So after months of build up, countless shopping trips around Peterborough, spending half my summers paycheck in one day, and a number of difficult goodbyes, I am here. Ecuador. And it is completely surreal.
I have decided to try and keep a blog...my first ever, and I can't say that I am going to be on top of it over the course of the year, but I will try my best.
For those of you who don't know exactly what I am doing in Ecuador, I will give you a brief explanation. As a part of my international development major at Trent University, there is an option of taking a year abroad in either Ghana or Ecuador. As I am keen on learning Spanish, here I am. There are thirteen of us in total; two boys and eleven girls. Some are from Trent and many from other universities and provinces in Canada.
We arrived in Quito at around 7:30pm on Friday. By then the sun had set, so our first impression of the city was one that included seeing thousands of lights; blue, red, orange, and white, dotting the landscape. We couldn't see the Andes just yet because it was so dark, but you could tell they were there, as the lights rose and fell with the slope of the mountain side.
Quito is a city of over one million people, and is located in a valley. So when I woke up the next morning, and was told to look outside, my eyes were drawn upwards to my first sight of the Andes. So green, and shrouded in clouds. It's cool here, but when the sun is out, it feels like a typical Canadian summer's day. Except that since you are so much closer to the sun, your chances of getting burnt increase ten-fold. It rains almost everyday in the afternoon for a brief period of time, though I haven't been caught in it yet. This is my type of climate, and I am perfectly content with the brisk air that greets me every day.
Quito is a city of over one million people, and is located in a valley. So when I woke up the next morning, and was told to look outside, my eyes were drawn upwards to my first sight of the Andes. So green, and shrouded in clouds. It's cool here, but when the sun is out, it feels like a typical Canadian summer's day. Except that since you are so much closer to the sun, your chances of getting burnt increase ten-fold. It rains almost everyday in the afternoon for a brief period of time, though I haven't been caught in it yet. This is my type of climate, and I am perfectly content with the brisk air that greets me every day.
We are currently staying in one of the University residences at La Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, which is where we will be having classes over the next three or so months. The architecture so far, is much of an improvement from that of Trent's concrete walls, though there is no river running through it. I think the view of the Andes makes up for that though.
Over the past couple days, as we have to give our bodies time to aclimatize, we have had a lot of spare time to hang out with each other and to do a bit of exploring. Many of us have become well-aquainted with the 'Supermaxi', a supermercado or supermarket, much like any mainstream grocery store you'd find in Canada...except with more exotic fruit and cheap alcohol.
It's really strange being here...so much build up, and suddenly you arrive. And you smell that city smell that is unfamiliar to the nose of a person who lives in the country and who has spent all summer, outdoors, surrounded by countless trees and water and trails and wildlife. I, along with the rest of the group, am a minority. The last time this was the case was when I was in Jamaica over 2 years ago, but everyday I am reminded as I struggle to communicate in broken spanish to people I encounter. I can ask simple questions, but when it comes to understanding what is being said back to me, I am at a loss and often respond with an apologetic 'lo siento', 'I'm sorry'. I cannot wait to be submerged into the culture, and to wake up one day and have a conversation with someone in Spanish. A milestone I feel will come a few months down the road.
My money belt is my new constant companion, and I have already received countless comments about my hot pink sandals that my mom convinced me into buying. I can't wait to get some thick, hand-made sweaters.
And to venture further into the beautiful diverse and natural landscape that this country has to offer.
It's strange to think that this will be my home for the next eight months. Such a daunting and thrilling idea, and I am certain once the program is done, I will only be able to say how short my time here felt. But I am getting ahead of myself.
We move into our host families on Friday. A huge learning experience for all involved. School starts soon as well, and I laugh at how often I must remind myself that that is what I am here to do.
That is all for now...I will try to post again in a week or so...I can't promise anything, but as long as people are reading, I will keep writing.
Adios amigos, y cuidate!
-Sarah
