Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Today was fun. Started out with 4 hours of Spanish lessons in the morning. Nothing wakes you up like grammatical exercises! It was actually pretty interesting, we learned vocabulary for labor and infant health. Tomorrow is our first day in the clinics, so we wanted to be prepared! Ate lunch at Bom Pan, a really nice restaurant near the school. Huge, delicious meal for $3. Que bueno! It’s a little different not snacking during the day. But my host mother always makes us a big breakfast and a big supper, good food. Lots of beans, starches and vegetables. There are plenty of places to buy food during the day, stores and vendors are quite literally on every block, but there’s just no time! I’ve been going to different farmacias (pharmacies) and panarias (bakeries) for drinks throughout the day. I feel really wasteful buying bottled drinks all the time, but there’s really no other option. Me no likey amoebas.
In the afternoon we took a taxi van to a few of the tourist cites in the city. A museum that had something to do with independence or patriotism or something (we didn’t actually go in, it was just a place with a great view of the city and, randomly, cows grazing away) and Panecilla, which is a hill in the city with a giant statue of “la virgin de Panacilla”, the patron virgin of Quito. She is supposed to guard the city from the apocalypse. This is according to two Franciscan monks (complete with robes and the hair and everything) a few of us visited with. They were from Brazil, walking their way across the country (no shoes) to live with and help the poor. It was pretty cool to visit with them, nice guys. We might try to find their monastery later this week and visit, their story is just so interesting.
The drive took us through a new part of town. There were lots of dogs. People were pretty curious and not afraid to stare, but in a friendly way. They would smile and wave if we waved at them from the van. Also, random thought, there are signs for Pilsner beer everywhere.
Tonight we had a lecture from Dr. Alvear, the medical director of the program. She explained the health system of Ecuador and gave some basic demographic information. And I was so prepared, thanks Dr. Willis for making me write my intro before I came! I could contribute to the conversation and ask questions about information that contradicted my research. Dra. Alvear also looked over my questionnaires and changed some things to make them culturally understandable. So I am ready to interview! I won’t probably this week, because I’m working in a delivery room. I think that’s probably not the best time to impose on a woman.
I feel like my Spanish is improving, if only a little. I can understand people better. Hopefully my vocabulary will improve! I’m sure I’ll write a lot about tomorrow’s experience at the maternity hospital, I’m very excited!
New Word of the Day: la partera (midwife)
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Yummy!
Here´s the larva I ate. These were the steamed version, which wasn´t my favorite. The bear is just there for style.
My piranha.
This is the flesh eating fish I caught and ate. It´s a vicious circle all right.
I just really like this picture.
There was just this one random red lead in this plant, and it looked so cool!
El Pene del Diablo
Here it is (I know you were all curious), the Devil´s Penis root. Enough said.
My Jungle Pants.
This is my super awesome jungle hiking outfit. Rubber boots, striped blue hippy pants, and yellow floral tshirt. I felt kind of at home trudging around in those boots.
The Cocodilo!
This is one of the crocodiles/alligators (we´re not quite sure which one it is, there is some confusion...) we saw from our canoe.
Our Cabin.
Here´s our cabana in the jungle. It was all divided up into little rooms, kind of cute. In a bug infested way.
The jungle.
Here´s the view from our canoe on the ride across the lake to our camp. It was so gorgeous!!
I have an arrow on my head.
This is me being painted by the shaman before our jungle hike. The ¨paint¨ was from the little green fruits in his hand.
Interviewing!
Here´s me doing my thing at Cochapamba. It´s pretty exciting, I know...
Me and my sweet helmet.
I felt so sexy in this bike helmet. Seriously.
In Baños
This is the view from my bikeride in Baños this weekend. Isn´t it just gorgeous? Best bike ride ever.
Hip Dysplasia Check
This is Olguita doing a hip dysplasia check on a little boy.
Cutey Pie!
This is my little amigo at CEMOPLAF. We played with blocks. It was a good time. In this pic he´s being weighed.
Chivas!
Here is some of the girl on the Chivas Bus. The drink Melissa is holding in the front is an alcoholic beverage that tastes like cinnamon. Yummy.
Rickety ladder of death.
This in mi amiga Anu climbing the rickety ladder of death to the top of the Basilica.
Oh. My. Gosh.
These are the deserts we had at Crepes and Waffles. SOOOOOO delicious. Mine was the carmally one right in the front. That´s right, I know you´re jealous.
On the Ecuator
Here I am on the ecuator, the mitad del mundo. Woohoo!
Ahoy maties!
These are the whales we saw from the boat to Isla de la Plata! I have no idea what kind they are! I must do more research and get back to you! But they were so cool!
Yes, I know I have crazy hair...
This is me on the island. It was windy, okay? Geesh, some people. By the way, there´s a legend that the island has buried treasure somewhere. I didn´t find it. Sad day.
Boobies!
These are the famous blue footed boobies. They were pretty funny to watch, they really waddle! So many boobies in such a short time...
More boobies!
This is a different species of boobie. No blue feet. I think it´s called that Nazka Boobie in English, which so isn´t as fun as blue footed boobie. Maybe orange pointed boobie? Just a suggestion.
The Shaman
Here is the shaman doing her thing with the cuy. Sorry I´m in my bra for you all to see, couldn´t be helped. And its a nice bra.
Shaman Take 2
Same idea, just from the back. She was really shaking the cuy all over! And doesn´t she have a really cool bracelet?
The Diagnosis
This is the shaman cutting open the dead cuy to read its body. I was kind of amazed that she just squatted down on the floor, didn´t even use a table. She´s got mad skills. Oh, and since it was a health center, she put everything into little red biohazard bags.
Pouring the Antiseptic
Oh yeah, me in my prime. This was for one of those ladies with a leg ulcer. She was very cute. I know you can´t tell from that part of her foot in the picture, but you´ll have to take my word for it.
Meeting the Minister
This is me and my fellow student Carrie with the Minister of Health at a public health center. How cool is that? We´re practically celebrities.
The Hat!
This is my sweet new indigenous style hat, bought it in the Otavalo market. Also bought the scarf and filled up that bag...it was a good shopping day!
The Market
This doesn't do the market justice, there are so many people and colors!
El Grupo
All the students at a hill overlooking the city
My Artistic Endeavor
Took this from the window while the taxi driver was stuck but still trying. Oh taxi drivers....
View of the City
This place is huge! Seriously. And very long. With pretty mountains.
La Virgen
She´s supposed to protect Quito from the apocalypse. Quite the lady.
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