One month ago, I never thought this white girl would be dancing salsa and doing it well. All of the footwork, the spins, feeling the rhythm, following a lead… it’s just not in my blood like it is for Latin American women. But now, one month after my first impromptu lesson, I am a salsa […]
School’s Out
Yesterday was my last day of Spanish class, so I figured it was time to write about what it has been like to learn the language. Learning another language is really hard when you’re an adult, especially if you’ve never learned another language before. I wish it was customary in the US like it is […]
Escaping Quito to climb an active volcano
I’ve been dying to get out of Quito to do something adventurous, breathe clean air, and take some photos of the beautiful landscape in Ecuador without the fear of having my camera stolen. A one-day tour to Cotopaxi for only $35 was just what I needed. On Friday, I left with a small tour at […]
For the Music Lovers
This post is for all of my fellow music-lovers. Usually my friends are the ones to introduce me to new bands. Now I get to return the favor. What do you do when it’s a dreary, rainy day in Quito? You go stand outside at an all-day concert of course. QuitoFest [singlepic id=41 h=180 w=240 […]
Gringolandia
A lot of people have asked to know more about my apartment and the neighborhood I’m living. This post contains pics of the apartment and discusses the joys of living next to drug dealers and sleeping on a block of wood. For five weeks in Quito, “Gringolandia” is my temporary home. That is really what […]
Clothes Shopping in Quito
I apologize in advance because this post will probably only interest the girls. If you’ve checked out the Gear page on my website, you know that I packed pretty light, especially clothing and shoes. I did not pack anything to wear out to bars or dance clubs, and the women here go all out. I […]
A Day in the Life… Quito, Ecuador
Some of you have inquired as to what a typical day is like for me in Quito. I’ve been here for a week now, and I do have a routine to some degree, but I like this routine much more than my routine at home…. Maybe it has something to do with not sitting in […]
I Am the Egg Master
I went on another afternoon excursion yesterday with the Spanish school. We took a van to El Mitad del Mundo (translation: The Middle of the World). Being on the equator is Ecuador’s claim to fame. Just north of Quito (about an hour drive from the center), is the place where Charles-Marie de la Condamine made […]
El Dia de Los Muertos
I went with some students from my Spanish school to El Calderón yesterday afternoon. After several days in touristy, crime-ridden central Quito, I was looking forward to seeing another area that would hopefully be different – more real – and to seeing a part of the Ecuadorian culture. I was not disappointed. The celebration occurs […]
Bienvenidos a Ecuador
I’ve been in Quito for less than 48 hours, and I got robbed. I fell for a known trick, a trick that I read about before coming here and was warned about again once I got here. My only excuse is that this was a slight variation on the trick. I was having a great […]