Quito, Ecuador

So it begins! My 3-month adventure in Quito, Ecuador. A brand new culture, new language, new food (omg the food), new family, new friends, the list goes on. I miss my family and friends immensely, but I already feel right at home in Quito. 

My host family picked my up from the airport on Wednesday night and welcomed me into their lives. Mi mama’s name is Maria, mi papa is Arturo, and I have 3 older brothers: Jose, Juan, and Pablo. We eat every single meal together as a family, and we never go to bed without saying goodnight to everyone. We greet each other with a hug and a kiss, and mi mama calls me “Mi amor” (my love). In Ecuador, people appreciate the little things in life, and no one is ever too busy to sit down and enjoy a conversation. 

I spent Thursday resting and getting to know my family. Quito is the highest capitol city in the world at over 9,000 feet, and the altitude has crazy affects on your body. I’ve been constantly tired, and I get winded after walking up a flight of stairs. On Friday, we had our first orientation at our school and then went on a tour of Quito. 30 minutes into our tour, our bus was going through a tunnel, and we literally got stuck. We caused a major traffic jam, and we had to back up all the way through the tunnel. 

On Saturday, we took a day-trip to the Equator, and they showed us how water spins in opposite directions on both sides of the Earth (I thought that was a myth). Today we went to an Irish Pub and watched as our Seahawks got the W. GO HAWKS. I also found out today that I’M AN UNCLE!! My brother Isaac and his wife Taylar welcomed their new baby boy into the world right as the Seahawks were scoring their touchdown (this kid’s lucky). Can’t wait to meet my handsome nephew Easton Alan Miller. 

Classes start tomorrow, so time to get back to reality. Kinda. Until next time, Ciao! (Ecuadorians never say Adios)