Posts

Sueltos, Long Bus Rides, and Choclo Asado

Image
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me, but I’ve now been living in Ecuador for almost 7 months! It really is crazy how time flies. Next week we have our “Reconnect” conference where everyone in my group will come together in Quito for 2 weeks to discuss life at site and our plans and projects for the next 2 years.  I have been enjoying school vacation and have had the opportunity to do some traveling and also spent a week working at a fellow volunteer’s summer camp!  After living in Ecuador for almost 7 months, I've made some cultural observations and have even found myself picking up a few new habits: Hoarding "sueltos"  In most places in Ecuador, walking around with a $20 bill is just about useless. Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar and all ATMs will only give out cash in increments of $20. With the exception of large grocery stores and big malls, you are not very likely to find change. I recently went to buy a bus ticket and taped to the window ther
Post a Comment
Read more

La Tierrita Linda

Image
Officially working for free!!  It’s been a while since my last post, but the last few months have flown by!! I am now done with training and have officially been sworn-in as a Peace Corps volunteer and have moved to my new site where I will be living for the next 2 years! PC Country Director, Rachel, Melissa, and I   "La Tierrita Linda"  My new site is a city called Ambato, about 3 hours south of Quito in the province of Tungurahua. A little bit about the city Ambato is known as "la ciudad de las frutas y flores" and (to Ambateños) "la tierrita linda" Elevation: 8,500 ft  Population: 350,000  In 1949, Ambato was devastated by an earthquake which destroyed the city's colonial center. To celebrate the newly rebuilt city, Ambato held the first festival of fruit and flowers. Since then it has become a tradition, and the city hosts a big celebration in February during Carnaval each year. My sitemates and
Post a Comment
Read more

Fish For Breakfast and Other Fun Surprises

Image
Welcome poster ft. the largest guanábana I've ever seen This past week I went on a cultural trip to the coast and also had the opportunity to visit some current Peace Corps volunteers in Guayaquil! Overall, it was a great trip and a little glimpse of what life might be like as a volunteer after training. For the first couple days we stayed with host families in a small beach town/fishing village called Anconcito. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling great on the way down. After 11 hours on buses we finally got to something like a town hall where we met the families we would be staying with. As soon as I got out of the bus I threw up in the parking lot (classic!!) and was then introduced to my host mom as the one who was sick. I felt much better the next day and luckily had succeeded in convincing my family that they didn't need to call the doctor to the house!! Even though I thought this seemed a little extreme, they were such kind and caring people and would have done anyt
Post a Comment
Read more