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.
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