Eliza in Ecuador: 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.