Week 1 1/2 - Settling in

I do not have internet in my house so it is hard to keep up on my blogging but here is another entry.

First week of school

I really like all of my classes so far. I am taking US Latin American relations, Latin American Themes, Conflict and Resolution, Social Problems of Ecuador, and Volcanology. Unfortunately my photography class got canceled because there were not enough people in it and I had a schedule conflict with the other time for the class. But now I am taking Conflict and Resolution which seems like it will be really interesting.

All of my classes are in Spanish as well as most of my readings. This is going pretty well although my readings always take longer than I think they will. But it is good practice. There is at least one other person from BU in all of my classes which is nice. I have also made friends with other international students but it is hard to make friends with Ecuadorian students. I am trying though.

My volcaonlogy class seems like it is going to be amazing. We have 2 or 3 weekend long field trips to various parts of Ecuador, we make analogue volcanoes using dynamite and gun powder, and the teacher is hilarious and insane. Pretty much it is awesome.

Tour of Quito


On Saturday we had a tour of Quito with the coordinator of our program. We went up part of pichincha, the volcano next to Quito , we went to Panecillo a hill in the middle of Quito on top of which there is the statue of the Virgin of Quito (see above), we also visited various seriously cool churches and a museum.

Mi Casa

I am enjoying my home stay a lot. Tafi and I are now great friends and My host mom Matele is really nice and we get along well. We often watch TV together and sometimes play cards. She is quite the card shark. She and her friends get together every week to play and one of her friends is the host mom of someone else from BU.

There is definitely no risk of me going hungry. I think I was told for the first time in my life that I do not eat very much. I have enjoyed all the food and especially the fresh made fruit juices that I get almost every day. Also Matele and I share a love of cheese. It is lovely!