For the past two weeks, since the beach, I've mostly been spending my time at the Universidad dealing with my studies and the like. I definitely have felt the "W curve" ... where around the third week you get home sick and I called my parents on Monday because of that. It was a rough day though because I started off by slipping and falling in the shower, landing pretty hard on my right wrist and smacking my right shoulder blade against the wall...Then on top of that, my art class isn't going so well and I was (still am) worried about it... I had the midterm this morning but who knows how that went.
This past weekend, I chose to stay in Quito and run around the city -- it's basically a city that never ends... Friday I went to central Quito (to the Old Town) and saw el Convento de San Diego with my art history class. Afterwards my friends and I walked around and went into the San Francisco church as well. Like I probably said before, these convents and churches are GORGEOUS! They're all built sometime between the 15th and 18th centuries, and they are just remarkable -- all of the barroque decorations and the paintings are just magnificent.
After spending the day downtown, I came back and took a nap and went out with two of my new Ecuadorian friends to La Mariscal -- we ate dinner at a restaurant called the ChaCha and had pizza and Pilseners (Ecuadorian beer)... and then went to a discoteque to dance the night away.
Most of the others decided to head back to Otavalo Saturday morning around 6am, and I missed my alarm, so I wasn't able to go... so I ended up going to El Mercado Mayorista in South Quito (an area which my university here tells me not to go because it's "so dangerous," but it's really not that bad). I went with my host mom and her brother and we walked around and bargained for better prices on fruits and vegetables. I also got to see a lot of dead pigs heads and cows hoofs... which made me think about becoming a vegetarian haha.
There, I got to meet my host mom's maid, Jessica and her family and we drove them back to their house in the South. And then I went to Panecillo, which is one of the mountains in Quito that has the statue of the Virgen de Panecillo. The Virgen sits on top of a serpiente, which signifies something like crushing of the demons. It's said that the Virgen looks over all of Quito and protects the Quitenos from evil.
After Panecillo, we ended up back at the house and had lunch and then my host mom's brother, Julio, took me to TeleferiQo where I went up to the top of Mt. Pinchincha and got to see an amazing view of the ENTIRE city of Quito. We go up on the TeleferiQo, in little cable cars that are suspended from heavy wires.... so yea... let's just say I got over my fear of heights quickly.
Anyways, I don't know what else to say... I've just been running around Quito, going to school and spending time with friends ... oh yea and making some Ecuadorian friends as well.
I hope all is well back in the States! Tomorrow I leave for Riobamba in the Sierra... also known as Friobamba, because it's so cold... We're going to check out the other campus of USFQ and possibly take a train around the Nariz del Diablo... which is a volcano, I believe.
I am currently updating my flickr with pictures, so check it out when you can... the link is in previous posts!
Ciao mis amores!
Thursday 21 June 2007
Tuesday 12 June 2007
La Playa Esmereldas...
So we went on our first paseo this past weekend. We left Thursday around 3pm (after I did Sarina, Aaron and I did our subjunctive dialogue in SPN class). That, I thought, went over well for the most part.
On the bus, thankfully, I got my own space, so I didn't have to cramp up with anyone... especially on the long ride... which probably took us about 8 hours if not more, because we kept having to stop either because people needed a restroom or the bus' windshield wipers weren't working properly. We arrived probably around 10:30 - 11pm at La Casablanca (the hotel we were staying at) and we ate dinner right away which was fish ceviche (cold soup) and spaghetti with jamon (ham).. yep... I didn't eat much but it wasn't bad nonetheless.
We picked out our rooms and I bunked up with Nidhi and Shannon (from VT). It wasn't bad... we were in the largest room in comparison to the rest of the group. We had 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, a dining room area and a kitchen. Now... you must realize that at night time, well more like midnight, this place is a little scary. There was random shit on all of the sheets... some of which smelled... then we noticed the cieling fans were all dirty with something and then around the bedrooms, splattered red-something was all over... so Nidhi thought that maybe someone got their head chopped off from the cieling fan and the red stuff on the walls was the blood. Who knows?!!?! On top of this, I cut my fingers on one of the floor fans AND both of our doors into our cabana didn't exactly lock... so anyone could just walk right in whenever they wanted to.
All I know, is that Nidhi, Shannon and I shared the big bed together that night and I kept a knife at the head of my bed.
Friday morning we were up early eating breakfast and then off on the boats to go humpback whale watching. The sun poked out a few times but it really wasn't that sunny out unfortunately, but at least it wasn't raining and the waves were good. Only a few people got seasick.
I did get to see some whales AND hear them -- that is definitely an experience I won't ever forget.
Afterwards they dropped us off at a different beach and we swam around and played soccer on the shore. I got stung by a jelly fish, but it was no big deal. We ate lunch at the little restaurant on this beach and since I am not a fan of seafood, I was able to eat pollo en la plancha (grilled chicken).
Afterwards we headed back to our hotel, but stopped at a store to buy snacks and biellas (booze)... I bought a Japa for $10 -- that means 12, 40 oz. Pilseners... amazing!
When we got back everyone showered and got all cute to go eat pizza at this restaurant off the beach (but not at the hotel). And then afterwards we headed back to the hotel and drank and talked the night away.
Saturday we spent the day at the beach near our hotel and played voleibol... but it was raining (from what I understand the UNCW students who went whalewatching on Saturday all got sick from the boatride and didn't even get to see any whales... que lastima!).
After lunch we ended up going to la playa escondido and did some exploring --- found some crabs and some pretty seashells too.... and we ate dinner at a restaurant there... I had more chicken and it was DELISH!!!!!!
Afterwards we went back to the hotel and I had some strawberry daquiris which were amazing and we made one of the bartenders clear off the chairs from the patio by the shore so we could dance.
Others decided to go swimming and eventually skinny dip and run around naked for the rest of the night. Que chevere.. ha
And that was that.... We left early Sunday morning back to Quito and stopped at a lodge that was located somewhat in a forest of some sort. I got to see a Toucan and some hummingbirds really close ... I am getting more and more excited to go to Tiputini in 4 weeks!!! I've always wanted to go to a rain forest.
Anyways, I'm just sitting here waiting for my next class to start at 1pm... I'm still working on making some more Ecuatorian friends... I've made a few so far, but it's hard to make them at the school, since only 1 of my classes has Ecuadorians and there's only like 8 of them... and most keep to themselves.
I think I might go to a liga soccer game tomorrow... we shall see.
Friday I am going to el Convento de San Diego with my art class and I think I'm just going to travel around Quito for the weekend and see what I haven't seen thus far -- like el mitad de mundo, teleferiqo and el museo de Gauyasamim.
I uploaded pictures from this weekend, so enjoy --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/8664843@N07/
On the bus, thankfully, I got my own space, so I didn't have to cramp up with anyone... especially on the long ride... which probably took us about 8 hours if not more, because we kept having to stop either because people needed a restroom or the bus' windshield wipers weren't working properly. We arrived probably around 10:30 - 11pm at La Casablanca (the hotel we were staying at) and we ate dinner right away which was fish ceviche (cold soup) and spaghetti with jamon (ham).. yep... I didn't eat much but it wasn't bad nonetheless.
We picked out our rooms and I bunked up with Nidhi and Shannon (from VT). It wasn't bad... we were in the largest room in comparison to the rest of the group. We had 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, a dining room area and a kitchen. Now... you must realize that at night time, well more like midnight, this place is a little scary. There was random shit on all of the sheets... some of which smelled... then we noticed the cieling fans were all dirty with something and then around the bedrooms, splattered red-something was all over... so Nidhi thought that maybe someone got their head chopped off from the cieling fan and the red stuff on the walls was the blood. Who knows?!!?! On top of this, I cut my fingers on one of the floor fans AND both of our doors into our cabana didn't exactly lock... so anyone could just walk right in whenever they wanted to.
All I know, is that Nidhi, Shannon and I shared the big bed together that night and I kept a knife at the head of my bed.
Friday morning we were up early eating breakfast and then off on the boats to go humpback whale watching. The sun poked out a few times but it really wasn't that sunny out unfortunately, but at least it wasn't raining and the waves were good. Only a few people got seasick.
I did get to see some whales AND hear them -- that is definitely an experience I won't ever forget.
Afterwards they dropped us off at a different beach and we swam around and played soccer on the shore. I got stung by a jelly fish, but it was no big deal. We ate lunch at the little restaurant on this beach and since I am not a fan of seafood, I was able to eat pollo en la plancha (grilled chicken).
Afterwards we headed back to our hotel, but stopped at a store to buy snacks and biellas (booze)... I bought a Japa for $10 -- that means 12, 40 oz. Pilseners... amazing!
When we got back everyone showered and got all cute to go eat pizza at this restaurant off the beach (but not at the hotel). And then afterwards we headed back to the hotel and drank and talked the night away.
Saturday we spent the day at the beach near our hotel and played voleibol... but it was raining (from what I understand the UNCW students who went whalewatching on Saturday all got sick from the boatride and didn't even get to see any whales... que lastima!).
After lunch we ended up going to la playa escondido and did some exploring --- found some crabs and some pretty seashells too.... and we ate dinner at a restaurant there... I had more chicken and it was DELISH!!!!!!
Afterwards we went back to the hotel and I had some strawberry daquiris which were amazing and we made one of the bartenders clear off the chairs from the patio by the shore so we could dance.
Others decided to go swimming and eventually skinny dip and run around naked for the rest of the night. Que chevere.. ha
And that was that.... We left early Sunday morning back to Quito and stopped at a lodge that was located somewhat in a forest of some sort. I got to see a Toucan and some hummingbirds really close ... I am getting more and more excited to go to Tiputini in 4 weeks!!! I've always wanted to go to a rain forest.
Anyways, I'm just sitting here waiting for my next class to start at 1pm... I'm still working on making some more Ecuatorian friends... I've made a few so far, but it's hard to make them at the school, since only 1 of my classes has Ecuadorians and there's only like 8 of them... and most keep to themselves.
I think I might go to a liga soccer game tomorrow... we shall see.
Friday I am going to el Convento de San Diego with my art class and I think I'm just going to travel around Quito for the weekend and see what I haven't seen thus far -- like el mitad de mundo, teleferiqo and el museo de Gauyasamim.
I uploaded pictures from this weekend, so enjoy --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/8664843@N07/
Monday 4 June 2007
Moving on to the second week....
So there's a lot to talk about I guess... I am now only taking two classes -- the Art History of Arquitectural Quito and then an Advanced Spanish class (woo haha -- go SUBJUNCTIVE forms)!
Classes seem to be going well, the homework is hard because everything is in Spanish and it takes me longer to read it... but, hopefully I will get better as we go along here.
Thursday night about 10 of us went to La Mariscal and went to a club called El Bungalow (or La Bung) and danced -- they played a lot of 80s and 90s American music intermingled with Salsa and some Techno. It was really fun and I tried a Mojito, but I didn't like it much.
Friday and Saturday I spent in Otavalo with about 12 other of the MSU students and some randoms from Virginia Tech and a school in Montreal. It was really fun -- we arrived around 6pm, so it was already dark and we started roaming the streets to find a hostal. We found one that was written up in all of the travel guides called Hostal de Almanacer and that's where we stayed for $8 and it included breakfast the next morning. Once we were checked in, we wandered around Otavalo, had some Hummus and Falafel and some Pilsners (la cerveza de Ecuador) and basically stayed up until 2:30 a.m.
We all woke up at 7:30 a.m. and had breakfast which was good -- an omellete con verduras (vegetables).
Afterwards we headed to the indigenous market and I bargained with the vendors... I ended up getting 2 purses, 3 indigenous instruments, a bunch of bracelets, a paintining and a keychain for about $20.
We had to check out at noon... and then everyone was like "let's just go home." So we did... I ended up at La Mariscal Saturday night again with Nidhi and we met up with two other MSU kids, but Nidhi wasn't feelin' so hot and I was tired so went home by midnight.
Sunday I spent doing homework and then went to El Jardin mall with my host mom, Elena and her brother Juli, ate some Chinese food and then we went to Itchimbia, which is this area where you can see an amazing view of the three sections of the city.
I've posted pictures on flickr ---> http://www.flickr.com/photos/8664843@N07/
I am trying to find a good place to post pictures, but I don't know how much I like flickr or photobucket so far. Anyone have any suggestions!?!
Ciao 4 now, because I need to head to class soon. I miss all of you, A LOT!
Oh and I saw Trainspotting last night, very interesting. DVDs here are like $1.50 ... so I'm going to hit up the store soon and buy some --- They already have Shrek 3 out ha.
Ciao.
Classes seem to be going well, the homework is hard because everything is in Spanish and it takes me longer to read it... but, hopefully I will get better as we go along here.
Thursday night about 10 of us went to La Mariscal and went to a club called El Bungalow (or La Bung) and danced -- they played a lot of 80s and 90s American music intermingled with Salsa and some Techno. It was really fun and I tried a Mojito, but I didn't like it much.
Friday and Saturday I spent in Otavalo with about 12 other of the MSU students and some randoms from Virginia Tech and a school in Montreal. It was really fun -- we arrived around 6pm, so it was already dark and we started roaming the streets to find a hostal. We found one that was written up in all of the travel guides called Hostal de Almanacer and that's where we stayed for $8 and it included breakfast the next morning. Once we were checked in, we wandered around Otavalo, had some Hummus and Falafel and some Pilsners (la cerveza de Ecuador) and basically stayed up until 2:30 a.m.
We all woke up at 7:30 a.m. and had breakfast which was good -- an omellete con verduras (vegetables).
Afterwards we headed to the indigenous market and I bargained with the vendors... I ended up getting 2 purses, 3 indigenous instruments, a bunch of bracelets, a paintining and a keychain for about $20.
We had to check out at noon... and then everyone was like "let's just go home." So we did... I ended up at La Mariscal Saturday night again with Nidhi and we met up with two other MSU kids, but Nidhi wasn't feelin' so hot and I was tired so went home by midnight.
Sunday I spent doing homework and then went to El Jardin mall with my host mom, Elena and her brother Juli, ate some Chinese food and then we went to Itchimbia, which is this area where you can see an amazing view of the three sections of the city.
I've posted pictures on flickr ---> http://www.flickr.com/photos/8664843@N07/
I am trying to find a good place to post pictures, but I don't know how much I like flickr or photobucket so far. Anyone have any suggestions!?!
Ciao 4 now, because I need to head to class soon. I miss all of you, A LOT!
Oh and I saw Trainspotting last night, very interesting. DVDs here are like $1.50 ... so I'm going to hit up the store soon and buy some --- They already have Shrek 3 out ha.
Ciao.
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