The 8th Horcurx

Hello all...

Another week has passed, and I can't believe it's almost October. Each day feels so busy and I'm constantly running from place to place, or enjoying some new aspect of my life in Quito. My internship is going really well, I'm loving the change of scenery every couple of days between the museum and the Tianguez (store). These two places have two very different atmospheres: el Museo is my "grown-up" job, while la Tianguez is my lessons in pop culture/Ecuadorian slang. Both have aspects that I love, and sometimes both are challenging... but I'm telling you, if you ever ever have a question about Indigenous cosmovision or how to properly joke around with the local Quiteños, I'll be your girl! :-)

I've been having a great time getting to know my group of fellow American students. We don't spend nearly as much time together now that we are all running around in a million directions, but they are definitely my central friend group here in the city. Together we somehow stumbled upon a local Pub Quiz that happens every Thursday night in La Mariscal (a very touristy, but very fun, area in the center of Quito). The quiz benefits a local organization that works with the street children of the city, and it's a fun night out after our last class of the week. We've gone twice, each time we struggle to decide on a great-witty-non-loser-y name for our team, this week we were The 8th Horcrux (much to my delight, there are multiple HP fans/nerds in my group as well) The categories range from history, geography, to movies/music. We ended up placing 3rd... three places up from last week, and we end up learning really random facts that get stuck in my head and take up valuable space. (Did you know there are over 4,000 different types of potatoes in the world?)

Pub Quiz-Photo round... I promise I was not always this excited, and Torrey was not always this angry :-)

Bus ride to Mindo, I love South American transit.

This last weekend one of the group members organized a trip to Mindo, Ecuador, a city located about 2 hours north (?) of Quito- I'm pretty directionally challenged since I've landed south of the ecuator, so don't quote me on that. Mindo is once again pretty touristy, we met a lot of exchange students: Germany, U.S., England, etc... but it's a really cool place for all of the "adventure stuff". On Saturday, we went tubing down a river, which usually is supposed to be a type of rapid ride, but since we are in the dry season-- it pretty much consisted of us getting stuck on some rather large rocks while our guides jumped around in jeans and rubber boots trying to avoid what we began to call "the beached whale" (8 giant black tubes tied together with a bunch of gringos in helmets and lifevests that felt pretty unnecessary). We hiked that afternoon, and some of the group, less chicken than myself, did some cliff jumping-- I took the pictures. Saturday night we went dancing and you can all have fun imagining that one with me and all of my clutzy-ness. I promise I did not take out anyone's eye.

Sunday morning we got up early, ate breakfast in the hotel and headed out to do some ziplining before heading back to Quito. I don't know why I felt like ziplining was easier than cliff jumping, but I was definitely game. The course lasted a little over an hour, and we were able to see some incredible views-- which I am trying not to take for granted since sooner than later my best view will once again be the St. O wind turbine. All in all, it was a great relaxing weekend get-away from the city life, and I'm so thankful that I went.

Julia ziplining in after doing the "Superman"

Tomorrow I will be heading to a Baby Shower for a woman who works at the Tianguez, but who I have never met. I'm heading the advice to GO to any activity to which I am invited. As for the rest of the week, I will be discussing my independent study with Martha- the program director- tomorrow, and then we are all prepping for our first Salida de Campo, to Yasuni in the Amazon on FRIDAY! Look forward to that update, it should be a great get-up: rubber boots, camping pants, sweaty faces, and bug bites--I promise to take some pictures.

Chau from this tired out girl.

Will blog for clever, witty titles: A week in review...

(Emily R. & Me- Top of the Teleferiqo, Andes)

Well... (sigh of relief). I successfully made it thorough my first week with Fundación Sinchi Sacha!

Things got off to a rocky start when my supervisor, Lorena, never showed up to meet me on my first day, and multiple Museo Mindalae employees made comments about my lack of Spanish. I've been feeling really good about my level of Spanish right now, so these comments took me a little by surprise- one step forward, two steps back. The comments added to my accumulating nervousness, and when I'm nervous my speaking is a mumbled jumbled mess, and that's when I'm speaking English, so you can imagine how the first few days went. It was really tough to stand there Monday and Tuesday and only be able to think of the THREE months ahead of me working with these people, without a clear direction. It was definitely one of those frustrating moments that we were warned about.

Last Wednesday, I met Lorena. Simply having a conversation with her eased so many of my fears and worries. She explained to me how she would like me to help and work with the foundation: interviews with artisans, museum tour guide, working at the fair trade store, some random translating, etc. She vaguely explained to me a little about fair trade, I had some previous knowledge, but I am very excited to experience the "no middle man" scenario first hand. I left work on Wednesday extremely pumped up for what was ahead of me this semester. It's amazing how things can change after a simple conversation.

Thursday was my first day working with the artisans. I met and interviewed about 6 or 7 different men and women. Some live right here in Quito, but a few had traveled multiple hours from Puyo, a city located in the outskirts of the Amazon. This day reminded me of why I love to speak Spanish. (I wish Randall Chacon from CHI was here-- I feel like he would be impressed!) I'm feeling so much more comfortable with this language everyday. It was so awesome to sit with these artists and here a little of their stories. Many of them recounted stories of learning their craft from a parent or grandparent. One man told me of how he is teaching all of his children how to make balsa wood carvings because he believes it is an important part of their culture that would be lost if the tradition is not passed on from generation to generation. For my HECUA independent study, I've decided to continue the research I'm already doing into the fair trade system. I hope to get the chance to visit some of these artisans and perhaps attempt a trade or two? We'll see I guess.

Friday brought my first day at Tienda Tianguez, the store in Old Town Quito where we sell the products purchased from the local artisans. (It's actually located beneath La Iglesia San Francisco, in the tunnels beneath the church where the monks and nuns would meet for their scandalous romantic encounters-- so the story goes :-) Two young women, Gabriella- and ABBA fan, Anna-Maria, and Alvaro- a guy about my age who I had met the day earlier in the artisan office, greeted me and slowly put me to work. (We played the "guess my age game"... which I am very bad at and should refuse to play anytime ever again. G=24, AM=21) The idea of an internship as we know it in the U.S. is still becoming known throughout Latin America, so I am definitely getting into the practice of jumping at the chance to do anything perceived as helpful. The tienda has a crazy, fun atmosphere, and I'm really excited to work and laugh with these people twice a week.

This last week passed in a complete flash... days are full and I pass out each night when my head hits the pillow. This weekend was a welcome opportunity to relax a little and see a little more of the city. I hung out with my fellow St. Olaf friend, Torrey for the majority of Saturday-- even had the chance to vidChat with some friends on the hill! We have begun to plan some of our excursions throughout the country. Neither of us want to get to the end of the semester and feel like we missed out on something due to lack of preparation. So far our list includes: the cities of Baños, Puyo (Amazon visit), and Cuenca, La Mitad del Mundo (the actual equator), some Incan trails, Laguna Quilotoa (a lake formed inside of a collapesed volcano), Macchu Pichu, Peru, and last but not least the GALAPAGOS (Karey Johnson-that one's for you!). It sounds like a lot, but I think with some creative spending and smart time management, we should be able to put little checks by a lot of those names.

I have been attending the English Fellowship Church with my host brother, Jorge Luis, the last two Sundays. I knew that I wanted to visit some churches here in Quito, I was planning/expecting a Spanish speaking congregation. This church was begun by missionaries many many years ago, for the English speaking population of Quito, those who might be far from home. While the services don't help my Spanish skills per se, I have really connected with this group of people and the message that I hear there. I'm very thankful that my brothers invited me with them... it's nice to have that place to rejuvenate each week, the music there is absolutely incredible.

Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, I headed with my host family for another birthday celebration for Grandma Cecila. (I guess when you turn 80, you can have as many birthday parties as you want!) This "party" turned out to be an extremely formal gathering, with a private Catholic Mass to celebrate Cecilia's eighty years. I definitely felt like I had the words Gringa and Protestant stamped across my forehead! Everyone was very nice, but I did feel a little out of my element with the waiters, specialty drinks, live musician, and shouts of "VIVA SANTA" coming from all over the place. Definitely a cultural experience-- I am really glad that I went though... Cecilia had such a good time, which was obvious by her breaking out her eighty-year-old salsa moves as the younger generation headed out the door!

I am feeling so much more comfortable in my skin here in Quito. Each day the language gets easier, and I get to know the members of my family a little better. We've had some good laughs which I know is a good sign for the semester to come. Comfort has come, but my weariness has not left me yet. I'm ready for some Zzzzzz's. ¡Buenas noches de su amiga equitoriana!

Chau--
Eliza

P.S. Here are some more pictures from our programs visit to the Teleferiqo last week. We took "gondola" rides up to one of Quitos tallest reachable peaks. Some more BEAUTIFUL views.

View from the "gondola" ride.

Phil (HECUA Rep.), Torrey, & Me on the ride to the top

Cotopaxi- Volcano to the left. (Torrey's gonna climb it!)

Fundación Sinchi Sacha

Well this is it! I've been asking and commenting on how I am ready to really get into my schedule here in Quito, and tomorrow will be the start.

A HUGE part, and frankly the most essential part, of a HECUA semester is what we learn through our pasantías (internships), which we are assigned based on our areas of interest. I was originally assigned to work at La Casa del Migrante, but due to lack of need, my program director asked if I had any interest in working for Fundación Sinchi Sacha, at their museum. Museo Mandalae is a museum that focuses on the education and preservation of local culture in Ecuador. They are committed to the idea of responsible tourism; all items in their gift shops are considered comercio justo (fair trade) and made by local artisans. I will get the opportunity to meet and hopefully form friendships with these artisans as one of my jobs is to have background knowledge on their products: how they are made, where the craft was learned, etc...

I am very excited about what is to come this semester-- this is a picture of me stepping outside of my comfort zone since I have never ever done anything quite like this before. Keep my in your prayers as I take this step, and I'll keep you posted!

Going Bananas

View from the window outside my bedroom!

It's only been a week? While discussing the fact that our arrival in Quito was simply a week ago, many members of the group and I have attested that this week has felt much longer. HECUA definitely does not want us to feel bored or that we have any down time it seems... :-)

When I last left off I was prepping for a day of biking around Old Town Quito. What I didn't know at the time was all that that statement entailed. Two Sundays each month Ciclopolis, a local organization, blocks all traffic to the roads in all of Historic Quito, and various other calles (roads) throughout the city. From 9am-3pm on these Sundays cyclists hit the road. Thousands of people participate in this event, and we were eighteen of them. The thing that I personally forgot was that the beauty of this city comes from the fact that we are nestled in a valley between the Andes. The Andes are mountains, and this means a lot of hills. I felt like it was an earily enough date in the scheme of my semester here, that I could still blame the alititude. But the truth is that those hills kicked my butt. At the top of one of the many, we visited the city's Bascilica. (Obviously I forgot my camera this day). Climbing the Bascilica was something that everyone who has visited Quito will tell you to do. We did it as a group, but it was probably one of the most sketchy tours I've ever been on. Standing in one of the bell towers, hundreds of feet from the ground, with some 2-in. metal beams and some chicken wire supporting you, as your tour guide tells you about the children who helped build the tower and how many of them fell to their deaths- is definitely an experience to be had!Needless to say it was great day, with awesome weather, and a really incredible way to see and learn about the history of the city.

After our many hours of visiting and biking, I headed home with the Miraflores Alto group. (Our neighborhood names are jokingly becoming a Sharks vs. Jets thing). I knew that my host mothers extended family was going to be in my house. They were celebrating Grandma's birthday. After a day of biking, and the walking home and up the many stairs, I was not looking ready for a party. I quickly said hello and then excused myself to change into something more appropriate and less- well let's just say less sweaty and disgusting! We had a great meal, I met a LOT of family members, a lot of names that I probably cannot remember. I was once again reminded of the difference between Ecuadorian Spanish and Mexican slang, something I must remember every day.

My host mother's dad, who everyone calls "Abuelito" reminded me so much of my mom's dad, Gramps. Sitting there and talking with him and watching his manerisms is definitely the most homesick I have felt thus far. But it was also a really awesome reminder of how people's spirits can really shine through regardless of the language barrier. Much to my delight- at family gatherings my host family is a family of card players... something I am very familiar with. They taught me how to play a game called Punto 40, which is a lot like Phase 10. We played a few rounds but only after I had explained and successfully taught them how to play BANANAGRAMS! Let's just say, I do not dominate at Spanish Bananagrams and I do in English. :-) My vocabulary is definitely not advanced enough to even stand a chance. Still, it was a fun opportunity to laugh and break the ice a little bit more.

We start/ed our official classes this week, one on Monday and the other tomorrow, Thursday. Members of the group have also begun their "interviews" for the internships. These internships are very relaxed and consist basically of a get-to-know you conversation that includes our work responsibilities. My internship has changed from what I had originally thought this summer. Instead of working at a Children's Home with children of immigrants, I will probably be working as a tour guide at a local Indigenous museum. A change of plan yes, but I'm trying to see the silver lining in the opportunity to learn so much about an area of study that I know so little. I'll post again when I know more.

Today we visited a really awesome art museum in eastern Quito designed around the artist, Guayasamin. This artists work focuses on his yearning for peace throughout the world, and many of his pieces depict the suffering of the human condition and especially that of Latin America. What made the museum incredibly fascinating was that the building was built and designed around this specific man and the work that he had already completed. He didn't live to see the building to completion, but I'm sure he would be pleased with the way his message is being presented. On one of the walls was a quote of Guayasamin's, "At first I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a boy who had no feet." This really struck me as a reminder never to focus on what we feel we are lacking. Especially this semester it is so important for me to not get stuck on things that may not be turning out as I had planned.

Tonight will be a homework night-- reading and essays for class tomorrow!

Chau--
Eliza

Becoming "Orientated"

Hola a todos from the land of 9,000 ft!

This is the first moment since arriving where I have had sufficient time and energy to attempt a blog post! I feel like HECUA is using this orientation week to see just how much we can take as a group and individually. All of the activities and meetings planned are a necessary part of the process, and sometimes very entertaining, but these days are full and leave me dog-tired at the end of each day.

To recapture my firsts moments of this semester abroad, I will start by saying that all went well on Wednesday (my day of travel). We experienced minor delays in Miami due to a paperwork issue--? I seem to be jinxed as far as delays on American Airlines goes. I traveled with five other people from the program and we all arrived in one piece. My best and favorite story of the day is the fact that I surprisingly ran into my friend Jim from PA, who was waiting for his flight to Nicaragua. Jim is a friend from my summers at Children's Haven International. I knew that he was leaving the country around the same time as me; we had even agreed to be pen-pals for the semester, but to run into him face to face completely out of the blue was so so awesome. We even took a picture in the middle of the airport (a little self-photography if you will...) just to prove this meeting to those who know the both of us :-)

Back to Quito-

I arrived after sunset on Wednesday evening, so I didn't get to see too much of the city that night. Members of my host family: Ximena (host mom), Leon (host dad), and Beth (daughter-in-law) were there to greet me at the airport, and after clearing it with me, we waited around for the next flight in from Miami-- their oldest son (Beth's husband, Santiago) was arriving from a summer working in New York. We sat at a little airport café and chatted a little bit, as I forced my ears and mind to readjust to the Spanish all around me. Thankfully- my language from the summer has come back quickly, and I can already see that my attitude towards really learning and comprehending is already different. In the past few days I have learned that every member of my family speaks English- fluently. As little as a few weeks ago, this fact would have caused me to become very flustered around them while speaking Spanish. My bilingual friends should be able to attest to that. It's so awesome to really feel like I have a hold on this language, and I'm so excited to see where I can go with it this semester.

Before I left, many friends warned me that I was going to fall in love with Ecuador. One thing I can say right now, is that I am in love with how absolutely beautiful this country is. I have yet to take a decent photo of the view outside of my bedroom- but hopefully this photo from our trip to La Pasochoa (a wildlife reserve and hiking area) can give you some idea.


I am completely enraptured by the mountains, being a small-town girl from MN- living in the Andes is pretty darn sweet. The altitude has taken some getting used to. When coming from class we go by bus and then I, along with some others, walk about a 1/2 mile uphill, and then up about 50-70 steps (I'll count them tomorrow). My room is located on the 6th floor of my house (this house redefines the term 'split-level'), so after all of this everyday I am out of breath and muttering about how I better be in such good shape by December! I guess we'll see right? It does get easier every day, and without all that effort, I would never get to see those beautiful views.

Well I will need to call it a night... Tomorrow we are biking around Old Town Quito, gotta get some sleep!

Chau

Eliza

Beginnings...

Well I'm off!

Well I'm almost off would be the proper way to describe my current situation. Today is that annoying day before a trip where one is extremely excited/nervous, with a thousand little tedious errands/chores to complete. I'm drudging through, and with every phone call made, room cleaned, and piece of clothing packed, I am that much closer to Quito.

I will spend the night tonight at my travel companion and friend Torrey's house; her parents are kind enough to do the early early morning airport drop-off tomorrow (Wednesday). We depart from Minneapolis at 6:30 am and arrive in Ecuador about 12 hours later. It will be a big day, but I'm sure the adrenaline will be flowing and I will get over my travel fatigue quickly. At least we're in the same time zone so jet lag won't be an issue!

Adios and I'll be seeing you...

Love Eliza