Well... Last night was insane. It started off with two of our girls going to the city and saying they were getting home at 6:15. When 8:30 rolled around, we thought the worst had happened. We've heard horror stories from other volunteers here and we were thinking now it was our turn to deal with it. The scariest part was there was literally nothing we could do to find them if we tried. The whole "not having a usable cell phone" in a foreign place is scary. I never take mine to the city, so I'd be S.O.L. if I got lost. BUT! I never travel alone. Finally, the girls texted that they took the wrong bus and ended up way north when they were trying to head south to get home. It ended up being okay, but gave us a scare. Last night was two of our girls last night in Quito, so naturally, we went out. One girl wasn't feeling well and wanted to just go to the bar with us and leave when everyone else went to the club. I quickly volunteered to accompany her back home because I'm smart and knew we had to be awake at 6 to go out of town the next morning! We got home around 11:45 and I went to bed. Next thing I know it's 1 AM and a few other people had just gotten home and they were gossiping about the night and my room happens to be in the hang out zone upstairs. So, I woke up and overheard their wild stories that took place in the last hour. I missed a lot! There was punching, kissing, throwing up, and one lost person. Apparently, one girl said she was going home with a few people, but never did and they all got back home to find that she wasn't back yet. Two of the boys then went back to the city to find her, but she pulled up in a taxi not long after. I tried to talk to her today and stress the importance of being aware of your surroundings and the people you are with at the time. I don't know, I've never been out with people and been separated from them. But, everyone lives life a little different! In the end, I'm just happy everyone is safe and very grateful for the life lessons I've learned and experienced so far that keep me on my toes and never vulnerable. Currently, I am traveling on the bus to Baños, which is similar to Mindo. There are 7 of us again (but a different 7) in a group and I'm sure we're gonna have some fun adventures!

P.S.- I saw my first dead dog here on the street and it was not a moment I liked. Not one bit.