Ok, so I finally figured out there are public links on facebook to the photos, so here´s a TON! (I just got back from the Amazon, and took waaaay too many photos!) And I will write about the Amazon a little later too! Promise! And I leave for Machu Picchu in Peru tomorrow, and will be gone for a week! YAY!
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008607&l=2ecbb&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008608&l=feb1f&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008609&l=cbb7c&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008610&l=66aba&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008611&l=21872&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008612&l=7458d&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008615&l=f4488&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009325&l=e013f&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009327&l=e085b&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009329&l=fad8e&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009330&l=0302c&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009332&l=011cb&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009334&l=86dfd&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009335&l=31522&id=4100710
And that´s all! Haha! Sorry it´s a bit of an overload! (Four of them are from the Amazon alone!)
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Antes de la Selva
In less than 12 hours, I will be on my way to the airport to fly to the Amazon. Incredible. I never thought I would actually get to go to this place that I used to watch nature shows about. I´m meeting my group at 7:45am tomorrow in the airport, and will reutnr to Quito sometime Monday afternoon. It´s not much time, but it´s still awesome. This trip is beginning my almost month of traveling with the group, so I will not be in Quito, or with internet access for much of the month. I will, of course, take tons of pictures while I´m there, and hope to actually be able to upload them where everyone can see them. Ok, my lil´brother is begging me to finish so he can play computer games (como siempre), so I will go finish packing now. Yay!
Monday, March 26, 2007
El Raton Perez
I can´t seem to go a day without almost getting hit by a car, or jumping on a moving bus. It´s great. Normally when I jump on a moving bus, the busdriver knows I´m getting on, and isn´t really driving away. Today was different. I don´t think they even noticed I ran and jumped in the back door as the bus took off (they didn´t even collect my money, third time baby, haha). It was actually kinda fun, haha. Oh, and the difference between crossing the street here, and in NYC, is that in NYC people won´t actually hit you as you cross the street... here, they will, haha. You can´t even trust a stop sign (most drivers don´t stop for them).
Onto other news, I went to the movies yesterday. I went to another Centro Commercial (mall) that I haven´t been to before, which was fun (I´ve been to at least four now). I discovered an ice skating rink in this one (not very big, but still exciting!) and got some free watermelon flavored Halls cough drops, haha. Then I went to see El Raton Perez, a kids movie that was part live action, part computer animated. It was about Perez, el raton de los dientes (he´s kinda like the toothfairy). He leaves kids a coin for their tooth, then turns the tooth into a pearl! The story was that he was kidnapped and these kids had to find him and save the everyone from a world without el raton de los dientes. It was cute and fun, and I really enjoyed it. And the best part was, it was all in Spanish, and I understood it all! I was very excited about that.
This weekend I also went to Latitude again, the wine and tapas restaurant, got some yummy and expensive chocolate ice cream (and again at a different place today), went to Seseribo again, and danced with a complete stranger (some of the most fun salsa I´ve done), slept till noon on Sunday, had a converstaion where I spoke Spanish, and my Ecuadorian friend spoke English, and walked a really really long ways after the movie just for the sake of walking and talking. It was a good weekend, but I´m looking forward to going to Banos next weekend, and escaping my usual weekend plans in the city.
I also feel now that I´m getting to a point with the language where, the more I learn, the harder it is to make it all fit. I understand so much more, but can´t seem to make myself learn how to work with all the tenses at once, plus subjuntivo, and everything else. At times, it´s ok, but when I get into class, I get so frustrated. I feel like I either need to stay here (or in a Spanish speaking country) for the next few months, or take a short break, then come back. Neither of which seems like a real possibility (but I came to learn Spanish, and it´s frustrating me that the best ways to do it aren´t really options). Ideally, I would love to stay here through June, then spend all of July in Puerto Rico, then go home for three weeks before heading back to Swat. I don´t think I can stand to spend much time in an English speaking country as soon as the end of May. I love hearing Spanish in the streets, on the bus, on the radio, tv, all the time, even when I don´t understand it. I love the language, and want to master it, and I know I can´t do that back home in the States. Well, we´ll see how things pan out...
And my independent project is frustrating me. I´m not sure what I really want to do, and need to decide and make contacts. I mean, I turned in a final proposal for a project I really don´t intend on doing. I just need to find something that clicks, and feels right. I can´t do a project if my whole heart´s not in it. Let´s hope I figure this out soon... but other than that, all is well, I´m happy and healthy, and hanging out with people enough that I´m hardly online (or home for that matter). =)
Onto other news, I went to the movies yesterday. I went to another Centro Commercial (mall) that I haven´t been to before, which was fun (I´ve been to at least four now). I discovered an ice skating rink in this one (not very big, but still exciting!) and got some free watermelon flavored Halls cough drops, haha. Then I went to see El Raton Perez, a kids movie that was part live action, part computer animated. It was about Perez, el raton de los dientes (he´s kinda like the toothfairy). He leaves kids a coin for their tooth, then turns the tooth into a pearl! The story was that he was kidnapped and these kids had to find him and save the everyone from a world without el raton de los dientes. It was cute and fun, and I really enjoyed it. And the best part was, it was all in Spanish, and I understood it all! I was very excited about that.
This weekend I also went to Latitude again, the wine and tapas restaurant, got some yummy and expensive chocolate ice cream (and again at a different place today), went to Seseribo again, and danced with a complete stranger (some of the most fun salsa I´ve done), slept till noon on Sunday, had a converstaion where I spoke Spanish, and my Ecuadorian friend spoke English, and walked a really really long ways after the movie just for the sake of walking and talking. It was a good weekend, but I´m looking forward to going to Banos next weekend, and escaping my usual weekend plans in the city.
I also feel now that I´m getting to a point with the language where, the more I learn, the harder it is to make it all fit. I understand so much more, but can´t seem to make myself learn how to work with all the tenses at once, plus subjuntivo, and everything else. At times, it´s ok, but when I get into class, I get so frustrated. I feel like I either need to stay here (or in a Spanish speaking country) for the next few months, or take a short break, then come back. Neither of which seems like a real possibility (but I came to learn Spanish, and it´s frustrating me that the best ways to do it aren´t really options). Ideally, I would love to stay here through June, then spend all of July in Puerto Rico, then go home for three weeks before heading back to Swat. I don´t think I can stand to spend much time in an English speaking country as soon as the end of May. I love hearing Spanish in the streets, on the bus, on the radio, tv, all the time, even when I don´t understand it. I love the language, and want to master it, and I know I can´t do that back home in the States. Well, we´ll see how things pan out...
And my independent project is frustrating me. I´m not sure what I really want to do, and need to decide and make contacts. I mean, I turned in a final proposal for a project I really don´t intend on doing. I just need to find something that clicks, and feels right. I can´t do a project if my whole heart´s not in it. Let´s hope I figure this out soon... but other than that, all is well, I´m happy and healthy, and hanging out with people enough that I´m hardly online (or home for that matter). =)
Friday, March 16, 2007
I'm really a tango dancer at heart...
So after Salsa class this Wednesday, David, my teacher, said he was going to a Tango class that he takes. He asked if I wanted to come watch, so of course I said yes. Once we got there, he told the instructor that I danced Tango, and the instructor took me aside and started dancing with me (in sneakers no doubt!) He said I danced well, and asked if I might want to be in his show in the end of May! I ended up staying for the whole class, dancing the entire time, and afterwards, the instructor, Roberto, said I could come to the more advanced class on Saturdays (I was in the beginner's on Wednesday) or even take private lessons. So, of course, that's what I'm doing tomorrow. And even better, tomorrow evening, there's a Milonga (Tango social dance) at the same place as the classes! I'm so excited to be dancing Tango again (I had forgotten how much I missed it!) It felt so good to be dancing, and I'm so excited for the Milonga. Also, I'm planning on buying a pair of Tango shoes here, because they're only like $30, and it'd be nice to have my own! (I've been borrowing Kaki's, my sister-in-law's, shoes for almost 3 years! haha) And what's fun is that Barbara, an older woman who is taking Spanish classes at the Academy, is taking Tango there too, so I'll get to see/hang out with her in class and at the Milonga. Can't wait! =)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sola Salsa...
A small, hole-in-the-wall place, dimly lit, very warm, and blaring salsa music. There are chairs and loveseats along with small tables lining the walls opposite of the bar. The walls are covered in drawings and random frases and names in Spanish. The dance floor is full of couples moving to the music and doing crazy intricate turns while other people stand and sit along the walls watching with envy and admiration.
I got to be one of those couples this weekend. I went out dancing with David, my Salsa instructor. I felt like I was finally dancing Salsa the way it was meant to be, in a small crowded discoteca along with other couples doing the same. It felt so good! It wasn't just like dance class, but so much more, and better. The atmosphere was so amazing, and the fact that I was dancing with someone who really knew what they were doing was incredible. We did all these crazy turns I can't even being to describe, and I was surprised I could follow! At one point, while David was dancing with another woman (because I had gotten caught up talking to someone), the woman's dance partner asked me how long David and I had been dancing together. Months? And I said, no, weeks! I had a really wonderful time, and even when we weren't dancing, and were just watching, it was really fun. We ended up staying out until 3:30am (and no, we didn't drink anything!) which made it all the more fun! And since he doesn't speak English, I got to practice a lot of Spanish and start to really get comfortable talking to him (which is really hard for me to do with people I don't know very well).
It was an incredible night, and I hope to repeat it this coming weekend, since I don't think I'm making any big trips outside of Quito, but possibly a day trip or two.
PS- For those of you without Facebook, I am working on uploading the photos to my Yahoo Photos page, but it is taking forever (the uploader is really slow, and I have a LOT of pictures). But I will update you with a link as soon as they're done!
I got to be one of those couples this weekend. I went out dancing with David, my Salsa instructor. I felt like I was finally dancing Salsa the way it was meant to be, in a small crowded discoteca along with other couples doing the same. It felt so good! It wasn't just like dance class, but so much more, and better. The atmosphere was so amazing, and the fact that I was dancing with someone who really knew what they were doing was incredible. We did all these crazy turns I can't even being to describe, and I was surprised I could follow! At one point, while David was dancing with another woman (because I had gotten caught up talking to someone), the woman's dance partner asked me how long David and I had been dancing together. Months? And I said, no, weeks! I had a really wonderful time, and even when we weren't dancing, and were just watching, it was really fun. We ended up staying out until 3:30am (and no, we didn't drink anything!) which made it all the more fun! And since he doesn't speak English, I got to practice a lot of Spanish and start to really get comfortable talking to him (which is really hard for me to do with people I don't know very well).
It was an incredible night, and I hope to repeat it this coming weekend, since I don't think I'm making any big trips outside of Quito, but possibly a day trip or two.
PS- For those of you without Facebook, I am working on uploading the photos to my Yahoo Photos page, but it is taking forever (the uploader is really slow, and I have a LOT of pictures). But I will update you with a link as soon as they're done!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Chocolate con crema, and other more alcoholic drinks...
It's about high time I had some good wine in this country. Last night, I went to the Mariscal, the restuarant/bar/discoteka-awesomeness part of Quito. I went with my friend Jan, a guy from Norway who I had classes with for the first 3 weeks, and his boss, Bernardo, who owns the Teatro Bolivar. We went to Latitude, this INCREDIBLE wine and tapas restuarant. It was amazing. For a flat price (there were different levels) you could eat and drink all you wanted. We got the $16 level, and went through two bottles of two different amazing red wines (Chilean I believe). We also had so many different and amazing tapas. Things made with spinach and cheese, quail eggs, mussels, stuffed red bell peppers, and I can't even remember what else! We were there a good two hours, just talking, eating, drinking.
I really enjoyed being out with both of them, especially since they're both older than me. I've always had an easier time relating to people older than me than my peers. Jan is 36 and Bernardo is probably 46. It was really incredible talking with them, and we talked about religion, music, politics, art, movies, and everything in between. I didn't feel out of place at all being so much younger, and the only time it was (not really) awkward was when I mentioned my parent's first date was the first Star Wars and Jan insisted on changing the subject because he was 7 years old then! It was more hilarious than anything else though.
Afterwards, we walked around to visit some bars. We first tried to go into La Boca del Lobo, a gay bar that's really incredible, but it was too full for us to get seats. We then went to a bar called Cats, that always plays music from the 70s and 80s. It had such a cool vibe, and we just chilled in the cozyness of it and got some nice non-alcoholic drinks. (I got an incredible hot chocolate with cream, mmmmm...) We then were going to play foozball, but there was a group of guys playing who looked pretty intense, and decided to go on to the next bar. The next bar was outside of the Mariscal, and Bernardo drove us. It was called Seceribo. There were two dance floors full of people dancing salsa, which was amazing to watch. I had my first Mojito, and after sitting and watching a little while (and listening to Jan and Bernardo make comments about wishing they could dance like that), the three of us got up and started dancing in the middle of the floor together. It was so much fun, and it felt so good to dance! Afterwards, we went to Pistacho, the final bar of the evening. It had a real chill and alternative vibe, and was nice to sit there listening to the music, and watch Benny Hill without sound on the tv on the wall. I got a Melon Martini, which wasn't bad, and we all just relaxed. Not long after, they drove me home (which I really appreciated. I didn't feel like taking a cab).
It was tons of fun, and I can't wait to go to the barbeque at Bernardo's hacienda tomorrow (Sunday). And I'm hoping to go out dancing tonight with other people. We'll see how that goes. I'm really loving that all the other Pitzer kids are out of town and I'm finally getting a chance to know the city and hang out with other people and make other friends. =)
I really enjoyed being out with both of them, especially since they're both older than me. I've always had an easier time relating to people older than me than my peers. Jan is 36 and Bernardo is probably 46. It was really incredible talking with them, and we talked about religion, music, politics, art, movies, and everything in between. I didn't feel out of place at all being so much younger, and the only time it was (not really) awkward was when I mentioned my parent's first date was the first Star Wars and Jan insisted on changing the subject because he was 7 years old then! It was more hilarious than anything else though.
Afterwards, we walked around to visit some bars. We first tried to go into La Boca del Lobo, a gay bar that's really incredible, but it was too full for us to get seats. We then went to a bar called Cats, that always plays music from the 70s and 80s. It had such a cool vibe, and we just chilled in the cozyness of it and got some nice non-alcoholic drinks. (I got an incredible hot chocolate with cream, mmmmm...) We then were going to play foozball, but there was a group of guys playing who looked pretty intense, and decided to go on to the next bar. The next bar was outside of the Mariscal, and Bernardo drove us. It was called Seceribo. There were two dance floors full of people dancing salsa, which was amazing to watch. I had my first Mojito, and after sitting and watching a little while (and listening to Jan and Bernardo make comments about wishing they could dance like that), the three of us got up and started dancing in the middle of the floor together. It was so much fun, and it felt so good to dance! Afterwards, we went to Pistacho, the final bar of the evening. It had a real chill and alternative vibe, and was nice to sit there listening to the music, and watch Benny Hill without sound on the tv on the wall. I got a Melon Martini, which wasn't bad, and we all just relaxed. Not long after, they drove me home (which I really appreciated. I didn't feel like taking a cab).
It was tons of fun, and I can't wait to go to the barbeque at Bernardo's hacienda tomorrow (Sunday). And I'm hoping to go out dancing tonight with other people. We'll see how that goes. I'm really loving that all the other Pitzer kids are out of town and I'm finally getting a chance to know the city and hang out with other people and make other friends. =)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Oooooh, photos!
I finally uploaded my photos! There are tons! They're all on facebook. Here are some links (that I hope will work) for those of you without facebook. Let me know!
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008607&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008608&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008609&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008610&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008611&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008612&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008615&id=4100710
Yep, that's it! Enjoy!
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008607&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008608&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008609&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008610&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008611&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008612&id=4100710
http://swarthmore.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008615&id=4100710
Yep, that's it! Enjoy!
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