BEACH TRIP. best five days of my life!

It's weird meeting people in real life that you've talked to on Facebook for a lot of time, especially if you don't recognize them... just thought I should get that out! We traveled from 6:30am until 6:30pm to the place that should have only taken five hours to get to. The first night we had a bunch of rules, and then there was free time where mostly everyone (including me) was thrown into the pool with the clothes on.
The next day I would say was definitely my favorite, as it was a full beach day. That meant an awful sunburn, of course, but by far worth it. We played on the beach for so long, and it reminded me of a cruise because it was like our own private island. It also felt really nice to speak English with people that would understand expressions and if I talked fast and used bigger words. I know, I should be practicing, but it was vacation and it was fantastic. When we were returning from the island on a boat, it hit a HUGE wave so everyone was soaked. I was pretty okay with the wet part because I stayed on the beach until practically right before we left. Then, it got super cold and there was spray everywhere and I found it so funny and miserable at the same time. We rode these things called Banana Boat, which were fun but not fast enough for me. On the boat, we tried to shove people off, and I got Lea off one time and Ashley another. The one with Lea (from Germany) was so funny because our boat kind of ran out of gas so they drove us as far in and then we swam while we just saw her head bobbing in the water. I don't think I'll ever forget the image of her sitting in the boat while the worker was paddling it back in. The second time was just boring, so I told Ashley she was going off the boat and as she said "Bring it" she moved her hand to her hair and I pushed her off. After that, it was kind of more boring so we just planned to all jump off. I love the beach. We went to a view afterwards, and it was super pretty and made me really wish I lived in Crucita. That was pretty much just a huge picture taking session, which is always fun. That night was the talent night, and I thought Brasil did the best job because they danced capoeira and, well, I wish I was Brasilian. After was more dancing and more talking.
The next day we went to Portoviejo, which is a city that has a lot of exchange students in it. It really made me realize how lucky I am to live in a city as safe as Ambato. Lea and I went to go buy coco water, and when we looked up the parade had already turned and my heart almost stopped because all the Ecuadorians were watching and walking towards us. The parade was almost fun, because of the talking with so many people, but it was so hot. I had been wearing a shirt but during the parade, fun times, I changed into a dress, so I got even more burnt. After we went to an artesenal market and I had fun buying everything. Unfortunately the two hats I bought, one for me and one for my mom from here who just turned 50, got lost/stolen. After we spent more time at the beach, but not really in it, just jumping around and taking pictures. That night was a bonfire on the beach, so I played in the water which was so nice. The water was extremely warm, there was no sun to burn me, there was music with the videos playing, and dancing is just a bunch funner in the water.
The next day, oh the last day, how fast it came. We had more beach time, played tug-of-war and watched others play volleyball. It was just a really long time to relax on the beach, which was very much appreciated. That night we went on Chiva buses throughout Portoviejo I think, which is a bus with a live band. I thought it would be like a dance floor, but there were seats and not room to dance, so we stood in the back in something that slightly resembled a cage. My friend from Canada, Amanda (Amanada, cute nickname huh?) had to pee really badly the whole time, and she finally just couldn't take it anymore. She sat down in the back, thank gosh we were in the back on this wood platform, and peed. That image is another one that I highly doubt I will ever get out of my head. After we elected the King and Queen of the camp, one boy from the USA and one girl from Switzerland and then had a fancy dinner and dance. I LOVE TO DANCE WITH ROTARY PEOPLE SO MUCH! At around 3:00am we returned to Crucita, and then we all just talked for a while and ate.
The next morning I was nervous because I still had to pack and we hadn't set an alarm. We woke up around, well I don't know but I was told I had five minutes until we were going to leave. I freaked out and chucked everything in my suitcase, which included my wallet so I thought I had lost it which scared me half to death. The way back I slept for a lot of it and talked for another part of it. I have to admit, returning to Ambato was, well for lack of a better phrase, a slap in the face. Back to school and no relaxing on the beach in the warm sand watching the other exchange students shirtless. However, I'm glad about the fact there's not much seafood here, and I love the group of people we have in the city. I defintely wish there were more than just seven, but oh well.
Again, the one thing that this trip made me realize is just how much I am going to miss some of these people when this year is over. I have to wait until FEBRUARY to see those from the mountains, and until APRIL to see everyone else. It's killing me! More and more this is making me want to stay here forever, but not just me, with the other students. Oh yeah, and it's currently university-application time for Early Action, and I still have NO idea if I should do it in Europe or the U.S. AHH!
The photos:
Fancy time.
The other girl from Colorado (Emily) and I on our early morning walk down the beach.
Fancy time with our Rotary blazers.
We spelled out AMOR!
Almost everyone from Ambato (my city) and Latacunga (neighboring city).
Caitlin, my original and first roomie, and I.
Mexi (Izzy) and I with our matching scarves.
Everyone jumping, or well, everyone jumping and me preparing to jump.
Someone wrote that, and yes, We <3>

BEACH TOMORROW !!!!

There have been a few things happening that are even too long to post in my blog, so if you wanna know more just message me or leave a comment and I'll message you!
Let me think... school is unfortunately even more boring, what with me just drawing in the class. I not only don't entirely understand the language, but I don't have the books for the classes and I've never had some of these classes before. The people are all really nice, but I definitely feel awkward when we have to pair up or go in groups and I'm not supposed to because I'm not doing anything.
I went to two parties this weekend, and they were so fun. I love to dance, and I love to be around people who love to dance as well. Friday though, we went to one but it was a private party so even though we got in, the police made us leave and almost everyone. No one was really dancing at that one though, just taking photos so it wasn't really that much of a shame we left. Then we went to another one that was organized and such, but the police showed up and made everyone leave and they even put gas on us. Everyone started coughing and I just wondered why everyone was hiding their mouthsand all of a sudden it hit me. I couldn't believe that for doing nothing the police gassed everyone, that scared me so much. My friend's boyfriend even started smoking to get rid of the smell, which surprisingly even though I absolutely cannot stand the smell of smoke, well it helped. Saturday I went with Katie, an exchange student from Oregon, and her family to watch cars race high up in the mountains. To sum that up, it was really cold but almost exciting; I absolutely love her family though. Everyone, literally everyone, in Ambato knows her family because they're really rich, REALLY rich, and her grandpa started this car dealership or something. I have the same birthday as her mom, which I think is cool. Katie's brother, Pato (by the way everyone's name is Pato here, when I told my brother that he said "So many Pato's, so little time" which made me laugh) and my cousin, Mayte, like eachother, which is also cool! Saturday was Franzi's birthday party, so when we showed up there were like five people there but after about an hour a bunch of people showed up and it was a lot of fun. I love the atmosphere of here so much.
Sunday nothing really interesting, most of the cousins went to the movies but me and Mayte decided to just walk around the mall and eat and talk. I talked with my family on Sunday and I miss them a lot, especially my brother. It was kind of funny though, because almost all of my extended family was with me, or at least six at a time, so it was almost awkward because there was the whole language barrier problem and the fact that they were meeting for the first time over internet and didn't know what to do.
Since I've been here, I've really wished I liked seafood. They have it a lot of the time, and my parents have this theory that if I eat a little bit every time of the stuff that makes me want to vomit, I will slowly begin to like it. Then they'll give me fish or "jugo de tomate de arbol" and after I have it they'll ask me if I liked it. I thought that answer would be obvious. Anyways, I wish I liked seafood but there are just some foods that you really don't like.
I found my absolute favorite word in the world.. libelula. It means dragonfly, and I just love how it sounds I'm pretty sure I'm going to name my kid that.
So I have a few things to say about today (Wednesday). One is about the dangerous problem here in Ecuador, and how it's affected me. My friend and I were at the mall and we had to grab a taxi home, so we jumped in and I told the guy where we needed to go. Well, after going for about twenty seconds you're supposed to make a U-turn but he didn't so I told him he had to. He didn't listen to me, and he kept driving farther away. I told him again, and then later I'm pretty sure I told him that we wanted to go out. He turned into a neighborhood that looked really sketchy, and then turned left farther into the neighborhood. We jumped out of the car and sprinted down the street (with people yelling "run" and laughing because they think they're funny when they speak English here) into a store with a nice lady. My dad came and picked us up, and my mom thinks we overreacted and that he knew where he was going, but from the moment the driver didn't turn around, I knew something was wrong. People tell you to trust your gut, and this was a good example of that.When we were in the car, we tried to laugh it off, but it was that we're-so-nervous-and-don't-know-what-to-do laugh.
The other thing... I hate it when guys think it's funny to "speak English" but they only know like two phrases. Franzi and I have been on the bus when guys have said "I want to have sex with you" and then they laugh. They always say "I love you", ALWAYS it's "Hello" and "I love you" and when we leave it's "Bye" and "I love you" again. Sometimes I just want to punch them.... Yesterday, we were on the bus and one guy passed us and then backed up, stared at me, and then sat down right behind me and asked me how I was while saying other things and laughing. I almost went off on him in English, it's getting so tiring. They say if you don't pay attention to them, it will stop, but obviously the people that said that have never been to Ecuador. I was waiting for my aunt today on the corner, and whenever guys would pass they would wave, honk, or blow kisses at me. Two people in cars even tried to talk to me, or shouted something and looked all creepy, and that was only in about a three-minute-time span.
Anyways... Today, we had P.E. class, the first time because I seem to always miss Wednesday. We "ran" which was everyone holding hands and almost jogging for maybe two minutes. Then we sat in the field to do stretches, and I had so many burrs (those spiky ball things) all over me. Then we went and marched, but when I'm bored or just when I'm being me, I dance-walk. Well, I was doing that without even realizing it during the march and all of my class was laughing at me. I looked at everyone and I didn't understand at all and thought that they were saying a joke about something else. When I looked up and everyone was looking at me I was so confused, but later my friend told me and I thought it was funny.
Also, today I got another taste of what it's like to be a "gringa" and how people automatically love you (if they're teenage guys) here. My friend got my phone number, and I knew she know of guys that wanted to meet me but I didn't know that she would give them my number. I got calls today, and when I asked my dad if he knew the number he joked around saying it was my secret admirer. Turns out it was, and he kept saying I have such pretty photos and that he very much wants to meet me. Then he said something else and I laughed because I couldn't hear him, and he said "Yes?!" all excited so I'm still wondering what that was. Well now it's two days later and apparently he's mostly in love with me, even though he's never met me. Anyways, I just think it's really interesting, sometimes flattering and sometimes annoying.
And tomorrow: I'm headed for the beach with Rotary!

The photos:
1) party.
2) from the election.
3) with Liss, a classmate.
4) all the names.

first monthly report for rotary :)

I have no idea how I'm going to write all about what's happened since I've been here in a reasonable amount of space. My life here is so interesting and so difficult, but I'm learning (and definitely growing as a person) to embrace those difficulties. This year is going to be the most emotionally-testing year of my life, but it's also going to be the best.
I would say what first has been on my mind is my family. I absolutely completely love the huge extended family that all lives next door, and it makes it easy when I'm getting bored at my house to just walk over to their houses. My mom here is a lot different than my mom in Colorado, but I know she loves me, just shows it a little differently. The moms here really care about their kids, and are extremely nervous for them, so they are overly protective, which I am not used to. I absolutely love my dad, he's so funny and I feel like he really cares about me. My sister is a typical sixteen-year-old, and she is kind of always on the computer, so she is nice when she talks to me, but I think she also has other things on her mind. My thirteen-year-old brother, Mateo, actually really has caused a few problems for me. That is an incredibly difficult age, but he has not been helping me at all with my life here. He's definitely better now, but we're still not even close to being best friend siblings. I have hope because I see how he acts with all the cousins, so I think what it is is that he's jealous of the extra attention I have. My aunt who acts a lot like my mom from Colorado hosted an exchange student boy last year who had the same problem with her daughters that I'm having with Mateo, and she said at the three month mark all should be going well.
My school. Honestly, when I was getting ready to come here, I was so upset I would be going to an all girls school. Then I got here, and I really love it. There aren't really any cliques here, and everyone in my class is friends with everyone. There's only one girl who I'm not good friends with, and I'm nice to her when I talk to her, but she talks behind people's backs a lot, so I figured I should stay away from her. We had a presidential school campaign, and it was two huge parties to see which course would have the bigger one and which would win. I wish that was a tradition in the US, because I absolutely loved the giant dance party and the getting out early, even though we lost.
So, now on to that thing that you're probably wondering about what happened. Yeah, there was a problem between the police and the military/president, and the police tried to take down the president, so to make their point they didn't work that day. Here, it's extremely dangerous if there are no police, so that was terrifying. The riots started in Ambato, so we didn't have school Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, in contrast to Quito which only didn't have Thursday afternoon and Friday. I saw the protest in Ambato on Thursday, and chanting completely terrifies me. We were at the post office waiting, so I went back in and on TV there was news about what was happening in Quito. I wish I had stayed outside, there was awful footage of a lot of people getting gassed and fainting. I have to admit, I was pretty terrified and pretty glad I didn't live in Quito. It's kind of weird though, because it just, stopped. Thursday was terrifying in the afternoon, and kind of in the night with the burnings of random stuff everywhere, but Friday was completely normal.
I was in for a few surprises when I got here, and there are definitely some things I wasn't expecting. For some reason, I thought that everyone spoke English, if only just a tiny bit. Well, I was wrong, and it completely startled me when the stop signs said "Pare" and the "No Parking" sign had an E, not a P, in the middle of the crossed out circle. I also expected that everyone spoke with their dogs in English, so when the mom said "Afuera" (outside!) to the dog, I thought, "Wow, the dog doesn't know Spanish." Negra (the dog), went outside, and I thought, "What a smart dog, it knows Spanish." It's kind of hard to explain, but I just expected that all dogs knew English.
I do miss some things about the USA, and they're things that I had completely taken for granted. For example, the streets here have a lot of trash, and there are homeless dogs everywhere. It breaks my heart to see these dogs that don't have homes everywhere, just sitting underneath peoples chairs outside the restaurant. Also, the air here I consider kind of unclean, and I have to say I miss the air, not a food or something else, the most. Coming from Colorado, where there is probably the best air in the world, and going to Ecuador really startled me. I'll get a headache here when I walk around, and I don't know if that's because of the altitude or the pollution here. I also, it sounds silly, but I miss being able to open my mouth in the shower. That and being able to use the tap water here I miss, because now I don't have those two simple pleasures of opening my mouth in the shower or drinking water whenever I want.
So I'm sure you're wondering if I had studied more, and honestly that answer is no. Sure, maybe ten minutes every day or something, but I was pretty prepared to come here. Of course the first two weeks were hard, but I was able to make it through and now I'm on my way to fluent. I understand everything people say to me, except for when old men talk, because they speak in a sort of mumble. Everyone here is telling me that I'm so much better than I was when I got here, which is such a relief. I think that there is only a certain amount of studying that you can spend before you just have to immerse yourself in the language. I am actually kind of losing my English, and someone will ask me a question about it and I'll have to think if the sentence worked or not. My priority is not to keep my English at all, but it would be nice if I had enough brains to write my university applications.
About Rotary, the beautiful program that sent me here. I think it's pretty different here from the USA, but not so different. My club, Ambato Cosmopolita, is different from the other club in Ambato, as my club is held above a gas station and the other is in a fancy hotel. We had hot dogs and Coke the first meeting I went to, while the other club had a fancy dinner. I think it's funny how they are here, but they've all been really nice so far. People are surprised when I say that there were 30 exchange students in District 5470, but then I try to remind them that Ecuador is the same size as Colorado, and has more than double the exchange students. The fact that that number includes only Rotary, not other exchange programs, and that not all of Ecuador is habitable (what with the Amazon), proves that the program is much larger in Ecuador. At least in my family, it's always a question of who will leave next, like, "Oh well David, Anita, and Juan are gone, and next year it's Sebas and after that it's Emi." Whenever I ask my classmates if they want to do exchange, they always say yes of course, and they all really want to go to the USA. A lot of the exchange students I talked to that are in Ecuador also said that their first choice was the USA, which I thought was kind of weird. Then I thought about it, and I realized that the USA is different from everywhere in Europe, South America, and Asia, and we are known all over.
So on to the exchange students here. I kind of find it cruel that we're going to become SUCH good friends, definitely best friends, and then have to leave each other after one year that will definitely pass way too fast. I mean, we're already in October and it feels like I've only been here for maximum three weeks. Honestly I'm dreading so much when I will have to leave this life I have here, and I don't even need to worry about that for, oh no, only eight more months! After this year, it's made me realize that I for sure want to do university in Europe, there's no question any more. I love the people here, and talking with everyone it's making really want to live in Europe. I had been debating it before, but this has just sealed the deal that I'm headed to a different continent when I'm able to. I love every single exchange student here, we're definitely the coolest people and the funnest, and it, like the outbounds from Colorado, only took one day to become best friends. When I got back from the Spanish camp, I missed everyone so much. I can not imagine how much I'm going to miss my friends from all over the world when I have to leave, especially after two Rotary trips we're going to take in April. After that, I'll see everyone, other than those in my city, for maybe one more time. I've met other exchange students that aren't from Rotary, and they're definitely as cool. It's funny how when you meet another exchange student, no matter what, there's a connection and you are automatically best friends. I love it, it's that fact that binds us all together.
Anyways, I hope all is well in Colorado, and I thank Rotary so much for this experience. I have no idea what I would be doing if I was there in Rampart High School, but I'm so glad I'm having the experience of my life right now, and even though it may be difficult at times it's definitely worth it.

in the middle of a national crisis, my life is completely normal.

So these past few days have been kind of crazy, what with the problems between the president and police. I'm still confused on what happened, but pretty much the police were trying to take down the president because he passed a law that was unfair to the police, so everyone was protesting. People were chanting, which REALLY scares me, and burning a lot of things in the middle of the towns. This made me kind of glad that I don't live in Quito, because people there could hear gunshots from inside their houses, and they couldn't leave to walk down the street at all.
Other than all that, it's been really normal. Ambato is still a relatively safe city, much safer than most. We saw a little girl peeing on the sidewalk, which made me laugh until I cried but I kind of threw up a little in my mouth. What I thought was the weirdest about that is there were many people just walking past taking no notice.
I've been meeting more people, and I found out the place to be from 5-9pm is in front of my school, because there were SO many people there, all teenagers just chilling.
My life has been going pretty well. I went to church, which I think was interesting for me because I understood almost nothing. Other than that, it was almost exactly the same, only there was a dog in the mass which I found weird.
We had a campaign today for everyone, but instead of it being like in the US which is people just putting up posters in the halls, there were two huge parties, one for tecnologia (my course) and one for ciencias. It was really fun, a lot of dancing and running around the school yelling "Vota Lista Uno!" We got out early too, which is always really nice. I didn't bring my camera unfortunately, but once everyone else posts the pictures on Facebook I'll upload them here!
I also figured I should start explaining the pictures I post, so one is when we were on the way back from Guayaquil, another is me and Franzi hugging, and the last is a mailbox thing I saw in the post office while all the protesting was going on.