I was doing so well at keeping up my blog for a week. And then I stopped. FAIL.
Life these days is a bit odd. I’m busy all the time but I really don’t feel like I am accomplishing much. Maybe it’s trying to keep up with the pace of living in a big city but yet having to manage the chaotic public transportation system. For example, to get to my office in the mornings I have two options: the city bus which weaves in and out of the 6 lane highway and slams on its brakes to catch each and every $0.25 customer OR the Metrovia which is a street tram that has set stops and its own lane making for efficient travel time but if you’re not packed into the Metrovia like sardines then you must’ve caught the wrong street car and are certainly not on the Metrovia. Every morning it’s a debate of whether I would prefer to elbow onto the tram to spend 20 minutes standing, analyzing the pores and hair follicles of a stranger or spend 30 minutes in a seat on ride that reminds me of when Dad tried to teach Rachel Cahill (formerly known as Koehnke) how to drive a stick-shift. Oh the choices.
Last weekend was a holiday weekend so Jordi and I decided to take advantage of the extra time and headed to some of the northern beaches of Ecuador. It was an eight hour bus ride each but well worth it to soak up some glorious sun rays and drink fresh coconut water poured straight from its shell. We both also participated in the race that is traveling around all the provinces of Ecuador to raise support and awareness for a nature reserve that is being destroyed by oil companies. We had a great time and it gave us a wonderful chance to meet new people and contacts.
Speaking of running, now that I am down to having only half of my toenails I have finally given in and decided to buy new running shoes. Easier sad then done. Apparently the only Ecuadorian sportswear chain here refuses to carry any shoes larger than a women’s size 9. Which is frustrating when you’re a 9.5 and can almost squeeze into the shoes but not quite. After numerous unsuccessful trips to different stores all over town (just think about how many uncomfortable bus rides that cost me) and hearing from fellow runners the weekend past that big sizes just don’t exist, I spent an absurd amount of money on some ugly men’s shoes. While they have proven effective in protecting my remaining toenails in turn they have become the source for humongous blisters. Toenails or blisters oh the choices.
I spent this past weekend in Cumanda and it was just such a good weekend. Maybe I really am assimilating to Ecuadorian culture for I never truly understood why a large majority of Ecuadorians prefer to escape to the small country towns for the weekends but now I am defiantly on their page. Spending weekends in Cumanda remind me of how much I really don’t enjoy living amongst the stress and grime of a metropolis. I spent the weekend visiting the family and catching up with friends, attending the fiestas of a local community and the fiesta of a friend’s birthday, preparing food and devouring food. Nothing is as good as a home cooked meal. Everything is better in Cumanda.
This week is an exciting week for my site mate Alice and me. We leave on Thursday for the Dominican Republic with some really close family friends to partake in their family reunion. It’s an all inclusive vacation package for 5 days and 4 nights at a 5 star resort in Punta Cana. I’ve never been on a vacation like this and am suuuper excited yet a little nervous. I hope I can escape from living in my mindset of needing to be cheap and feel the need to eat and drink everything I come into contact with merely because its free. Oh the choices…
Well my friends, I think I will leave it at that. Cross your fingers for me that Hurricane Irene doesn’t cause any problems and I promise to post an update from the trip soon after! Love.
