Before coming back to the amazon, I was in Misuallhi helping out translating for a medical brigade. It just so happens that the brigade is from my university abroad for winter term--small world. So I was the brigade for a few days and really enjoyed our time as we went out to rural areas around Tena and provided much needed medical care.
Now, I'm in the amazon currently, a few hours north of Tena at a place called Yachana (which means school in Quichewa). Right now I am having the time of my life volunteering for a high school that has it roots in a eco-tourism foundation that is here to help the people of the surrounding communities.
I came here in November with my study abroad group and I loved it so much that I came back for two weeks. I came the high school with a project, but arrived and found that they need an English teacher for a week (and are lacking three other teachers that did not return). I said I would teach--but I did not know it was such an undertaking. I teach everyday for 3-5 hours depending on the schedule for three classes. They gave me no materials and I had no idea what the students had learned already about the language. So the first day was rough. When I had an idea about each class, I started thinking of ideas and lesson plans. I usually play games with them that involve vocabulary or phrases for most of the class (pictionary, draw a map of your town and label the places). It has become easier as I have a group from the nearby Yachana Lodge (also part of the foundation) helping me out for a few days.
Life here is interesting. We live by the sun. So every morning I get up at 5:30 and eat breakfast. Then class till 1:30, then afternoon chores around the high school and the surrounding farm. And I am in bed by 9 every night. The students are so kind to me and help me with my Spanish as I help them with English. My Spanish has reached new levels and I cannot believe how much it has improved.
I am enjoying it here through all the sweat and the bug bites (the amazon is so beautiful). And I don't want to go back to Quito or the States--I have a week and a half left here! It's crazy to realize that is it January already!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Cuenca and New Year's Eve
Ok a bit has happened recently--here's the update.
Montenita ended up great! The beach city was welcoming, laid-back, and SUNNY! I went dancing the last night I was there and was hanging out with some locals there. The only downfall--I dropped my camera in the sand. And I just got this camera three months ago (my first one was stolen on my third day here). Whoops. Down two digital cameras in Ecuador now. So pictures will be very limited from here on out.
After, I came back to Quito before Christmas--I wish I had something to say about the holiday here. It was just like any other day. A lot of places were open and running and it was a nice and sunny day. Christmas here is really just a day to spend with family, point blank. In the United States we value getting that perfect present and having a perfect Christmas--here that does not exist. A day with family and then back to off to regular life. Christmas carols and lights (especially nativity scenes) are very prevalent, but I think only because the copy the United States to some extent.
Then I went to Cuenca, a beautiful world heritage site in the far south of Ecuador. I went with a friends who is here for a year, and we to Ecuador's third biggest city saving us a 10 hours bus ride for a $100 round-trip flight.
We ended up in this sweet little hostal run by a woman and her two sons. The historical part of Cuenca is a city full of narrow streets, red roofs, balconies, and many little cafes and restaurants. And there are about a dozen churches scattered in between. My friend, Becca, and I walked around to all the churches, walked along the rivers, went to the museums displays of indigenous clothing from across the continent and other art, went to an overlook of the city, and went to the thermal springs.
What was a damper on the trip was that I became really sick in Cuenca. It started out with a cold, then that was gone and replaced with a headache that felt like someone was carving a statue out of brain, and a stomachache that wouldn't let me go very far. It hurt to lay down. My body's muscles were so tired of laying down that laying down was just uncomfortable. Eventually, after three days, it got so bad that I was in tears and the lady who owned the hostal took me to the hospital. It was not serious, it was just to get medicine. The ended up taking me to a military hospital and I was examined by doctors in uniform with white lab coats on--I felt like I was in a government experiment. I got some medicine and felt better within hours. And two days later I feel much better--I will never take a healthy day for granted again.
And then was New Year's in Quito! Here they make Nuevo Anos--effigies that represent politicians, deceased family, and other scenes from the old year. Then, they BURN them at midnight. And a lot of these displays are pretty big. You create them and burn them with your family and community. Also, on the streets, all the men dress up as women and stop every car that passes by them as they dance for a few cents and flirt with the drivers. This makes the traffic on new years very slow.
I was still sick, and I did not want to go out and drink, but went with my program director and two others to South Quito to a house that was a friend of my director's. There we hung out till midnight as they burned the effigy, then danced for hours afterwards. It was very calm, but I enjoy the tradition here more. New Year's Eve is a reflective time with your family and community and not all about drinking as it is in the States for people my age.
I'm in Quito for a few more days then off to the Amazon!
Montenita ended up great! The beach city was welcoming, laid-back, and SUNNY! I went dancing the last night I was there and was hanging out with some locals there. The only downfall--I dropped my camera in the sand. And I just got this camera three months ago (my first one was stolen on my third day here). Whoops. Down two digital cameras in Ecuador now. So pictures will be very limited from here on out.
After, I came back to Quito before Christmas--I wish I had something to say about the holiday here. It was just like any other day. A lot of places were open and running and it was a nice and sunny day. Christmas here is really just a day to spend with family, point blank. In the United States we value getting that perfect present and having a perfect Christmas--here that does not exist. A day with family and then back to off to regular life. Christmas carols and lights (especially nativity scenes) are very prevalent, but I think only because the copy the United States to some extent.
Then I went to Cuenca, a beautiful world heritage site in the far south of Ecuador. I went with a friends who is here for a year, and we to Ecuador's third biggest city saving us a 10 hours bus ride for a $100 round-trip flight.
We ended up in this sweet little hostal run by a woman and her two sons. The historical part of Cuenca is a city full of narrow streets, red roofs, balconies, and many little cafes and restaurants. And there are about a dozen churches scattered in between. My friend, Becca, and I walked around to all the churches, walked along the rivers, went to the museums displays of indigenous clothing from across the continent and other art, went to an overlook of the city, and went to the thermal springs.
What was a damper on the trip was that I became really sick in Cuenca. It started out with a cold, then that was gone and replaced with a headache that felt like someone was carving a statue out of brain, and a stomachache that wouldn't let me go very far. It hurt to lay down. My body's muscles were so tired of laying down that laying down was just uncomfortable. Eventually, after three days, it got so bad that I was in tears and the lady who owned the hostal took me to the hospital. It was not serious, it was just to get medicine. The ended up taking me to a military hospital and I was examined by doctors in uniform with white lab coats on--I felt like I was in a government experiment. I got some medicine and felt better within hours. And two days later I feel much better--I will never take a healthy day for granted again.
And then was New Year's in Quito! Here they make Nuevo Anos--effigies that represent politicians, deceased family, and other scenes from the old year. Then, they BURN them at midnight. And a lot of these displays are pretty big. You create them and burn them with your family and community. Also, on the streets, all the men dress up as women and stop every car that passes by them as they dance for a few cents and flirt with the drivers. This makes the traffic on new years very slow.
I was still sick, and I did not want to go out and drink, but went with my program director and two others to South Quito to a house that was a friend of my director's. There we hung out till midnight as they burned the effigy, then danced for hours afterwards. It was very calm, but I enjoy the tradition here more. New Year's Eve is a reflective time with your family and community and not all about drinking as it is in the States for people my age.
I'm in Quito for a few more days then off to the Amazon!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Independence
And all of a sudden, I'm done with school and with BCA. It's all over, and now I have 5 weeks to myself before I head back to the states.
Finals were not too bad, just a few papers and two finals. My Quichewa final went well, however my Latin American poltics class final was the worst ever. It's a long story, but basically, I was a half hour late to an hour long final, and the format was different--and in another languge, that just kills your grade. So a struggle, but I got through it.
I also had to do a final presentation/reflective project for BCA, and I'll upload it here soon.
I have also packed up, and moved out of my host familys house for the most part (my stuff in sitting in a suitcase in the closet). It was sad to do, and I learned a lot living with them, both about the culture and myself. I was not always outgoing around them (usually because I was always just too tired), and therefore, my ecua mother takes to calling me timid and quiet (ha). I also realized that a broken glass, or a late night does not make a difference at all. My host mother was so nice to me the entire time and always supported me. I will miss her, the house, and my neighborhood--Jipijapa (pronounced hippy-haupa).
But now, I am at the beach in Montenita! Whooo! It took 14 hours, and 3 buses, but I made it. The town is colorful and full of life--very welcoming to foreigners. I spent the day hanging out on the beach and walking around.
The next few weeks, more travelling. I'll keep you posted.
Finals were not too bad, just a few papers and two finals. My Quichewa final went well, however my Latin American poltics class final was the worst ever. It's a long story, but basically, I was a half hour late to an hour long final, and the format was different--and in another languge, that just kills your grade. So a struggle, but I got through it.
I also had to do a final presentation/reflective project for BCA, and I'll upload it here soon.
I have also packed up, and moved out of my host familys house for the most part (my stuff in sitting in a suitcase in the closet). It was sad to do, and I learned a lot living with them, both about the culture and myself. I was not always outgoing around them (usually because I was always just too tired), and therefore, my ecua mother takes to calling me timid and quiet (ha). I also realized that a broken glass, or a late night does not make a difference at all. My host mother was so nice to me the entire time and always supported me. I will miss her, the house, and my neighborhood--Jipijapa (pronounced hippy-haupa).
But now, I am at the beach in Montenita! Whooo! It took 14 hours, and 3 buses, but I made it. The town is colorful and full of life--very welcoming to foreigners. I spent the day hanging out on the beach and walking around.
The next few weeks, more travelling. I'll keep you posted.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Basilica del Voto Nacional
A couple of weekends ago, I visited the main basilica here in Quito. It is huge, has beautiful gothic architecture and can be an adventure if you choose to climb to the top.
Here is a view of South Quito and the Panecillo--Virgen of Quito over looking the city. This is from almost the top of one of the clock towers.
The other tower we are going to climb after.
This is literally how you climb a both towers. Crazy ladders and steep, ricketly climbs that would never be allowed in the United States or be considered safe.
A wooden/concrete platform built over the congregation that leads you to the other, smaller tower.
Me in front of the belltowers--the right clock is broken.
Seriosuly--I wish I could explain how the you climb the side of the tower (that was built on--not part of the original tower) to climb up. It is somewhat scary. But provided beautiful sights of Quito.
Here is a view of South Quito and the Panecillo--Virgen of Quito over looking the city. This is from almost the top of one of the clock towers.
The other tower we are going to climb after.
This is literally how you climb a both towers. Crazy ladders and steep, ricketly climbs that would never be allowed in the United States or be considered safe.
A wooden/concrete platform built over the congregation that leads you to the other, smaller tower.
Me in front of the belltowers--the right clock is broken.
Seriosuly--I wish I could explain how the you climb the side of the tower (that was built on--not part of the original tower) to climb up. It is somewhat scary. But provided beautiful sights of Quito.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
getting the accent just right
I have been here in Ecuador for almost five months now and WOW has my Spanish has improved. I cannot believe how much more and more it keeps getting better. Instead of translating Spanish to English when I read or hear it, I simply try to think in Spanish. It is weird to realize that when I think about speaking--I think in Spanish, but when I am just thinking in general, it is usually still in English.
Now that I understand the language quite well, I am working on my accent. The problem is if you do not have an accent from Quito, then you are going to get ripped off or it makes you a dead give away if you are trying not to stand out. When I am with my friends from the states, I cannot help but get ripped off as they some of them are blonde and white. I, only being half-white, can fit in if I try. And that's where the accent comes in.
Now, it has gotten to the point where I get into a cab and the driver asks how much I usually pay! He doesn't offer a price, thinking I am a local and he cannot charge me more. This is not because my accent is perfect, but I know exactly how to ask to get to locations. And I practice saying them beforehand as I cleverly try to minimally say the words that I know I can say correctly. The other day though, a taxi driver called me out on it and asked where I was from as he complemented my Spanish, even though I was stumbling now and then in the conversation. It gives you a bit of new confidence and makes me feel as though all of my patience and hard work is starting to really pay off.
Now that I understand the language quite well, I am working on my accent. The problem is if you do not have an accent from Quito, then you are going to get ripped off or it makes you a dead give away if you are trying not to stand out. When I am with my friends from the states, I cannot help but get ripped off as they some of them are blonde and white. I, only being half-white, can fit in if I try. And that's where the accent comes in.
Now, it has gotten to the point where I get into a cab and the driver asks how much I usually pay! He doesn't offer a price, thinking I am a local and he cannot charge me more. This is not because my accent is perfect, but I know exactly how to ask to get to locations. And I practice saying them beforehand as I cleverly try to minimally say the words that I know I can say correctly. The other day though, a taxi driver called me out on it and asked where I was from as he complemented my Spanish, even though I was stumbling now and then in the conversation. It gives you a bit of new confidence and makes me feel as though all of my patience and hard work is starting to really pay off.
Monday, December 13, 2010
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