Sorry its been a while, internet is harder to come by than i thought it would be....

So i´m currently in my third week here in Quito, and its been quite an adventure. My spanish has gotten much better but i still talk like a seven year old. Classes have been fun but rather intensive, with usually at least an hour of grammar and composition homework every day. My original awe of the city has worn off and allowed me to be a bit more critical of my surroundings. Maybe it was because i spent most of the weekend recovering from a particularily extreme case of food poisining, but im beginning to becom disillusioned with Quito. It is a really big city with lots of people and malls and movie theaters etc. Exactly like what i have access to in California only with and extra layer of trash and crime. According to my house father, the head of security for my schol, outsiders shouldnt be going out at night at all because its so dangerous. This, in combination with a society thats not so different than our own, makes me a little upset at this supposed life-changing experience. However the people for the most part are really nice and my classes are really fun. Im learning a lot, especially in grammar for the benefit of Baiga..who i miss a lot. The teachers tell me my diminishing interest in the place im staying is normal for week two and three of being in a new country and that i will enjoy it more as time goes on...

Lets see what have i done since i last wrote. We visited La Virgen de Pancillo which is a ten story statue of an angel that sits up on a hill overlooking the city. It had a beautiful view overlooking both sides of the city, with green volcanic ranges on either side of the valley. Later that day, after returning home, my host father, Alvaro, and his mom, Laura, took me to a restaraunt called Vista Hermosa. It was a quaint little place with a beatiful view of the Basilica and the Cathedral and all of the numerous churches that spot the city. The next day we had classes as usual and afterwards we went to the gym to play some bball. The altitude clearly inhibited my game but i was still able to ball it up a bit. We went to two museums the next day and looked at indigenous art and chrisitan art from Ecuador. It was very interesting as you could imagine. Alvaro has work most of the and Laura spends most of her time at home cleaning or babysitting her grandaughter Nati, who is about the same age as Sequoia. So most of my time at home is spent either watching spanish TV, which can be hilarious, or reading and doing homework. It rather difficult to get around town because the taxis are somewhat expensive and besides that not until yesterday did we have a house phone, so i wasnt able to reach anyone to meet up. Besides that you cant really go out too late because its dangerous to stay out past night time.

One experience that was really fun was the world cup qualifying game between Ecuador and Argentina. Ecuadorians LOVE their futbol and all work was stopped at twelve thirty in the afternoon in preperation for the four o clock game. I mean all construction, all teaching, all stores, most bars, most shops, all closed to start the pre-party. Me and a few of my fellow students are starting a project, in a little town named Nono that is in the forrest, to help them organize their trash that they currently just throw into a big concrete box. Anyway, we were on our way back from Nono the day of the game and decided to go to the tourist section, know as the Mariscal, to watch the game at a bar. When we got there we were surrounded by yellow jerseys and the big screen TVs were being set up all over the place to watch. We found ourselves a table at a little restaraunt about an hour before the game and ordered some beers. Little children, ages 3-10 were selling gum to for 5 cents a piece around the tables in order to make some more money for their families. These dirty and malnurished children were just another reminder of the horrible poverty gripping this city. I bought one, which was a mistake, because i was then perpetually plagued by other kids selling gum for the rest of the game. The game started and atmosphere was intense. Ecuador needed to win this game to qualify for the world cup so everybody was pretty nervous. Every missed shot, good play, and well timed tackle was rewarded with screams and applause from the crowd in the plaza which must have numbered nearly a thousand. It really made the game exciting and interesting. Ecuador scored their first goal in the second half and the crowd exploded. People were hugging and kissing complete strangers and everybody was downing their drinks in celebration. Needless to say the second goal scored by Ecuador late in the second half, sealed the deal and the crowd went even crazier. It was an awesome experience that will stick with me for a while.... DOWN WITH ARGENTINA!!!

That sunday i went to church with Alvaro and Laura. One on the only times i can remember ever going to church for a sunday service. It was a pretty church surrounded by the big modern building of the city. It was a pretty service during which at one point you had to turn to everyone around you and wish them peace in their life and give them a kiss on the cheek. I was obviously an outsider and i noticed some smirks as i attempted to fit in. After the service, Laura lectured Alvaro on how she hoped he had listened to the service(which was about loving others and providing for those with less). He defended himself saying he had heard the service but thought that people should work for their money and he wouldn´t be the one giving handouts. Laura dismissed his defense with a sigh and mumbled under her breath to me that clearly he had heard the sermon but had not listened. Later that day we went to the city of Cubaya which i have told some you about where i had the soup made of pigs skin and blood.

That week we had classes and the usual took place of me going to class in the morning, regressing after to go home and have luch, and taking a nap until dinner time. Then watch some movies in spanish and go to bed. This is my usual day, rather boring and uninteresting, i know. Tomorrow we are all going on a trip through the city to see the Basilica and other museums. Should be a good time, any diversion from the usual grind of school and such is nice. Then that night we will go to the Balet at the opera hous here in Quito, should be a good time. The girls here are still very pretty but in a society where the guy has to do all the work i havent really done much in that dept, besides my inadequate spanish doesnt help.

I have been especially homesick lately and just wanted to say that i love you all and miss you very very much. Twins, you guys and i definately have to do something like this together... it would be the best time ever. Dad and Charlene, i miss you guys a ton and hope that everything is going well. There isnt a minute in the day that i dont think about you guys. Mom and Sky, i love you SOOO much and think about how much fun we have together. I wish i could be with you guys right now in the backyard of your house relaxing and joking over a bottle of wine, or two, or three....hahah. Kiki and Tracy, I look at ur guys´ card everyday that you wrote me it sits next to my bed and i think about how much i miss you. Thomas and Kim, i miss you guys and home that Baby Dean is well. I wish i could be with you guys and sing Yellow Submarine to baby dean and watch his face light up. Miss you all and love you a ton..