Saltando!

7-3-11

These past few days have been very busy, but I really like it.  Yesterday we all (5 of us) went to Quito for another tour.  I can’t believe how much time I spent shopping in a couple of the art markets.   All of them went to the Teleférico while I stayed behind looking at all the art.  After they went to the top of the mountain to look down on Quito, we ate at a Greek restaurant which sold sandwiches (on pita bread, with chicken or other meat, French fries, tomatoes, onions and a mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup), kabobs, or big plates of food.  We spent some time eating great food and talking to each other in a great environment.  We ventured back to the art market once again.  All of us were exhausted by the end of the day since we had been on our feet walking all day through the capital. 

A famous view from a central park in Quito.

After taking the 35 cent bus back to Lumbisí (a 45 min drive), Zack and I spoke with a few families to organize the lunch they are making for the 12 volunteers from Illinois, who will be staying here volunteering through FEVI for one month.  My job was to help my host mom make Quimbolitos once again, as well as buy all the ingredients for the women making the lunch.  Danielle and I ate soup with our host family for dinner. Afterwards, Matilde (my host mom) and I bought all the ingredients to make Quimbolitos from our grandparents’ small store that live behind us.

This morning I awoke quite early for a Sunday morning to help Zack post announcements around town, letting parents know what time the “Curso vocacional” (summer class hosted by the students from the University of Illinois that includes English lessons, art and sports) begins this week and the whole month of July.  I was busy the whole morning tracking down different ingredients in the small farmers-market like shops.  Some of the food included 25 pounds of potatoes, avocados, salsa de maní, flour, milk, oil, soda, water, cheese, plátano (maduro y verde), and baked chickens.  I was impressed and happy that I could buy all of these things locally from Lumbisí to support the community where I live. I’m not sure how many trips I made going to my house and walking back into town, but I was definitely exhausted by the time lunch came around.  Making Quimbolitos was also fun because some of the girl friends that I’ve been with helped make them with my host mom.  Each person contributed to make wonderful Quimbolitos (they are like sweet corn bread wrapped in a huge green leaf—“hojas de achira”; what my host mom and I made about a month ago…) On one of the trips walking back to my house on a dirt road, I heard a little girl say “Profe!” and I turn around and see one of the girls I work with at the day-care.  It was good to hear someone say that, as they recognized me and then said “Jolie” (or something that sounded like it) and was all smiles as we walked to our individual houses along the way.  I’m so impressed and content with the small things in life!

Lunch was well prepared by the women who hosted the lunch in the small “cafeteria” at the day-care.  We ate with all of the students from the University of Illinois and everyone was fully satisfied afterwards.  After a restful afternoon, some of our extended family came to our house to chat and to eat dinner with us.  It was good to see Freddy’s (my host dad) other sister who I haven’t actually had much contact with, even though she lives just up the street a ways.  Now for a busy week ahead of me!