Pollo Loco

30 June 2011

Hola Amiguitos! I have compiled a short list of less than scientific findings. 1. Just because you are on the equator does not mean you will be warm. For example, my “pajamas” include, but are not limited to: fleece lined running tights, pajama pants, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, and sweatshirt. 2. Hot water is a relative term. “Hot” water has only existed for me two times thus far. Nothing says “Buenos Dias” like an ice-cold shower. 3. Two and a Half Men is much better when it is the only thing on in English. 4. One cannot call a cell phone from a land line. Que extraño. 5. There is no quicker way to feel like a contestant on “The Biggest Loser” than to try to go on a run at an altitude of 10,000 feet. 6. The words “lindo” and “rico” can seemingly be used to describe any situation or food. My dinner was “rico”, as was my walk to the corner store. 7. There ain’t no party like an indigenous party.

On Wednesday we went to a festival in the surrounding mountains called “Inti Raymi” or literally translated, sun party(from Kichua, an indigenous language). Inti Raymi is a nearly month-long festival celebrating the sun, the source of all things good for the indigenous people. Different communities have celebrations on different days throughout the month, but let me tell you, this was one BIG party. We arrived at the town, an hour-ish north of Quito, about 11:00 a.m. to find a carnival of sorts with a band, ice cream, and vendors. ON A WEDNESDAY. After a few minutes, we walked down to the very end of the town to give the president of the community our gift of gratitude for inviting us gringos to party with them. What did we buy the president? A bottle of rum, of course. Shortly thereafter, the Inti Raymi parade/dance commenced. Women were dressed in colorful blouses and skirts, while men wore what can only be described as gigantic, furry chaps. Also, dance was a relative term at this celebration (kind of like hot water), meaning that we stomped and shuffled our way across town for 3 hours. Yes. Three hours. About a third of the way through, we noticed our professor, Luis, pull out some rum to start making us some drinks. All of the natives were drinking, so we obviously didn’t want to be the Americans that didn’t fit in. After a few minutes, we were dancing with much enthusiasm and making friends with all sorts of folk (and making enemies with some fellow gringos from BYU). At the end of the epic dance/shuffle, there was a brief dance/shuffle competition, which we participated in with much enthusiasm, much to the dismay of our more serious BYU counterparts, who informed us that they, in fact, knew more about this party than our staff of 4 Ecuadorians who accompanied us. After the competition, we chowed on some empanadas, which were beyond amazing, and got back on the bus haggard and slightly hung over (“chichaki” in Kichua). We were running a little late, but something else I have learned is that no one really cares if they are on time. About halfway through our short trip home, one of our chaperones informed the bus driver that she wanted an ice cream. He stopped at a nearby truck stop, and about 10 minutes later she came out with her ice cream and three bags of fried (?) chicken. We thought this was going to be like regular fried chicken but it most certainly was not; it was Pollo Loco. She walked down the bus aisle handing us all a plastic glove and a bag full of chicken. WTF. The chicken was delicious, kind of like really greasy roasted chicken, and I am pretty sure I am going to demand gloves with my chicken upon arrival to the U.S. Anyway, hope you are all well and I love you!!

-KNel