That's all for now.

Make that Three!

So I haven't written in the past 7 days, not because I didn't want to, but because I was at a camp in Guayaquil, with 50 of the most amazing people in the world. I was not looking forward to going to camp, and really just wasn't in the mood for anything. Not to mention I had a cold too. However, the moment I arrived in Guayaquil, I knew it would be a fun week. Guayaquil is a beautiful city, with huge malls, and nice people, yet, I still find that Loja is where my hearts lies. Loja has something that just draws me to it. I don't know what it is, but I know that while away for a week, I missed just being in Loja. Anyways, the camp's view was beautiful. It over looked a river, and it was truely one of those things you see on National Geographic. Though, the beauty around the camp was breath taking, the living situation was pretty rough. The beds were not comfortable, half the time the water didn't work, and the food made me bloated, but hey you win some and lose some. While there I met amazing people, seven in particular that I am sure will be life long friends. We have so much in common, and just really have a great time together. It's cool that so many people from all over the world have so much in common. During the five days there I got to do so many things. I learned to dance salsa, reggaton, and buchata. We played a game in which we had to explore another groups culture, and ways to not force your culture on others. We also learned to cook typical Ecuadorian food such as patacones. One day we had arts and crafts and another we learned all about the rules of Ecuador. Of course everday we also had 4 hourse of Spanish. Talk about a drag, and not to mention my teacher was mean, but hey what can you do. Throughout the day we had so much with our activities. I painted my face like a man on arts and crafts day, dressed up like a latina for the dance show, and took around 200 photos. The day was fun and all, but the most fun was at night. We got to talk to the other exchange students, play games like I've never, and even have dance parties. I can't tell you how wonderful of an experience it was. However, once it was over I was happy to head home to Loja. On my way home I ran into a classmate in Quito. I went out to Pizza hut with her and her family and it was nice, that her family was so generous to take me with them. I really enjoyed myself, and got to see even more of how caring Lojanos are.

Yesterday, I went back to school for round two. I was really nervous and not looking forward to it. My stomach was in nots and I wasn't sure if I could do it. However, I went and stuck it out. It turned out not ot be that bad. Today however was even better, because once the teachers do more than talk I can understand better. It's difficult to just listen because I have nothing to see what they are refering too. Now, I am starting to get into the swing of the things and really enjoying myself. I also went on a field trip today to the Univerity. I had to listen to people talk for 3 hours. Talk about awful. However, I did get to write a nice letter to a friend from home that I miss a lot. This friday is a party for a girl. I don't know her, but she invited me so I will be going, along with the whole school. I am really starting to get the hang of things here.

Even though, everything is going well here, I am still worried more about my home. My grandmother is ill, and I am praying that she will get better. I love her very much, and I know how worried my mother is. I feel bad because my mother works so very hard, and has so much to handle. I don't want her to worry about anything else so I am trying my best to keep things to myself, because there is nothing here that is a real problem. I am lucky to have such supportive family and I will cross my fingers for my grandmother to get better. She is a beautiful person. My brother also brought home a kitten. He told my mom it was a stray, but he really got it from a person giving away free kittens. He's a little sneak. I guess I have a new family member now. My dad went out this past weekend to visit my Uncle Buck in California. He had a wonderful time. Then Sean and my dad went to the Red Sox game, because a friend gave my dad two tickets. Everyone in my family is so busy, but I am so happy they are all doing well. I am looking forward to a lovely year here.

A lot of Firsts

Okay, so in the past few days I have had a lot of firsts. Which is not unusual since I am living abroad in a different country, but they have been both fun and also difficult firsts.

Last Friday, I got the oppurtunity to go out to eat with a bunch of friends. We ate wraps and smoked flavored water from a hooka. Do not worry it was not tobacco and not bad for you. I asked my host parents who are both doctors and they said it was not harmful. It smelled so good and I enjoyed playing with the smoke. Later that night we went to a friends house where we hung out, had food, and just talked, or in my case tried to. I met almost everyone who would be in my companera (class). They are funny, outgoing, and very welcoming. I have also noticed that anyone is always welcome here. They don't exclude people and welcome those who they do not know.

This weekend, I went to Vilcabamba again. I slept at my cousins' house (Sarita, and Camila) on Saturday. We stayed up late and watched movies & enjoyed popcorn. I chose to watch Marley and Me, which was really good and also really sad. Sarita is only 7 and just kept crying. I felt so bad afterwards. The next day we went in the pool and tanned in the sun for about 20 minutes. If you lay out to long, you'll be a lobster. For lunch we had a big meal all together, because it was my other cousin's birthday. They made a beautiful cake and we sang happy birthday to her. It is very nice to be with family and people who really try to help you learn spanish better. We left Vilcabamba early Sunday because it was a school night, however, it was another wonderful weekend.

Today, I started school. I woke up around 5 A.M. to get ready. We took first day of school pictures for my mom and host parents. When we arrived at school we found out that we got let out at 9 and that there were no classes for the rest of the week. This works out well for me because I am going to Guayaquil tomorrow for Orientation Camp. I waited for about 20 minutes and finally entered the class with my classmates. There are about 20 students in each class, and each grade has two classes. We went to the court where we start everday, and the kids sang the school anthem. It is wonderful to see such a different enviornment. After the principal and a few other teachers talked, we were dismissed. All the students filed back to class without a riot and without pushing or shoving. That was a nice change in pace from home. Once seated in class, my teacher began talking and went on for two hours. About five minutes before we left, she asked my name. She then realized I was from the United States and did not understand a word she had said, yet continue to speak rapidly. At the end of the class I had understood a total of 2o words, maybe. I went home on this beautiful day and had a snack.

That's when it happened, the first time I broke down while I was here. It wasn't that I was home sick and wanted to go home, but more of the fact that I didn't understand anything. People here almost expect me to know Spanish and don't understand that I really am trying here. A different language does not just come over night, and in the United States another language is not required. It's hard because things usually come so easy for me, yet here I feel out of place because I know very little. All my friends from home gave me the push though, and made me remember why I am here. I am not here for others I am here for myself, and am here to better myself. If I try my hardest and I know I am working that is all that matters. I will do my best and keep trying to learn Spanish. I am really lucky to have such a wonderful sister, and friends who know me so well.

Tomorrow I am off to Guayaquil, and before I was not looking forward to it, but now it can't come soon enough. I am looking forward to learning more about the culture, and also the four hour daily spanish classes. It will be nice to talk to the other exchange students and talk to them about how they are dealing with the problems.

Other than that I am enjoying myself, and looking forward to many adventures here. Peace, love, and happiness.

Semana Numero Dos

So it has almost been two weeks in Ecuador. Surprisingly though, I am not homesick at all. I thought I'd miss little things and really just want to be home. However, that is not the case at all. I thought the first two weeks would be really hard because I am alone and don't know anyone, but I find myself enjoying my life here none the less. And how could I not, the people are wonderful that I do know, my family has really begun to open up to me here, and I've gotten the chance to do some really cool things.
Since the last time I wrote, I have done so much. A few days ago I read another exchange students blog. It was very honest and he talked about how homesick he was, and how he has already asked his parents to go home. That was only the first week of being here. After reading that blog it made me re-examine a lot of things. First realized that I appreciate everything my host family does, and how accommodating they are. They try very hard to make me feel right at home, and also respect things that I dislike. They do not make me eat banana or plantains, which is very kind of them because it is such a major crop here. They have made me truly part of the family, and I am so blessed to live with people who are so generous and loving. Secondly, I also realized my parents have raised me to be strong and push for things I want, to stay committed and NEVER quit what I start no matter how tough it is, independent and rely on myself to do things not others, and to know that no matter how far away I am from them they will always love me. Lastly, I learned that by dwelling on the negative things, only makes me miss out on all the beauty here that surrounds me. If I write about the bad things, and the things that make me sad, it only makes them worse. The other day a friend of mine here said, "Don't compare things to home, take everything at face value, because when you do that, you can see all the wonderful and beautiful things surrounding you." That made me really open my eyes and give everything a closer look. I am only here for a year and I want to get the most out of it.
This weekend we went back to our country house in Vilcabamba. I also learned that Vilcabamba has a lot of tourists because it is very hot and in the mountains. When we arrived at the house I got to set up my room. It was painted pink for me which I love! I even got my own bathroom. My family is always thinking of me and it means a lot to me that they are so considerate. On Sunday, I got to ride the horses in Vilcabamba. Diego and I rode around the city and through the river. I saw all these beautiful places and mountains. It was an adventure like I had never been on. However, my horse was lazy and didn't like to do what I told it to do, but they were still beautiful and full of kisses. Later in the day we had a lunch of chicken, corn, salad, and mashed potatoes. Delicious. We went for a swim, played some basketball, and I even get to draw a lot up there. I love to draw and Vilcabamba is just so calm and relax, that it is really nice to just sit there with a pen and paper and draw about all the beauty. We left Sunday night back to Loja. The city at night, from afar, is one of the most majestic sights I have ever seen. A whole mountain filled with lights, the stars sparkling brightly. I love just gazing up at them the whole ride home. When we got home it was time for dinner. Of course at 8:30 no one wanted to cook, so we went to the mall and got KFC, which happens to be my favorite fast food restraint. I pigged out at KFC and then headed home for some much needed rest.
This week has been a very good and interesting week. I wake up around 10 everyday, make myself some toast with Nutella, and grab a glass of juice. The juice here is freshly squeezed and as sweet as can be. I then shower and get ready for the day. Since I don’t know that many people here still, I tend to watch movies or play Wii until lunch. When Lily and Diego arrive home we sit down as a family and enjoy a wonderful meal. After all lunch is the biggest meal of the day here. These past few days, Lily has been taking me out after lunch to buy things that I need for school. I needed to buy a skirt and sweater still. However, absolutely no stores had my size. I am way to tall and broad for the younger girls here. Lily had to ask her mother to make a skirt for me. Not to mention this makes me feel like Shrek, but hey that happens. I am me and sometimes you have to do things out of the ordinary. The important thing is that I will have a skirt in time for school Monday. I then had to find shoes. I have very wide feet, so I wear a 9 ½. However, all the stores here mainly had 8’s. I finally at the last minute found a store that had 9’s and decided I’d squeeze my feet in them. Even clothes are cheaper down here. It was only $20 for leather shoes. Even though I don’t fit right into all the clothes, and my feet are rather large, it doesn’t matter. What amazed me yet again, is how willing people are to help you find, get, or make what you need. The next day, we shopped for school supplies. In the United States all the supplies cost $100 or more, here on $37 dollars. Not to mention I got so many more things. At least now I am finally ready for school to begin. My host brothers have also really opened up to me. At first I was, a bit saddened that they didn’t want to talk to me and get to know me more, but I looked past that because it is worse to dwell on the negatives. Now they have really opened up to me. We joke, play games, talk, and it really feels like home to me.
Today, I finally met my counselor. His name is Steve Brown, very American right? Well, his father was in the Army and got stationed here in Loja. He fell in love with a Lojanan women and they had him and his brother a few years later in Ecuador. Steve’s wife is technically American, because she was born in the United States, however, her parents were originally from Ecuador. It made me giggle, how they had the exact opposite lives. Steve and Patricia have three children who are all dual citizens, one lives in Michigan, the other in Spain, and one in Quito. I will get the chance to meet them later this year. Anyways, today I went to Steve’s home to have lunch with him and his wife. There house is like something I have only seen on T.V. They have 3 living rooms, 5 bedrooms, a kitchen, 4 bathrooms, a dining room, Patricia’s office, Steve’s home office, and here it goes, a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and an exercise room. Yup, can you believe it, those are all INSIDE the house. Not to mention the view is to die for. What makes me really happy though, is that despite all these people have, they are so down to earth and so caring, that it makes you happy to see people like that be so fortunate. I am lucky because he lives 5 minutes walking from my house. Every day after school, and basketball I am going to his house to run and take a swim. I get luckier every day I live here, and not because of everything that I am given, but because of the generosity and compassion that all these people give to me. Even the people here who have very little, do as much as they possibly can for you. It’s wonderful to see how huge all these people’s hearts are.
My cousins were here tonight, at my house in Loja. They came over for a family dinner. I let the littlest one Sarita, who is 6, do my make-up and my nails. My host mother thought I broke out in a rash, but no it was just blush all over my face. I didn’t mind though because that is what little girls. They make you look pretty. Then I straightened all of their hair because they wanted it to look like mine. They are all so cute, and so sweet. I just love being around them. When I finished Sarita’s hair she wanted me to take pictures of her because she said she looked and I quote “sexy”. I couldn’t help but laugh. When they left they all squeezed me so tight. It’s nice to know that they already care about it. It is a very warm feeling.
I got the chance to talk to my mother this week for an hour or so online. It was nice to hear from her. I don’t get to talk to her often, but that is not bad thing. I know they love and miss me, but they have their own lives and are busy people too. Plus, if I relied on talking to them too much, it would only make me miss home, and also miss out on really great experiences. My brothers are doing well in school, and football. Although neither of them is thrilled to be in school. The exchange student seems to be the perfect match for my family. She made varsity volleyball, which is extremely good, and such a difficult task being from another country. She likes her classes and seems to be enjoying herself. I am so happy that everything is right where it should me. My family means a lot to me, and I am glad they are doing well.
Well I am off for now. I should get some sleep. Still working on a way to show pictures, but it is a work and progress. When you see the photos, I am telling you that you will fall in love; with not only the city, but the all the people here in it. Buenas Noches (Goodnight).