finally fotos!

I'm enjoying the afternoon on campus at USFQ in Cumbayá, so I finally have wireless and can put up pictures!

My little "neighborhood"

Mi casita :)

My room on the first floor

View from the top of my street walking down to Ashley's

Just another rain storm

Quito por la noche

ya disfrutando quito

Last night, we had a bunch of relatives (all women) come over and hang out with the family. I met Lorena's cousin Pati, who seems really cool, and some other aunts. Lorena made quesadillas for dinner :) Good thing she loves Mexican food, just like me!

This morning, Ashley and I went on a walk around Parque Carolina, this huge, beautiful park in the middle of the city. There were a ton of kids and families out playing and enjoying the weather, and even though I got huge blisters (don't wear Converses out on a brisk walk), it was really fun and good exercise. Tonight, we're going to see "Bajo del Mismo Techo" ("Under the Same Roof"), which in the U.S. is "Life As We Know It". I'm not sure why they translate the titles so oddly in Latin America.

Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures soon!

lluvia y sol

Today was orientation at USFQ for all of the international students that will be there this semester. I took a bus there with Lula (Lorena's mom, Ashley's host mom) -- the campus is at Cumbayá, which is about 20 minutes outside the city. The campus is absolutely beautiful. It's almost like a resort/spa type place, which trees and flowers and lakes and pagodas everywhere. It was cool learning about the university and the country of Ecuador and getting a tour of the campus.

The weather -- something that everyone asked me about before I came here. Well, I never knew for sure exactly how it was, but I am beginning to learn. Basically, you have to be prepared for anything. You leave the house, and the sun is out, and it's warm. Then, it gets chilly and starts to rain a little. And then, the sun comes back out, and it heats up again!

Last night, Ashley, Sarah, & I went out to dinner with Daniela and their friend Ramiro. We went to a place that I already forget the name of, but it had a view of the entire city lit up at night. Amazing!

Pictures are coming soon. I'm getting Internet in my room soon, which will mean I can use my own computer and upload pictures!

first day in the city

My first day exploring the city was a success! I was lucky enough to have Ashley (was here in Quito last semester and is back for the spring semester) and her friend Sarah (who's visiting until tomorrow) to go around the city with.

We started off with Lorena, trying to find a tienda that sold a battery for the phone Lorena gave me. We were unsuccessful, so we said goodbye to Lorena and hopped on a bus to Mariscal, where there is a Mercado Artesenial. We went up and down the aisles of scarves, touristy trinkets, jewelry, and coffee, until everything started looking the same. Then, we got a bus to go downtown to a pizza place that Ashley went to all the time last semester. It was great pizza and a really excellent place to people watch. We walked around downtown for a while, then got back on a bus to go back to my house.

We walked up to Ashley's house (about a 15 minute walk, but from my house to hers, it's almost all uphill), got ready for the night, and then took a bus back downtown. We ate dessert at a place called The Magic Cafe and people watched a little more. We went to Ladies' Night at a favorite bar called Bungalow and then went salsa dancing! I met Ashley's friend Daniela, or Dany, and she hung out with us for the night.

Today is Sarah's last day before she goes back home, so we're going to spend some more time enjoying the city! Tomorrow is orientation at USFQ, and we start classes on Monday!

Pictures, coming soon!

where am I?

Before I start my first day in the city, I thought I'd share where exactly I am, in case you (like my mom) have no idea what South America looks like.


This is where the country is located...

This is where the city of Quito is located...

And this is where I am in the city!
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