Back in the Swing

Happy 2008! So I've been back in Ecuador for 2 weeks now and I am finally getting around to my blog. It's been busy here settling back into my routine and starting up the new semester with my students. I loved being able to go back home for the holidays, and I spent a lot of time with loved ones and finally got to eat those Reese's Cups I had been craving. I got to visit UVa twice (that's where I rang in the new year), had a wonderful Christmas, caught up with high school and college friends, and was honored to become an official Godmother of my beautiful, sweet Goddaughter Caroline. Really, going back home made me appreciate even more all the wonderful, supportive, and loving family and friends I have. It's so comforting to know that although I am so far away, I have so many people thinking of me back home. So thanks!

I found it so surreal when I landed back in Ecuador and somehow knew how to get myself to the bus terminal, get myself to Ambato, and then find my way to my "home." Had I not known how to do all that just a few months before? What a strange feeling it was to feel so comfortable in a different country. The first few days back were spent catching up with the other volunteers and all their escapades over the past few weeks. And of course I had to catch up with my host family as well. But now things seem just as they always did, and in many ways it feels like I never left.

Classes began last Monday, January 7th...or at least they should have. There was some confusion in the office as to when my first day of classes would be. Some of this was my fault because I told the director that I might be traveling until the 9th, but I never confirmed it. But somehow things got misinterpreted in the office, and different administrators told my students different starting dates- the 9th, the 11th, the 14th. I can't tell you how frustrating it was to show up the first day, all jazzed for a new semester, and to only have 2 students show up! And then that repeated for the next two days. But I finally have 2 solid classes again, and hopefully after a rocky start the rest of the semester will continue smoothly. I am so excited for the topics ahead! Since my students now know the basic tools of the English language, I'm hoping we can play around with it a bit more. We are going to discuss more complex issues such as social relationships, literature and the arts, world issues such as different cultures and religions, and controvsial issues and current events such as pollution, the position of women in society, and global poverty. So it should be interesting...and of course I'll keep you posted along the way.

And since I've been back there are two things that everyone is talking about- taxes and Tungurahua. Apparently President Correa and his party passed a new law in the Constitutional Assembly that will basically raise taxes on everything- housing, education, store-bought goods, you name it. Everyone is all riled up about it! The purpose is supposed to aid in distributing wealth in the country more evenly...and while that is a fabulous idea, people are irritated that they had no say in the decision. Aubrey's family is so upset and worried about their financial future that they are seriously considering selling everything and moving to the States. Trust me, I can't overstate how angry and worried everyone is about their financial security.

The other great worry on everyone's mind is the Volcano Tungurahua. It is erupting now in great fury, and hundreds of people have been evauated from the tiny towns on the side of the mountain. We are safe here in Ambato from any danger (hopefully!), but there is a very real possibility that we might get inches of ash in the city, which would cause everything to shut down for a few days. But no worries, I am armed with my face mask, and the other girls and I have planned to meet in my house if ash falls because my houses is equipped with internet and plenty of sitcoms on DVD (which is all one really needs, right?). I have been able to watch the volcano smoking like crazy all day, every day from my classroom (though it's over an hour away). A few nights ago the family that drives me home took me to an overlook closer to the volcano and we watched tons of lava spurting over, truly an incredible thing to watch. My mouth was wide open the entire time. Sadly, though, the lava does endanger people, homes, and crops on the mountainside, so it's hard to enjoy nature's magnificence when there is a downside as well.

Eden, Aubrey, and I had a wonderful weekend last week and I have been wanting to share it with you all. Some background first, I just finished a wonderful book called Eat, Pray, Love, and it tells the story of a women who travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia searching for pleasure, spiritual devotion, and ultimately overall balance in her life. I found it to be a really inspirational book, and I had it in the back of my mind throughout our adventures last weekend. It turned out to be such a perfect, balanced weekend, and one of my favorites here in Ecuador. The girls and I headed to Laguna Quilotoa, which is a lake in an old volcano crater, and it's only accessible after a 2-hour drive through breathtaking Andean scenery. I had actually visited the lake with my ASB group in March 2006, and I remembered it as one of the most awe-inspiring sights I had ever seen. So needless to say, I was excited to show it to the girls! They absolutely loved the lake and its gorgeous green water, surrounded by the crater wall, and it was just as amazing the second time for me! Then we decided to be adventurous and we hired a guide and the four of us went on a 3-hour hike in the Andes to the small town of Chugchilan. So with our guide Jorge, his faithful horse Don Miguelito, and two dogs, we traversed the Andes mountains and took in the incredible views. The mountainous grandeur, great conversation, and lots of exercise made the afternoon a very enjoyable one.

We finally reached our destination at around 4:30 that evening- a well-known eco-hostel called the Black Sheep Inn. We had heard so many great things about this hostel, but little did we know how much we would enjoy our time there! This hostel is completely eco-friendly- compostable toilets (you drop mulch in after you "go"), greenhouses on site, recycling, vegetarian food, and the owners have given a ton back to the local community in the form of education, conservation efforts, and money as well. Our room had a loft and a wood-burning stove, and such a cozy feel. The best part of our experience, though, were the people we met! We ate dinner family-style (and the food was amazing!), and we really chatted it up with a couple from Quebec, a couple from Ireland and Wales, and independent travelers from the US and Belgium. I loved swapping travel stories and hearing about all their exciting adventures. So after some great conversation, we spent the rest of the night reading in front of the fire. What a treat!  I was lucky to be able to spend such a unique and special weekend with Eden and Aubrey, and hopefully the rest of my time here will carry on in the same trend.

So I am really positive while looking ahead to my next 6 months in Ecuador. There are so many wonderful things to look forward to! All the volunteers in my group are heading to the beach next Wednesday for our Midservice conference for 4 days. So I can't wait to catch up with them and soak up some sun. I'm also giving a presentation on Cross-Cultural Appreciation between the States and Ecuador to the rest of the volunteers, so I am excited about that. Then, we have the Festivales de Frutas y Flores in Ambato to come home to! The festivals are a HUGE deal, and they prepare for them all year long. Markets, exhibitions, art, music, bull fights, parades, and more! We are actually going to a jazz fest tonight because the festivals are slowly beginning. I can't wait to take full advantage of all the events. Then in March I'm helping to host an Alternative Spring Break group from UVa for a week, and then my dad and his girlfriend are coming in late March as well. It will be so much fun to play tour guide and to share this beautiful country with others. Besides all that, hopefully I can put my all into my classes, study and practice my Spanish more, travel on the weekends, and just get as much as I can out of the rest of my experience here. Thanks for all your love and support and please keep me updated on all your 2008 adventures as well!