Sitting in Atlanta on an ungodly layover, I'm getting the butterflies - in about ten hours I will finally be in Quito!
First I'll be traveling a few hours outside of Quito, to a town near Pillaro, with my Momma to visit our compadres. I can't wait for some Locro de Papa (potato soup with melted cheese), bread straight from the bakery, and a chance to practice my cuarenta skills. (Cuarenta is Ecuador's national card game and by far my favorite.)
I'll be moving in with my host family before my program, HECUA, begins on September 6th. I'm thrilled that my family includes two teenagers - kids can be the very best teachers because they're not so afraid to offend. If I do something stupid, like using the wrong word (apparently coger el autobus, which means to catch the bus, has a very different and inappropriate meaning in some countries), kids will have no reservations laughing at me and letting me know I'm made a mini faux pas.
Ciao for now!
Packed and ready to go!
