Mi Cumpleanos

So yesterday was my birthday and it was a great day. The celebration started some Friday night however. I went out with some of my friends and I started out at my friend/host cousin Melissa's house and we took a cab together from there. But before we left, my family surprised me with some gifts. My tia Chiri gave me a scented body spray and my abuela gave me this awesome scarf she had knitted. I was so happy and so suprised. I hadn't been expecting anything and it made me feel very happy and welcome.

So to my actual birthday. Yesterday the BU programs went to Cuicocha, Cotoacachi, and the Indian market in Otovalo. It was super cool. We took a boat ride in the crater lake of a volcano (Cuicocha), which was super cool, even though it was rainy and cold. We got to smell the sulfur and other lovely gases that were coming from the volcano. After that we went to Cotacachi which is a town that is known for its leather working. It was cool, and although it was somewhat touristy, there were lots of cool shops with very pretty things in them. I did not buy anything there though.

I also got another birthday suprise from my host family. My host mom Matele bought cakes and gave them to our program coordinator Maria Antonieta to bring on the trip. So everyone sang me happy birthday and we got to eat super awesome cake.

Next we went to Otovalo and the large market there. It was super cool and a little overwhelming. There were just so many beautiful things. I was afraid Imight go crazy and buy everything in sight, but I actually did pretty well. We are going back to Otavalo and the end of the semester so on this trip I just sort of bought the minumum and next time I will have any idea of how much money I have left. I did the bartering thing. I am not the best at it but I'd say I did all right for myself. I probably over paid for some things but not grossly. Hopefuly next time I will be even better. It did start raining and thundering, but by that time most people had finished their shopping and so a bunch of us just went and hung out at a resteraunt.

Pretty much my birthday was awesome. I do not have any of the pictures on my computer yet so I will add some later.

Hasta luego