We´re here. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the 62 members of omnibus 106 (the 106 group of PC volunteers in Ecuador)have arrived in Ecuador and settled in with our host families.
After our staging event (aka orientation) in Philadelphia, we departed from our hotel at 1:30 AM to begin an arduous 16 hour journey to Quito. In theory, it would have been a phenomenal opportunity to catch some zzzzzz´s. Unfortunately, excitement and a bit a apprehension made it impossible to sleep. While I needed rest, it did serve as a great opportunity to celebrate birthdays, bond with my fellow PCTs, and tone my biceps as I lugged too much luggage through some of the airports.
Upon arrival in Quito, PC Ecuador swooped us up and chauffered us to the PC training center in Tumbaco, a upper-middle class suburb outside of Quito. It was, unfortanately, already dark, thus making it impossible to enjoy the scenery.
The next few days could best be described as Tufts-in-Chile orientation week. We lived in dorms rooms on-site, played cards and ultimate frisbee, and attended various charlas conducted by speakers working in areas such as security and training. And we ate. A lot. All the time. Sound familiar?
Before lunch on Saturday, all 62 PCTs were herded on stage in front of the Ecuadorian host families and we were formally introduced to our new familias. I´m living with a mother, her 21-year-old daughter, and her 1 1/2 year old son and I absolutely love it. Although my internal clock has certainly been shaken up a bit. The family goes to bed around 9:00 and awakens around 5:00 everyday. The early bed time is for the best though; training starts at 8:00 each morning and its a bit of a commute.
Leaving with our host families also marked the first time that we were permitted to leave the PC compound. Ecuador is absolutely stunning; green mountains scrape the sky and flowers seemingly dot every tree. And the climate is amazing. Around 70 degrees and sunny every day in spite of what is reported by weather.com.
On Saturday, I spent the day meeting my host familia and exploring Tumbaco. After some intense soccer and volleyball games with my host nephew, we journeyed to the plaza, the fruteria (easily my favorite place in Tumbaco, and the soccer stadium to watch my my host brothers (who live down the street. actually, I think only family even lives on the street) game. Although the hincha wasn´t quite as crazy as that of cola cola, I think we could learn a few songs, paint our faces, and rival cola cola´s mob sometime soon.
After waking up embarrassingly late on Sunday (who knew that breakfast was at 7:00 on Sunday as well), we went on a paseo. My Spanish isn´t up to par and I thought we were merely going to the PC center so I could learn how to get to school, but we actually journeyed to an Andean town nearby - Quiche - to attend mass in the giant cathedral. It was absolutely loco; people were wandering around mid-prayer while police patrolled the crowds. We then meandered through the markets outside the church, listened to an Andean folk singer, and enjoyed a traditional almuerzo. Important note..when offered churros in Ecuador, don´t expect a fluffy pastry. Rather, expect a bag of snails in lemon juice and be expected to suck the snail out of the shell. Delicious but most definately a surprise.
During the week, almost all of our time is spent perfecting our Spanish, learning TEFL techniques, and constructing rooftop gardens at the PC center. I´ll try to update regularly, but I´m also without internet en casa, so I don´t expect to be on the computer too much.
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