My Return to Ecuador
June 8, 2010
That’s right, I’m going back!
I’ll be in Ecuador from June 9 to August 10. I’m resurrecting this blog in order to let people stay connected with me.
For the majority of the time, I will be staying with my former supervisor in Ilumán’s sister Maria Elena, who has a house in Quito. I only spent a few days in Quito last year, but there is so much to explore there! I can’t wait to get better acquainted with the city! I love the ornate colonial architecture of the Old Town, and the frenetic energy of Gringolandia (the main entertainment district, and frequented by many tourists, hence its name). I like the vibrancy of the city parks and the I want to hike Guagua Pichincha, one of the peaks of the volcano Pichincha that rises imperiously above Quito to the east.
I will be tutoring Maria Elena’s 8- and 4-year-old sons in English. I will also be trying desperately to improve or at least maintain my French, since I will hopefully be teaching (in) French, in some capacity, in September. I’m going to try to read French blogs and write to my French-speaking friends in French. Whew, that’s a bit of a tongue-twister!
I originally planned this 2-month trip in order to spend time with someone I met in Ecuador last year, corresponded with online, and became quite smitten with. However, this person and I have become estranged, so I will instead be spending my trip visiting friends on the coast (and maybe whale-watching there!), visiting my host family and students I worked with in Ilumán, hiking through my beloved Andes, and taking salsa lessons and visiting museums in Quito! As well as chatting with everyone I can manage to engage in conversation!
Hurray – I have a second chance to send post cards to people like I said I would last year! If you would like a postcard from Ecuador, email me your mailing address at worrywert@gmail.com, and I’ll do my best to follow through this time!
There are no direct flights to Quito from Toronto, and I booked a flight with a 12-hour overnight stopover in Bogotá, Colombia because it was almost $100 cheaper than any other flight I could find. I have reserved a hostel for the night. My friend Yan is currently in Bogotá and I’m going to meet up with him and hopefully see a bit of the city.
When I arrive in Quito on Wednesday morning, Maria Elena is going to pick me up at the airport. I can’t wait to meet her, and the rest of her family, too, including their dog Frodo!
Ayayay, I’m tired!
Hasta luego,
Sarah
