Ecua-beginnings
HOLA!!
The beginning of my journey so far is a story of confusion, excitement, and revenge… Arriving disheveled and discombobulated in Quito three weeks ago, I was greeted by my host family at the airport. While the customs process was a breeze; the elevation change was a swift kick in the arse, not to mention that I arrived with the illusion that I could actually communicate well in Spanish. Luckily, my host family eased my worries a bit. Vale, my host sister, speaks some English, so between the two of us, we could communicate with minimal amounts of confusion. My host dad loaded up my copious amounts of luggage into the car while the rest of us (me, my host mom and two sisters) piled in. It was during the very short car ride where I realized that my Spanish was at less than survival level, so it was in my favor that we live right in the commercial district, about 15 minutes from the airport.
With absolutely no references at this point, everything seemed strange, new, and exciting. We packed ourselves and my plethora of bags into the tiny elevator.. up to the 11th floor where the window paneled exterior walls revealed a panoramic view of Quito from the ‘parlor’. Parlor seems more appropriate of a term because it seems more like a parlor than a living room. The common area has no T.V., it exists for the purpose of entertainment and conversation. The kitchen even has a butler door for entertaining for dinner. My room has its own bathroom, a T.V. and a large bed. At that moment it was the most glorious sight.
The view from the "parlor" My room the parlor
I had the next day off, which I spent with my host sister, exploring the area and resolving an issue with American Airlines. However, my free time was short, the next day was straight into training. Training was intense, especially towards the end. There weren’t many others in my training. I was a little surprised to find that most of the English teachers here are from Ecuador. In my training class there was a man from Italy and an Ecuadorian guy that lived in the states for a few years.
Me and the host fam at La Ronda Me and my host sister, Vale
In the time that I wasn’t in training, my host family kept me busy. They have really included me in the family.. and in Ecuador, family is everything. It’s difficult to explain, but they seem very closely tied to each other. In my family, they all help each other out with their respective businesses. My host dad is a lawyer, the kids are always helping with various things. My host brother owns a restaurant. Everyone helps cook, serve or prepare where necessary.. the way it all works seems so natural. The restaurant is in a park connected to a volley ball court that is always busy. So, while I was in training, I would spend some evenings watching Ecua-volley (like volleyball but with only 3 players) and on the weekends, the whole family goes to help while my host dad, Edgar, plays Ecua-volley.
Me, host bro - Santi, host sis - Vale night out before the fateful Iced Tea that caused Mtzma's revenge
I lasted about two weeks until Montezuma’s revenge caught up with me in the worst way and I had to miss my first day of work because I wasn’t able to get out of bed. At least I have experienced the health care system here... a story for another day. Now, I am up and running and just trying to find my ground at work before I really start to live it up here in Ecuador.
I work in an area outside of Quito called Los Chillos. I really wanted to stay with my host family because I really like it here. However, after 2 days of the commute, I have decided that it would be much more convenient and safe to live in Los Chillos, especially since I work from 2PM until 9PM. The buses are also a story for another day.. J So, I move this weekend. I will be rooming with a co-worker who seems really fun and adventurous.
SOOOOO… I will have much more time on my hands once I settle into my new place and learn my surroundings.. so.. MORE TO COME!!
The beginning of my journey so far is a story of confusion, excitement, and revenge… Arriving disheveled and discombobulated in Quito three weeks ago, I was greeted by my host family at the airport. While the customs process was a breeze; the elevation change was a swift kick in the arse, not to mention that I arrived with the illusion that I could actually communicate well in Spanish. Luckily, my host family eased my worries a bit. Vale, my host sister, speaks some English, so between the two of us, we could communicate with minimal amounts of confusion. My host dad loaded up my copious amounts of luggage into the car while the rest of us (me, my host mom and two sisters) piled in. It was during the very short car ride where I realized that my Spanish was at less than survival level, so it was in my favor that we live right in the commercial district, about 15 minutes from the airport.
With absolutely no references at this point, everything seemed strange, new, and exciting. We packed ourselves and my plethora of bags into the tiny elevator.. up to the 11th floor where the window paneled exterior walls revealed a panoramic view of Quito from the ‘parlor’. Parlor seems more appropriate of a term because it seems more like a parlor than a living room. The common area has no T.V., it exists for the purpose of entertainment and conversation. The kitchen even has a butler door for entertaining for dinner. My room has its own bathroom, a T.V. and a large bed. At that moment it was the most glorious sight.
The view from the "parlor" My room the parlor
I had the next day off, which I spent with my host sister, exploring the area and resolving an issue with American Airlines. However, my free time was short, the next day was straight into training. Training was intense, especially towards the end. There weren’t many others in my training. I was a little surprised to find that most of the English teachers here are from Ecuador. In my training class there was a man from Italy and an Ecuadorian guy that lived in the states for a few years.
Me and the host fam at La Ronda Me and my host sister, Vale
In the time that I wasn’t in training, my host family kept me busy. They have really included me in the family.. and in Ecuador, family is everything. It’s difficult to explain, but they seem very closely tied to each other. In my family, they all help each other out with their respective businesses. My host dad is a lawyer, the kids are always helping with various things. My host brother owns a restaurant. Everyone helps cook, serve or prepare where necessary.. the way it all works seems so natural. The restaurant is in a park connected to a volley ball court that is always busy. So, while I was in training, I would spend some evenings watching Ecua-volley (like volleyball but with only 3 players) and on the weekends, the whole family goes to help while my host dad, Edgar, plays Ecua-volley.
Me, host bro - Santi, host sis - Vale night out before the fateful Iced Tea that caused Mtzma's revenge
I lasted about two weeks until Montezuma’s revenge caught up with me in the worst way and I had to miss my first day of work because I wasn’t able to get out of bed. At least I have experienced the health care system here... a story for another day. Now, I am up and running and just trying to find my ground at work before I really start to live it up here in Ecuador.
I work in an area outside of Quito called Los Chillos. I really wanted to stay with my host family because I really like it here. However, after 2 days of the commute, I have decided that it would be much more convenient and safe to live in Los Chillos, especially since I work from 2PM until 9PM. The buses are also a story for another day.. J So, I move this weekend. I will be rooming with a co-worker who seems really fun and adventurous.
SOOOOO… I will have much more time on my hands once I settle into my new place and learn my surroundings.. so.. MORE TO COME!!