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January 2008
Hola!
4 months! Wow time really flies!
Each and everyday my Spanish improves more and more.
About 2 weeks ago I went on a Rotary Trip to Quito (the capital of
Ecuador!). It took us about 12 hours from my province Machala! We visited
huge malls that went up to about 5 stories and went up huge mountains! I
rode for the first time in a cable car up a mountain. We also helped some
organization plant trees on the top of a mountain and they interviewed me
since I was the only student representing The Bahamas! I was actually able
to manage speaking Spanish on camera! (Thank-you Rotary!) Also, in Quito I
met up with Carlos, an inbound in The Bahamas from last year! In Quito, we
visited this tourist site called “Mitad del Mundo” which means “The middle
of The World.” We were told that in this specific location, the earth’s
latitude and longitude is exactly 0 degrees! To prove this, we did
different experiments that showed that our weight is less if we are on the
0 degrees latitude and longitude. (It was really interesting!) As well as
Quito, we visited a near-by province called Ibarra. In Ibarra, we visited
this huge outdoor market with all different kinds of Ecuadorian souvenirs
and different foods as well. All too soon, this rotary trip came to an end
and we exchange students resumed our lives in our respective provinces.
Christmas here in Machala, Ecuador was very different from my usual
Bahamian Christmas. This Christmas, I helped Rotary give gifts to some of
the poor kids in Machala (it was so nice to see the smiles on their face
as they each received their gifts and a bag of candy). On Christmas Eve at
about 11 in the night my family and I sat down to eat dinner. The
Christmas dinner consisted of baked chicken, potatoes and white rice with
cut up green peppers and tomatoes. (The green peppers and tomatoes are
used in the rice for Christmas plates and it looks more Christmas-like...I
thought it was interesting I want to make it for my family when I return!)
Moving along, at 12 midnight we opened our gifts. (I bought gifts for
everyone in my host family including the maid and her 2 daughters.) On
Christmas day, my family and I headed for a near-by city called Santa Rosa
to visit my host dad’s family. In Santa Rosa we ate a really big lunch and
I had the chance to become close to my host cousins. I even invited them
to spend the next day with me in Machala. =]
As well as Christmas, New Years in Ecuador was different from my usual in
The Bahamas. On New Year’s Eve my family and I went to Santa Rosa once
again to share this special night with my host dad’s family. We ate a big
delicious dinner and sat down to converse as we waited patiently for 12
midnight. At a few minutes to 12 midnight, we all went outside and burned
this human sized dummy that they made called “el Año Viejo” in the street.
(It was made out of regular clothes stuffed with newspapers and they also
put firecrackers inside.) It was both interesting and weird watching this
dummy explode. Then, at 12 midnight firetruck sirens went off as well as
loads of firecrackers and everyone hugged each other.
Time is really passing by quickly. Soon, I have to leave this family that
I have grown to love and get to know my next host family. I am really
enjoying my time here in Ecuador. My favorite thing about my province is
my Ecuadorian friends. In Machala, there aren’t so many things to do so my
friends keep me busy learning Spanish. I pass a lot of time with my
Ecuadorian friends; they are always inviting me over at their house or to
the mall to catch a movie.
I can never express my thanks to you Rotary for this opportunity that I
have to be in Ecuador!
Muchas Gracias por esta oportunidad!
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Feliz Navidad & un Feliz Año Nuevo!
-Nae!
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