Up In the Clouds

I was welcomed into Ecuador with a round of applause for the pilots (usually daddy kisses each of us and says "welcome to ______"). The new airport is situated closer to the mountains that surround the city, making for difficult landing conditions, and supposedly a few bad landings since its recent opening. Quito is famous for being the highest capital city in the world, sitting 9,350 feet above sea level, and sits in a basin created by beautiful mountains and volcanos. I have definitely felt a difference in altitude since getting off the plane, feeling dizzy at times and getting out of breath after going up a flight or two of stairs (I was in shape when I left) :/ Ecuador is known for its various ecosystems. During my orientations, the natives have said many times how you can dive on the coast in the morning, eat lunch in the mountains, and have dinner in the amazon! So far, I've accomplished breakfast, lunch and dinner in the mountains; I have a ways to go.

After getting through the longest immigration line I have ever waited in, I was introduced to my host madre, Karen, and my 20 year old host sister, Ani. They were very welcoming, especially with it being 11:45pm, and very happy that I speak Spanish; their last host student did not speak any! I also have a younger host sister, Giuliana (Guili), who is 9 years old, and a younger host brother, Nicolas (Nicky), who is 5 years old. At first the kids were really shy and polite (greeting me with handshakes and kisses) but now they have warmed up to the point where they hold my hand in the mall and snuggle when we watch movies :)

 

I had a fun-filled, exhausting weekend. I met most of Karen's family (well two of her four sibling's families) and spent almost the entire weekend with all 20 of them. To say the least, it was A LOT of  Spanish. I was grateful to be able to have a conversation in English today with other American students.

 

As if Quito wasn't high enough, we ascended 10,000 feet more on Saturday to visit Cotopaxi ("coat-o-pax-e") National Park. Cotopaxi is the world's second highest active volcano and to say that I felt the altitude change is an understatement! Cotopaxi sits at 19,347 feet above sea level. We were literally up in the clouds!

 

We drove through the park on a very bumpy dirt road that twisted, turned and curved for multiple miles until reaching the parking lot where we got out and "hiked" (more like a slow climb) up the volcano. Most of us only made it half way to the building up top; even the people who live in Quito had to stop every 100 feet or so of climbing to catch their breath. It was so cold that it was snowing! I was bundled in a heavy fleece, jeans, gloves, hat and scarf and it still took me a good hour to regain feeling in my toes when we returned to the car. Cotopaxi was beautiful and when you look at the mountain it looks as though lava is coming out from under the snow since the rock is red!

 

We drove down to the laguna in the park where we lasted for about 15 minutes out of the car since it was so cold and windy. When we returned to the cars, we ate rotisserie-like chicken, rice and papas on china plates; I found it very funny to be eating on china plates and so well out in the middle of nowhere. 



 

"climbing" Cotopaxi

 

Cotopaxi - notice the red rock and snow!

la laguna y las montanas

 

 

After Cotopaxi, we went to their Abuelita's (little grandma's) house for dinner. She threw food at us  once we walked in the door (spahetti with a marinara-type sauce with chicken) and was so happy that I spoke Spanish. Unfortunately, I found her the most difficult to understand since she speaks faster. I did know that she kept offering me hot chocolate after I finished my dinner, but I kept politely declining it since I'm not the biggest fan. Hot chocolate seems to be a common after-dinner drink.

 

On Sunday we drove back to Abuelita's where we picked up some cousins and 9 of us piled into a 4 door sedan. Totally illegal in the US, but I'm realizing there are very few rules here for driving. One IES student was picked up by her host family with the 9 month old baby buckled in the front seat - no car seat, just buckled; we were all stunned! Anyways, we piled into Karen's car and drove about 10 minutes to a small amusement park, Valqano Park, where everyone went on rides and played games. It was kind of on the level of the Fair Haven Fireman's Fair, but is there year round. After Volqano Park we returned to Abuelita's and then drove Karen's brother's family to the airport. They live in California (the wife and kids were born there), used to live in Quito, and now come back for the summers. It was nice to meet them over the weekend, especially because they spoke English. On the way back from the airport we stopped at the mall; it is gorgeous and huge! A lot of American stores, but more expensive than home.

 

On Friday and today (Monday) I've had orientation. Both days have been super long and boring, but the other kids in the program are all really nice and we have been finding a lot in common. It's really neat hearing about everyone's weekends and host families. Everyone's families are so different! One girl has an older couple in their 70s, another a couple in their 20s with a 9 month old baby, and another with a bunch of 20 year old siblings that speak fluent English! Some students in the program have never taken a Spanish class and are struggling with their families; I am so glad I can understand most of what's going on!

 

That's all for now! It's been a long 4 days and I am exhausted. I'm hoping I can rest up before our first trip this weekend! Chao :)