Day One Ecuador and I’m really tired

For those who don’t know Quito is at 2850m or 9350 feet. It is quite high compared to where I normally live. I am surprisingly tired throughout the day.

At Ocho y media (8:30) I met the host family and students for breakfast – it consisted of a local biscuit from the mountains with Dulce de leche spread, rolls of queso, some eggs and some bread with jam/marmalade. The Dulce de Leche was a treat for me.

There are somethings in the apartment I don’t understand:

As mentioned – this is Spanish immersion, 95% of the conversation is in Spanish. I don’t really speak spanish. I have spanish ‘words’ and spanish ‘phrases’ however my comprehension is pretty good. When I speak – its obvious I am butchering someone else’s lovely language – Claro? (that’s ok). I am often chivied along with “Vamos” or lets go. 

The Veterinary student and house mother took me out sight seeing today. So once again we crowd into the elevator. The elevator which is pretty much Alan sized but no, we all get in together. The apt building had a security guard we met ( who later carried a bag for the hostess). We took the lovely -unlicensed transit trolley into old town where I hit my head for the first time today standing up from my seat. 

I should point out I am a giant in the land of the small people. I don’t really fit in the shower, or on the toilet. So far I haven’t met anyone who even comes to my shoulder. I have to watch my head everywhere.

We went to the old town of Quito which has a lot of churches. It was sunny enough I had to wear Sunscreen. Seeing a Latino man dressed up as Batman for tourist photos was fun. 

The host family and I have had a lot of conversations so far about the Venezuelan migration population. I’ve been warned about been out after dark, the petty crime and prostitution and homelessness in the City. There are beggars and amputees and little street hawkers everywhere.

Is was interesting that they’ve cleared a lot of it from the tourist old town. I did see a hostel that I’d have to stay in if Bethany was here. 

While we were waiting for the taxi to take us up the hill to the giant statue. 2 tourist police warned us in spanish of the dangers to our camera and ropas (clothes). They were lovely however I had to say where I was from and write my name in their notepad. The city is very colorful

Up the hill in our taxi we went – it was quite interesting to hear the – well I’m only paying 3 dollars, 4 dollars is right out before we caught the taxi using an app.

So we got to the top and took pictures

Visited the el bano’s (Bathrooms) which were 20cents each. Handed 5 pieces of toilet paper.

The student who was my translator for the host mother when we were desperate had a hotdog (Una hotdog solo) at one of the little cabin restaurantes. I took a picture of her with due to all the fillings it had.

We then caught the tourist bus that I paid for as it was $15 per person which is a lot for the Ecuadorian people. The tourist bus didn’t accommodate Ginger bears so to speak – so that resulted in me bending over half way and the hitting my heard once getting from outside to my seat. The bus that took us down the mountain and on a number of stops learning about Quito. They commented on one stop that we were in ‘the wealthy neighborhood’ where apartments could be as high as $500,000. It ended at QuiCentro, this big western mall in central Quito.

We went to the food court, the plastic chair broke underneath me with a large crack… people came and took it away. I ordered Aqua de pollo (Chicken soup) and a platter of chicken, rice, beans and a little salad with a glass of blackberry juice. It was very delicious for $6.89

Exiting the mall we stopped in at the food store first to grab some food for tonight and then home we went for a 3pm return via taxi. At that point the heavens opened in a thunder and lightning storm. It is impressive to say the least. On the bus they did say that Quito had 4 seasons in a day and they appear to be very honest. Now resting in the apartment pre dinner.

Update:

Dinner was chicken, rice, potatoes, salad with tomato, strawberries and apples which I updated. I found out that all except blackberries are from ecuador. There was a cheese sauce for the potatoes.

I saw fresh coconuts been opened at the side of the road today.

Another student joined us today – every meal a new one has appeared – this one a medicine student. We are up to 9 now but the table still has room and I know of one more. It’s interesting.

I have learnt today that I can sunburn my head, I can communicate in gestures, that this the land of tiny people. I have also learned what it is like to be surrounded by others speaking a language you don’t know. I am the quiet one in the room which is a change. There is an isolation there of been outside the group. Makes me appreciate more what other immigrants have gone through.

Tomorrow is my first day of volunteering and class.