So I finally made it to Quito. After taking off late from Boston, sitting on the runway in Miami for over an hour thanks to thunderstorms, almost losing my passport while sprinting frantically around the Miami airport with 4 bags, I was settled into my free hotel Saturday night to get some much needed rest. As disappointed as I was that I wasn't yet in Quito (I was also missing my first meeting with my group), I did enjoy a long hot shower, a wonderfully soft feather comforter, and a few hours by the pool.

Finally, 24 hours late, I boarded my plane to Quito. I was seated next to another girl from the BU Tropical Ecology program who had also missed the flight the day before. It was a lot less stressful having a traveling buddy. The LAN airline is also above Jet Blue standards, if you can believe that. Personal television screens with over 45 movie choices, 15 shows, and 18 games! (Don't worry- they didn't pay me anything to say that...)

We landed at 8:35 Quito time- same time zone as home, minus daylight savings, so it should be exactly the same soon. Our host parents were right there to greet us, and we both took taxis home. I am living in an apartment, on the 6th floor, so the view is pretty nice. It is small, but very nicely furnished. I'll try to get some pictures up. I have my own room- small, but with a double bed and enough room for all my things. I also have my own bathroom, which is wonderful. It is just me and my host mother in the apartment, so it is a little quiet. This has been nice though because I have been able to rest.

That's all for now- I toured the university today and met some of the people in my group. No one was super-welcoming, which was a little annoying, but they seem nice enough. Then I came home and slept. I have official international student orientation tomorrow at the university. I'm a little nervous because i have to travel there by myself (I went with my host mom today) and it takes over an hour and 4 bus transfers. No one from the program lives anywhere close either, which is too bad... it's a long trip to do alone.

CONCLUSION: Good so far- lots of Spanish (no one really speaks English so I think I'm improving a little already!), a lot colder here than at home (haven't seen the sun yet), beautiful mountains, strange food (but delicious homemade fruit juice with every meal!), very exhausting (I've also had a bit of a headache from the high altitude).

Hasta luego!