Rainbows and Daisies in Ecuador

For the past few posts, I admit, it has been a shock and awe method or writing. Although, I was very shocked and very at awe with everything that actually DID happen. Now that the world (not culture, world -- this is a different world) shock is smoothing out, I want to clarify that this place is absolutely INCREDIBLE!

Family:
I'm lucky enough to be living with the kindest well-off family. I'm fortunate to have internet, my own room, bathroom, and host parents who care about me. I get home cooked meals just about every night and it has all been some of the most delicious food I've tasted. There's a great mix of conversation between my host parents down to their grand children who are the cutest kids in the world. Seriously, I'll post some pictures of them at the bottom of this. Antonia (the oldest grandchild) speaks fluent English at 9 years old, and her 7 year old cousin speaks French. Why don't we have immersion schools like that in the US? I'll do that in the private sector and make millions... And finally we have Camille who is a 4 year old boy and has just as much, if not more energy that me as a kid. They all love Wii. We played for about 6 ours today -- the whole familia.

Friends:
The friends from U of I and Penn State are all amazing as well. They are all up to go out and have a great time and all have the goal of improving their Spanish. Thanks to one of them (JIll), I was able to meet Ana Sophia (who goes to U of I but is Ecuadorian) and her friends/cousins. The past two nights have been EVERYTHING I've wanted them to be: surrounded by real Ecuadorians, music, dance, hang out, improved Spanish... amazingness basically. And it's only going to get better!

Classes:
Here is my tentative schedule:
Mon/Wed: Ju Jit Su
Tues/Thurs: Advanced Conversational Spanish, Intro to Film, Ecology and Resources of Ecuador, intro to drawing
Friday: No class
... enough said.

BUT, I am taking these for a reason. In the Spanish classes for exchange students, there will be all white people and getting better at speaking will actually be harder I think. I'm taking a variety of mixed classes that will basically all have Ecuadorians in them. This will hopefully help me make more local friends and improve my accent even faster!

Community Service:
I will be working with the Quito Barrio Outreach Ministry helping increase the cohesiveness between Ecuadorian and US boards of directors. Here is a description of the group:


"Quito Barrio Outreach is made up of two advisory boards.  One is in the United Statesand the other is located in Quito Ecuador.  Both boards are directed by Fr. Don Kenny, a catholic priest from the Chicago area who now lives in Quito.  The U.S. Board coordinates the missions and support going to Quito.  The Ecuador board provides direction, logistics and the continued implementation of the U.S. backed support.

Fr. Don Kenny assures joint decision making (goals, priorities, activities, programs) between the U.S. and Quito boards, driven by an understanding of the needs of the community.  Programs are designed to become self-sustaining over time."

So por final, Ecuador is not all dangerous, hard, and out to get me. There are actually rainbows and daisies all around me. 

¡Bien Venidos!

Michael

Pictures, like I promised: