Family and School

Monday July 26th
Two big things have happened for me-I moved in with my Ecuadorian mommy and I had my first day of school!
I honestly thought I was going to be more nervous than I actually was when I met my host mom, Maritza, but Ecuadorians are so sweet, and Maritza is even sweeter, so my constant “si’s” and “gracias’s” are not nearly as awkward as they could be. I live in a humble apartment, but it’s comfortable. I have plenty of space in my room with my twin sized bed, bedside table, desk, closet (that looks super empty because though my suitcase looked fairly full when I packed it, I really don’t have much) and shelf of pictures, books, and readers that Maritza’s past students have left. There is a huge black and white picture of a cute little Ecuadorian boy (I assume he is Ecuadorian) holding a corded telephone on a grassy hill hanging above my bed. It’s kind of random, but it makes me chuckle. I don’t have much of a view. In fact, my view consists of a wall about 6 feet away. I also have a bathroom all to myself, which I’m super excited about since I don’t even have that at home, and I’m even more stoked that I get to enjoy nice hot showers. The biggest downside for me is that I don’t have internet, but perhaps that will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Though it is just Maritza and me in the apartment, we aren’t alone at all. Her sister lives right above us and has a son and a daughter. Mi tia comes over every night for tea, and I met mi primo yesterday when he brought my phone (yay!) and mi prima when she came in speaking insanely fast Spanish that I couldn’t understand and showed us pictures, videos, and music on her laptop. She seems like a lot of fun.
Oh, I forgot to mention that my mom made amazing dinner the first night. And I live in Jipijapa, which is just about the funnest name to say in the history of neighborhoods. Even better, I now know my way to the Ecovia bus station after my mom walked me there this morning and back again this evening. Hello public transportation! Where have you been all my life? You’re kind of disgusting, but oh so convenient. It’s pretty crazy to think that I rode my first train 2 weeks before coming here, went through an airport by myself for the first time to come here, then rode in a taxi and a public bus for the first time. Weee! (Not that that is much to be proud of, but hey, I’m from Julian.)
When I came home today, I met even more family! Why are Latino children so irresistibly cute? I have two little sobrinos, and they adore futbol, especially the older one! (Not that I’m surprised, but hell yeah!) My mom and I played futbol with them in the hallway for a really long time until their parents, my mom’s hija and her esposo, came over and took us to their beautiful new apartment, where mi sobrino y yo continued playing futbol on Wii…which was kind of hard because I’ve never played Wii before, so learning how to use it with instruction from a competitive Spanish speaking little boy(I’m not sure how old he is. 4? 5?) that wants to beat me anyways, was a little bit of a comical experience, but I finally figured it out and got pretty into it…like really into it
I really like Quito, minus the horrific air pollution that I can practically feel coating my lungs. I like it much more than Guatemala City(though I love the people there too), and saying so also flatters the Ecuadorians. I can’t wait to know my way around. There is so much here. It would also be great if my Spanish was half decent, but that’s my fault for not adequately studying before I came here. Integrating, though, provides so much more of an incentive to learn. I want to be able to converse with my mom!
That’s about all I have for now. We get to dance salsa tomorrow. I’m excited-I’ve missed it so much! Though it’s not going to feel right without my other Awkward Salsa Half, Mr. Eddie Dougrou. (I hope you read this and go “awww”)
Wow! I’ve been here 5 days!


my room