day one.

i just picked up a wireless network, so i am taking advantage! i wrote this on my first night.

6/28/08

i have arrived! my host family - Rocio and Ernesto - have been so great so far. Rocio, the mom, is a little bubble of joy and Ernesto is just as nice as can be. I got to their house about 8:00 pm tonight. About an hour later, two more American girls arrived. In hindsight, I'm positive that both Rocio and Ernesto explained this to meat the airport on the way home... one of the many statements i smiled and nodded to, simply responding with, "ah. si. ok." while having no idea what they were saying. 

i'm relieved to know that the two girls speak english, but also happy to see that they are speaking almost exclusively spanish to each other and even to me. their names are lauren and amanda, and they have both just finished their freshman year at Yale, both pre-med. I do not feel unintelligent. 

after making some conversation with them, fluttering in and out of spanish, i slide back into my room to rest for a few minutes. i feel slightly awkward, not knowing whether to continue chatting to leave them alone. one thing is certain: i have to get over looking or feeling stupid in my novice attempts to speak a language i do not know and just do my best. talk about swallowing your pride. 

later, Rocio popped into my room to ask if i would like a sandwich, but was immediately onto more important matters - what kind of perfume was i wearing?! she said she liked it and asked what it was called. i told her "gucci" and showed her the bottle for good measure. she even asked me how much it cost and i think where i got it... i did my best to explain: appriximo cincuenta dolares y tienda de departamenta tienen. i realize that i am totally giving away my ignorance here,  but i think it will be funny to look back on. pride has been swallowed. 

besides, i have already memorized a few key statements NOT to say. so far, estoy embarazada, which sounds strikingly like i'm embarassed but means i'm pregnant. 

anyway, she asked me what i like, offering "jamon" as an option. figuring i probably wouldn't recognize any other sandwich fillings and not wanting to be high-maintenance, i immediately said, "si, jamon. gracias." who am i to be picky?

as we eat our sandwiches and sip on hot tea, Rocio and Ernesto are the perfect hosts. the five of us have a lovely conversation, even if i only understood every fifth word and contribute even less. before the evening is over two more girls are introduced: Linda, a senior at some college in Idaho who has been studying here since february and leaves this week, and Ana Maria, Rocio and Ernesto's youngest hija, around 19. both greet us with the half-euro kiss - one cheek only. 

i like it here. i like the ivy-outta-my-leagues, Linda and Ana Maria are very sweet and Rocio and Ernesto could not be more hospitable. i can already see that Quito has a lot to offer and i cannot wait to explore it.

"the purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." -- Eleanor Roosevelt