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.
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.
Hang in there...I know you are grateful for all of the good things, but it is difficult to be amongst so much that is foreign. Remind yourself of your good fortune by reading your last post. But don't feel bad for "breaking down" once in a while, as it's only natural. You have a wonderful attitude, and many gifts. Best of everything to you. Tracy
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracy, I really appreciated that post by the way.
ReplyDelete