Week 3: 7-9 June

Historic Center

Week 3: Last Weekend in Ecuador

7 June, Friday
This weekend was my last weekend in Ecuador, which makes me very sad. Friday, I said goodbye to the students and my host teachers. I made plans, however, with Moises to go to the artisanal market near the center of Quito together on Saturday so I can buy the last-minute souvenirs. I have been trying to go to the market for the past three weeks and I finally get to go! I invited Angela, but she couldn’t go, so instead, she invited me out to the historic center of town, giving me the history of each neighborhood, building, statue, and church. She’s a history teacher, so she was very clear in her explanations. It was so fun seeing night-life in Quito! I had not been out at night during my time here because I’m always alone. I wish I had more nights like this—I should have taken advantage while I had the chance (but I had no friends to go with, sadly). Angela and I had so much fun getting to know each other, as I mentioned in my previous journal entry, so she rescheduled her plans for the next day and was able to go to the artisanal market with me and Moises on Saturday.

8 June, Saturday
On Saturday, before meeting with Moises, I went to the main shopping center in Quito, called Quicentro. The mall is so big!—I got slightly lost. I wasn’t expecting to buy anything, but I did! I bought some jewelry, an alien backpack, and a $30 dress on discount for $7. I then ate lunch at the food court; I decided to eat Italian food for only $6. I also talked to my boyfriend while I ate because I had time to spare before heading to the market. Angela met me at the mall and we took public transportation to the market where we met with Moises and his roommate, as well as my friend that I go to my weekend trips with, Baya. I bargained and may have annoyed a couple vendors, but I got all of what I wanted to get for my family and friends. I got home very tired—I would have been sad, too, but I decided that I was going to return to USA Academy to say goodbye again to all the students and the teachers.

9 June, Sunday
Sunday, I went to an active volcano crater/lake, Quilotoa (below). We went with a travel agency, so the tour guide, Diego, picked us up from our homes and drove us there. I fell asleep on the ride there because I woke up at 5am to get ready to go. We got there, and the view was beautiful! We then hiked down for 40 minutes, taking pictures along the way. The weather was so nice and breezy. I was very happy trekking down… until I realized I would have to hike back up! My friends Baya and Hilary opted for the mule ride back up—which was ten dollars. I could afford the ride, but I decided that I would attempt to walk up myself, despite the lack of oxygen affecting me and my lungs. Along the way, I observed the mix of local people and foreign tourists—which was really interesting to witness. I heard Spanish, English, and even Chinese! Anyway, after an hour and ten minutes, I made it to the top again, greeted by a lovely, fluffy alpaca! The tour guide Diego stayed with me the whole way and was very encouraging, supporting me emotionally. When we reached the top, Diego told me the time it took me was a really good time because sometimes people can be delayed and can take longer; if Baya and Hilary would have walked, it would have taken us 2 hours—especially because Hilary is a smoker. Anyway, we ate lunch, which was provided in our package of $50, and then made our way back to Quito. We stopped for some traditional Ecuadorian ice cream. I was so tired when I got home, but luckily dinner was ready for me by my host mother!