Marshmallows

The end of Day 3...

So, since I really don't have anything else to do right now, and a lot on my mind, I figured I would write a little more. That's something that I've had to deal with the last few days. I haven't really known what to do with myself in the evenings when I'm at home because I don't really want to watch TV in Spanish because there's nothing that good on, and I'd rather give my mind a break. I don't feel like reading, and a lot of times, nobody is on Skype for me to talk to. Gabi normally does her own thing on the computer for a while and Corina relaxes in her room. I don't have the spanish skills or confidence yet to walk in and strike up a conversation. They do that for me, thankfully, but also I guess I'm just getting into the flow of things. I sure wish I brought my crochet supplies...

Anyway, something else we did today was go to the supermarket, which is called "Supermaxi." It's just like a Safeway or Albertson's, but of course there are differences. For one, they have a counter that exclusively sells perfume and cologne. I've noticed walking past people here that the majority likes to wear it... interesting. Another thing that I loved about Supermaxi was their huge marshmallow selection. Seriously, I've never seen such a wide selection of marshmallows together in one place. They had dinosaur marshmallows, rainbow shaped marshmallows, orange flavored marshmallows, big ones, small ones. I took a picture, so you'll be able to actually see them, and Im totally going to buy some to bring home when the time comes. Another thing, is there's no fresh milk in Ecuador--only powdered. The powdered milk is sold in the cereal isle (the cereal selection here is probably only one-eighth of that in Oregon), and there are more brands of it to choose from than cereal. Apple Jacks are called Apple Dapples here, which I love, and they have Reese's Puffs, but most other brands are slightly different. They also don't refrigerate the eggs in the store.

Something else I forgot to mention about the city is that there are so many interesting buildings and statues to look at, from all sorts of different time periods and architectural styles. I've never seen anything like it. 

One good thing about Quito that I just thought of is that there are NO bugs here. Seriously, I think the only bug I've seen was a single housefly. No spiders, moths, ants, mosquitos, nothing. I guess nothing wants to live at such an uncomfortable altitude in such a polluted city. 

It's raining for the first time right now, and I mean raining! It's a downpour out there! I haven't seen rain like this since las Springtime in Corvallis. I was wondering how the rain would be. Now I get to wear my new raincoat! Oh goody. 

So, classes start on monday and I'm really glad because I'll finally have an actual schedule and feel like my life here has purpose. I feel like I don't know what's going on half the time because of lack of communication thanks to language barriers and technology inadequacies. I'm also excited that I'll be able to be a little more independent and take the bus for the first time by myself. After walking around on the streets today I feel like I have a pretty good lay of the land and that I would be safe if I was alone. 

Welp, voy a dormir ahora. Hasta luego!