Ecuador Update #1

Host Family

I’m really enjoying my free time in which I can get to know my host family. They’re pretty cool or as they say it here; super chevre! My dad’s name is Ernesto and he was in the air force for 33 years but is retired now. My mom’s name is Ines and her work is with me. They’re both really good about showing me the many sites of Quito but they are usually very considerate to know when I need to take a break from speaking Spanish.

Class Rank

The host families that us University of Idaho students were placed with are mostly upper class in this society. The people here are very aware of class ranking. Signs of an upper class person are the following: what type of car is owned, the amount of jewelry women wear, in what neighborhood people live and what type of jobs are kept. The poorer people are usually the Inca Indians. They vend things on and in the streets starting from lollipops and bubblegum to banana chips, fruit, batteries or sometimes hats or gorras. When a vehicle is stopped at a light they will come to the window trying to sell their goods to anyone. They usually have darker skin than other citizens, long black hair, a black or brown hat and a different colored poncho to keep warm.

Housing

The apartment I live in is on the 8th and last floor in the building so I have a fantastic view of the city from my window. It’s pretty quiet for the most part, but sometimes I will hear a pickup truck driving through the street below selling goods with a loudspeaker attached to his pickup. I live really close to many places for example: fast food (many KFCs), stores, a panaderia ( bread store) and a cheap Internet café.

The City

The city itself is like any big city you will find in the U.S. There are many dogs here in the streets, but not as many cats due to the altitude and climate. While walking I have to take precaution because the drivers do not respect pedestrians.

Yungilla

The night I arrived I was told I had 2 days to get to know my host family then I would be off to a place called Yungilla. This countryside of a place is an hour and a half from Quito and is similar to any other farm but on the side of a mountain. This pueblo has people and volunteers come in for ecotourism to help with projects they have.I spent a week there with the other 6 University of Idaho students. We lived with families during that week to learn more about the culture. Some of my highlights from the week were learning how to milk a cow, how to eat guinea pig and working with the people of the community. Some of the projects are as follows: making cheese (pepper jack, monterey jack, colby jack and cheddar), making marmalade and working in a huerto organico or organic garden. I helped plant seeds like radishes, blackberries, cilantro, onions, beets and lettuce.

Languages

The main languages I’ve heard so far are English, Spanish and Kichwa. Kichwa is a native language that was here before Spanish.I’ve loved living here so far and look forward to sharing pictures with you soon. Until then I hope that God blesses you mightily as you seek to do His will while you are on this earth.