Mi hija

7-23-11

Grace and I at "Cafeto", drinking coffee and reading books! 

Today I was able to enjoy a day in Quito with my host sister, Grace.  For breakfast, we were served French Toast (with cinnamon) by my host mom, which was pretty amazing.  It was fun hearing my mom try to say “French Toast” because they don’t really say that in Spanish—she couldn’t get the “Toast” word out; I think because the word ended with a “t”.  The bread that she used was more like an English muffin, so it was a little different than what we eat in the States, but still tasted and smelled really good.  It was a treat for a Saturday morning breakfast.  It was a chill day (not chilly) as Grace and I were able to sleep in, eat a great breakfast, and head to Quito together.  I wanted to go to a chocolate/coffee restaurant that I knew of in the historic district in Quito.  I really like the atmosphere of this tiny restaurant; as it has a park that we could look into while reading and drinking coffee.  However, the bad news was that it’s not selling sweets anymore!  They are no longer making cheesecakes, brownies, biscotti, and other things.  I was so disappointed! Haha. It was fun just hanging out with Grace, as we don’t spend that much time together.  I brought books and a dictionary along with us because I started a book in Spanish today…it’s a very difficult book and I don’t know many words, so most of the time was just looking up new words.  I enjoyed this thoroughly.  Since “Cafeto” is relatively expensive for purchasing lunch, we looked for a cheaper restaurant to enjoy lunch together.  Indeed, we found a cheap lunch.  For $2.50, it included rice, chicken, salad, avocado, French fries and a soda.  Afterward, we hopped on a few busses to get home.  Before going home, we took a tour of where my host dad works in Quito, where he installs windows and doors (but first needs to cut the glass).  On that same street, we went to a Panadería (bread/pastry shop) and I bought “ChocoPan” (for $0.30)—the Panadería is called “Pan de Vida” and that’s where my host parents buy all of our bread that we eat and it’s amazing…especially the Pan de Chocolate and Pan de Manjar.  Just to note: not all bread shops have good bread.  There is one in Lumbisí that doesn’t make tasty bread and my family never shops there because of that.  

I have been running at the “Estadio”, where the soccer fields are located, a few days a week with some girls who are also volunteering here.  It’s really difficult to run because of the altitude (I’m thinking its about 9,000 feet above sea level), but usually we run about 2 miles each time.  Today, however, I was not able to run because soccer teams have the fields reserved on Saturdays.  Sad.  Instead, I came home to eat a brownie (we made them a few days ago), drink some coffee, and write my blog.  I think that’s a good trade-off! :-)

I can’t believe I only have about 2 weeks left in Ecuador! I will be sad to leave, but have a lot to look forward to when I am home (a nephew!) I’m happy with the experience I’ve had so far, but I will definitely miss my family, where I volunteer, living in a different country, and speaking Spanish to everyone around me.  I’m sure that the next few weeks will fly by just like this past week has!  It’s good that I’ve been busy helping the students from U of I with the vocational courses, but it makes time go by quickly.  At the vocational course,  I don’t have much to do since the students from U of I have it all pretty much under control, so I help out with 2 women who cook snacks/lunch for all of the kids (about 70 kids).  I think I would enjoy doing this anyways, instead of planning what to do for each group of students with art, sports, English and environment.  Everyday I leave early to bring Clarita (the 94 year old) to the comedor to eat lunch. I still enjoy working in the comedor with the two cooks, preparing and serving lunch to the elderly.  I have been dependable working there, as I think I’ve worked almost everyday (Monday-Friday) since I’ve been here. I am going to miss the phrase “Dios le pague” when I return home.  ;-)