When I decided to come to Ecuador i honestly had no idea what to expect. But i came fearless, and ready to conquer the world. Boy was I surprised of what i found here! First off, Quito is FREEZING! i quickly learned that although it's name means equator, not all of Ecuador is warm and tropical. in fact, i don't think i've ever left the house with out a sweater on. There is no way to prepare for the weather here. It's really crazy, but each day follows about the same pattern...an eternal spring. our averages rang from about 50-70 degrees, but because S.A. houses don't have internal heating your body is never able to get warm. so i'm always FREEZING! and i was dumb and only brought one hoodie. It rains every afternoon about 4:00, and you'd think i would have learned. but i haven't and i always forget my umbrella (para aqua). when it rains it pours!!! and the streets look like you could row a boat down them.
i can not beleive two months have already come and gone. at first i was super homesick but now i am only home sick at times, but i'm able to function haha.
I am here with a program called Xplorer. They are a program that sends students intercambio, and also brings students into Ecuador. There are seven of us, Adam, Brian, Claudio, Gabi, Saara, Zoe, and Me! Although we all come from different countries and different back grounds, here in Ecuador we're all able to be really awesome friends and almost like siblings. Me being the oldest most the time i take on the role of older sister. Yes i am here with a program, but don't let that fool you. A lot of the time i wish some one would just hand me a missionary tag and send me to work. Most the time i feel like a little lost 18 year old girl in a scary foreign country, and i don't have anyone to help me!!!
I am attending a high school here. Benelcazar is a a huge school, that has students all the way from 12 years to 17 years old. We all wear really sexy uniforms. Monday is formal day so we wear suit jackets, ties, plaid skirts, nylons, and heals. tuesday and thursday is dia de deportes and so we wear a wind suit style uniform. Wednesday's and fridays we wear our plaid skirts, blue button up shirts, with pull over navy sweaters, along with knee high blue socks. (if you would like a full description of this just rent the movie Princess Diaries, they look exactly the same! i swear!) School here is very different from the states, at times i feel like i am at military camp. When a teacher walks in a class room you stand up, and when a teacher walks out of the class room you stand up. Also the teachers come to you, i stay in the same seat from seven until 3:45. There are no fine arts classes offered strictly math, sciences, physics, chemistry etc. etc. (some how i ended up taking calculus and trig in espanol?! how did this happen haha)
I am a part of the Colon Ward here. i love church here, there is a different spirit here in S.A. I think it comes from not being all generation Mormons. They are so strong, and they carry an enthusiasm about the gospel that is down right contagious. I also am blessed to be really involved with the missionaries. The senior couples went straight into adopting me as their daughter. I have FHE with them, and i am often found at their houses after church. I am a frequent mission office visitor, and sometimes i am escorted places by young men in suits with tags. It has been so fun, and so awesome to be so involved in the missionary work. Not just by watching the comings and goings of the missionaries, and not just by hearing their stories, but i have had so many opportunities since i got here to really teach about what i believe just by being me!
Living in the city has been a big adjustment for me. Especially since i am such a little farm girl. it's been hard to rely on taxi's and bus systems to get around, instead of just grabbing my keys and going. I miss the noises of the open fields at night, because instead i hear cars honking, dogs barking, planes flying over head which then set off the car alarms. But there is a sense of beauty to this city, especially at night. (that is when your in a safe place looking out) it's weird to always lock doors behind me, never carry a purse, and watch out where i am going at all times.
Well it's getting late, so i should probably wrap this up. When i came to Ecuador i had a perfect vision of what i was getting into. It didn't take long to realize i was in for much more than i bargained for, but that doesn't make it any less exciting or chevere! it only makes it...un expected. This adventure has so many ups and downs, the ups and downs don't even come with day to day they come minute to minute. But just in the two months since i have been here i have learned SO much! I've learned how to be myself in a completely foreign country. I've learned how to catch and direct a taxi. I've learned how to order off a menu in espanol! I've learned how to debate politically in spanish. i've learned how to do trig home work in spanish. i've learned how to bear a vanilla version of my testimony, and how to hand out Book of Mormon's (Books of Mormon...?) with out fear. I've learned how to stand up for what i believe in, and also bring people into a little bit of my light with out even knowing it. But most importantly i have learned alot about my self, i never knew i had. And even tho this adventure is expensive, and emotional, and rocky, and like Grandma Betty Lou would say, "Down right crazy!" I would not trade being here...for all the shoes in the world!
So i think i'll go...Try Defy Gravity!
Hasta Luego,
Emmy Ann
Thanks For all your prayers and support
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