Gatas Locas

I haven’t written in a about a week because I got slammed with homework, which sucks. We have lots of essays, reports, quizzes, and a whole book to read IN SPANISH. I thought this whole “study abroad” thing was supposed to be easy. Anyway, the last week has been relatively uneventful in the fact that we have not gone to any indigenous street festivals. Things I have done in the past week: 1) Gotten motion sickness on a public bus 2) Watched 3 hours of Keeping Up With the Kardashians on a Friday night 3) Stood on two sides of the hemisphere AT THE SAME TIME (see photo). 4) Hit a cat with a pillow(see photo). My “host cat” Chica really likes to spend time in my room, for whatever reason. Apparently my disdain for cats does not cross language barriers very well. Despite the fact that I direct expletives her way, she enjoys laying in the middle of my bed right around the time that I get ready to go to sleep. When I try to ask her nicely to leave, she gets more comfortable. This is where the pillow comes into play. If I hit her with a pillow(gently, of course), she will eventually run out of my room. Although I do have to admit, this cat is kind of growing on me…

I am finally getting used to my host family and daily life here in Quito, but the last week has been really tough. I got really homesick last weekend (when you all were enjoying the 4^th and sunshine). I really started missing my family, my friends, and my independence, of all things (how cliché?). It is really hard for me to ask things of my host mom, such as “Can we please go to the grocery store because I need more to eat and want some ice cream and you don’t have ice cream.” I am so used to being able to do things by myself and doing these things when I want to do them. I don’t know the bus system of Quito yet (if there is actually a “system”, I am unsure. Most people seem to just jump on and off busses), and it is slightly dangerous for me to walk places alone. Anyway, I am sure that with time I will become adjusted to navigating Quito on my own. As far as the language barrier goes, it is getting better. I am less afraid of trying to speak Spanish all the time and less afraid of making mistakes, and I have found that if I just keep talking I eventually get my point across.

I am also getting ready for my first weekend trip away from Quito! This weekend Ariel, Amanda, and I are going to a town called Baños to hang out, chill in hot springs, and maybe do a little hiking. It will be nice to get away from Quito and do some outdoor activity(still not used to the elevation yet, though!). Anyway, I will post pics of my weekend trip next week! Miss you and love you all! Mil besos

-KNel