Altitude makes a difference!

Hey everyone!  I thought I'd fill ya in on the past week.  Last weekend was incredible! The fun started Friday night.  We set out to go salsa dancing with a family friend (of my host family) and a brother.  We were under the impression that these fellas could dance.  So we walk around a while looking for a good place and don't have much luck.  This was our clue that maybe they didn't do this too often.  So we finally decide on a place and quickly learn that not one of the 4 guys that was with us could dance. I give credit to Pablo (oldest and shortest of them all) because he was moving the entire time...I'm just not sure you could call what he was doing dancing!  When it came to salsa...whew...he was a chicken with his head cut off.  I totally loved his enthusiasm and passion and the fact that he was having fun; contrary to the fact that the others were just standing around.  So after a bit we kindly ditched them and went off on our own.  Due to the long night, Saturday was a day of rest!  I claimed a me day and it was perfect! I was pretty lazy u til noon.  I then headed to a nearby park area and was able to worship a bit and take a nap outside.  The weather was perfect...until the sky became dark and I trout I better pack up.  So I ended up in a little cafe, had myself a sandwich as I studied some Spanish! Came home, watched a movie, ate dinner, and then some of the girls in my house and I had a little pow wow of chit chat and such!  It was great!  

Sunday started off fantastic as well. We ate our usual breakfast of eggs and bread and then Michelle, Mridula and I started our journey to the teleferico (gondola). The teleferico takes you up a mountain to about 4250 meters above sea level! Then beyond that is an optional 3 hour hike (one way) to another mountain.  Well, I hate to report we did not make it all the way to the top but we hiked for about 2 hours.  We were quite content with the place we reached.  It was incredible how the altitude really effects your endurance.  There were times when we had to stop every 3 minutes to catch our breath just because our lungs felt like they were collapsing (due to the altitude...and maybe a bit due to the fact that we are out of shape but mostly the altitude ! ) the views were definitely worth the pain and suffering! We were able to see most of Quito- including Cotopaxi...a snow covered volcano! The way down was a bit more dangerous than the way up since our trail was steep and made of loose dirt.  There were several close calls where one of us slipped and the others gasped in hope all was well.  Luckily- no injuries for us! By the time we made it back home, we were filthy and exhausted! We were in for the night. 

Monday after classes a couple of us went to the museum of Guayasamin (Ecuadorian artist). Part of the museum was his house...SOOO cool.  He died in 99 but they have preserved his house wonderfully.  His house is full of work from other artists that were either gifts or purchases.  They have even kept his clothes in his closet! The house was absolutely amazing,  we saw the studio where he used to paint.  He also sculpted, designed, and many more talents.  A lot of his work captured pain and suffering of those he visited in other countries or the suffering he himself experienced as a kid.  The whole experience was super cool! Plus the tour was in Spanish so it was good practice! 

Tuesday was nothing special that I recall.

Wednesday was ridiculously horrible in terms of Spanish!  I was on the verge of explosion the entire 4 hours of class.  It was a combination of being tired and being overloaded!  For this of you who have learned Spanish- I'm studying the imperfect subjunctive formation and my oh my am I confused!  So, Wed afternoon I had chocolate therapy and Wed night I had dancing therapy! Sure enough, Thursday and Friday went much better! Tonight we are playing it it kinda chill.  Tomorrow is Independence Day for Ecuador so we have lots of activities todo tomorrow-concerts, museums, etc. all for free!  And here is the exciting part...I'm taking a week off from classes and going to...

THE JUNGLE!!!  I will be spending 4 days and 3 nights in the Amazon.  It has been forecasted that I will see caymans, anacondas, tarantulas (bigger than my hands), monkeys and much more!  Please pray for my safety!  I am so very excited! So, my next update will be about my crazy jungle experience!  Stay tuned...