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!