Hola de Ecuador!

Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hola Gringitos! (That’s what the Ecuadorians call we blond pale people).

I have arrived safely in Quito. (Sorry to everyone anxiously waiting to hear from me, nothing here is open on Sundays and I was in class all day today.)All my flights went well and arrived on time. On my flight from Houston to Panama we passed over the Panama Canal, which was very cool. I had several small triumphs throughout the day: 1. navigating customs in Quito and understanding the stern man who demanded to know what was in the box I carried (medical donations), 2. successfully translating that the man seated next to me on the plane wanted a coke from the stewardess (he only had to repeat it 5 times), and 3. remembering that in South America you DO NOT flush the toilet paper. Pretty good all around.

I’m not having too much trouble communicating with my host family, they are used to having American students and know what mistakes me make! The “mother” of my family is a Spanish teacher at the language school, so she is really good at understanding and correcting our errors. There are two other girls staying here right now, both very nice. Our house in right off of one of the main streets here, so it’s very easy to get buses, trolleys and taxis. I did all three today, which was quite the experience. El metrobus=giant blue sardine can! I’ll never think that the UNL buses are crowded again. Also, I am very conscious here that I am a blond giant.

I do have a cell phone here, and incoming calls are free (for me…). So if anyone ever wanted to give me a call, from the US you would dial: 011593096241037. I know, it’s ridiculously long.

The weather here is very nice, overcast and about 65. Gets colder in the evenings. Tomorrow I’m going to be taking a tour of the clinical sites of the program, and on Wednesday I start my first rotation at La Hospital Maternidad. And, best part, I get to wear my scrubs and a white coat. Have to actually, or the security guard won’t let me in. So woohoo! And I think I will be able to begin interviews for my research this week or next week at the latest, the director here just wants to approve my study forms. We’re going to get more information tomorrow about travel opportunities within Ecuador, so hopefully there will be some fun weekend excursions coming up. There’s one to a big outdoor market that I know of in Otavalo, a city a few hours from here. Oodles of crafts! And the opportunity to visit a shaman, which is way cool. They use guinea pigs in the treatments (that can’t be good for the guinea pig), which I can’t wait to see.

New word of the day: la finka (a farm)

Adios!


Monday, September 1
Today I succesfully had a lukewarm shower. It was a big accomplishment. They use electric water heaters in the showerheads here and its a little tricky. Toured the clinical sites this morning, which involved a trolley ride to the south of the city. And I am proud to say that I have passed a right of passage for Ecuadorian travellers: I had my pocket picked. I hope that person is real happy with the 10 cents they got. HA! One of the other students had his cell phone stolen, so its safe to say that no one was exagerating about theft in Quito. I remain vigilant, and we (females) are all now storing valuables in our bras when on the trolley.

This afternoon was 4 hours of spanish class. Ooof. But it will be good, it´s nice to review the grammar and learn new vocab. We´re all trying to decide where we want to go this weekend, there are a lot of attractions nearby.

Anyway, that´s my update for today. Tomorrow are EVEN MORE spanish lessons, and a tour of a nearby mountain. There´s a statue at the top, it´s one of Quito´s sites. Hasta luegos, amigos!

New word of the day: el bruto (badass)