Hasta luego, Ecs!

This is my last night in the country.

And I´m spending it at the airport.  ROCK ON.

I left Cuenca less than an hour ago, and am already back in Quito.  ¡Que país taaaan chiquito!

Cuenca was relatively uneventful.  Oh, except for the fact that I happened to be there during two HUGE festivals... Corpus Christi, and Inti Raymi (festival of the sun).  So there was candy everywhere, fireworks every night, and a huge goth concert on Saturday night.  I´m not entirely sure what that has to do with Jesus OR the sun, though.  Maybe a coincidence?  All I know is that I made the mistake of crossing through the park with my groceries maybe an hour before the outdoor concert was about to begin.

Let me remind you all: I am white, and I am bright.  These people were not, and they were dressed 100% in black.  Oops.



On Sunday, I went to Ingapirca, the most well-preserved Incan ruins in Ecuador.  I arranged the tour online (easiest way to get there, and to still learn about the historical aspects).  I was told it was a non-private (read: cheaper) tour, so ASSUMED it would be at least ten people.

Wrong.


I got picked up by a man in a blue SUV, and spent the day with him, an Ecuadorian, and another girl from Colombia. And it was pretty wonderful.

The ruins were cool, too.  Made me feel small, young, and (happily) powerless.  The best part about not being a royal or in charge of a group of people is that you make fewer enemies :)


Last night, I went to this cafe in Cuenca (after I butchered my dinner by accidentally buying ketchup instead of tomato sauce... BUT! In my defense, "salsa de tomate" was DEFINITELY tomato sauce in Chile, and ketchup was called "ketchup."  I love when Spanish doesn´t stay constant...)

And at this cafe, I was reflecting in my journal, reading (another) book, and then this girl came over and asked me, in Spanish, if I spoke English.  I responded "claro, sí, hablo inglés".  In Spanish.  Who knows why.  This girl ended up being from NEW HAMPSHIRE!!

Are you KIDDING me?!?! I travel to CUENCA and meet up with a fellow New Englander in a teeny café?  And THEN! Get this.... the CELTICS came on.

I believe a bit more in fate now.

Didn´t really do too much today... just wandered around the city, trying desperately to find Matthew´s old orphanage.  It doesn´t exist anymore, though, and instead I just got chastised by old ladies for traveling alone and for not being married, if I´m not in school.  I tried to tell them that I am in a university, but they thought I was lying.  I mean, if I´m not in school this very moment, I must be lying, right?

So that was kind of disappointing.  And then I hopped on my flight to Quito!

Actually, that´s a lie.  It didn´t go so smoothly.  Apparently, when I booked my flight from Cuenca to Quito, I accidentally made the reservation for yesterday.  Oops.  So the lady couldn´t find my reservation, and I gave her my confirmation code and everything, and then we realized the mistake.  My mistake.

But this chirpy señora just rebooked me for no extra charge.  FIRST.  CLASS:  I´ve never flown first class before.  Best 36 minutes of my LIFE.

And now I´m in Quito, and I feel at home and at ease once again. I love this city.  There are some places that I can deal with for a few days (Cuenca..).  And there are others where I could stay for.ev.er (Quito).


But now, I think it´s high time for me to really reflect on what Ecuador has taught me, even in these few short weeks.  I don´t know why I feel this bizarre attachment to this country.  When I left Chile, I was sad--- I cried.  But I was upset at leaving that super cool lifestyle behind.  This is a different emotion, and as stupid as it sounds, I feel like I´m leaving a part of me behind. I can´t place it yet...

Anyway....

Lo que aprendí en Ecuador

1. It reaaaaally pays to become a regular at certain places.  Like the café that we frequented in Cumbayá.  We ended up getting free cake, discounted cappuccinos, and the man even gave us little rubber stamps at the end.  SO WORHT IT!  It´s not always necessary to mess with the status quo, especially when it is DEELISH.
2. Rice can get old.  Really old.  I actually don´t think I´ll be able to eat rice for a REALLY long time after this viaje...
3. Everyone can drink juice! Whatever age! Whatever time! I don´t think I´ve ever had this much jugo en mi vida!
4. When the coffee is substantially less than a dollar, order the tea.
5. Going with the flow is....relaxing!! I didn´t even color code ANYTHING this ENTIRE MONTH.  I´m a changed gal...
6. There´s no sense in getting frustrated with locals or customs.  Even if you´re angry and upste, it´s not like they´ll change.  So why bother getting there in the first place? Embrace it, and roll with it.
7. Some girls really like purses.  Some girls really like shoes.  I realllllly like backpacks... sue me.
8. I have a whole lot to still learn about the difference between necessities and desires.
9. Salsa de tomate is NOT ALWAYS tomato sauce.  Well, it is.  But not spaghetti sauce. Ew.
10. NOTHING will ever feel as wonderful as being told your Spanish is good.  Dang!
11. I dont think I´m meant to travel alone for long periods of time.  I love having at least ONE person to share experiences with. I think this means I will be recruiting compadres for my future adventures :)
12. I have learned to identify what country people are from by their accent they have when they speak Spanish.  And also their clothing... if someone is wearing sandals, and hiking past me up a volcano, they are definitely German.
13. Showers are really optional, when you think about it.  I mean, it´s Monday night and I haven´t showered since Friday.  And I won´t shower again until tomorrow night.... if someone is going to judge me for not showering, we probably aren´t compatible in the first place...
14. I hope I never forget how much I love to read and write.  I´ve read seven books here, and will finish my eighth shortly.  And I´ve rediscovered how much I love journaling (.... and blogging)
15. Trust in the kindness of strangers.  Maybe you´ll be sitting in a café, and will meet someone from 20 minutes away from you, and you´ll end up cheering on your home team together thousands of miles away....
16. Hugging a child will ALWAYS make you feel better.  Ooh! Better yet--- comfort a crying child.  Then you´ll feel superhuman.
17. Choose the eeeemptiest Internet café you can.  It´ll be a muuuuuuch faster connection
18. Walking home in the rain is essentially the equivalent of washing your clothes.  Or so I tell myself...
19. I want to be this age forever.  I can travel without looking lazy or like I´m neglecting responsibilities... that is PRETTTYYY sweet.
20. Reading a book entitled "Terrorist" is probably not the best thing to open up on an airplane.  You might start giggling at the irony, and kind of scare the business guy sitting next to you.... and reasonably so.
21. I was really made to got to sleep early and wake up early.  I think I´ve been in bed by like 8 nearly every night.  And I have yet to sleep past 6:30... but it is wonderful!
22. Do not pee in the jungle river water.  EVER.  
23. When in said jungle, swim every chance you get... you´ll want to rinse.  Bring the soap with you to the rio.  It´ll be a blast
24. ALWAYS.  Always.  Stop for monkeys.
25. The jungle is not your territory.  Remember that.
26. Ants are yuuummmyyy!
27. Traveling solo is a confidence booster.  AKA I´m kind of happy with the fact that I did that (albeit only a few days) and am still breathing.  Good deal.

I am really, really going to miss this place.  Kind of bizarre that it´s over.  This has been an adventure of a lifetime, that is for sure.  I´ve learned more than I think I have in any other single month of my life.  I hope it sticks with me.  And I hope I stop eating ants, because that could be dangerous when I get back to the US...


Nos vemos, Ecuador!  Era un gusto....