Acostumbrandome

After about a week in Quito I’m just beginning get accustomed. Sometimes it feels like relearning basic skills over again; how to say hello, how to ride the bus, and even how to use the shower. After taking a very cold shower one morning I learned that I have to go outside and set the gas on fire to heat it up... (guess it's time to get over my fear of matches).

On Saturday we visited Capilla del Hombre, an art museum that features Guayasamín's art. It was incredibly moving and beautiful. His paintings and sculptures focus on suffering - political oppression, racism, poverty, lack of rights. My hermanita (host sister) came with the group and told me all sorts of indigenous legends about Pacha Mama. 

"I cried because I didn't have shoes until I saw a child who didn't have feet"

Sunday we went on a very tiring bike ride around the historical center of the city. On Sundays the city closes down some streets just for pedestrians and bikes. It was a beautiful day to go for a bike ride, but was difficult because of the altitude. (Groton is at about 1,700 feet, while Quito is about 9,300 feet above sea level). 

Today I had my interview for my internship at FENOCIN, an organization that works with indigenous peoples, afro-ecuadorians and campesinos. And, very importantly of course, they have an adorable, but very travieso kitten who hangs out in the office and really enjoyed trying to rip apart my bag and jump on my lap.  

And then there's Nina, my host family's dog. Every family here has dogs, used to "guard" the house, but really they just bark constantly behind the walls and gates and scare pedestrians. When I first moved in I was terrified of Nina because she barked and growled at me so much. After just a couple days she now sleeps on my bed with me while I take naps.  

I brought my host sister bananagrams in Spanish as a gift and we tried to play it today. Unfortunately the internet lied to me and the game only has English letters. It made it really difficult to play in Spanish, given the lack of vowels and my pretty limited vocab. 

Other fun things: I had my first go at canguil, a popcorn soup. I was skeptical when my host momma brought a simple green soap to the table and a huge bowl of popcorn, and everyone began throwing the popcorn in the soup, but it was delicious.

In other news, I know my Spanish is getting better because today I had to make about five calls to family back in Pillaro to give them my new cell number and I was actually able to communicate effectively over the phone (so hard in Spanish) without too much "um...repeat please? and again? and again?" I'm making progress!