Wednesday, February 4, 2009

I am in Ecuador! I am only several days into my AFS experience and my preception of America, Spanish speaking countries, education and life in general have significantly changed. I am writing this e-mail on my new friend's laptop. His name is Adrian and were are incredibly similar, it is as if we have know each other our entire lives. I have observed that the AFS experience attracts people of the same kind, no matter what language they speak or their country of origin. Since I arrived in Quito, I have been living in a small hostel located around ten miles from the airport, in the middle of the city. There are twelve other kids from AFS: two from America, three from Sweden, five from Belgium, one from Denmark, and one from Norway. Incredibly, all the kids from Europe speak relatively good English, they are all very friendly and we have become somewhat of a small family. In the hostel, three meals are served a day. Breakfast is nearly non-existent, however, lunch and dinner both consist of: fresh juice, soup, some kind of meat accompanied by a vegetable, and a desert. All meals are prepared with fresh ingredients, on daily basis, and portioned at a healthy size. Beginning on Monday of this week, I have received eight hours of Spanish instruction a day, at a local school know as Cristobal Colon. In only three days my Spanish has improved at rate incomparable to Spanish class in the United States. On Friday, Spanish class ends and on Saturday I will fly to Guayaquil to meet my family.

3 comments:

MBFerrell said...

Hey Jesse!,
I was pleased to finally hear word from you from Ecuador and to learn that you are enjoying yourself, learning lots of Spanish and having fun with the other exchangees. I'm reminded of my year-long exchange experience to Belgium when I was 18. Speaking of Belgium, where in Belgium are the five Belgians with you in Ecuador from?
School here was canceled here yesterday after about an inch of snow fell in Winston-Salem on Tuesday afternoon. It was pretty to see, but nothing like the eight inches of snow that you and I encountered on our recent backpacking trip to Mount Rogers (5,729') in Virginia. My guess is that it will be next winter before you walk in any snow, unless you climb Chimborazo.
I hope your trip to Guyaquil goes well and that you pick right up with the Montoya family. They seem like wonderful people.

Dad

funkyandmonkey said...

Don't make me come down there! you better email your momma. Sistah girl is driving big blue who is up and running and is now female.

we miss you! wait till your family finds out how disgusting you are! Chew with your mouth closed!

Seriously though, 8 hours of Spanish conversation daily will get you there very quickly. Glad things are going well. Describe the sights and sounds and tastes. We can't wait to hear more.

Where is the blue-striped sweater?
Lizie found your North Face and says it is hers now!

We love you! Eat soup!

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