I´m happy inside, all of the time!

(Jessica, Johanna, y Mildrida conmigo!)




¡Hola a todos! I have discovered a simple truth about living in Ecuador. It is this- anything can happen. For instance, I have a friend in the program who lives about 2 minutes from my house, so we spend a great deal of time together. We take strolls to the Internet cafes, the supermarkets, the panaderias for the most incredible freshly baked bread in the world, and back. We were walking from her house to mine the other day when we saw before us a group of boys with water balloons in their hands. DD said out loud, ¨How cute! They are playing with water balloons!¨ It wasn´t soon after that we realized they were staring straight at us, smiling widely. We took off running, claro (of course!) Unfortunately I don´t run as fast in this altitude and I had several water balloons broken over my head, and at least twenty thrown at me. We were SOAKED to say the least. This is an example of how Ecuadorians celebrate Carnaval. I´m not exactly sure what Carnaval is celebrated for... I´ll let you know when I find out.

One of my more dry experiences (as in my clothes were dry, the experience was not) occured this past weekend. Side note: I´m pretty good at making lame jokes in Spanish as well. Karla, I know you´ve been dying to know whether or not that would be the case!

Let´s get back on track. We had the privilege of staying with indigenous families for a night up in a village called Otavalo over the weekend. There were 6 children in my family- ages 2 (two of the most beautiful little Latin American girls, Johanna y Mildrida), 9 (spunky Jessica), 10 (cool young Sesa), 17 (shy Christian), and 18 (got it together Cristiana). My time with them was short, but more valuable than I could´ve ever imagined. In a nutshell I just played with the kids the whole time, they were irresistable. I would´ve packed them in my suitcase had they not been such rambunxious little ones. This family taught me so much of what life is. It is family. It is simplicity. It is appreciating what you have, what you´ve been given. It is tranquility. I am so grateful that they opened their home and lives to me. Their way of living patiently and with so little was refreshing. Oh, how I long to be free of distractions! What beautiful, beautiful pèople. There are not adjectives in any language for their beauty.

Unfortunately, it´s getting dark and I must return to my humble abode! Wish I could add more detail. Will soon! And I promise photographs tomorrow.

Amor, amor from Ecuador!

Livin´ La Vida!

(Success at the top! With one of our rockin' guides. . .)




Mis amigos! Hope you all are well! I write to you with a happy heart but a very sore body! Yesterday a group of us went on a hike up a huge volcano called Cotopaxi. We proceeded to ride bicycles down the volcano once we were through climbing. It was muy dificil (very difficult) to say the least. But what a beautiful experience! Once again I was given the opportunity to see the beauty of this place from a different angle. I promise I´ll post photos soon!

What is new? I went to a family fiesta on Sunday that lasted all day. Ecuadorian families really know how to get down. There were over a hundred people there, and we were celebrating 15 birthdays over the last few months. It was there that I played futbol (soccer, of course) with a big group of Ecuadorians for about three hours. You´ll all be so proud of me- I scored a goal! I think that signifies I have officially been immersed into the culture of Ecuador.

I think it might be appropriate for me to simply list a few of my favorite things to try and give you a picture of vida (life) here: clothes lines (are everywhere!), incredibly bright colored buildings and houses, feeling as if I´m riding the Millenium Force every morning and afternoon on the bus, being serenaded by my host father with Mexican music at breakfast, the Ecuadorian countryside, the lights of the city at night, eating the most incredible helado (ice cream) for 50 cents, the sound of house slippers skimming across the floor, and trying to hold all of these experiences in my heart without it bursting! La vida is so good here.

La vida is also difficult here, a veces (sometimes). It can be a discouraging feeling, not being understood and not being able to understand others. This ladies and gentlemen, is what we call a language barrier. While my Spanish is skyrocketing, there are days when I am completely burnt out. It too is difficult to be without close-knit community. I miss you, Peacemakers! But it is also a gift, to learn to listen hard for God, alone. He has been teaching me a very valuable lesson. It is this: that what has been gained, has been gained. Some days I feel like my faith is being rocked and that it is being depleted. But, what has been gained has been gained. Yesterday, while I was climbing this crazy volcano I often wanted to stop. To give up. And it was a hard place to be in, a heartbreaking feeling to feel. But when I looked behind me, what had been gained, was still gained. When we follow the Lord he constantly molds us and teaches us. When we begin to feel like we have lost our momentum, and perhaps much of our faith altogether, we must cling to the encouragement that what has been gained, has been gained.

Photographs will be up soon, keep checking back!

Chao,
Hilary

Estoy aqui in Quito! (Translation: I´m here in Quito!)

(A piece of artwork done by Ivan)




¿Que pasa mis amigos? (What´s up my friends?) I apologize for my delay in writing- it´s been a bit of an obstacle finding Internet access here!

So! Where do I begin in describing my nueva vida (new life)? I feel as if I´ve been experiencing ¨various states of madness¨. (Gracias Lorah for my Ecuadorian mix! It´s been fitting.) Some of the madness has truly been mad, but most of the time I´m just falling madly in love with Quito. Let me tell you why!

I´ll begin with the basics. I live with two artists- ¡Que chevere! (How cool!) Ivan´s paintings cover the walls of our humble abode, or perhaps I should say pueblo. He also plays the guitar. . . and he often plays at breakfast! What a way to start out the day- Ecuadorian comida (food) with genuine Latin rythyms! Pati and Ivan are incredibly kind and have been so helpful as I continue to adjust to Ecuadorian life. Initially I was totally bummed there weren´t any niños (children) in the house, but fortunately they flood the streets, buses, and neighborhoods. Their little Spanish voices are the soundtrack of my life! I can´t get enough.




The first day I was here in Quito my family took me, along with otros amigos, down to Quito antigua (old Quito). The churches, brick streets, and beautiful people assured me my time here would be worthwhile. As we were walking, a nun invited us into a small convent tucked neatly aside one of the streets. Again, ¡que chevere! It was there that she explained this convent was also an orfanito (orphanage). Oh, my heart! Unfortunately all of the orphans were about visiting people in the city. But as I raised my eyes up to a window, what did I see? A precious Ecuadorian face peering out! This little one was enfermo (sick) and was unable to go out with the others. While he was probably quite sad, our eyes meeting made me happier than he could ever know. A picture of Ecuador I can never forget.

What am I learning of God? That he too, is an incredible artist. His work is displayed in the Quito mountains, the faces he has sculpted, and all the incredible beauty I am priveliged to witness here. Every day that goes by I grow more hungry to see this world that he has created.

Lo siento (I´m sorry) I have to keep it short tonight. I will continue to write for as long as you will continue to read! I miss and love you all so very much. ¡Hasta mi proxima! (Until my next!)

Hilary
(Pronounced Heel-ah-ree here. Roll your Rs por favor!)