Copied from my personal blog doslenguasdosalmas.wordpress.com
So, something I failed to mention in my first blog post was the fact that I lost my passport in the Quito airport. So the first three days in Ecuador were spent in pursuit of a new passport. As of Friday I have completed my passport application in the US Embassy and I should have another in 10-14 days. Friday morning a group of 3 guys and I decided to go running, but we failed to remember that Quito was at 9,000 feet so we ended up running 2.4 miles but it felt like 10, so Saturday morning we tried yoga in a park rather than a run which was an awesome experience. My fitbit has been an awesome tool to have on this trip, so far I’ve walked 56,000+ steps in four days.
We’ve been eating like kings. Friday night we went on a food tour around Quito where we ate traditional Ecuadorean dishes like Emborrajado (Fried banana) Pincha (grilled sausage on a stick) and embapadas the size of my head. I did pass on soups made of the placenta of a cow and bull penis, I’m still adjusting a bit to that side of Ecuadorean cuisine.
Saturday our leaders challenged us with a scavenger hunt around Quito and me and my partner Peter and I came in second place. Some of the challenges included finding a unique snack or food to share with the group so we found a massive doughnut type pastry. We joined in on a dance class and learned the Binco on the steps of the Basicilla de Voto Nacional.
Three other students and I watched the Alabama Ole Miss game last night which was a nice spoil of this hostel. We’re leaving Quito Monday and heading to Las Delicias banana farm in Banos which everyone is excited for. We’re all having a great time meeting locals as well as fellow travelers, hopefully there will be fewer English speakers in Banos and I can really focus on my Spanish study while I’m there. While I’m missing some aspects of home I’m really having an awesome time.
LCM