I woke up at 7:19am on Friday. Tricia, in the floor, magically slept through the lady saying, "up, down, up, down, side-to-side." We didn't leave my apartment until 12:45. We had Cinnabon for breakfast. Then, we went to Tricia's apartment, so she could get around. We went to a hospital near my house (but not the kids hospital). Our friend had a punctured lung and his surgery is today (19 May). I haven't heard how it went, but I am waiting. He wanted us to change our flights so that we could hang out more.
When we left after visiting hours were over at 6, Tricia and I walked to the bus stop. I was really sad. I said good bye to the friend in the hospital, and then I had to say bye to Tricia. We hugged, said stupid things about Liga soccer and such. Then, got on the Ecovia. That was my last ride on the Ecovia. I sat down and it was practically empty. Apparently, Ecuador wanted me to remember the Ecovia in a pleasant manner....
I took everything out of my bags to try to fix the weight problem. I took a break and had tea with Camila. Then, I went back at it. Margarita, Camila, and Ximena gave me a card and said sweet things. Margarita cried a little. We worked out how the morning would go. Ximena called me to come to the kitchen, so I did. She gave me a seperate card and a CD. It was sweet.
I stayed up until 2:00am. I took a nap for 20 minutes, then got up and got myself ready and finished throwing crap in the suitcases.
Margarita called Luis Eduardo (worker boy Luis) at 3:20 so he'd be up at the apt at 3:30 to take things down. The taxi arrived, and I hugged Margarita. I went down the stairs really sad. The taxi driver (mini van, the ONLY mini van I saw the entire time in Ecuador lol) and his friend talked back and forth and occasionally asked me things.
At the airport, I had to take 9 lbs out of 1 of my suitcase..nightmare. My hairdryer ended up being tied to my carry-on. I made my way to my gate, A4, and the people there searched my red pull bag and my bookbag. Then, we couldn't get either closed back right. I sat on the floor for 15 minutes before I got it all situated right. I got back in my chair and 10 minutes later, a lady collects 5 people, including me, because we have 1 bag that was randomly selected to be checked by the popo. 4 of the 5 of us went to USFQ. We all questioned how random that check actually was. When the guard asked me something and I gave him a blank stair, he asked if I spoke Spanish. Since it was 5am, I gave him the very delayed response of a little. He chuckled and went about his business.
I sat next to a couple who had a little baby, maybe 3 months old. They were sweet.
Flights all on time, made it to OKC at 3:50pm. Lindsey met me at the excalators to go down to baggage claim. Mom and Dad were late.... but they drove us and Ephraim to Norman.
And that was the end of Ecuador, Spring 2009.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
My Last Week
Monday- I had my Geology test. I'm not sure how it went, but it's over. I'm very thankful for that. I also went to the Equator for the 4th time. This trip, I tried Cuy. It's a traditional dish of the indigenous Ecuadorian people. If you're wondering what exactly Cuy is, it's guinea pig. Most of the students I've talked to that have tried it, compared it to chicken and said it was likeable. I completely disagree. Mine tasted like campfire and poo. I'm very glad I tried it, but I didn't care for it. All rubbery..
Tuesday- Evolution of Jazz test. 83 baby. I looked over my notes on the bus, and that was all the studying I did. & The bus ride had a guy playing the panpipes and guitar, and singing really loud. I decided I would start packing this day. I thought I would pay the overcharge for a too heavy suitcase, but load it down. I looked online and FAIL. It costs $50 for a suitcase between 50-70 pounds (as in only 20 extra lbs). OR, I could check a 2nd suitcase up to 50 lbs for $25. Dumb.
Wednesday- I woke up at 7:20 to, "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," by the loud speaker at the Andino School. Studied with Jessalie at 1 for Spanish. Ate at the empanada place across the street from school. Bused back to Quito. Little girl asked me if I had the time, and I was confused because of how she said it. The mom said, "La hora?" & I told her. The little girl thought that was funny. I bought a suitcase at Megamaxi, and took a cab home. I met Tricia (who just got back from Machu Pichu) and Andres. We split a banana split from Baskin Robbins. Mmmmm. Then, Tricia came to my house and helped me study for Spanish. We called her a cab later. The cab driver was having all kinds of issues. He reversed down my street, and I had to flag him down to come back up the street. hah!
Thursday- I waited on the Ecovia 17 minutes. The Ecovia had problems with the silver ramp when we were at the LAST stop before the station. My test moved rooms, and since I was late I had issues finding the room. I messed up the first 10 questions on the test, but think I did alright on the remainder. I met Tricia a little after 3 at the Metrobus stop 'Seminario Mayor.' Sofia and Jessalie showed up not long after. Jessalie had her phone pickpocketed at some point before getting to us. We took the bus to the Yaku water museum and had a good time there. Tricia and I raced up the hill. I won, but regretted running up the hill at such an altitude. We walked to a market so Jessalie could buy boots. Sofia gave me my gift--a pair of shoes that she painted. She painted the country onto the shoes. I love them. She left us for her little brother's birthday. We finally found Jessalie a pair of boots. Tricia asked a little boy if they had a cuarenta (40). He asked another guy, and the little boy laughed after he said it. Ecuadorians have tiny feet and hands. My size 9 or 9 1/2s are big. ya.
We took a cab to my apartment. Tricia walked J to the Ecovia line. T came back to my place. We waited to get the lowdown for our plans to meet our friends. We walked to 12 de Octubre and too a cab to Universidad de Catolîca. I met several new people, but we didn't hang out with them. We went for yogurt, but it was closed. Then, we went to a 'sketchy area' to check out a new Karaokee bar. Kelsey couldn't handle the smoke, so we tried again. We ended up going to a dance party-like thing at Andres, and Juan's school. We danced. Lacy---can---not---dance. It was great. We were all stared at when we walked in, but whatever. We had fun.
Tuesday- Evolution of Jazz test. 83 baby. I looked over my notes on the bus, and that was all the studying I did. & The bus ride had a guy playing the panpipes and guitar, and singing really loud. I decided I would start packing this day. I thought I would pay the overcharge for a too heavy suitcase, but load it down. I looked online and FAIL. It costs $50 for a suitcase between 50-70 pounds (as in only 20 extra lbs). OR, I could check a 2nd suitcase up to 50 lbs for $25. Dumb.
Wednesday- I woke up at 7:20 to, "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," by the loud speaker at the Andino School. Studied with Jessalie at 1 for Spanish. Ate at the empanada place across the street from school. Bused back to Quito. Little girl asked me if I had the time, and I was confused because of how she said it. The mom said, "La hora?" & I told her. The little girl thought that was funny. I bought a suitcase at Megamaxi, and took a cab home. I met Tricia (who just got back from Machu Pichu) and Andres. We split a banana split from Baskin Robbins. Mmmmm. Then, Tricia came to my house and helped me study for Spanish. We called her a cab later. The cab driver was having all kinds of issues. He reversed down my street, and I had to flag him down to come back up the street. hah!
Thursday- I waited on the Ecovia 17 minutes. The Ecovia had problems with the silver ramp when we were at the LAST stop before the station. My test moved rooms, and since I was late I had issues finding the room. I messed up the first 10 questions on the test, but think I did alright on the remainder. I met Tricia a little after 3 at the Metrobus stop 'Seminario Mayor.' Sofia and Jessalie showed up not long after. Jessalie had her phone pickpocketed at some point before getting to us. We took the bus to the Yaku water museum and had a good time there. Tricia and I raced up the hill. I won, but regretted running up the hill at such an altitude. We walked to a market so Jessalie could buy boots. Sofia gave me my gift--a pair of shoes that she painted. She painted the country onto the shoes. I love them. She left us for her little brother's birthday. We finally found Jessalie a pair of boots. Tricia asked a little boy if they had a cuarenta (40). He asked another guy, and the little boy laughed after he said it. Ecuadorians have tiny feet and hands. My size 9 or 9 1/2s are big. ya.
We took a cab to my apartment. Tricia walked J to the Ecovia line. T came back to my place. We waited to get the lowdown for our plans to meet our friends. We walked to 12 de Octubre and too a cab to Universidad de Catolîca. I met several new people, but we didn't hang out with them. We went for yogurt, but it was closed. Then, we went to a 'sketchy area' to check out a new Karaokee bar. Kelsey couldn't handle the smoke, so we tried again. We ended up going to a dance party-like thing at Andres, and Juan's school. We danced. Lacy---can---not---dance. It was great. We were all stared at when we walked in, but whatever. We had fun.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Brooke
*insert excited voice here*
blogging by brooke.
Brooke (I don't know how to tag her) gave me an award! I'm so excited! I read her blog everyday!
My queenly duties include:
1. List seven things that make US awe-summm!!!
2. Pass the award on to seven bloggers, I read religiously.
3. Don't forget to link the Queen that tagged us.
4. Copy the pic and put it into your sidebar
1. Singing
2. Country Kids
3. Hearts
4. Intelligence (spelling doesn't matter)
5. Sense of humor
6. Parked Cars
7. Mooning
Puentes y Cascadas
Wednesday-I karaokee'd again with Tricia. We were going to go ice skating. We bumped into a friend she and Andres know from youth group, so the four of us ended up going to the grocery store, buying things to make dinner, then went to 4th persons apartment. Turns out, he didn't have gas in the tank, so we did not make dinner. We played a little Cuarenta. We moved on frm that card game pretty fast to karaokee. The background kept showing things like barns on wheat fields. ya. This karaokee also had "Achy Breaky Heart," on it. Many many songs of all types.
Thursday-We were going to have sushi, but that didn't happen. We (Tricia, Andres, and Dianita) ended up getting mall food. I ordered a sandwich. I HATE MAYONAISE. I thought I would be able to wipe it off, but it was a lost cause. So, I had a $5 cup of orange Fanta. Then, Tricia and I got shakes and Cinnabon. That made us both feel better.
Friday-Didn't do anything until 2. It was nice. Went to the market, had ice cream, and went to the mall. Bought a dried peaches and a pack of PB. mmmm.
Saturday- WOOO, Saturday. Left the bus station at 9:00. Drove to Baños for 3 3/4 of an hour, longer than usual. Paid 10 cents to USE the bathroom at the bus station. No TP, no toilet seat, no soap. gross =). Then, Sofia managed to get us a taxi. The driver asked her if she was our translator. NO! We would have been over charged massively if one of us had arranged it. He drove us around for about 4 hours. We paid $20! The first stop, which we didn't know was the first stop, was the bridge. Jessalie jumped first. I jumped with Sofia. I have never screamed so loud in my life. Sofia and I neither one could remember how we got off that ledge, but one of the pictures shows one of the guys with his hands on our backs.
We've come to the assumption that he pushed us off. hahah. It cost $7. I didn't wear a helmet and signed no release form. Just a head nod, strap in, and a climb over. We paid after we jumped, so I suppose if we had died, they wouldn't have gotten their money. That was kind.
After that excitement, we loaded back up in the taxi, drove to a small waterfall, got out, and looked on from the road. We then drove to the Tarabita. That is a cable cart that goes across the ravine to the other side. We walked around a little bit, and then waited to take the cart back across to where the cab was. This is a lime tree. I liked it.
After that, we drove to our last destination. We walked downhill most of the way, which was nice. We paid $1 to go to the balcony area. Pailon del Diablo is beautiful. It's a waterfall that's suppose to be the face of the devil. It's large and monstrous, but pretty cool.
We went through the little tunnel way to the balcony closest to the waterfall. It was very..wet.
The way back to the taxi was mostly uphill. That was quite the workout, but we made it.
We looked in a few shops, had lunch/dinner, then got back on the bus. We almost missed it, but we caught it right before it pulled out of the parking lot. We got back to Quito, and all was good.
Thursday-We were going to have sushi, but that didn't happen. We (Tricia, Andres, and Dianita) ended up getting mall food. I ordered a sandwich. I HATE MAYONAISE. I thought I would be able to wipe it off, but it was a lost cause. So, I had a $5 cup of orange Fanta. Then, Tricia and I got shakes and Cinnabon. That made us both feel better.
Friday-Didn't do anything until 2. It was nice. Went to the market, had ice cream, and went to the mall. Bought a dried peaches and a pack of PB. mmmm.
Saturday- WOOO, Saturday. Left the bus station at 9:00. Drove to Baños for 3 3/4 of an hour, longer than usual. Paid 10 cents to USE the bathroom at the bus station. No TP, no toilet seat, no soap. gross =). Then, Sofia managed to get us a taxi. The driver asked her if she was our translator. NO! We would have been over charged massively if one of us had arranged it. He drove us around for about 4 hours. We paid $20! The first stop, which we didn't know was the first stop, was the bridge. Jessalie jumped first. I jumped with Sofia. I have never screamed so loud in my life. Sofia and I neither one could remember how we got off that ledge, but one of the pictures shows one of the guys with his hands on our backs.
We've come to the assumption that he pushed us off. hahah. It cost $7. I didn't wear a helmet and signed no release form. Just a head nod, strap in, and a climb over. We paid after we jumped, so I suppose if we had died, they wouldn't have gotten their money. That was kind.
After that excitement, we loaded back up in the taxi, drove to a small waterfall, got out, and looked on from the road. We then drove to the Tarabita. That is a cable cart that goes across the ravine to the other side. We walked around a little bit, and then waited to take the cart back across to where the cab was. This is a lime tree. I liked it.
After that, we drove to our last destination. We walked downhill most of the way, which was nice. We paid $1 to go to the balcony area. Pailon del Diablo is beautiful. It's a waterfall that's suppose to be the face of the devil. It's large and monstrous, but pretty cool.
We went through the little tunnel way to the balcony closest to the waterfall. It was very..wet.
The way back to the taxi was mostly uphill. That was quite the workout, but we made it.
We looked in a few shops, had lunch/dinner, then got back on the bus. We almost missed it, but we caught it right before it pulled out of the parking lot. We got back to Quito, and all was good.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
It's My Life..or Bon Jovi's
Friday night, I ate lunch/dinner with Tricia, Kelsey, Andres, Carlos, and Pablo. I had a miscommunication about lunch at my house, so I managed not eaten before I met up with them. I had a ham sandwich from Corral. I forgot to ask for no mayonaise. After I wiped it off, I loaded it with mustard. mmmm.
Kelsey left us for homework. We walked towards Jose's house. I tripped, over what I thought was Tricia's foot, and nearly fell on my face. Let's just say that all those who got to witness it found it very funny. I admit, it was funny.
We got to our next destination...Jose's house. He sat up his computer in the living room. We sang. It was fantastic!
For whatever reason, they kept singing love songs. Tricia and I sang the Backstreet Boys, among others. =)
Saturday, Tricia and I made plans to go to a museum, Hassan's (the Lebonese close to my apt.), and the Mariscal Market. We bought a few things, and had a good time. It rained. Amy called, and we met her at Plaza Grande in Centro Historico. After we were interviewed by several groups for English practice, we took a cab to the Panecillo (the hill with the Giant Virgen Mary on it). Since I didn't plan on this excursion, I didn't have my camera. I'll post pictures of this when I get them from Amy. Our cab driver waited for us, and drove us back down.
We tried to go into La Compañia (Tricia still hasn't been in it), but they were having mass. The church across the street had a wedding in it. We trekked up the massive hill to the Basilica (Gothic style church, but decorated with native animals instead of gargoyles). A wedding had just taken place there, and they were about to start mass. We didn't get to go in. We decided to head towards an ice cream place. After a brief stop at the grocery store, we found where the ice cream shop would be. It was closed. We found our way to the Trolle, were redirected to the North bound Trolle, and then got on. I got off at the park El Ejido. A man was walking towards me wearing a box on his back and head, homeless guy. He started saying things to me, so I veered and crossed the bus lane, then the car lanes. He gave up once I got in the road. I flagged a taxi, going away from my house, but I didn't care. When I said, "12 de Octubre y Cordero" he replied (in Spanish), "ya, where are you from?" haha. He asked me where my friends were, how long I would be here, how long I've been here, do I like Ecuador, etc. Other than asking about my friends, it was the pretty standard run of questions to a foreigner.
I was on Skype a while last night, rather than doing homework. Today, I woke up early because of the light through my window and because Tia Rita and Tio were talking loud like usual from the kitchen. So far today, I've searched high and low for my red jump drive (pockets of pants in the laundry basket, underware drawer..) only to remember I let Lily borrow it because her computer crashed. Now that everything is cleaned and straightened, I think the week might be productive for school work. Well, it has to be.
Leaving in about an hour to go to the store and have lunch.
Kelsey left us for homework. We walked towards Jose's house. I tripped, over what I thought was Tricia's foot, and nearly fell on my face. Let's just say that all those who got to witness it found it very funny. I admit, it was funny.
We got to our next destination...Jose's house. He sat up his computer in the living room. We sang. It was fantastic!
For whatever reason, they kept singing love songs. Tricia and I sang the Backstreet Boys, among others. =)
Saturday, Tricia and I made plans to go to a museum, Hassan's (the Lebonese close to my apt.), and the Mariscal Market. We bought a few things, and had a good time. It rained. Amy called, and we met her at Plaza Grande in Centro Historico. After we were interviewed by several groups for English practice, we took a cab to the Panecillo (the hill with the Giant Virgen Mary on it). Since I didn't plan on this excursion, I didn't have my camera. I'll post pictures of this when I get them from Amy. Our cab driver waited for us, and drove us back down.
We tried to go into La Compañia (Tricia still hasn't been in it), but they were having mass. The church across the street had a wedding in it. We trekked up the massive hill to the Basilica (Gothic style church, but decorated with native animals instead of gargoyles). A wedding had just taken place there, and they were about to start mass. We didn't get to go in. We decided to head towards an ice cream place. After a brief stop at the grocery store, we found where the ice cream shop would be. It was closed. We found our way to the Trolle, were redirected to the North bound Trolle, and then got on. I got off at the park El Ejido. A man was walking towards me wearing a box on his back and head, homeless guy. He started saying things to me, so I veered and crossed the bus lane, then the car lanes. He gave up once I got in the road. I flagged a taxi, going away from my house, but I didn't care. When I said, "12 de Octubre y Cordero" he replied (in Spanish), "ya, where are you from?" haha. He asked me where my friends were, how long I would be here, how long I've been here, do I like Ecuador, etc. Other than asking about my friends, it was the pretty standard run of questions to a foreigner.
I was on Skype a while last night, rather than doing homework. Today, I woke up early because of the light through my window and because Tia Rita and Tio were talking loud like usual from the kitchen. So far today, I've searched high and low for my red jump drive (pockets of pants in the laundry basket, underware drawer..) only to remember I let Lily borrow it because her computer crashed. Now that everything is cleaned and straightened, I think the week might be productive for school work. Well, it has to be.
Leaving in about an hour to go to the store and have lunch.
Friday, May 1, 2009
+ & -
Quito from the TeleferiQo tram.
It's Friday morning. I've decided to make a good and bad list/miss and won't miss list, I guess. It's a good summary for the semester.
About Ecuador
+
-------------------------------------------
-Cheap travel (busing costs no more than $12 (and that's for a 12 hour ride).
-abillity to go to the beach, jungle, volcanoes, etc for the weekend.
-Popularity of Nutella
-Manjar de leche
-popularity of ice cream
-The weather
-Spanish
-Hot herbal tea
-Panaderias! Cheap, fresh bread
-Random shops, like the one across the street from me, to get cheap water, yogurt, habitas.
-Fruits not grown or sold elsewhere-Guanâbana, Cherimoya, Maracuya
-Freshness of the fruits and vegetables sold here
-Tangos (made by Nestle!)
-del Valle peach juice (sold by Coca~Cola!)
-Dasani flavored water (Again, Coca~Cloa. I'm writing them!)
-Dried fruit
-Yogurt
-Ecovia (bus)
-Friends
-The Food
-Sushi
-Prices (!)
-Habitas (fried Lima beans with salt)
-Support of National Products
-Fausto Miño
-Daddy Yanky
-
-------------------------------------------
-instant coffee
-Car alarms
-crime
-Spanish (hehe)
-Lack of brewed cold tea-agian with the instant
-Meat & Soup
-Meat & Soup
-Meat & Soup
-Ecovia (bus)
-Snotty rich kids
-Very small middle class.
-The Food
-SOUP...
-No Tresseme hair products
-Make-up costs
-Prices of Imports (because of Nat'l support)
-------------------------------------------
Things that I've missed from The States:
-Safety
-My bike
-PEACH COBBLER
-Recycling
-Norman CART (bus)
-Sirius Marcus Black Grotheer
-Not that it's necessary to mention, but my family and friends.
-Water from the tap
-The Smell
-My Kitchen
-Mexican food
-A good salad
-Pizza Shuttle
-Cell phone (mine here is a Go Phone and I'm on the ghetto company.)
-My Tea Kettle
-Kool-Aid
-Hummus
-My neighborhood
-Cleaning including: laundry, dishes, taking out the trash, laundry, laundry
-A walk around Boomer
-Cold Tea/Sweet Tea
Of course, this is only a general list of things that stick out the most. Aunt Patti, Kenny, and I have a Mexican food date pretty soon after I get home. Today is May 1st, or May Day, or Lei Day (Hawaii), and on May 16th, I'll be in the air. My flight arrives into OKC at 3:52pm, that is without delays. I'm really looking forward to coming home. There are things that I'll miss from Ecuador, but that is alright. I may end up in Ecuador again. I hope to at least visit it.
It's Friday morning. I've decided to make a good and bad list/miss and won't miss list, I guess. It's a good summary for the semester.
About Ecuador
+
-------------------------------------------
-Cheap travel (busing costs no more than $12 (and that's for a 12 hour ride).
-abillity to go to the beach, jungle, volcanoes, etc for the weekend.
-Popularity of Nutella
-Manjar de leche
-popularity of ice cream
-The weather
-Spanish
-Hot herbal tea
-Panaderias! Cheap, fresh bread
-Random shops, like the one across the street from me, to get cheap water, yogurt, habitas.
-Fruits not grown or sold elsewhere-Guanâbana, Cherimoya, Maracuya
-Freshness of the fruits and vegetables sold here
-Tangos (made by Nestle!)
-del Valle peach juice (sold by Coca~Cola!)
-Dasani flavored water (Again, Coca~Cloa. I'm writing them!)
-Dried fruit
-Yogurt
-Ecovia (bus)
-Friends
-The Food
-Sushi
-Prices (!)
-Habitas (fried Lima beans with salt)
-Support of National Products
-Fausto Miño
-Daddy Yanky
-
-------------------------------------------
-instant coffee
-Car alarms
-crime
-Spanish (hehe)
-Lack of brewed cold tea-agian with the instant
-Meat & Soup
-Meat & Soup
-Meat & Soup
-Ecovia (bus)
-Snotty rich kids
-Very small middle class.
-The Food
-SOUP...
-No Tresseme hair products
-Make-up costs
-Prices of Imports (because of Nat'l support)
-------------------------------------------
Things that I've missed from The States:
-Safety
-My bike
-PEACH COBBLER
-Recycling
-Norman CART (bus)
-Sirius Marcus Black Grotheer
-Not that it's necessary to mention, but my family and friends.
-Water from the tap
-The Smell
-My Kitchen
-Mexican food
-A good salad
-Pizza Shuttle
-Cell phone (mine here is a Go Phone and I'm on the ghetto company.)
-My Tea Kettle
-Kool-Aid
-Hummus
-My neighborhood
-Cleaning including: laundry, dishes, taking out the trash, laundry, laundry
-A walk around Boomer
-Cold Tea/Sweet Tea
Of course, this is only a general list of things that stick out the most. Aunt Patti, Kenny, and I have a Mexican food date pretty soon after I get home. Today is May 1st, or May Day, or Lei Day (Hawaii), and on May 16th, I'll be in the air. My flight arrives into OKC at 3:52pm, that is without delays. I'm really looking forward to coming home. There are things that I'll miss from Ecuador, but that is alright. I may end up in Ecuador again. I hope to at least visit it.
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