Round Here

Things have been pretty normal around here. I was waiting for something terribly exciting to happen so that I could astound and amaze you all, but the fact that I’m adjusting well and getting into a routine here is pretty exciting in itself…kind of.

Last week I had dinner with my former Ecuadorian mother and her family, as well as Ryann and Emily, which was really nice. It was great to see all the grandkids and talk about the last time I was here. My Spanish has come a long way since then, which they were very quick to note, not sure whether this should be a compliment to me now or a dig at me back then. Either way.

This weekend we went out to ‘Gringo-landia’ as the Ecuas call the hip place to go out, La Mariscal. It was a funny night filled with Cubans who claimed they were whatever age we were (braces + stilted dance movements = probably 16), standing on street corners trying our best not to look like we had no idea where we were going, and reggaeton.

Saturday I spent the day with my family. Laura, Mafe and I went to the park where they have paintings and crafts every weekend and looked around at those as we ate ice cream and enjoyed the sun. Later that night I went out to a jazz concert with Mafe and her friends which I loved. I was incredibly tired, too much so to fully appreciate how hilarious her friends are, but all the same I enjoyed myself.

Sunday I slept in and went movie shopping with Mateo (500 Days of Summer as well as Father of the Bride) and then had lunch out with the family. “Lunch out” consisted of a mall food court and a ton of options as to what to eat. I decided on a turkey sandwich, I guess I miss American cuisine more than I thought I would. Sunday night I watched a movie with my parents as well as ‘Quien quiere ser millonario’ with the rest of the family (I was wondering how, exactly, in a country as poor as this, a program could be giving away millions of dollars until I realized that this only happens once in a blue moon because the questions become near impossible around $1200).

So that brings me to today. Nothing new to report, honestly, but my adoring fans were clamoring for more. Not really, but Emily does have double the amount of entries I do. BC goes back into session tomorrow and to quell any oncoming homesickness…

Things Ecuador has over the US:

• 60-70 degree weather daily
• Kisses on the cheek at every greeting/goodbye
• Movies 3 for $5
• An empleada (I know this is terrible but it’s really nice not having to do laundry)
• Expressions like “age of the bull” to describe teenagers, and “agua fiesta” to reference party poopers
• My own room (see video below…sorry Jackie and Christie)

My dad wanted a "slow pan" of my room so, here you go pops.

¡Chao chao!