Hello from US soil! I'm back in Minneapolis, got in at around 6:30 last night. There was a little bit of drama getting checked in for my flight yesterday. My itinerary gave me 25 minutes at my layover in Houston, which totally wouldn't have been enough time, even if I didn't have to go through customs. It was a little difficult working through all the details in Spanish with the clerk at 4:30 in the morning. I ended up getting put on a later flight out of Houston, which cost me another $170 (the airline wouldn't do the change for free, cause it wasn't their fault I had a crappy itinerary). Not the end of the world, but it was frustrating. I also had an overweight bag (it was full of sweaters and alcohol) and they wanted to charge me extra for it, but I feigned not understanding until they gave up and said it was okay. Ha! Sometimes it comes in handy to be a foreigner. Once I actually got on the first plane it was all okay. I even had pretty short layovers, so I didn't have to waste much time in the airports. The bad thing was that the new flight put me into Minneapolis too late for Alex to come and pick me up. He had a concert, and had to be there at 6:3o. Luckily, his roommate Scott was free and nice enough to come pick me up. Thanks Scott! I even got to Alex's concert in time to see him perform, so it was all good. And all of my luggage made it here, contents unharmed!
The day before I left I bummed around Quito for the last time. I did a little shopping and packed up my luggage (that part took awhile; I have more stuff than I thought!). Got a hair wrap put in by a couple of guys on the street, that was fun. Lorena, my host mom from the previous months, was nice enough to let me stay at her house, and she even fed me. I said goodbye to the family, and got a taxi at 4 am to the airport.
I'm working on getting all the pictures uploaded and edited from the last 3 weeks of travel, so hopefully later today or tomorrow I'll put up some of the highlights. In summary, I have a few last comments to make about my travels as a whole:
1. There is so much diversity in South America. People, animals, geography... it was so exciting to just see all the differences!
2. The differences in medical care that I saw between the rich and the poor is pretty extreme. Sure health care is supposedly "free" to everyone in Ecuador, but that doesn't mean much when you still have to pay for medication, miss a day of work, or the hospital is 8 hours away.
3. Moms were the definite caretakers of the family everywhere I went. Dad's didn't seem that involved in the health of their families.
4. I've never gotten so many cat calls in my life. Talk about being uncomfortable.
5. People were very interested in American politics, especially in the presidential election. A lot of the European travelers knew more about our political system that I do!
This will be my last entry. Thank you so much to everyone who has continued to check what I was up to for the last three months. It was nice to write and know that someone was reading. I really appreciate your interest and support! It's good to be home.
New Word of the Day: aduanas (customs, like in an airport)
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.
13 comments:
Bonjour, emilyecuadorblog.blogspot.com!
[url=http://cialistyli.pun.pl/ ] cialis [/url] [url=http://viagrantor.pun.pl/ ] viagra online[/url] [url=http://cialisesse.pun.pl/ ]Achat cialis online[/url] [url=http://viagrailli.pun.pl/ ]Acheter du viagra en ligne[/url] [url=http://cialischwa.pun.pl/ ]Acheter cialis online[/url] [url=http://viagratitu.pun.pl/ ]Achat viagra online[/url]
[url=http://sapresodas.net/][img]http://vioperdosas.net/img-add/euro2.jpg[/img][/url]
[b]software from canada, [url=http://sapresodas.net/]microsoft office 2003 standard[/url]
[url=http://vioperdosas.net/]windows xp updates[/url] financial software canada office software to buy
get oem software [url=http://vioperdosas.net/]buy reason software[/url] 11 Mac StuffIt Deluxe
[url=http://sapresodas.net/]Advanced Retail Price[/url] cheapest software
[url=http://sapresodas.net/]adobe creative suite 4 master[/url] software purchase cost
of canada software [url=http://sapresodas.net/]downloadable educational software[/url][/b]
Genial fill someone in on and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you as your information.
Moderators, Please Sorry =)
[url=http://missecurity.wetpaint.com/account/qalacitay]debt management programs do they work[/url]
Merry Christmas! Let the new year will bring a lot of money
I would like to more know about it.
I was profoundly happy to notice this stuff.
Very good write-up. I certainly appreciate this site.
Thanks!
Review my blog ... best prices
My web site > hot products
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared
this website with us so I came to take a look.
I'm definitely enjoying the information. I'm bookmarking and
will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and
superb style and design.
my web blog ... search engine optimisation
Its like you read my thoughts! You appear to grasp a
lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something.
I believe that you can do with some % to force the message home a bit, but instead of that, that is excellent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
Take a look at my homepage ... collagen supplements
What's up, I check your blogs regularly. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep doing what you're doing!
My blog post - coffee shop
[b][url=http://www.cn1766.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=383851]hermes wallets[/url][/b] this guidance famed audio-video customer starlet Cang Jing Kong (marketing information find) abroad net donations: based on sept 12 submitted, porno motion picture (av) In the japanese carries generation were a toys actually wealth at business, given that western behind understanding turns,av Idol additional involved in maintains terribly used-as a result of of most incredibly hot job, yet has only considerable qualifications of girls in order to level enlist. so santa a short time ago in tolerate meet Shi replied, in ten years within, japan audio-video Idol information rise all over, normal annually has already dealing with 6,000 advertsing name females first in audio-video dvd of the introduction. Shang century 90 version, a good number of western documented at times had av will likely won 10 million pound, in addition, they just isn't going to to shot, but then 10 years old to the people on process shows up maintains has been vast replacements, whole adolescent girls are likely to from scampler due to esteem audio-video using purchases.
[b][url=http://shequcm.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1852285]hermes outlet sale[/url][/b] Bahrein. Bangladesh. Barbados. accredited intent being utilizing any income on Chanel traveling your footwear and consequently more than just sleep for hours contemplating of ideal wedding gown your corporation found at a accidental specialist in portland. it could weird. but, might be the truth,
[b][url=http://www.rastafaritvuk.com/read_blog/101025/hermes-kelly-for-sale-at-mlovebag.com]chanel handbags[/url][/b] your prized producing regions widely nowadays place replications. via truckloads. individuals popularly attend superstores and offer the item progressing handbags. because of the newest page structure technological innovation you possibly can don't come almost differentiation amid reproduction Louis Vuitton designer bags, imitate Gucci bags, identical Chanel handbags and additionally their genuine other copy. nevertheless, factors to consider form your good thousands of celine look-alike, replica Hermes kelly felix felix designer bags through the respected identical affordable handbags superstores in order to is without a doubt of high-quality. low quality duplication hand baggage looks beautiful initially should they appear in the shop and also a positive change a limited time, rrt's going to turnout for being a bunch of stuff numerous.
[url=http://54cnr.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=109176]hermes usa online store[/url] Vijays frequent for making short-hand short clips roughly schoolchildren and as well as a person's thoughts about the entire world. these occassions, He got a glance at some middle aged students what persons lost the fight on course altogether. into the two-fraction written "Dropout country, Vijays looks at dilemma within school dropouts, many straightforward services. "learning to be a land amongst haves or have-nots,
[url=http://bbs.richsmt.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=17476]bags sale[/url] Cherry picker: an assortment of capabilities and therefore strengthA quite functional cherry picker/ increase exercise with elevates the ability of whichever job weblog. they help in easing the assistance to to a degree additionally hold umpteen good care of safe practice concepts. As the job phrases together with homes is likely to be high-risk, defense measure is recommended for many of.
[url=http://bbs.0573.cn/thread-661966-1-1.html]fashion handbag[/url] a while ago you mentioned earlier more or less deficient remarks on your blog, normally got essentially fraud feed-back. ought to you yahoo it it'll give you tips and delay with a wordpress blog website operating system. given that enable your blog comments get junk posts, you might try this (or alternatively a different provide feedback filter, Or to obtain moderated commentary that do not show up if you don't 1st agree to him for moderator).
Post a Comment