As I said Earlier, I´m so sorry for not being able to write sooner! But Anyway, here goes!

I live with an Ecuadorian family, and they are super nice. I have two older Ecuadorian Brothers, one is Jose (26) and the other is Rodulf (28). I live on top of a hill (or actually, in the mountains) right above the Estadio Olympico, or the Olympic Stadium for Soccer games (which is HUGE here). Anyhow, I really like my house.. I have my own room and bathroom which is really convenient, and they serve you three course meals here, which is awesome!

My school is in the upstairs of a Cafe, called Mango Tree. Everyday I have class from 930 until 130, which is in GringoLandia, or so they call it because of all of the white people there. It is really nice as well, and I´ll be sure to post pictures soon.  It takes me about 30 minutes to get there.. 10 on foot and 20 on the bus.

The bus is quite an experience. I have to wear my backpack in the front, holding it to make sure no one will steal anything. It is usually very crammed, and we are squeezed in like sardines. There is one other student who lives close enough to me, with whom sometimes we ride the bus together. But for the most part I go alone. The first time was scary, but now I feel pretty confident, and know my way around the city.

Although it certainly is hard to breathe here.. being so high up in the mountains, and the pollution is pretty bad too. Walking down the main road, it is very difficult to breathe.

I got a cell phone here for emergencies, but mostly it is cheaper to call from the Telefonica Cabinas.. or phone booths. So if you get an out of area call, it might be from me from a random phone booth!

Already my brothers have said that my Spanish has improved TREMENDOUSLY.. which I am really thankful for! I can tell there has been a big difference.

I promise to write more later, but now I really should go. I have my second exam already (yikes!) tomorrow. This weekend we will be going to Esmeraldas, one of the beaches on the Coast. Anyhow, take care!!

Alyssa

 
 

Hi Everyone!

I apologize for not writing sooner, but just starting out its been difficult to find time to run to the computer. I´ve made it to Ecuador safely and have survived my first whole week in South America! We landed at the Quito, International airport late Saturday night (6-14).Getting off the plane, I felt a little woosy and out of place, but followed the crowds through customs and found my bags easily. I´ve never been through customs before, so I was imaging this grand production, but really it was very relaxed. There was one girl scanning the bags, but not even looking at the screen. Piece of cake!

After grabbing my two blue bags off the conveyor, I looked up to see what only can be described as a sea of Ecuadorian faces, crammed like sardines into a roped off area, holding signs with American names. They were waving their signs, cheering, asking all of us if we were the indicated person on the sign. At this point, I really felt loved. Maybe that´s awkward to say, but I did. Someone out there was looking for me, to take me home and nestle me into their family. Sure enough, my ¨Ecuamom, Anna Estrella and my ¨¨EcuaBrother´¨, Jose, found me.  We then went out into the little parking lot, loaded my bags in the car, and headed for my new home for three months, in Quito.

 
 

I got it all worked out.. I just had to call about 10 thousand times. Thank you to everyone for your support!