I´ve made it through my first week in Ecuador! After about 24 hours of traveling and getting rerouted to Guayaquil, I finally arrived in Quito early last Thursday morning. There are a total of 15 of us here, and we are going through intensive orientation this month, with sessions on culture and teacher training.
Quito is a large, polluted, and congested city. However, on the days when the rain stops and the fog lifts, it proves to be an incredible place with the most beautiful surroundings. There are also a number of parks where you can go and find some respite from the noisy city. I have a host mother and sister who are very sweet and encouraging when I am struggling with my Spanish. They took me to the "Mitad del Mundo" (the equator) last weekend, and I have plans to go to Papallacta, some natural hot springs, and a soccer game this weekend.
Some things I am still adjusting to here:
- Leaping onto and off of the bus when it refuses to come to a complete stop.
- Using my bra as a wallet to make me a harder target for theft.
- The electric shower going from burning to freezing in a split second.
- Making sure I request cold milk for my cereal.
Quito is a large, polluted, and congested city. However, on the days when the rain stops and the fog lifts, it proves to be an incredible place with the most beautiful surroundings. There are also a number of parks where you can go and find some respite from the noisy city. I have a host mother and sister who are very sweet and encouraging when I am struggling with my Spanish. They took me to the "Mitad del Mundo" (the equator) last weekend, and I have plans to go to Papallacta, some natural hot springs, and a soccer game this weekend.
Some things I am still adjusting to here:
- Leaping onto and off of the bus when it refuses to come to a complete stop.
- Using my bra as a wallet to make me a harder target for theft.
- The electric shower going from burning to freezing in a split second.
- Making sure I request cold milk for my cereal.
