It's been a few days since I've blogged, so I'll hit a few main points from the past few days:
1. In my Ju Jit Su class, I always stay after for about 1.5 hours (3 hours there all together) usually working with other people on their take downs because wrestling take downs are just a lot more effective than the stereotypical Ju Jit Su take downs. I help the professors and the more advanced students. In exchange, they help me with my submissions -- I hope this extra training will help me in the tournament I will be competing in early May. Well anyways, last class my professor asked me if I would teach a class in Quito for some of his students. They will be competing in a "no Kimono" tournament and it's a lot harder to do take downs without something to hang on to (which I've been doing my whole life in tight wrestling singlets). I think it sounds like an incredible opportunity to meet locals, make friends with common interests, and just get a great unique experience. The only thing is that it's at 8:00pm in Quito, which means I will need to take the bus there before it gets dark and wait an hour or two before the class, then take a taxi home after, which could cost $8-$10. He said he'd pay me $20 a class though, so that's a nice little bonus.
2. It's pretty great that we have technology in this world, especially Skype and Magic Jack. I'm sure all of you know about Skype and how it can be good for maintaining relationships (parents, friends, girl friend, etc), but I'll let you know about Magic Jack. It's great. You just pay $40 a year and it's through your internet. You can call anyone in the US (I'm not sure about other countries though) for that flat rate as many calls as you want. It doesn't matter where you live, but you can call the US; that's what we have here. The number shows up as some random Pennsylvania number, but who cares, it's so cheap and easy! I've heard of people buying it in the US just because it's so cheap; there's no reason not to. Anyway, thanks to Magic Jack, I've been able to call Mr. Vandevoort (a long time family friend) to tell me all about his job and industry in general, I was able to call the US for an interview this morning (which I STRESSED so much about -- I prepped for about 5 hours for a 20 minute interview, all of which was necessary) pray for me to succeed please, then called mom/dad for them to send me writing samples from my portable hard drive at home, and ALSO call my mentor for advice. Yes, all these calls where within 15 hours, and I didn't have to worry about how much it cost. It was just like calling from Naperville. Just dial the US number, no international code needed and the call goes through. Great.
3. I've already mentioned taxis in my blog before. This is a pride story though. Tonight, we went out to Quito and upon returning I bargained the taxi down a few dollars from the gringo rate ($12) to the normal rate ($10 -- which I still wasn't happy with, but we wanted to leave, so we took it). I learned from my last encounter though. I am always the last one dropped off because the guy should always be dropped off last just for security purposes, and I completely agree with that. The last time it happened though, the taxi driver pulled a bait and switch, and as soon as the girls were out of the cab, he made me pay more. Not this time though! I knew better and saw it coming, so I made a plan. Sure enough, when the girls left, he tried to bump the price up to $12 to take me back. I said no and told him that I already said $10. Although, I didn't want him leaving me there where I'd have to walk back to my house or have to call another cab, so I let on like I could still crumble and pay the $12. I said, "just take me back to my house." When he took me back though, I had him stop outside of the gated community where the security guard was positioned so that I was in plain view of someone with a gun who was on my side. I opened up the door, and as I did, I told him I'm only paying $10. I knew he had change for a 20 earlier because he said he did, so I said give me a $10 back. When he said it had to be $12, I told him it's going to be $10 or nothing at all. So with a grunt, he apprehensively brought out the $10 for change. Instantly, I snatched it and ran WITHOUT PAYING HIM ANYTHING!! He tries to steal from me, so I steal from him! That didn't really happen, but I did snatch the $10 and gave him the $20 in plain view of the security guard. I'm very proud of myself. I fought back with will and brains and was not taken advantage of... as much.
I learn new lessons and strategies every day.
Ciao,
Michael
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