So this is why I don't write journals ... I'm rubbish! It's Sunday afternoon on the third week of our CELTA course. It's been great three weeks ... but has gone so fast!

The place we're living, eating, taking and giving class is called Kamala. It is just next to the town of Manglaralto and about a 20/30min walk down the beach to Montanita - surf and party central of Ecuador. Montanita is a crazy place ... it's really quite small, doesn't have much but, a lot of bars, street vendors selling mainly jewellery and delicious juices, which more often than not turn in to cocktails. One of the main streets, lined with these juice/cocktail vendors is aptly named 'cocktail' ally. There is something going on every night in Montanita, some great live music and always a way to have a good time. Manglaralto in contrast is the sleepiest little village you could imagine ... lovely friendly chilled vibe though.

Kamala is great, we live 30 seconds from the beach in cute wee cabanas - small wooden houses with thatched roofs. I think I've had more heat in my swims in the ocean rather than in the shower and I think we've only had about two sunny days total (it's rainy season) but - it's been a comfortable and certainly fun place to stay. It helps that the staff here are super lovely and very helpful - some of them are also our volunteer students.

The course is hard work but, also very enjoyable, I'm loving having to think again. Finding the language difficult though ... English is hard huh! So many little rules and, exceptions to the rules! All the people taking the course with us are great, we've got a good mix and a nice balance which means we tend to get our work done but, people also know how to have a good time. It's a mix of American, Canandian, English, one Irish and us the Kiwis. I feel sorry for our students ... so many accents to contend with! Our favourite game here at Kamala has been analysing all the different things we say, and how we say them ... it's amazing how different English is over the world! It's great fun to look at all the different ways we say things.

I am really enjoying Ecuador, especially the coast. The people are amazing, they're so happy, chilled-out and accepting ... I hope to come back after Peru/Boliva/Argentia travels for sure!