(Monday, August 23, Day 63)

"The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps."


Phrase of the day:
Lo siento, pero me nombre no es San Antonio... I'm sorry, but my name is not San Antonio

I'm finally at my site! I say finally because I ended up being in Quito a bit longer than I had expected... somehow I was nominated and elected to some Volunteer Advisory Council. It's basically like a student government. The group (VAC) meets 3 times a year with the country director to discuss issues that volunteers are having with policy and what not. I will be at the meetings representing my Youth and Families program. And no worries, I haven't changed; I'm as shocked as you are that I am in VAC.

I stayed in Quito for meetings on Thursday and Friday, and I noticed that the other volunteers, who all have more experience, are all pretty biased towards their own programs. Hopefully I'll bring at least a little logic to the group, if nothing else.

After my meetings on Friday, I went to the bus station to try to purchase a ticket for the evening bus to my site. No dice (and no complaints, haha). I hadn't eaten lunch, so I went to the really nice mall, Quicentro, (like Tysons nice) and went to Crepes & Waffles. I mean, it can't get much better than that! Really, as long as it didn't have rice or potatoes I would have been happy. Randomly, I sat next to a girl my age-ish and her mother. They spoke English and tried to translate the menu for me. I actually knew what everything meant, I was just trying to decide which kind of ice cream I wanted on my berry-filled crepe. I ended up choosing vanilla and strawberry. We spoke for over an hour during lunch (that was nice because I still think it's lame when I am in a restaurant eating alone). The mother is a doctor and works with World Vision. I'm pretty sure she is getting one of the new health volunteers this coming week actually. The daughter is finishing up her thesis to become an architect. And they speak English because 1) they used to live in California, 2) they have had money to go to private schools, and 3) they still have some family in the states whom they visit. If they ever come to the US after my two years, you'll possibly be meeting them.

Somehow I ended up hanging out with the girl and her friend in the evening too. That was really nice because there weren't any other volunteers (who I talk to) still in Quito, and I really didn't want to stay in my hostel all night. They showed me around La Ronda, a happening street in the old part of Quito. It reminded me of Paris a bit... old architecture with lots of lights, people roaming the streets, and good food. No comment on the lack of ice cream in that area! I did have empanadas and hot chocolate though. And yes, I totally waited for the hot chocolate to cool down a bit.

And sadly no pictures of the old town at night. I wasn't sure if it would be safe or not.

But yes, I arrived here Saturday evening around dinner time. On Sunday I finally slept in (it's been weeks and weeks since that has really happened). And now we are here... we'll see what happens...

I have lots of surveys to complete, and lots of books I can begin reading when I am bored. (I know, I of all people am resorting to reading something besides National Geo and Popular Science at Big Uncle's!) I will also begin taking some more pictures of the town itself to show you. Word on the street is that there actually may be some sort of gym! (I'm imagining a few dumbells in a windowless room, but much better than nothing!)

Hope all is great back home! Cannot wait for Spring.

ps: Oh, if you know me decently, you know I only corrected them about my name in my mind, haha. (My new main goal is to get at least 30 Ecuadorians to be able to pronounce my name properly).

pps: I was hoping to grow out my hair, but I don't think that is going to slide. It is way to warm and muggy here for that.