Need I say more?
Since this is my first update since arriving, I think maybe I should. This is a picture of the view from my family’s patio. Absolutely breathtaking. The picture does not do it justice...especially when the clouds are rolling in and weaving their way through the mountains. My family's house sits on the side of the mountain and overlooks Cumbaya, the small city where my university is located. My room faces the same direction, so I have an amazing view to wake up to.
So far, so good. I arrived late Saturday, and after an hour long wait to get through customs, found my bags and my family waiting for me. My family is great—it is just a mom and her daughter, and this little abuelita (grandmother) that seriously pops out of nowhere. She wasn’t here when I arrived, but randomly appeared the next day. I have no idea where she sleeps, but she is here early in the morning and late at night in her cute little nightgown, so she must live here somewhere. It’s not like the house is big or anything, but my room and my host mom and sister’s rooms are all right next to each other on the same floor. The abuelita’s room—no idea. She doesn’t speak any English but is super cute and really sweet, and even made me breakfast this morning.
My host mom, Pilar, is really nice as well and told me I am her daughter now, and she will treat me as such. She works for the government, from what I can gather for the economics minister writing his speeches. Apparently she has the phone number of President Correa himself, so I think she is pretty important. Also judging from the fact that the family has a maid, a driver, a guard, owns a big house by Ecuadorian standards, and lives down the street from the head of the assembly, she is pretty high up in the government.
My host sister, Mariapilar, is really nice as well. She goes to an international school here, so she speaks almost perfect English. Her English is definitely way better than my Spanish, but they are required to speak Spanish with me unless I really don’t understand and it is something important. My mom speaks English as well, so it has been helpful when I don’t understand something.
Yesterday Pilar showed me how to get to the university by bus. It takes about 45 minutes, and I have to take two buses, but they come often and really only go in one direction. Some other students have to take three buses and it takes an hour or more for them to get to the school. Since I will probably only have class two days a week, I don’t mind.
Today we had orientation at the university. Kind of boring, and not really that helpful, but it was still good to get a feel for the campus and meet some other international students. A few of us from Madison also went out to lunch with a couple of the students from the university today. They were really nice and gave us a lot of helpful information about Ecuador.
My family’s driver drove me to the university yesterday, but I took the bus back. I think Pilar wanted me to call her when I needed a ride home, but she didn’t leave me her number when she left for work and I haven’t bought a cell phone yet. When I got home my host sister told me the driver went to pick me up but couldn’t find me…haha oops. One girl I have become friends with was heading back to Quito on the bus so I ended up just doing that and made it home just fine.
Classes start Wednesday. I am signed up for one that is Monday, Wednesday, Friday, but I think I am going to drop it because it is my only class on those days and I really don’t want to have class on Friday. Without that class, I have four—all on Tuesday and Thursday. Not bad at all. :)
So far, so good. I arrived late Saturday, and after an hour long wait to get through customs, found my bags and my family waiting for me. My family is great—it is just a mom and her daughter, and this little abuelita (grandmother) that seriously pops out of nowhere. She wasn’t here when I arrived, but randomly appeared the next day. I have no idea where she sleeps, but she is here early in the morning and late at night in her cute little nightgown, so she must live here somewhere. It’s not like the house is big or anything, but my room and my host mom and sister’s rooms are all right next to each other on the same floor. The abuelita’s room—no idea. She doesn’t speak any English but is super cute and really sweet, and even made me breakfast this morning.
My host mom, Pilar, is really nice as well and told me I am her daughter now, and she will treat me as such. She works for the government, from what I can gather for the economics minister writing his speeches. Apparently she has the phone number of President Correa himself, so I think she is pretty important. Also judging from the fact that the family has a maid, a driver, a guard, owns a big house by Ecuadorian standards, and lives down the street from the head of the assembly, she is pretty high up in the government.
My host sister, Mariapilar, is really nice as well. She goes to an international school here, so she speaks almost perfect English. Her English is definitely way better than my Spanish, but they are required to speak Spanish with me unless I really don’t understand and it is something important. My mom speaks English as well, so it has been helpful when I don’t understand something.
Yesterday Pilar showed me how to get to the university by bus. It takes about 45 minutes, and I have to take two buses, but they come often and really only go in one direction. Some other students have to take three buses and it takes an hour or more for them to get to the school. Since I will probably only have class two days a week, I don’t mind.
Today we had orientation at the university. Kind of boring, and not really that helpful, but it was still good to get a feel for the campus and meet some other international students. A few of us from Madison also went out to lunch with a couple of the students from the university today. They were really nice and gave us a lot of helpful information about Ecuador.
My family’s driver drove me to the university yesterday, but I took the bus back. I think Pilar wanted me to call her when I needed a ride home, but she didn’t leave me her number when she left for work and I haven’t bought a cell phone yet. When I got home my host sister told me the driver went to pick me up but couldn’t find me…haha oops. One girl I have become friends with was heading back to Quito on the bus so I ended up just doing that and made it home just fine.
Classes start Wednesday. I am signed up for one that is Monday, Wednesday, Friday, but I think I am going to drop it because it is my only class on those days and I really don’t want to have class on Friday. Without that class, I have four—all on Tuesday and Thursday. Not bad at all. :)
2 comments:
I can't believe that they are still nice to you after all the things I told them. What a waste of a long distance call....
Glad to hear all is well and that you made it safe. I am very excited to read your blog and learn about the rough life you are living...driver, maid????
Be good - be safe!Cuz Jena
looms, sounds like u r having fun so far! loved the bit about little granny...do some detective work for me and find out more! (remember when i caught you playing harriet the spy in my backyard back in the day?) so i bet u have pretty good internet service at the house...along w/ a maid, driver, etc! I am enjoying reading your blog. miss u!
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