Host Living

We began our final morning in Quito (for now) by visiting the old part of the city. All eigteen of us, plus a driver, piled into a big yellow van, condensing four of us to each bench seat. We rode up a large mountain, swinging side to side in the van with no seat belts accessible. When we arrived at our destination, we breath-taken- both from the high altitude and the beauty of the scene. We could see all of Old Quito and beyond, as we stood beneath the guardian statue of Quito. Miniature, colourful buildings litered the streets far below us, surrounded by colossal mountains that encase the city.

A beautiful view of Quito

Guardian Statue

We then had the opportunity to explore the streets that we viewed below us after another short bus trip a ways down the mountain. We discovered a certain liveliness to the Ecuadorian streets, that is perhaps difficult to find in Canada. Street vendors attempt to sell their products to pedestrians with such passion and performers fill the streets with visual and audio pleasures. The cobble stone streets lie between rows of beautiful buildings which all stand out in bright colours.

One of the many colourful streets of Old Quito

The ICE group

Following our tour of Old Quito, we said good bye to each other and departed for our host communities. We were separated into two vans, half he

ading toward Valley of Chillos and half toward Valley of Tumbaco. I arrived at my house in Yaruqui around five in the afternoon, greeted by a very kind family. They are such welcoming people, and I am excited to spend the next three months with them.

I am quite surprised by my ability to communicate in Spanish. Although I often do not understand others and find myself reaching toward that life-saving dictionary constantly, I have been able to converse much better that I had imagined. Often times I feel like someone has pushed the mute button on my vocal chords. As much as my family in Canada would appreciate that, I will have to work hard to get that button back off and speak more. Speaking Spanish constantly is quite tiring, and I even find myself writing my English work in Spanish sometimes just after a few days in Ecuador.

This morning, I had the chance to visit the school I will be working at as an English teacher for the next three months. It is called Escuela Hernan Malo Gonzalez, and is painted the most beautiful bright blue colour I have seen on a building. When I arrived, all 130 or so students were lined up in the courtyard, dressed in the most ad

orable school uniforms. The students ages range from 4 to 11 years old. At the entrance of the school, a sign saying ¨Welcome dear Maggie¨ greeted me, and I was presented with flowers and a welcome poster. I have never felt so welcomed to a place before, where over a hundren people are excited to have my presence.