Yeah...

Ok, I am sorry that the picutres below didn't work out quite like I wanted, but at least you can see something and I will try to fix them later...

I would have no real complaints right now if only this country would agree with my health. I apparently already have my first “ameba” (god, I can’t spell anymore, is there an o in that word? Oh well.) Basically I ate some mysterious thing that introduced an evil bacteria into my system. It would have been fine if I only had stomach problems, but no, I just had to pass out in the middle of my Spanish class on Friday. That was fun. Somehow I ended up on the floor with my classmates looking down at me and Russell holding my feet in the air. Then I got to have my first visit with the University clinic where I got to go to the emergency part and attempt to explain my symptoms in Spanish. It was entertaining none the less. I am now on really strong antibiotics and “resting” for a few days. For example I was supposed to go to class today for the last day of my intensive Spanish class and take an exam for it, but my host mother called the resident director and I didn’t have to go. Hehe. But I feel very relieved that this clinic exists, it doesn’t cost us anything except for the labs and drugs and it has everything. Seriously, 3 gynecologists, plastic surgeons, and even an eye glass place. We decided that it had to serve more than just the university…
Anyhoo, besides that small mishap in my week I love this country. The mountains are spectacular and the people that I have met so far have been very friendly. The city is just about as I expected, very large and very dirty. It does make me a little sad that I see so many poor people (children even!) in the street trying to sell or do anything for a buck. I have decided that for the moment it is most important to focus on my own well being and after I get that all figured out I will pay more attention to those around me, but it is a huge change from Mt. Pleasant, this is for sure. It is, as many people had told me previously, a city of the wealthy and the really not wealthy. For example, my family does not live in a very big house (they rent it) but my parents own 2 cars (one of them a Mercedes) and about 15 pieces of original artwork. I have also discovered that there isn’t much in the way of political correctness in this country. A few days ago my father compared the indigenous people to goats because they live in the mountains. It took me a few minutes to catch on to what he was talking about, but once I did I just didn’t know how to react. Apparently that’s the norm around here. *shrug* My father also owns two gun shops in Quito. He gets really excited about them and likes to show me how many he has in the house. There are parts of guns under my dresser and we found one in the couch the other day. There is even a bottle of tequila in my house shaped like a hand gun. The rest of the K kids think its pretty funny, but it makes me a little uncomfortable, especially since I have a 3 year old little sister.
It is also a lot colder than I thought it would be. Our house has no heat because there is no winter but in the nights and evenings (and it gets dark by 6:30) the temperature drops to the 40s or so. I am very grateful for my wool blanket on my bed, but I should have brought more of my sweaters. I’m in withdrawal…
I am learning how to get around the city a little by myself which is good. I think that in order not to go crazy with my little sister around all the time I need to become a little more independent. All I need is a good map of the city and a couple of friends and I think we would be fine. I have to say that I do enjoy having so many other kids from K here with me. Our final count is 16 people. But I get along with everyone else pretty well and we look after each other which is important.
I haven’t gone out to the bar or any disco techs yet, I was going to go this weekend but that is out of the question with my current state of health. I am however very looking forward to it. I really want to learn how to dance better and apparently beer here is only about a dollar. Food in general is really cheap. I think that the US needs a price adjustment. Also really cheap: flowers!! You can only guess how excited I am with all of the plants and flowers around here. Elana brought me roses last night because I was sick and she said that it cost here $3 for a dozen! I actually think that’s expensive for these parts. My family has promised to take me to a rose farm and if that happens one of my main goals will be accomplished! :)