Puerto Quito:
Well what's been going on for the past 2 or 3 weeks? A LOT! And of course I've not been keeping up with my blog. I've been so busy with training that I can't keep track of the days. I can't believe we are already into the 2nd week of March. So what's been going on? Well last week we had our tech trips. My groups trip was in Puerto Quito. About 3 hours from Quito in the Coast; it wasn't actually anywhere near the coast. It's one of those transitional locations between the Sierras and the Coast. It was absolutely beautiful and fertile. You could throw an old stick out into the yard and in a year you would have a tree. The climate on the other hand was TERRIBLE! It was so hot and humid I had to peel my clothes off at the end of the day. I was dripping sweat from every crevas of my body. Sweating is an understatment...I was leaking for 5 days straight! Well aside from the heat and the leaking I had a really good time. I was a little under the weather for the first day or two, what with my stomach battle against the amoebas. I felt that I really learned a lot and it gave me an opportunity to meet the people in our group on a more personal basis. It's been difficult to try and fit in during training; I've felt alone amongst many of my american companions. But I feel like things are getting better, maybe because I don't care anymore and I'm starting to come more out of my shell.
Anyway back to Puerto Quito. We learned how to make yogurt, milk cows, make cheese, prune cacao trees, harvest and process yucca, learned a little about pigs, chickens, and cuy. Que mas? We learned how to make a worm bed, dig canals on the sides of mountains with a Nivel-A (or A frame) and how to kill and process rabbits (not one of my favorite arts). All in all it was a good trip and after a hard days work we got to go lay in the hammocks and swim in the pool or river behind the farm. Thanks to all you taxpayers for my "vacation"!!
Carnaval:
So carnaval...a really fun and dangerous time for "Gringos." I was assaulted by espuma, huevos, agua, and harina de colores (foam, eggs, water, and colored flour)!!! I had a really great time with my host family and I got to eat cuy! An interesting little animal, but I don't think it's my favorite thing I've eaten here so far. I'm not a big fan of eating things with a face or feet. But I'm glad I tried it. Definantly worth the try.
Very dangerous!
Fritata de Gringa....
What's to come?...Well in 5 days I find out where my site will be for the next two years! Everyone please cross your fingers that I get placed into a good site with welcoming people and another good host family.
What else?...Well I got talked into dancing (I think the Bomba...A coastal type dance) with 5 other trainees in front of all the other trainees, facilitators, trainers, and THE AMBASSADOR of Ecuador!! What have I gotten myself into! I'll let you know how that goes. This is completely not like me. I don't dance to anything with much more than a rigid hip wiggle. This is going to be interesting.
A few adjustments that are quite different from the States:
1. You have to throw toilet paper in the trash, not the toilet. That took awhile to train myself into doing.
2. The water is not hot...more like luke warm...on good days. It's a struggle some mornings to take a shower.
3. The light switches are sideways not up and down
4. The rooster crows at 3am...4am....4:30am...5am.....5:30am...6am.....well you get the picture and it's usually right under my window...how does he know to do that?
5. Anytime you walk into a small store or place of business you must greet the people in the store. Or should, it's polite. I'm so used to not talking at times I forget.
6. I take a public bus to and from the training center...I now have a different outlook on personal space. But everyday is an adventure!
7. I think the people here really like christmas because I see christmas decorations everywhere and it's March...
8. There are dogs EVERYWHERE. That's a tough one for me because I want to take all of them home with me.
9. I eat soup twice a day almost everyday. That's been an adjustment...I'm only used to soup on cold days or when I'm sick.
10. Rice and potatoes have become the staple point of my diet...I have a feeling that's going to get old soon, but the fruits here...my god they are good! And my host mom makes the best juice in the morning! It might be one of the favorite parts of my day. That good old glass of fresh juice.
What's to come?...Well in 5 days I find out where my site will be for the next two years! Everyone please cross your fingers that I get placed into a good site with welcoming people and another good host family.
What else?...Well I got talked into dancing (I think the Bomba...A coastal type dance) with 5 other trainees in front of all the other trainees, facilitators, trainers, and THE AMBASSADOR of Ecuador!! What have I gotten myself into! I'll let you know how that goes. This is completely not like me. I don't dance to anything with much more than a rigid hip wiggle. This is going to be interesting.
A few adjustments that are quite different from the States:
1. You have to throw toilet paper in the trash, not the toilet. That took awhile to train myself into doing.
2. The water is not hot...more like luke warm...on good days. It's a struggle some mornings to take a shower.
3. The light switches are sideways not up and down
4. The rooster crows at 3am...4am....4:30am...5am.....5:30am...6am.....well you get the picture and it's usually right under my window...how does he know to do that?
5. Anytime you walk into a small store or place of business you must greet the people in the store. Or should, it's polite. I'm so used to not talking at times I forget.
6. I take a public bus to and from the training center...I now have a different outlook on personal space. But everyday is an adventure!
7. I think the people here really like christmas because I see christmas decorations everywhere and it's March...
8. There are dogs EVERYWHERE. That's a tough one for me because I want to take all of them home with me.
9. I eat soup twice a day almost everyday. That's been an adjustment...I'm only used to soup on cold days or when I'm sick.
10. Rice and potatoes have become the staple point of my diet...I have a feeling that's going to get old soon, but the fruits here...my god they are good! And my host mom makes the best juice in the morning! It might be one of the favorite parts of my day. That good old glass of fresh juice.
No comments:
Post a Comment