Long Overdue

Greetings!

So, I realize I've been AWOL since before Christmas, so here's a little bit of an update on my life so far.

Christmas: I went with my host family to Quito, and spent the Holiday at my host-aunt's house entertaining, and being entertained by my cousins. They gave me a last minute gift of chocolate, Mexican spicy candy, and tangos. I also received the cutest hand-made card, and some other small gifts from other members of the family. From my host family I got a t-shirt with a giant orange crab on it, proclaiming t be from Manta, Ecuador. I shall cherish it forever!
I also got some jewelery, and other stuff like that, and a very cool book called Quito Casa Adentro: narrado por mujeres - Inside the Homes of Quito: Narrated by Women - written by my host dad's mom, about the founding families in Quito. One of the stories was her aunt. She also signed the book for me!

For New Years I found myself back on the Coast, visiting San Jose for the last time, and I got the enjoy the last day of 2010 and the first day of 2011 suntanning on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and watching the sunset.
I also discovered something called 'Año viejos' - literally, 'Old years'. They are these dolls made of varying materials, which you buy to represent the passing of the old year, and introducing the new. My host family did things a bit differently. They beat up the año viejo first, my cousin almost losing the head in the forest, then burned it, getting rid of the bad memories.

January was a big month for me. I changed host families, and now find myself on the other side of the city from the others. Not a bad thing necessarily, but it does make it harder to do things with them.

Amazonia Trip: January 29-February 1st found me visiting the Amazon Rainforest, staying in the 'Casa de Suiza' lodge. We had to take a boat to get to it. a very sketchy boat, if you ask me.
I spent 3 days hiking in the Amazon, Rafting and tubing down a river, eating ants, using a crazy rope swing above the tree tops, a zip-line bridge that would NOT meet North American saftey standards, and crossing some rope and plank bridges that reminded me too much of Disney's Emperor's New Groove or Dreamworks Shrekfor comfort. (in case you don't know what I'm taking about, in Emperor's new groove the bridge ended up snapping and they got stuck hanging by ropes over a realllly big fall, with alligators at the bottom. In Shrek, well, Donkey is more concerned about the boiling pit of lava beneath him, and though I didn't have that to worry about, the planks did look like they would break out at any moment.)

February: I've joined a beach volleyball team recently, and man is it fun! I was considering surfing, but I'm finding 7:30 -10:30 AM practices Monday - Saturday for volleyball are pretty awesome. I've been going with my host sister's 15 year-old niece who's staying with us for vacation. We take the bus every morning, which is also a new experience for me. Public Transportation! Hey, 25 cents versus $2 for a taxi, I was taking the 25 cents. =D

Up and coming:
965.606 km brings a volleyball competition on the beach, which I'm hoping to be part of, during the local Carnival on the 7th and 8th, that usually gets turned into a week. so probably more like the 4th - 9th. I'll give you the details on this fun yet apparently crazy event when I have more details myself. Apparently though its a week of pranks, parties, fun, and lots of crazy.
The 10th celebrates my host sister's 25th Birthday, and the 12th, my 18th - meaning I'll be of Age in Ecuador! We were going to have a joint party and do something fun, but a change of plans instead has me doing a bit of traveling. So, from the 11th - 15th of March, instead of on Mainland Ecuador, I will find myself approximately 965 km to the West, on the Galapagos Islands! XP
I am NOT complaining about this change though, as you can tell. This is will be the best birthday EVER, spent in one of the most gorgeous places on the planet, with some of my best Friends from around the Globe!

I return back to school in April, and sometime in April or May I have another trip to the Mountains with all the Exchange students in the Country, not just the ones in my Province.

Now that that's all taken care of... Have a nice day!

Besitos!

P.S.

To the Rotary Club of Haliburton: I know we really haven't been in contact. Here's my email in case you want any more info!

viviendo_la_vida_loca@hotmail.com

Feel free to email me or whatever. Sorry I haven't been in touch more!

Tell Steffy I say Hola!

Hallows Eve in Ecuador

I recently returned from a longggggg weekend in San Jose with my family. We left on Saturday October 30th, and returned Wednesday November 3rd.

Halloween here is NOTHING like back up in Canada. Very few dressed up in costumes, or stuff like that... the costumes is more of a 'kid only' thing, and some adults in Montanita... but I mean everyone in Montanita is loco or is a tourist. haha.

On November 1st and 2nd there were Holidays for Day of the Dead (All Souls Day) and All Saints Day. On the Day of the Dead, some people symbolically eat the flech of a baby... via a baby made of bread. Think a Gingerbread Man... but made of Bread. So that was... different, and they eat it with this jam-ish fruit jelly thing...

I've decided I DO NOT like clams... nope. They did a good job at hiding them in Rice and with Shrimp though.

I did a 1000 piece puzzle in one night wih my brother and cousin. I think we stayed up until nearly 4:00 in the morning doing it. haha. Never again!

My cousin was really cool. He's like a 3rd son to my host parents, and he's a year older than me. When he spoke english to me sometimes, he really reminded me of Joaquim. I had more than one moment of deja vu.

I have also recently discvered Spider Solitaire on my computer... so addictive.

I learned how to play cuarenta (40). That's a fun game. And I watched quite a few games of Banco Rusia (Russian Bank), and Poker. I think I'm going to learn poker before I play with Abuela Suzana though... when she plays, it's with money(not like we do mind you, but I still wouldn't stand a chance) haha.

I also learned the magic words for getting anything from my Abuela Suzana are 'Abuelita querida'. It's like a pet name for a Grandma. or like "Grandma Dearest". haha.

I really have to get to the post office soon. Its on my 'NEED to do list'.

I start spanish lessons on Monday. More details to follow on that.

-Myia <3

October 21st 2010.

So I just came back from a very exciting 5 day long weekend around Manabi with all 126 exchange students in Ecuador. We vistied Montecristi, Portoviejo, Santa Marianita, and stayed in Crusita.

I now have a very dark tan, comared to my paleness when I arrived (according to my Ecuadorian friends), and I have to agree.

Also, i would just like to point out that singing Justin Beiber as 'Canadian Talent' was NOT my idea nor was I happy AT ALL about doing it during the trip. Nope. I hate Justin Beieber. I don't care if he's from Stratford, Ontario. We could have sang Avril Lavigne or Great Big Sea!

I miss my exchange friends from Portoviejo already. My friend from Ohio, my friend from Norway, my friend from Belgium and my friend from Switzerland. We're all alredy making plans to visit each other when this year is over. Norway sounds like fun! And Ohio is fun too, and close. Coincidentally, the girl from Ohio, Karen, is Steffy's (who is staying in Haliburton right now) host sister here in Ecuador. =D

Karen has plans to visit Haliburton when our exchange year is through! Maybe her, Steffy and I can all do something together. Steffy and I could show Karen Haliburton hospitality! =P

In Portoviejo we went on these 'Fiesta Buses' around the city. We wore our jackets, waved our flags and smiled at all the people in Portoviejo that took pictures of these three buses that were playing loud music and had crazy foreign kids standing and sitting on them, and in them, and generally being crazy. It was fun.
I went shopping in Montecristi and bought myself some comfy and colourful pants, and a sweater. I also ought an 'Ecuador' purse and some gifts to mail back to my family.... I should do that very soon. My dad's birthday is in a couple of weeks, and I don't know how long they'll take in the mail... maybe they'll get there by Christmas! haha.

I have a function on Saturday with my Host Club. I have ato wear a 'typical Canadian Costume'. Yeah, okay, and that is what exactly? I think I've convinced them just to let me wear my flag and my Canada Sweater. I think.

Speaking of Rotary Clubs.... This is a message for my Club in Haliburton.

Dear Rotary Club of Haliburton,
I heard from a little bird that you are going to stop hosting and sponsoring students after me. I would just like you to now that this means a students like myself, is losing the oportunity of a lifetime! I have only been in Ecuador two months, but this exchange has already changed my life! I have learned so much that I never would have had the oportunity to leanr if it wasn't for the club sponsoring me, and I would also like to say thank you, even though those two words don't even begin to cover the amount of my graditude.
If its a problem of families being able to host students, you might consider doing what the rotary clubs do here, and only have two families over the course of the year. Also, I would like to volunteer my family to host a student first next year. =D My host family here has been awesome so far. Your first host family is the most important because they stuggle with you through your first months in a new culture, and language. If they weren't here to help me I don't know what I'd do! I'd like my family to be that for a student.
I would just like you to reconsider cncelling the program. Its a once in a lifetime oportunity that I know I'm so thankful for, and I would hate for another student from our small town to lose a cultural experience such as this.

~Myia

Lots of love from Ecuador to Everyone!
Chao!

Update

So, I've been pretty busy here lately.

Lets sea, new things I've tried in Ecuador... Goat meat; which honesty was good.
Cow Feet... in a soup. I wasn't fnd of it before they told me (meaning i was suffering through it like a good girl), and after? I was sliiiiggghhhhtttlllyyyy disgusted.

Apparently, I also ALMOST ate guinea pig, which I've actually head good things about... I look forward to trying it.

Things have settled down here after all the drama on Thursday and Friday, which I'm sure everyone heard about on the news. Long story short, I got out of school 2 hours early on Thursday, and didn't go Friday (they don't have Snow-days, so there had to be SOME way for us to get out of school).

Since then everything is pretty mcuh back to normal... minus Manta and Portoviej having internet difficuties.... The house isnt affected, but Margarita's work is I guess.

I went to a birthday party on the weekend. Remind me to NOT have a pool party on my birthday... and if I do... wear my bathing suit under my clothse, because ALina is going to take revenge and help throw me, and Fabienne (a girl from Swissa), and Johannes (one of the guys from Allemane) into it for getting her.... yeahhhh.

Also, I went out for Sushi... It was... good. Yes, I said good. Crab sushi is pretty nice... though, I've decided that I'm not liking the seaweed. Its stangely sweet and slaty... and the texture and stickiness bother my gag reflex. Other than that, I loved it.

Also, somehow I've managed to LOSE weight.... how, I have NO idea... maybe not snacking as much? Healthier foods, and more fruit? I don't know but I may have to get a new bathing suit.

I don't think anything else exciting has happened... not really.

I'm not overly worries about anything happening either. If rotary thinks there's a problem, I'll know.

Upcoming: oct 16-20th 'Manabi' trip for all students in the country... or ALMOST all.

LOVES ECUADOR! <3

I love my life.

I love this country.

Last night, I heard Tarzan yelling from the street in our community.

School, is different. A lot different. Example, this morning, 4 and a half hours of talking with friends outside.

Now, that's not a normal day, but still.

Tomorrow, I have to wear the sports uniform for gym class in the morning. We then wear the uniform the rest of the day.

I'm kind of excited. I hope we play soccer. I'd play with the guys normally but... we girls have to wear skirts the rest of the week. :(

I've made some crazy friends. I love them. <3 I got invited to one of their houses the other day. That was fun. :D Tomorrow I have a birthdayy party for aother one of the girls.

They've been helping me a lot with my spanish. They're really understanding about my slowness or my complete idiocy sometimes.

I had rotary orientation and spanish camp last week, and I met all the other exchnge students in Manabi. There are 33 students. There are 5 of us in Manta, 2 in Bahia, and the rest in Portoviejo.

Yeah, there are a lot there. :D

I'm not the only Canadian! I was so happy. Turns out, we talk the same, Kevin (from BC) and I. And apparently TOQUE is just a Canadian name for a hat. nd GRAVOL, is also apparently only Canadian. :( I was shocked.

I touched a giant tortoise at a school in Bahia. This thing was a 101 years old or something, and was as tall as my knee. It was crazy. If it had had teeth, itt probably could've taken a good nibble out of my knees/legs.

I'm hoping to continue spanish lessons now that i've taken them, and I think I can in the afternoons. i just have to talk to my host family about it. I may also possibly take Karate. Hi-yaaaah!

I got my Ecuadorian ID card today. It prevents me from having to carry around my passport for things, so the rotary can hold onto it for me. :D I don't want to lose it. That would be BAD.

I think that is most of the highlights for this week...

Chao!

DAY 11

Day 11 and I'm loving it.

This country is magnificent! I'm glad I got to come to Ecuador.


On the weekend, my host family took my to San Jose to the family 'beach house' type thing. We spent the weekend having fun, swimming, hanging out on the beach, and eating fun foods.

I took lots of pictures. There is so much to see and do here...

Yesterday I hung out with a couple fo the other exchange students. Three of us all go to the same school, so we're helping each other out meeting people, and learning the language.

I have school starting on Monday the 6th. O.o, and Orientation camp starting Wednesday the 8th. It goes for 15 days, and in that time I also have a spanish camp, which is awesome. So, I might come back to my host family after 2 weeks and be way better at spanish than I am now. Lets hope! *crosses fingers*

The thing I love the most about Ecuador so far is the food. Is always so fresh, delicious, and good for you! There's not a lot of junk foods, or articicial stuff like I eat a lot back home. I love it. It's good for me, and it tastes great too.

And the fruits and fruit juices... yum. I tried this great fruit called a Red Pitahaya. You can get the in yellow too, but I haven't tried them yet, but they are DELCIOUS, and so cool looking.

Well that's all for now!

<3

DAY TWO!

My second day in Ecuador and I'm doing great. Yesterday was hard. I was a little home sck, bu after I SKYPED my mom, it was better.

My spanish is still bad, but my host family is super cool about it, and they are very helpful.

Driving to Manta from Guayquil yesterday was crazy. Ecuador is SO different then Canada. The roads are crazy, driving is INSANE, and you can drive by mountains, rce fields, cocao trees, coffee plants, banana trees!, bamboo forest, sable trees, dry forests, and practically desert all in one drive.

Last night my family taught me how to play Rummy Mexicano. Its so much fun; and difficut, but still fun.

My first night in the house wa acutally really good. My room is nice and cosy.

The house is beautiful. They have little patio and a garden out back, and my windw looks onto it, and the houses around us. It's so cool.

I Go to see both my host parents' offices today. Margarita, my mom, works at a theatre. MAAC CINE. It is sooo cool.

One difference that has got me is that thy eat a big meal at lunch, and a snac at dinnertime. It's.... odd. It'll k me some time to get used to it, and the food is sooo good.

Well, I'm going to go and, do something else.

Cao.