My precious host brother Julian eating spaghetti!!

The farm/finca we stayed at in Manabi!

One of the waterfalls near the Finca that we visited and climbed.

Waterfall sans people

the trails around the waterfall

Slight roadblock...also, we are on top of a truck. Not even in the back...seats on the top.

Where my site is geographically in Ecuador...in the Amazon!

One of the bathrooms we had to use...interesting experience. I now know how to flush a toilet with a bucket of water like a pro!

Typical cane house of the coast!

Just another bridge in the woods...

So it has most definitely been a month since I have updated my blog and anyone who was actually following my blog has probably long since given up (and I wouldn’t blame them!!). So I am really sorry and will try to update it more! I am admittedly terrible at this kind of thing and have been really busy during these last few weeks of training! I have hardly been writing in my journal either which is a terrible habit as well…step 1, admitting you have a problem right?

I recently found out my site for the next two years…I am not allowed to post the name but it is the capital city of one of the Amazon basin provinces in the east of Ecuador. The site assignment day was really sweet: the PC had a little pathway set up that led to a giant map of the Ecuador on the ground and they would call us one by one and we would walk through this decorated archway and stand where our site was placed comparatively. There are only three of us going to the Orient region compared to the twenty some going to the Coast and Sierra respectively. And the three of us are all going to the same city which is pretty unheard of. I really got lucky too (depends on how you look at it I guess) but the city is fairly big, there is tons of internet and restaurants and such. Not quite what I expected from the PC, but every site and country is different. I didn’t realize that to assign us small NGOs or agencies would basically put in an application to have a volunteer, the PC would check it out, and then assign us. So technically I am a contracted worker…er volunteer. My job is to work with the rural communities in the outside of the city promoting health (gastrointestinal and sexual) and nutrition as well as some environmental work, but since there are so many little pueblos it is impossible to live in just one, I get to live in the main city and just travel a lot.

The following week we had a site visit where I had the opportunity to meet some of my future coworkers, my new host family, and get to know the city. My co-workers were extremely sweet and were somehow under the impression that I was there to pick if I wanted to live there at all, (although I told them at least 5,000 times that I was going to live there) so they took me to the zoo, restaurants, fishing, and were overall incredibly hospitable. The fishing place had a poor tied up monkey which people tormented while they fished for tilapia. I had never fished in my life and didn’t think it was a skill that I would exceptionally excel at…and I was right. So after about fifteen tries of pulling the string too fast out I just watched everyone else successfully pull one fish after another out and relaxed. The zoo was interesting and different as well-it was in the middle of the jungle-y woods and from what I can tell it was just a collection of the animals the old owner had captured from the area and caged. It was $1 and we just walked around and could touch anything that we dared to get close enough to…I pet a baby leopard, held a sloth and a turtle, and even pet (read: grazed) a snake. I got to visit a few communities outside the city and spent a bit of time with one indigenous community. Where I live there are Shuar and Achuar communities who are evidently the descendents of Atahuallpa and speak Shuari and Achuari and live in very rural settings, living completely from the land. It was pretty amazing. I visited one and met with the town leader to discuss his goals for the community and my role there and of course the first topic he brought up was sexual and reproductive health for the adolescents who go to the bigger cities more often than perhaps their parents or they did. I told him I would need some time to get comfortable with their culture, etc., before I can just bust in there talking about condoms, family planning, and STD’s. He agreed and said he would take me and a group to some waterfalls nearby…a surely perfect segway into the birds and the bee’s right?

So my new host family situation is a little uncomfortable to understate the persistent feeling of inadequacy I had while I was there. As a little waiver, most everyone I talked to had great host families who had hosted volunteers before and were more welcoming to American cultural differences. Furthermore I am comparing them to the family with whom I am currently living and absolutely love to death. Anyways, my host dad and I actually lived about one metro stop away from each other in Spain and had very different experiences…I absolutely loved Spain, and he can’t stop talking crap about Spain and Spanish women (provocative and taunting to men). In Ecuador it is common to see beautiful half built houses where the money is being sent in installments from Spain, and sure enough I live in a beautiful (and pretty empty) house kind of out of town that they just finished building before he got home in November. It is also a huge family; a 21 year old who is married with a kid and lives down the street, a 19 year old and her 3 year old daughter, 16 and 13 year old boys, and a precious and incredibly clever and full of potential 5 year old. Anyways, some of the main health issues in the Orient are parasites, amoebas, and other gastrointestinal problems that root from a variety of sources, mainly unboiled or unpurified water, uncovered foods, and less than ideal handling of foods. We have been warned repeatedly during training to never drink the tap water here so of course one of the first things I tell him is that I can’t drink the water unboiled, only for him to nonchalantly reply that he drank the water fine in both Spain and Ecuador and isn’t sick and that I will be fine and adjust. Not ok. He also made a few comments about how unattractive North American and European women’s voices are and how we sound masculine, this coming after hearing me in the next room speaking English. For the last enthralling story, I got really sick from my malaria medicine and it was admittedly my fault: it clearly says not to take it and lay down for an hour, but after a terrible dinner conversation of how according to his one Moroccan friend all Muslim women are required to wear head scarves and are illiterate I chose to go to bed early rather than argue, and of course I had terrible acid and pain in my esophagus which hurt my breathing and ability to breath. The next day I had to go to the hospital because the town doctor was there and he gave me medicine for my newly acquired gastritis and told me to have a liquid diet, come back the next day to check up etc. Well my fantastic and supportive host father and his Harvard medical license told me that it was my fault that I got sick, as he knows that us “North American and European women only drink coffee and bread for breakfast” and how my stomach was eating itself. It hurt too much to respond or was there much point; there are just some people that no matter how wrong they are, you can’t fight or even discuss anything with them. To make it better, the next day when I had to go back for my check-up, my host father was giving his professional opinion about women’s sizes as we passed them driving and told the other woman in the car that she was very normal and then smirked at me, before saying that I might be small now and care for myself, but he knows that I am going to be fat in my future…then reiterated it with the word “gruesa” or thick. Both of us in the car were equally appalled and I let the other woman let him have it. Funny story, the next day he bought me bread for breakfast and I ever so happily drank my coffee-maybe he wants my stomach to eat itself? It’s going to be fun when I start cooking my meals there…vegetables galore!

In better news, I have become really close with three of the other girls in my community making training and the 45 minute walks everyday more fun and comfortable. We came up with a “you know you live in Paquiestancia when…” list that includes sharing malaria pills over dinner, cutting meat with a spoon, dodging roadblocks of cows everyday, you show up to the others house with multiple rocks (to fight the dogs), when a $2 meal is expensive, when you know way too much information about Madagascar (don’t ask), when staying out til 7 PM is late, when three year olds stop you on the street to ask you where you think you’re going, when a bathroom with toilet paper is a big deal, and when you can rationalize the taste of the wine for its $0.84 price. I am excited that training is almost over as well…as much as I love the company and the learning of new methods, etc., I am tired of being exhausted everyday and more than anything tired of the infamous “chisme” or PC gossip…seriously spreads faster than the plague. It’s really ridiculous, lol.

Last week we went on another trip, called the “technical trip” to test what we have learned and talk with some school groups. One of the main ways we share our skills is through “charlas” or talks using a variety of dynamic exercises adapted to different age groups, audiences, etc. So one group of the health trainees went to the coastal providence of Manabi (but not the beach ) and gave some fifteen charlas in a matter of a few days; some on HIV/AIDS, practiced community diagnostics, parenthood, and reproductive rights and laws regarding pregnant mothers and children. We stayed at a hotel and one night stayed at this finca/ranch-like place in the middle of the woods and had a halfway fiesta equipped with karaoke, hammocks, and mosquitoes. The whole trip was great practice while being utterly exhausting at the same time. I finallllly ate some amazing seafood as well, but then got really sick and the last day couldn’t participate in anything.

Today in the next town over the President Correa of Ecuador y Morales of Bolivia came to inaugurate a museum in honor of a famous indigenous woman by the name of Transito Amaguana who was famous for fighting for the rights of women and indigenous communities in the mountainous region where we are living now. Unfortunately and much to my disappointment (and anger) we were not allowed to go. I watched it on tv though and it was pretty cool to see the helicopters going over the mountain next to us!

To finish up, I finally got my new address of where I will be living after swearing-in on August 19th (Happy Birthday Suzi!) so remember…envelopes that don’t weigh more than 4 lbs., and *DON’T* declare a value or I will have to pay 110% (I’ll email it out since I am not allowed to post it). If they make you, don’t declare the real value…say its used, take off tags, whatever…or it will sit in customs forever!! Also, if you don’t have a Skype account, look into it as it is a free way to talk with camera and mike (grandparents!!). Major shout out to Sarah and Brooke…the cd’s and pics made my day! People keep asking what I need here and it’s hard to come up with stuff…I finally found hand sanitizer here and carry a roll of TP around (lol) so theres no need for that so much anymore…but boxes of couscous are impossible here as well as some classic chai tea! Cards and pictures are really the best! Anyways, keep the emails and calls coming, miss you guys so much, and I will try to update this shortly after moving on August 20th!!

The walk everyday to training is on this road....

The sign at the entrance to our community.

Childhood pet or tasty delicacy? You pick...

Cows are now a very common sight for me...there are DEFINITELY more cows in my town than cars (maybe than people?!)

The thermal baths of Papollaca...freezing cold high up in the mountains, but warm like hot tubs in the natural springs!!

Typical dress of indigenous folk

The sky and highest mountain near Carabuela, a small indigenous Kichwa speaking village we visited.

The only cabina (phone booth) place in my town...with only one phone booth that rarely works. But there is a quite the beautiful view!

July is the month for festivals, so this is one that was in our small little pueblo. Yes, those are people in fur chaps and clown outfits...

Fourth of July soccer tournament with the girls from my community...we took it very seriously! :)

So on the eve on the 4th of July we (Peace Corps Trainees) and some current volunteers nearby got together for a nice lunch and mañana deportiva, or basically soccer tournament to celebrate. I am soo sore, but it was fun! It was great, but a bit of a tease, to eat some good ol´potato salad and cole slaw...oh well! Also, fyi, playing soccer is PAINFUL at this altitude!

Last week our training class was split into 2 groups, and my half went to a small town called Carabuela for a little cultural trip. First thing I learned, the indigenous peoples here (one of the many groups) are not Quechua, but Kichwa, and I got to learn a little bit of their language. We had little workshops all day about weaving, etc., and I broke down like a tourist and bought one of those cute little woven hats that you always see people wearing. The meals were interesting...guinea pig is not a word I ever really wanted or needed to learn in Spanish, but ¨cuy¨is definitely a specialty here and they served it out to us...I couldnt bring myself to eat it though! Especially after seeing a cage full of them...I just felt too guilty! One day...Maybe. The sleeping arrangements were quite awful, to be completely honest, but we live at the level of the people we serve, so I was on a wood plank with a straw mat. I guess the good thing about it was that I was up at the crack of dawn the next day. The main lesson learned was that I should´ve bought a sleeping bag before coming here (they are RIDICULOUS here) so mom´s already on that one!! Speaking of waking up early, I dont know what it is about being here, but I sleep SOOO much. I am up everyday between 5:45 and 6 and by 9, 10 if its a late night, passed out! Its the farm life I think, once it gets dark we all just go to our rooms, and there isnt´t much to do. I usually read a little bit (I just finished my last book though if you want to send me some!) and end up falling asleep so early!

Things are also good with my host family. The food is definitely getting better, once my family figured out that it was actually cheaper to not buy me meat they have been pretty awesome. They dont have a very diversified diet here, so when I said I love any and all vegetables, I got a plate of steamed brocoli/green beans/something else for breakfast ...lol. I would kill for some cinnamon toast crunch, but they dont have that here nor can I drink the milk. It´s really sweet though that they are trying to figure out what I will eat, so I didnt say anything when I had caulifour soup for breakfast.I just know I am so lucky that I am not getting potato soup for three meals a day! They really were confused when I told them that in America we don´t eat soup for breakfast...or rice and meat. I still can´t ever finish the food they give me. One amazing thing, beyond the cheap produce, is the delicious fresh juice my madre makes everynight--yum! And the variety of fruits are overwhelming and exciting at the same time!

Also, the formerly hour long walk to training everyday has been perfected to 40 minutes now! We are learning lots of useful things; the other day I made a homemade disinfectant, lots of training about purifying water, food, etc., and also organic gardening! There should really be this kind of training in America for just life, some of the little survival tips are really useful and interesting!

We find out in 2 weeks where our sites are, so I am crossing my fingers for warmth!! ...and a beach would be nice too! Things are going a lot better here, I am getting to know people in my community better and having a lot more fun! Tomorrow we are having a little pot-luck (sans rice and potatoes!) in our small little community to indulge a little bit. Wine is not really cheap here (Seriously, the same Chilean wine in the US is like double here, go figure) but I had to indulge. Happy fourth of July to you guys back stateside!

Also, thanks to certain people for texts about news in America-definitely makes my day! Feel free to call me in the evening...And any packages need to be less than 4 pounds, and after August 19th I will have a different address, so dont send anything within 2 weeks of that...I really don´t need anything though, so save it for 6 months from now! Miss everyone from home! :)

So it has officially been one week here, yet it feels like a century. We arrived into Quito a week ago, spent less than a day there before being whisked away to a small town called Cayambe for a few days. We had introductions, got to know our group of 45 trainees (not volunteers yet) a little better, and went off with our host families on Saturday to officially begin our intensive pre-service training. I live in small rural farming community about 45 minutes away from Cayambe, and have definitely been living the simple life here. Cobble/gravel roads are the only paths in my community; there are no stores or anything really. There is a lot of communal land where cows are, and a few days ago I got to experience for myself what it is like to milk a cow. Think of the most creative verb to describe the simple action of going number two, multiply it by ten, and you have what happened while I was bent down under trying to milk a cow for the first time. My host family=indescribably amused. Me not so much.

It is a lot colder here than I expected, but we are also in the Sierra, or mountainous region of the north, at an elevation of some 4,000 meters or around 13,000 feet up…a lot different than the hole of Columbia!! I get dizzy so fast walking up all the mountains here, but I should have amazing lung capacity after 9 weeks of this! The food is…interesting. They eat tons of rice and potatoes. Usually they have soup for breakfast (with rice and potatoes in it), a plate of rice and potatoes with some meat for lunch, and the same for dinner. Unfortunately, me not being such a fan of this diet has placed a serious damper on my palate. My host family is (very) young though, and pretty cool about taking me to the store and going through what I like and don’t like. I paid the ridiculous price for olive oil and will not regret it one bit!

Training is pretty intense here, everyday lectures on rules, policies, safety & security…I don’t know how they don’t run out of things to say! We’ve had lots of shots, and they have done a pretty good job making sure we know every possible risk that exists, meanwhile scaring the crap out of most of us, lol. I have no internet access in my small village, and only if I rush through lunch can I sneak to the small place nearby to catch a few minutes on the internet. I have a Peace Corps provided cell phone which can receive (but not make) international calls, so email me for that number (I’m not allowed to post it…).

The first week was really hard for me, but I am getting to know people better and now that my actual health technical training has started, I feel like I have a little more of a purpose. The Spanish is pretty frustrating too, as so many of the words are mixed up or just plain different. For you hispanohablantes, dinner here is not la cena, but la merienda. Chaqueta/jersey=chompa. Ruido=bulla. Pepino=pepinillio. And after a ten minute discussion with my host mom with me incredulously trying to explain what calabacin is, she replied “oohhh…es zucchini.” I about died of laughter.

So I have 9 weeks here, August 19th (Suzi’s birthday!) I get sworn in as a volunteer, and I get sent to my site for the next two years. I have to live with another host family there for 3 months to get integrated and such, and November I’m on my own! I’m pretty excited to find out my site, I should know within a month. I’m sure if it’s the nice coast, or in the Amazon rainforest, I’ll have lots of people come visit…in the cold mountains maybe not so much, haha.

This weekend we are going on a cultural trip to an indigenous village…some of the other volunteers are going to an Afro-Ecuadorian village which quite frankly sounds so much more interesting to me, but maybe I’ll learn some Quechua! I haven’t taken a lot of pictures here, but I will try to soon and put some up here!! Missing you all!!

So the constant reminders from friends combined with a night of insomnia produces this blog, four days before my "staging" in Miami and five days before my departure from there to Ecuador. I began applying for the Peace Corps last August, interviewed in November, was "nominated" in February for service in February of 2010, and was asked to leave this summer, instead of next year, the week of graduation. It was a lonnnng process, filled with lots of paperwork, interviews, security clearances, medical evaluations and shots. Despite the apparent complaints, this is truly what I have hoped to do for years now, so it is exciting to finally step foot on this path! It's hard now with the goodbyes, etc., so just make sure to come visit me :)

I will be training for the three months to be a community health volunteer, and my three job goals revolve around 1) child and maternal health, 2) sexual and reproductive health, and 3) environmental health. I will officially be a volunteer (PCV versus now a PCT) in September, and will then move somewhere, or anywhere really, in Ecuador to complete the two years service. During training I will be living with a host family in Cayambe near all the other PCT's, taking Spanish classes and health training classes.

This will be the easiest way to keep in touch with people as I don't really know how much internet access I will have down there, so check this out during the next 27months!! I have decided to take a laptop after all (thanks Brooke), and as soon as I know something about my address down there I can let you all know (I actually don't think I'm allowed to post it online...but we'll see). Adios for now then!!