First, I need to recap my night before I forget it. We went out to dinner for one of the volunteers birthday. It was an American joint with a menu that made our mouths water. I got a western bacon burger and it was DEEEELISH. I think our table of 13 ordered everything off the menu. So good :) but, before we even got there, I had a brief feeling of horror! We took the local trolley to the town and as we are about to get off, I step out of the trolley and someone i...

Today was the first day for me in the market and in my Spanish class. I go to a meeting every morning to plan the day with the group, then back to the VCE office for a few hours before I start my lesson at 11:15. It's a one-on-one class with maybe a few English words spoken the whole time. I've learned all of this previously in high school and college, but if you don't use it... YOU LOSE IT! After my lesson, some of us go catch the bus to whatever market we are a...

It felt good to wake up rested and not be freaking out about being here. I woke up at ease and very eager to start working. I've noticed some trends in the house so far that make me laugh. First, night time is for skyping and texting moms/boyfriends. If you walk upstairs, there's not a single volunteer just sitting there. Except me occasionally, which is why I need to find a book to read. Second, I've been the first one awake both mornings, along with my buddy Da...

There are a few things I won't get used to here. First, you cannot put toilet paper in the toilet. It must ALL go in the trash... No matter what! Ew. Second, the wild dogs around here that are skinny and dirty. I just wanna take them home and clean them up!! Third, remembering certain things you mustn't do, say, eat, or drink. It's tough to remember all the rules. But oh well, moving on. Today, a group of us went to Old Town and then to Teleferico. Basically it's...

Getting through the airport and finding my ride wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. When I got in the taxi, there was another volunteer that had arrived, too. Turns out it is the same guy I became Facebook friends when I joined the IVHQ group and found some people saying they would be in Ecuador soon. We had no idea either one of us was getting there the same night. Our conversations on the drive to the house made us both realize we had the same concerns and ...