Week 2

 I have been spending most of my weekdays hanging out in my apartment, goofing off on the internet, and doing some school work. This was not my intention for my time here, and I am looking for quick, small adventures to fill my evenings in order to avoid more of the same. I have learned that there is a 20 km nature trail behind the school and intend to explore it soon. I am in another country, and I know I need to spend more time exploring it. This is a bit difficult, because it is not recommended to roam around Quito alone at night (as I've told you, nightfall is at about 6:30). I am starting to make friends with the student teachers from other schools and hopefully I will have more people to call and make plans with. My roommates and fellow KSU students are wonderful, but everyone has work to do, so the more people I have to adventure with, the higher the likelihood that adventures will happen.

I did get to go on a great little trip this past weekend with some new hires from Colegio Menor and a few of my classmates. We went out into the country, to a market in Otavalo and to a little town called Zuleta. We spent Saturday night at a lodge in Zuleta (about a 20 minute drive from the Colombian border) and it was wonderful. I had not spent much time out exploring nature in the past few months, and it was just what the doctor ordered. Here are some breathtaking views from the bus ride:

We stopped at a market in Otavalo, where I did not bring my camera, because the place was packed ant the camera would just be begging to be pick-pocketed. I did manage to get a few awesome gifts for friends and family (pancho for Justin, artwork for myself and my friends the Morgans and a chess set for my dad that is conquistadors vs Incas):

On our way to Zuleta, we stopped to watch a little parade of locals dressed in traditional clothing and singing songs. It was a really nice and unexpected part of the trip.

When we did make it to the lodge, we realized just how lucky we were to be at a school that would think to share a place like this with us. It is owned by the brother of one of the PE teachers.

Sunday morning, we went for a hike to see the Condor preserve. The preserve was on the property of a huge hacienda. It had actually sold some of the property to create the town of Zuleta itself. Check out the sights of this walk:

There were even earthen pyramids left from the Incas. They are protected, it is forbidden to climb them or disrupt them in any way.

It was like walking through a post card. There was even a trout farm (we had some of the fresh trout for lunch- I actually liked it! I tend to dislike fish, but if it's fresh enough, it avoids being too fishy). The pool in the first photo is jam packed with fish, the second photo is a close up to give you the idea.

We even passed some llamas!

 Lastly, we got to see the Condors. They are extremely endangered and the preserve is keeping them in genetically selected breeding pairs. The birds pictured are rescues, their offspring are released back into the wild.

 That is it for this week. Tomorrow is orientation, and I get to meet my students! The first day of school is Monday, so next week's blog should be full of new and interesting stories.

One Week In!

So, the last time I blogged, I mentioned that we planned to go to a soccer game or the Historic Center of town. We chose the Historic Center. Unfortunately, we got a late start. The bus tour we wanted to take stopped at 4, and we didn't even get to the park until 2:30. So, we visited the park (Parque Carolina) instead. We had a blast walking in an enormous park. It was possible to even forget we were in the city.
We embraced our inner children:

We even came across a group of travelers from Argentina who were exploring South America by van, staying in each country for a month or so at a time.
We brought bracelets from them:

They shared some popular Argentinian (strong) tea that is drunk from a metal straw:

The next day we finally got to see our school for the first time. Is this not the most beautiful educational establishment you have ever seen?

We went through some student teacher training, as well as some training side by side with some new hires. Colegio Menor goes to great lengths to treat student teachers like family. They have a liberal arts agenda, and the school really nurture its learners to find their gifts, academically and artistically. I cannot wait to met my students and see this school in action. From all I have heard, it is amazing.

After Orientation, we were taken to immigration to register our visas. Somewhere, a communication lapse occurred, as we were unaware that we needed color copies of our passport photos, our visas and the stamp we received when we entered the country. We practically ran to the nearest copy store and then back in line. Did you know that immigration keeps your passport for 5 days while they authenticate your visa? I did not, and it was a bit of a shock when I did not get my passport back until today. I felt vulnerable without it, and I am extremely relieved to have it in my safe at home again. One of the Kennesaw bunch ran into a snag, the visa number in her passport and the one on her paperwork did not match. She has a few more hoops to jump through before she can register. Note to future travelers: double and triple check everything! 

Over the weekend, we did finally get to see the Historic Center of town. A few girls had sinus infections, a common issue for trips to Quito from the US, apparently. They braved the long day anyway, and felt it was well worth it. The bus tour we took cost $12 (Ecuador uses US currency) and has 12 stops. A ticket gives the passenger the right to get off at any stop and catch the next bus an hour later. Even though we started early in the day, we only had enough time for three stops.
The Contemporary Arts Center:

The Basilica: (no it's not France, but it is influenced by French Gothic architecture, built in the 1800s, but never finished due to legend that it would cause a cataclysm. The journey to the top included a Temple of Doom moment)

Almost La Comapania (it was actually closed when we got off the bus, but I will be back. It is said to be the most ornate church in Ecuador, look at this photo I snapped- see the golden walls?):

Plaza Grande: (The largest of Quito's 3 Plazas, home of the revolution, and the final cross on The Street of 7 crosses)

As an unexpected bonus, we stopped for half an hour at Vigen de El Panecillo, the world's tallest aluminium statue, complete with a market and stray dog (who our tour guide fed)

On Monday, I met my collaborating teacher, Mercedes. I could not be happier about having her as my CT! She is exactly the kind of teacher I want to be, I know I have a lot to learn from her. Sadly for me, I will only be teaching by her side for 4 weeks before she goes on maternity leave. In Ecuador, maternity leave is paid and 3.5 months long! Now I know where to have babies, if I go down that road. She also, by law, is entitled to full time pay for half time work for 6 additional months. As an added bonus, her long-term sub will be with us for the 4 weeks before she leaves and I move to 8th grade. Three adults in one classroom! Our brainstorming during pre-planning as produced some exciting lesson plans, 3 heads are better that 1! This is Mercedes's 7th grade Social Studies room (and view):

I am really enjoying this experience. As some of you know, I have been considering moving abroad for a few years now. Originally, this was a plan made with a long-term boyfriend, but our relationship recently ended. The adventure of "us" expatriating changing to me doing it on my own brings some new challenges into consideration. Who will I spend time with? How will I met new people? Who do I talk to when I am frustrated and homesick? In Quito, everything closes at 7:30, it seems, who will understand how much of an adjustment little things like that will be for me? Another person represents a sense of home, a sense of security. Can I do this on my own? I have decided to join an ex patriot community to learn more about how to meet fellow travelers and get perspective from non-teachers. Expect more information about this in the future. I know from asking questions that the school will have a few openings within my certifications next year, as several teachers will be moving back to the states. There is also a huge recruitment fair for international teaching in Atlanta not long after I graduate. I need to consider how to save/ repay student loans on a salary adjusted for a lower cost of living. Much to think about, but I don't want to let this amazing opportunity pass me buy.

This weekend, I will be going to Zuleta with people from the school (rescheduled from last weekend). It is said to be beautiful there, with lots of good shopping. I will share more about my trip next week. Much, much more to come in the next few months, stay tuned!