No es cierto

8-7-11

I arrived very early (about 6 AM) in Quito at the big bus terminal.  I was determined to figure out the bus system instead of taking a taxi that would cost a ton to get back to Lumbisí.  The guy at the information desk was not very helpful and didn’t look like he wanted to help anyone because it was early in the morning.  He talked very softly, didn’t show me a map of the bus routes, and was wearing a hat that covered everything except his eyes- maybe that’s why I couldn’t hear him very well?  He said that the bus system was a little complicated, so I checked to see how much a taxi really would be; $15.00- no way.  So, I asked a different lady who was extremely helpful—writing down names of the bus stations, how many minutes (roughly) it would take, etc.  I paid my $0.25 and got on the trolley. The nice lady said it would take about 40 minutes to the next station.  After a couple different people sat beside me, I finally asked a woman who looked like she would be helpful to kind of guide me to the next bus station.  She said she was going to the same area and that she would “advise” me.  We chatted for a while and then told me to be very careful at the next bus station, as many people are mugged. Good advice!  As we were getting closer to where I would be getting off the trolley, she recommended that instead of going to the dangerous terminal, that I follow her to get on a regular city bus.  I trusted her enough and that’s where she would be going anyway.  We got off the bus together to walk to a bus stop; we waited for about a half hour for the correct one to Cumbayá for me.  There were no problems taking the two other city busses, where I arrived safely to Lumbisí. Traveling from Cuenca to Lumbisí took about 10 hours—I was exhausted.  I walk into my house and find my whole family there, along with Danielle (another volunteer who stayed at my house for a few days before) and Rosita (a girl who lives in Tonsupa who I’ve become good friends with). 

Rosita and I saying our good-byes. I'm gonna miss this girl! 

It was like a big reunion! I’m so glad I was able to see them before I leave the country! After our good-byes, I helped out with Clarita and the comedor with Zack and another volunteer.  It was a sad day leaving the comedor and thinking that I’ll probably never see the old folks again; it was a very odd feeling walking out of the comedor, because I’ve been helping out the whole summer! Thursday, August 4^th was my host mom’s birthday, so I went to Cumbayá to buy a brownie mix to make (since no one bakes brownies and they have probably never tasted the deliciousness of them) that night. On the way home from Cumbayá, I stopped at a local flower shop to buy a flower bouquet for Matildle as well. The guy (Pedro) who owns the really tiny flower shop told me it would only be $5.00 for the huge flower bouquet and then continued on to show me his garden where he grows most of what he sells.  I love buying things locally and supporting the community of Lumbisí! Grace, Martín, Zack and I helped make the brownies when Matilde arrived at our house.  Also, something interesting is that most families in Lumbisí don’t ever use their oven, so making brownies in the oven was interesting to them.  Usually they cook over the stove while frying absolutely everything.  Everyone loved the brownies (it actually turned out to be more like cake than anything…oh well) and we were able to relax together.

My host dad, Freddy, and host mom, Matilde, eating brownies on her birthday

Friday morning we didn’t have much to do since los ancianos (older people) at the comedor were taking a “vacation” to the hot springs and we didn’t have to serve them lunch.  Instead, we cleaned the upstairs classroom at Muñequitos so that Zack can start English classes for adults next week (Pedro, the flower shop guy, said he would be attending). In the afternoon, Zack and I went to my favorite location in Cumbayá- “El Español” where there is free wifi, frozen coffee/chocolate drink and oreo cheesecake. What can be better than that?  Oh, also the view from where we were sitting was amazing.  We were looking at the clear view of Cotopaxi, with the snow-covered top and dusk setting in so that the clouds surrounding it were a pretty color. We arrived back at home, ate dinner together, and enjoyed some really sweet pear wine (Boone’s); it actually tasted more like sparkling wine than anything, to celebrate Matilde’s birthday once again.  Matilde, Zack and I played cards late into the night because I didn’t want to go to sleep, because sleep would mean time here would go by faster! 

Hot Springs fed by volcanoes nearby. 

Saturday morning, everyone was able to sleep in and we had plans to go to Papallacta (hot springs heated by the surrounding volcanoes).  Matildle, Grace, Martín, Zack and I hopped on a few busses to an area that was surrounded by mountains, however, meaning it was very cold outside.  The pool was pretty big and felt just like a big hot tub (and cost only $2).  I couldn’t get over that we could just look out into the mountains, where cows and sheep were grazing on the hills, sitting inside of a hot springs pool.  Finally we arrived home, after a pretty long bus ride.  Matilde made another fantastic dinner (my last one in Ecuador!) that consisted of patacones, rice, broccoli/carrot salad, and a mixture of cold tuna with tomatoes. I wanted to make Quimbolitos before I left for the United States, since most likely there won’t be huge leaves that I can wrap the goodness into.  I bought all of the ingredients from my grandparents store who live behind us and told a few of the families who live around us that I was going to be selling Quimbolitos at 9PM. The house had the aroma of Quimbolitos and Zack and I played cards (Spit) while they were being steamed.  I am taking a few of them to the United States so my family can try them!