On Tuesday I left my family in Cayambe and all the other trainees and I rented a bus for… Quito!!!! It was sad to say goodbye to my family. They gave me a few necklaces and bracelets to remember them by and cooked my yummy empanadas as my farewell dinner. (I ate way too many!) I know, however, that I will definitely visit them. So it wasn’t goodbye for good.
The first thing I did in Quito was open up my Quito bag (the suitcase that I left in the Peace Corps office with all the things I didn't think I would need in Cayambe). I swear, it was lik
e Christmas came early. So many new things!!! It was fun to go through the stuff I packed-- some stuff was really genious and others... what was I thinking?The past several days we have been having lots of training sessions in the Quito office. Mostly over all the regulations and safety and security… again. It got pretty annoying. Someone from USAID and two men from the US embassy came to talk to us. It was interesting to hear from other Americans living in Ecuador. The head of US embassy security also came and talked to us. It was pretty impressive and reassuring to know that the same man who protected Colin Powell will help us if we need it. I was disappointed, however, with the talk he gave us. I really felt that he wasn’t addressing his audience. His talked was directed to state officials, not PC volunteers. He told us, for example, that we shouldn’t take buses. That is ridiculous!!! It is the only method to get to our sites.
The other trainees and I having been busy enjoying all the perks that comes with a big city. There is cable in my hostel, a bed that is not as hard as rocks, running paths (and people don’t think I’m crazy for running), and lots of restaurants that serve yummy strawberry margaritas. I’ve been spending way too much money on food and drinks, but I figure that I’m going to be living like the Ecuadorian lower-middle class for the next two years. I should live up my time in Quito.
Today we got our cell phones. Finally! If anyone wants my number, please send me an e-mail. My parents already called me, and while hearing them wasn’t particularly easy, it was nice to know that they have an easy way to get into contact with me whenever they need to.
Tomorrow I swear in as a volunteer and the ambassador’s house. I am so excited! Finally, NO MORE TRAINING!!! Send me happy thoughts tomorrow morning!
By the way, if anyone desires to send me a package (hint, hint) here is my address:
My name
Cuerpo de Paz
Casilla 07-01-98
Machala- El Oro
Ecuador
South America
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