It's been a very busy week. I had a big paper due, my ceramics project is due soon, and I'm about to leave for Machu Picchu in a week!
Last weekend we went to Montañita, which a beach town in the south. I think it's supposed to be about 10 hours away. We left Thursday night at 8:30 to get to the bus station in the south at 9:30 so we could get our tickets for our 10:30 bus to Porto Lopez where we would catch a bus to Montanita. When we got to Quitumbe, the bus company that Ben had called told us the only night bus that left for Puerto Lopez leaves at 7pm. So we went to the next window and bought a ticket for Manta. I had seen a map with both Manta and Montañita on it and I thought they looked close. False apparently they are almost 5 hours apart. So we got on the bus, which was not a very nice one for the distance it was traveling (normally these buses are super nice and have bathrooms, air conditioning, and movies, this one had none of that). The bus would wait at each station for a long time, so needless to say it took quite a while to get to Manta.
Finally we arrived in Montañita. We looked around for a hostal and a lot of them were around $15. However, we found two for $8 and $10. We decided we would look at both and then decide. So we went to the $8 one first. It had water on the floor and did not look the greatest, the bathroom was a little grimy as well. But one person said it was okay for her so then everyone kind of just agreed to it as well. I said we should at least check out the other one first, but I was outnumbered.
So we put our stuff down and got dressed for the beach! We ate some lunch (for $1.50!) and then went to la playa! It was beautiful and the water was pretty warm. Although Montañita is known for its surfing (and hippie/foreign vibe), the waves were actually calmer then where we were in Salinas. As I was laying out on the beach a tattoo guy walked by and asked if I wanted one (people are always walking by on the beach trying to sell things from food, to jewelry, to sunglass, to pictures with snakes!). I, of course, declined. But he started talking to me and eventually sat down. Our conversation lasted for about and hour and a half. He told me he lived on an island and that I should come with him. I told him no, because that would be dangerous since I would have no way to escape. He also asked if I wanted a free tattoo and I asked him of what. He replied with his name (Darwin), he thought it would look good near my ankle. I, once again, declined.
We got dinner that night (most of our meals were seafood/fish since we can't get much back in Quito for as cheap as it is on the coast). We also went to a cool bar/discoteca. The thing about Montañita is that the bars really start going crazy at midnight and don't stop until 6am or later. So when I woke up at 4am, the music next to our hostal was still blaring. Definitely a party town.
The next day we spent all day at the beach and at night we hung out on the beach for a while. Montañita is famous as well for its beach bonfires. Unfortunately it was raining both nights, so we didn't get to experience those.
On Sunday we headed back towards Manta and stopped at Los Frailes. It's a national park that has a public beach in it. It was gorgeous and so clean! This is where I got the most sun, aka I got pretty sunburnt. We ate in Puerto Lopez and then caught a bus to Manta, where our return bus was (we bought tickets when we arrived, because sometimes they sell out). The bus we had this time was amazing. Extremely nice. But the air conditioning was on full blast and I only had so many layers. However, it was a quite fast and we got back to Quito way early than expected. Also instead of stopping at the southern station, it drove all the way to the north, quite close to our houses!
I loved Montañita and I hope some day I can get to go back!
I'm actually staying in Quito this weekend. I have a lot of homework to get done and I needed to go to a museum. The museum was mostly art from this one man, Oswaldo Guayasamin. It was quite interesting. He painted in so many different styles. He had paintings that looked like Diego Rivera, Van Gogh, etc. Many of his paintings focused a lot on the tragic history Latin America has faced. I really enjoyed the museum. There was also another part that had indigenous ceramics, which were quite interesting as well. Two of the most important things in indigenous ceramics in Latin America are duality and sexuality. So some of the ceramics are quite peculiar.
I will try to keep updating more. Like I said, it's been a very busy week.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Baños!
This weekend we went to Baños, which is about 4 hours from Quito.
It was a little stressful getting there. We always see Baños busses pass by our university, so we figured we'd just catch that and be on our way. We asked some people to make sure this was true, and they all said yes. So we waited for a while and finally saw a Baños bus and we asked to make sure it went there, but they said no we had to wait on the other side for the bus going the other direction. So we switched sides and waited again. Then when the bus finally came, they said it would take us to the station but we would have to switch there. So we did this and finally we were on our way. The movie they showed was Just Go With It, with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. I was so excited, I kinda love the movie. But it was in Spanish which took away some of the humor, but it was still great!
We finally arrived around 8 and we checked into our hostel, ate, and then met up with the rest of our group. Not too much excitement.
The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast, and then some of us went puenting/jumping/puentismo. Basically it is Latin America's version of bungee jumping. You're attached to a rope and you jump off a bridge and then swing. So you don't bounce back like with bungee jumping. I have been kind of wanting to do it since I got here, but the opportunity hadn't presented itself. So when a bunch of people said they wanted to do it, I joined!
I watched some people go before me, some of them were hilarious to watch (one girl had to be pushed off because she was backing out!). But then it was my turn. I had already seen the drop, and most of the people when they got onto the platform got even more scared, so I knew that I could not look down. I climbed up, and almost fell before I was ready. And then I counted, or maybe they did, and I faltered for a second and then just leaned forward and went! It was so fun and exhilarating! It didn't last too long, but I swung around for a minute until they lowered me to a man on the ground. Then I walked up the hill and they had a video and pictures of me. I bought them, and now I'll always have proof that I did it!
After this we went back and reserved our spots for horseback riding. I got lunch with Miguel, Molly, and Anna Marie. It was an almuerza del dia which consisted of soup (chicken's feet soup, which I didn't know until after I had spit out a foot and asked what it was), delicious carne, potatoes, and a pastel.
While waiting to go horseback riding, I was talking with some men (Brian and some name I could not pronounce). We were talking about how I loved Ecuador and wouldn't mind living here. They told me I should marry an Ecuadorian and have a baby with him because then I could stay here forever. They then asked me if I knew how to salsa and I told them only a little. They then said we had to go dancing that night.
Horseback riding was beautiful. We rode through the streets for a while until we got to a path. It was very different than riding in the US. The horses were all fighting to be in the lead so we were a huge pack instead of the traditional line. Also the guide was generally in the back, so we were just relying on our horses to know the way. They like to randomly trot, which was fun and scary. We rode up to a waterfall where all the rocks were from volcanic eruptions. It is also the path in which the lava flows when Tunguragua erupts.
After that we all got ready to go eat dinner. It was 6pm, so a little early for Ecuador, so Miguel, Anna Marie, and I just kinda walked around for a while. During this walk I ran into Brian (my new Baños-novio) four times. He told me where he was going (aka where we would salsa that night) and that he would get us shots.
After dinner we went on a chiva (a bus with no sides) and danced as it was driving up to a mountain where they served us a typical Ecuadorian drink (canelazo). Then we rode back down and got into a discoteca for free. There we spent the rest of the night dancing and celebrating Rachel's birthday. So I never got to see my Baños-novio again. But I wasn't too sad about that!
The next morning we caught the bus back fairly early and I spent the rest of the day taking it easy. It was a great trip, and I want to go back again to see all of the beautiful waterfalls!
It was a little stressful getting there. We always see Baños busses pass by our university, so we figured we'd just catch that and be on our way. We asked some people to make sure this was true, and they all said yes. So we waited for a while and finally saw a Baños bus and we asked to make sure it went there, but they said no we had to wait on the other side for the bus going the other direction. So we switched sides and waited again. Then when the bus finally came, they said it would take us to the station but we would have to switch there. So we did this and finally we were on our way. The movie they showed was Just Go With It, with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. I was so excited, I kinda love the movie. But it was in Spanish which took away some of the humor, but it was still great!
We finally arrived around 8 and we checked into our hostel, ate, and then met up with the rest of our group. Not too much excitement.
The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast, and then some of us went puenting/jumping/puentismo. Basically it is Latin America's version of bungee jumping. You're attached to a rope and you jump off a bridge and then swing. So you don't bounce back like with bungee jumping. I have been kind of wanting to do it since I got here, but the opportunity hadn't presented itself. So when a bunch of people said they wanted to do it, I joined!
I watched some people go before me, some of them were hilarious to watch (one girl had to be pushed off because she was backing out!). But then it was my turn. I had already seen the drop, and most of the people when they got onto the platform got even more scared, so I knew that I could not look down. I climbed up, and almost fell before I was ready. And then I counted, or maybe they did, and I faltered for a second and then just leaned forward and went! It was so fun and exhilarating! It didn't last too long, but I swung around for a minute until they lowered me to a man on the ground. Then I walked up the hill and they had a video and pictures of me. I bought them, and now I'll always have proof that I did it!
After this we went back and reserved our spots for horseback riding. I got lunch with Miguel, Molly, and Anna Marie. It was an almuerza del dia which consisted of soup (chicken's feet soup, which I didn't know until after I had spit out a foot and asked what it was), delicious carne, potatoes, and a pastel.
While waiting to go horseback riding, I was talking with some men (Brian and some name I could not pronounce). We were talking about how I loved Ecuador and wouldn't mind living here. They told me I should marry an Ecuadorian and have a baby with him because then I could stay here forever. They then asked me if I knew how to salsa and I told them only a little. They then said we had to go dancing that night.
Horseback riding was beautiful. We rode through the streets for a while until we got to a path. It was very different than riding in the US. The horses were all fighting to be in the lead so we were a huge pack instead of the traditional line. Also the guide was generally in the back, so we were just relying on our horses to know the way. They like to randomly trot, which was fun and scary. We rode up to a waterfall where all the rocks were from volcanic eruptions. It is also the path in which the lava flows when Tunguragua erupts.
After that we all got ready to go eat dinner. It was 6pm, so a little early for Ecuador, so Miguel, Anna Marie, and I just kinda walked around for a while. During this walk I ran into Brian (my new Baños-novio) four times. He told me where he was going (aka where we would salsa that night) and that he would get us shots.
After dinner we went on a chiva (a bus with no sides) and danced as it was driving up to a mountain where they served us a typical Ecuadorian drink (canelazo). Then we rode back down and got into a discoteca for free. There we spent the rest of the night dancing and celebrating Rachel's birthday. So I never got to see my Baños-novio again. But I wasn't too sad about that!
The next morning we caught the bus back fairly early and I spent the rest of the day taking it easy. It was a great trip, and I want to go back again to see all of the beautiful waterfalls!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Most interesting walk home so far!
Today we had no class because there was a workshop for teachers. It was really nice because I had time to work on my ceramics box (which is looking pretty cool) and practice piano (I've basically got both hand parts down!). It was a very relaxed day. Chloe, Whitney, and I went to the vegetarian restaurant close to campus. I think here in Ecuador, vegetarian=chinese. The two vegetarian restaurants I've been to have both been chinese. But I'm not complaining!
I had planned on taking a taxi back to my house because Quito was actually pretty warm today and I wore an outfit that was definitely for fall weather. But then a bus was waiting for me so I decided to just save the extra dollar a taxi would cost me and walk up my hill. Glad I did; it was an interesting walk. First, I contemplated asking the Christian center by my house if I could practice on their piano, but it's gated so I decided to keep walking (I have this internal conversation almost everyday...). As I was leisurely strolling, the guard that always makes sure to get my attention when I walk by was on my side of the street. So we shook hands and he gave me a kiss on the check. It was vaguely awkward, although I'm pretty sure it was only awkward for me. However, now I'm pretty sure if he was around and I was getting robbed, he would come to my rescue for sure!
Then when I got to my house, my grandfather's friend was there and we had a nice long conversation. I only didn't understand one thing he was asking. But a lot of the time, people ask questions in the oddest ways. I feel like I understand the first part of the question and then they add a second half that just confuses me so I never know whether to just answer the first and ignore the part I don't understand. And most of the time, it turns out that the first part is really what they're asking. It was pretty fun. I love having conversations with new Ecuadorians. And I love practicing my Spanish!
Lots of homework to catch up on before I head out for the night (Ladies Night as usual, you know it's bad when your host family knows you're going out because it's wednesday, but I'm not complaining!).
I had planned on taking a taxi back to my house because Quito was actually pretty warm today and I wore an outfit that was definitely for fall weather. But then a bus was waiting for me so I decided to just save the extra dollar a taxi would cost me and walk up my hill. Glad I did; it was an interesting walk. First, I contemplated asking the Christian center by my house if I could practice on their piano, but it's gated so I decided to keep walking (I have this internal conversation almost everyday...). As I was leisurely strolling, the guard that always makes sure to get my attention when I walk by was on my side of the street. So we shook hands and he gave me a kiss on the check. It was vaguely awkward, although I'm pretty sure it was only awkward for me. However, now I'm pretty sure if he was around and I was getting robbed, he would come to my rescue for sure!
Then when I got to my house, my grandfather's friend was there and we had a nice long conversation. I only didn't understand one thing he was asking. But a lot of the time, people ask questions in the oddest ways. I feel like I understand the first part of the question and then they add a second half that just confuses me so I never know whether to just answer the first and ignore the part I don't understand. And most of the time, it turns out that the first part is really what they're asking. It was pretty fun. I love having conversations with new Ecuadorians. And I love practicing my Spanish!
Lots of homework to catch up on before I head out for the night (Ladies Night as usual, you know it's bad when your host family knows you're going out because it's wednesday, but I'm not complaining!).
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Dayglow!
It was a nice change of pace this weekend because I actually stayed in Quito!
Friday night we went to Chupitos (shots in Spanish). They pretty much only sell shots and they have a ton! I got two very delicious ones and Chloe and I vowed to take flaming ones next time we go back! Molly's friend from Kentucky was here (he's been in Ecuador for a week following a medical team to take pictures). It was fun hanging out with a bunch of real gringos (by now I consider most of the internationals half gringos!). We ended up meeting a couple of British guys as well who had just arrived. The people we meet in la mariscal! I ended up not getting home until 4am, but thankfully we hung out at their hotel for the last part so we had a legitimate taxi waiting to take us home.
Saturday I tried to work on home homework (I have a mountain of it and should probably be doing that instead of writing this blog...). Then it was Dayglow! I really lucked out that it was coming to Quito because the tickets were only $30 as compared to at least $60 tickets in the US. It was fantastic! We took a van specifically for the concert to the rave center near el Mitad del Mundo. We got there after 8 and I figured the concert probably started at 10 (the vans stopped running at 9 but we didn't know how many people would be taking them). So there was just some music playing for a while. Then Kevin Focus came on and I figured this was the start of Dayglow. After he DJed for about an hour, a countdown came on the screen saying 59:59.30 until DAYGLOW! And that's when we all realized the real Dayglow didn't start until midnight (but that's also when it made sense that the returning vans didn't start until 2). It was kind of silly because most of the talking and pumping up was said in English so I almost felt as if I was back in the States! The music was amazing and by the time we left I was covered in paint, which apparently my shower did not even completely remove. My white shoes now have some sweet tie-dye and Chloe's shirt I borrowed looks pretty rad. It was great because we all danced the night away and at one point there was a huge surge in the crowd and I felt like I was back in my high school moshpits! My favorite part of the night was whenever they played dubstep, Chloe and I both went crazy and I'm pretty sure the people around us were like "umm what is wrong with these gringas!" I am so glad I bought the tickets; it's been one of my favorite experiences here so far. Some of my friends at USFQ were even photographers for the event so I'm hoping to have some good photos since I didn't bring my camera.
Today I just rested and tried to work on some homework. Which I now must finish, so this is going to be all I'm able to write. Good night!
(Post Dayglow!)P.S. I think my grandparents here must just be like a hostel for internationals. For the past few weeks they had some German girls, and now there's a boy from Denmark there! And I met an older couple when I first got here and I feel like there was another. They have so many I can't even remember them all!
Friday night we went to Chupitos (shots in Spanish). They pretty much only sell shots and they have a ton! I got two very delicious ones and Chloe and I vowed to take flaming ones next time we go back! Molly's friend from Kentucky was here (he's been in Ecuador for a week following a medical team to take pictures). It was fun hanging out with a bunch of real gringos (by now I consider most of the internationals half gringos!). We ended up meeting a couple of British guys as well who had just arrived. The people we meet in la mariscal! I ended up not getting home until 4am, but thankfully we hung out at their hotel for the last part so we had a legitimate taxi waiting to take us home.
Saturday I tried to work on home homework (I have a mountain of it and should probably be doing that instead of writing this blog...). Then it was Dayglow! I really lucked out that it was coming to Quito because the tickets were only $30 as compared to at least $60 tickets in the US. It was fantastic! We took a van specifically for the concert to the rave center near el Mitad del Mundo. We got there after 8 and I figured the concert probably started at 10 (the vans stopped running at 9 but we didn't know how many people would be taking them). So there was just some music playing for a while. Then Kevin Focus came on and I figured this was the start of Dayglow. After he DJed for about an hour, a countdown came on the screen saying 59:59.30 until DAYGLOW! And that's when we all realized the real Dayglow didn't start until midnight (but that's also when it made sense that the returning vans didn't start until 2). It was kind of silly because most of the talking and pumping up was said in English so I almost felt as if I was back in the States! The music was amazing and by the time we left I was covered in paint, which apparently my shower did not even completely remove. My white shoes now have some sweet tie-dye and Chloe's shirt I borrowed looks pretty rad. It was great because we all danced the night away and at one point there was a huge surge in the crowd and I felt like I was back in my high school moshpits! My favorite part of the night was whenever they played dubstep, Chloe and I both went crazy and I'm pretty sure the people around us were like "umm what is wrong with these gringas!" I am so glad I bought the tickets; it's been one of my favorite experiences here so far. Some of my friends at USFQ were even photographers for the event so I'm hoping to have some good photos since I didn't bring my camera.
Today I just rested and tried to work on some homework. Which I now must finish, so this is going to be all I'm able to write. Good night!
(Post Dayglow!)
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