Mi vida en Ecuador!

Long Overdue

2011-02-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

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.

Mañana

2010-08-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow.

Tonight is my last night in Canada for Eleven or so months.

Tomorrow night, will be my first night in Ecuador, and it will be the start of an adventure of a lifetime!

I'm all packed up and ready to go bright and early in the morning. We're driving down to Toronto, so it's gonna take a little time, and we have to be there a couple hours early. Tomorrow is going to be a long, hectic day spent in airports and in planes.

To all of my friends: I love you guys, and will miss you more than I can say! Have a great year, and I want all of you to sign the yearbook that my sister is getting for me at the end of the year. I will see you all in July, or so, until then - Live like you've never lived before, and never miss a single moment of it.

To my family: You guys have been great! All of the support I've gotten from my Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and extended relatives - thank you all so much!

To my new family (families): I'm glad that you've decided to take this adventure with me, and help me through the tough beginning stages. I love you already!

At this time tomorrow, I will be flying somwhere over south america, probably over Ecuador itself, less than an hour away from landing and beginning my adventure.

wish me luck, and thank you to everyone who's supported me through this! You all mean so much to me!

Lots of love!

Hasta la vista Haliburton, Ontario, and Canada!!!

Hola Manta, Manabí, and Ecuador!

<3

It Approaches.

2010-08-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

[insert dramatic thriller music here]

6 days. A week today I will be in Ecuador... er... well, arriving there... hey, it counts.

I took my last Dukoral vaccine this morning.... bleck. But it's done, and I don't have to worry about it! Awesome.

My Host brother (in Ecuador) who was traveling on an exchange to the States left/arrived yesterday. I was kind of dissapointed that I didn't get to meet him... but maybe next summer before i leave... maybe.

I finally found skirts for my Ecuadorian school uniform the other day as well. A simple knee-length jean skirt. Now, do you know how hard it is to FIND a jean skirt of any kind? I was lucky that they were coming back into style and Reitmans had some on sale in my size. ;P

I have One suitcase left to pack; my carry-on. Tomorrow mom and I are going finish making my bottle-cap pins (we took some old beer-bottle caps and spray painted them, and then i'm gluing pin-backs on them and painting inukshuks on them in gray paint). Then we can pack them in one of my suitcases and finish packing my carry-on.

Today I'm just finishing up my powerpoint presentation. I have to finish adding some stuff about Haliburton, and my family. I still need to get a picture of my school though.

One last thing... I was talking to my host mom via email the other day, and as her closing she wrote un abrazo. I'd never seen the word before, but somehow I knew what it was. A Hug! I was so proud of myself for for knowing what it was having never seen the word before. Especially because my spanish isn't all that great to begun with, but I'm working on it.

I'm off to enjoy my last full Canadian Saturday.

Adios.

10 Days

2010-08-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

The big One-Oh.

Ten.

Three Days more than a week.

Today, I'm spending time with my grandmother, making some last-minute host gifts. My grandma makes silk scarves (and quilts and such) for the local Studio Tour held every fall. So today, I'm helping her, or rather, she's helping me make some scarves to bring down south with me as gifts.

They're light-weight, easy to carry, easy to wear, and something original and creative. I hope that people like them.

I talked with my travel agent the other day about the airport as well, so that's one less thing for me to worry about. I now now what to expect! Which is good.

Now I have to finish my presentation, and my spanish is going to need to be cracked down.

I'm probbly going to have to make a list of important phrases... or I'll forget them.

Well I've got to go! Scarves to paint!

Peace!

Big Dreamers

2010-08-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Make your own free scrapbooking design

13 (full) days left

2010-08-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

Today I had to take my first dose of my Dukarol vaccine. Its an oral vaccine that prevents travelers' diarrhea (which is nasty stuff to get, so I've been told). So they give you this little packet to mix in with half a glass of water that makes it fizz and taste like Raspberry. Then you have to mix in the vial of vaccine. After you mix this stuff you have to chug it down, and man is it gross. it's like drinking the worst raspberry flavoured drink imaginable. I mean its disgusting.

And to make matters worse, you can't eat or drink anything for an hour before, or an hour after you take the vaccine, meaning you're stuck with this horrible taste in your mouth not to mention this feeling in your stomach. Though, the not eating an hour before probably prevents someone with a weak stomach from vomiting after chugging it down.

Now, I'll happily suffer through two of these things (a week apart, thank goodness) if it means that for 3 months I don't have to worry about being stuck in a bathroom puking my guts out, and... well you get the idea. As vile as this stuff is, if it'll help me adjust to a new place, with new food, different water, etc, then I'll take the stuff.

So, I believe I mentioned that I'd taken over the living room of my house with all my stuff that needed to be packed (if not, well, now you know). I think I've got most of the stuff that's being packed out there, well clothes-wise anyways. I still have stuff like my sketchbook, and other important things like that to gather. Actually, my artsy stuff and my electronics might be some of the only stuff left to pack...
Well, that and my spanish books; which i can hopefully fit in my carry on. If not, well luckily I have my ipod full of spanish lessons to get me by. Though, I will have to leave the one behind when I leave so my sister can return it to the person I borrowed it from...

Anyways! I've got one suitcase packed, or... my mom does. I have no idea how she gets stuff to fit so perfectly! (not that that's any excuse for me not pakcing it myself.) And I'll go to do it between host families, and not be able to get it to fit just right... and I'll have both gained some stuff, and down-sized a bit too.

I think that's all I have to tell for today... though I did miss something vital the other day. The exchange student from Brazil, who stayed in Haliburton left for home on Thursday night. He probably arrived home sometime early yesterday morning... It makes me sad because Joaquim was so cool. But, I think a lot of us have convinced him to come back, and my parents offfered to let him bunk with us. haha. And I promised to visit him sometime in the future in Brazil too. It's so important it's been added to my bucket list. I always thought Brazil would be cool to see anyways. :D

14 days and we'll be on the same continent again, so... yeah.

South America, here I come!!!

Hasta Luego.

Dos Semanas

2010-08-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Two Weeks.

14 Days.

That's how much time I have left in Canada. I woke up on Wednesday morning and it hit me that I only had 16 days left in the country. And of course, I started to internally freak out just a little bit.

Now, I'm not nervous about leaving my home for a year. I'm so excited I have no words to adequately describe the feeling. I'm more nervous about what has to be done still. I still have a list, and the biggest worry right now is the packing. But I'll manage. I know I will.

The next worry is the airport. I've never flown before. I think I'll be alright on the plane itself, but in the airport I'm no so sure. I've been in a train station before, and I'm sure it's a similar concept, but I was eleven and just followed my mom and grandma at our stops in Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax.

But here I am eight years later at the age of seventeen setting out not just by myself, but to a different country. Now, I probably wouldn't have a problem in the airport except I have a connection flight in Miami that's going to be tough. Now true, i don't have it as bad as some of the outbounds. New Zealand had 4 connections and was on a plane for 22 hours in total. I have one, and will only be on the plane for about six.

14 days to go. I can almost count it on my fingers. So much to do so little time.

Wish me luck in my final weeks in Canada!

Hasta luego.

2010-07-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

Countdown: 33 days

I know. A little over a month!

I was going through one of my Spanish lesson books today and learned something pretty cool.
According to my book, Spanish people have two surnames. The first is their father's. They use it in normal situations, much like we (or what I'm used to) do. The second is their mother's. It's only used in more formal situations, or on documents and such.
I thought it was pretty cool. Then when I thought about it and put myself in the situation, it gets kind of funny. I go by my mother’s last name, so... how would that world for me?

Something for me to ponder in my free time.

Also new: I got my prescription sunglasses. I am now officially set for life on the coast at the equator with some hot new shades to wear while basking in the sun.

Word(s) of the day:
- Ser
- Estar
Both mean to be, but are used in different situations.

Phrase of the day:
- Mucho gusto.
Nice to meet you.

I have also decided (thanks to a certain Argentinean chica – Antonella xD ) that The Simpsons in Spanish (Los Simpsons) would be hilarious.

Well I think that’s all for now. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I am faced with the daunting tasks of
a) packing up some of the ‘stuff’ in my room that I don’t want lying around for a year
b) sorting through some of my old toys that I forgot I ever had and haven’t used in years so they don’t sit around for another year
c) sorting through some of the stuff that used to be in my room that can’t sit in bins for another year

Saludos!

37 days to go

2010-07-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

Countdown time: 36 days.

I'm cracking down on my spanish and my presentations for Ecuador about Canada.

I went shopping the other day, and as much as I hate shopping, it wasn't all that bad. I got a nice dress jacket, and a dress, and a bathing suit! A very important thing when going to a country on the equator, especially if you're living on the coast.

Other inportant things to note: I have my ticket! August 21st is the date of my departure. I leave from Toronto, have a connection in Miami (Florida!) and then to Guayaquill! <3

I'll keep you posted!

Buenas Noches!

Update on all that has happened so far:

2010-06-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

June 9th, 2010, Haliburton, Ontario.

Alright,

December 2009: Applied (for the second time) for Exchange via Haiburton Rotary Club.

January 2010: Had given up hope on going on an exchange this year.

February 2010: Accepted for Echange!
A week and a half later: Camp Wanakita: Discovered Location: Belgium!
I also met a whole bunch of crazy awesome exchange students, both inbound, and outbound! I love you guys!

- In addition: Belgium didn't work out.... but, an opening with Ecuador was arranged!

April 2010: Got my passport - wicked.

May 2010: Found out my first host family!!! Sebastian, Margarita, Tomas y Juan Martin! I cannot wait until August!

May 22-25: Ottawa Weekend: All the exchange students together once more - great times! Got my lovely red, Rotary Jacket! Made my speech in Spanish... that was... interesting.

June 2010: Attempted to apply for my visa... that didn't go so well, but it's a work in process.

Other: My Spanish is coming along alright.... I have less than two weeks left for school before the summer, and then I can really start thinking about my Spanish, and crack down on learning the really important verbs. If I have them, I think I'll be alright to comunicate basics... with some help of Spanglish, hand gestures, and the good ol' dictionary.

So, that's teh basic run-down of what has happened. I'm going to keep up with the events now. 2 months to go!!!