Apologies for not updating my blog recently! While studying
abroad, one learns lots of things. For me, one of those things is that blogging
does not really appeal to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea but when it
comes down to it, I learned that I much prefer writing and reflecting in a
journal rather than online. However, I thought it was important that I at least
catch you up on the semester’s latest happenings…
I ate a small piece of fried worm that my friend brought
back from the Amazon along with some other new treats (a typical snack or meal there). It made me think a little
of bacon…I couldn’t work up the guts to eat a live worm like my friend did (but
seriously, would you have?)
I returned to Cuenca & Vilcabamba (some favorite stops
on my spring break trip that a friend hadn’t yet seen). In Cuenca, we tried the
delicacy cuy (roasted guinea pig)
which was much tastier than I thought it would be…think slimy chicken/pork…and
lots of little bones…and little toenails…okay enough details, sorry. I wouldn’t
say I’d do it again for a while but I’m glad I gave it a try. I enjoyed a return
visit to Cajas National Park and of course had a great time in Vilcabamba
(probably my favorite city in Ecuador for its gorgeous mountains).
cuy
some of my favorite Ecuadorian mountins
I did some work! Exams, papers, paintings, presentations…here
are a few of my paintings from my painting class:
I sang some karaoke (it’s SO popular here).
I’ve gotten pretty close with my host mom and will be sad to
leave (but am getting VERY excited about seeing my family and being at home
with them…for 36 hours before I leave for camp!)
I said goodbye to some professors that I really enjoyed and
got to know fairly well (classes were very small at the university).
my favorite class with my favorite professor (Ecology of the Galapagos)
I enjoyed a fun beach weekend in a province that I hadn’t
visited until last weekend. We enjoyed sitting on the beach, cooking,
hammocking, learning Ecuadorian card games, and watching movies.
I spent a while at the Migrations office and finally got
what I need (a certificate, more or less) to leave the country (I was supposed
to get it at the very beginning of the semester!).
I cooked for my host family – chicken pesto pasta and
chocolate cake. It is difficult cooking in someone else’s kitchen I learned,
but very worth it because they really enjoyed it!
I’m doing the last few things I want to do in Quito…today I
went to an AWESOME art museum mainly featuring the works of Guayasamin, one of
Ecuador’s claims to fame. His style is Picaso-ish and mainly paints pictures of
(indigenous) people suffering and scenes of Quito.
And this Saturday, I head to the Galapagos Islands! I will
be there May 19-May 30 with a class from my university and I am beyond excited!
It’ll be exciting to see what I’ve been learning about all semester in my
Ecology & Conservation of the Galapagos class. Hopefully I can do a quick
blog post right when I get back and before I head back to the U.S. on June 1st.
For now, I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying
summer!
