September 8, 2008

25 Things I Love About La Misma

1. I am the only gringa
2. People love taking photos of me when they think I’m not looking, it is like I’m some strange creature
3. It is really close to Machala
4. It is even closer to el shopping (and all the American products)
5. Everyone thinks it is cold when it is 75˚F
6. Things are really cheap
7. The fruits and vegetables are especially cheap
8. There are a bazillion more fruits here than in the States
9. It is safe/tranquilo
10. There is Internet
11. People know me already!
12. I am a replacement volunteer so I don’t have to explain the hole Cuerpo de Paz/Peace Corps dealio
13. My family (I really like them now, even the dad. Somehow he and I have invented our own language of gestures and strange looks. We make each other laugh)
14. There are random dancing festivals or bingo games in the street at least once a week.
15. It is not hilly
16. It is close to the beach
17. They listen to reggaeton and not bad Cayambe-type music
18. They are very open people
19. My counterpart is very motivated
20. The smell of the banana trees when it is wet and humid (not to be confused with the smell of rotten bananas)
21. The fact that I take cold showers every day and it doesn’t bother me
22. There is a lot of work to be done
23. Everyone says they want to learn English, but nobody speaks it
24. The fact that I can swear and can talk about people in front of them and no one understands what I am saying
25. The fact that at least once a day I have to look around me and wonder how in the world I got here!