New year, New place, New way of life

Being in Ecuador has been an adjustment in a lot of ways. Speaking a different language, living in a new place, and just being thrown off of my regular routine in general has undoubtedly been a challenge. So I wanted to give everyone just a little glimpse of some of the things I’ve had to get used to since I’ve been here.

The most obvious challenge has been communicating entirely in another language. It’s tricky because a lot of my Spanish classes in the past have been extremely grammar heavy so sometimes my range of vocabulary is lacking, especially when it comes to slang/colloquialisms. As a general rule, people realize that Spanish is my second language because..uh..look at me..but occasionally when you approach someone speaking pretty decent Spanish they start speaking faster than lightning and you can’t quite keep up. It does get tough because you hate asking people to keep repeating themselves but if you don’t you can miss really crucial information, like what your homework is or what areas of the city not to wander into. The other challenge isn’t understanding, but speaking. Like I said, since I don’t know every word in the Spanish language (obviously), sometimes I want to say something and can’t find the word that I’m looking for so my sentences sound like some weird jumble of me trying to describe the word that I'm actually trying to say. But looking stupid and making mistakes are all a part of the learning process so I can’t be afraid to screw up sometimes or ask questions.

When I first came here I was placed in a new home, with a new bed in a new city. When I left the dorms this past semester I thought that I had maybe escaped the twin bed life for good. WRONG. Here I am, writing my blog, in my new twin bed. So close. I realize that my nice big bed at home is a luxury, just like many of the other luxuries that I live without while I’m in another country. I brought a good chunk of my stuff, but you can’t pack fantastic water pressure from the shower in your suitcase. Seriously, I have underappreciated the ease at which I can wash the shampoo out of my hair at home. You also can’t pack your entire wardrobe in two suitcases even though you’re going to be gone for five months and don’t want to wear the same outfit 500 times. Sometimes you think “oh I have the perfect outfit for that” and then SIKE you forgot to bring a single pair of dressy shoes. Not a joke. That actually happened. I am not thrilled. You also don’t think about the fact that your Netflix settings and programs change once you get into another country. Recently before my departure, I started watching the Office and I got really into it. Guess what one show isn’t on Netflix in Ecuador? Yeah, it’s the Office. Sorry Michael Scott, I guess I’ll see you 5 months from now. And most importantly, I miss my pups. Having a month with their sweet doggy souls and having to leave them, especially my old lady lab, broke my heart. Luckily, my host mom has a sweet kitty named Coco for when I’m feeling in need of some furry companionship.

Along with my water pressure and Netflix, one thing I always have a good amount of control over at home is the food that I eat. Granted, I am a college student so my diet isn’t always the most exciting or nourishing. But I do pretty good, and I prefer having control of what I eat. I like my salads, and I like my grilled chicken, and my frozen blueberries, and my everything non-dairy and delicious, and my hot sauce, and oh my god goldfish. Here, I am served excessive amounts of white rice, and white bread. I’m not quite used to it, but there can be a serious lack of vegetables, so you need something to fill you up. On the positive side I get SO MUCH FRESH JUICE and it is absolutely delicious. I get orange, pineapple, guayaba, mango, and sometimes even some yummy green juice to start off the day right that my host mom whips up right in front of me. The juice is great because I tend to get dehydrated more often here. Since I have to filter all of my water, I carry around a filter that only holds 16 ounces and I’m not drinking nearly as much as I do when I’m at home. That’s something I have to adjust to and work on for my own sake.

This is especially important for when I try to exercise here. Granted, with all of the adjustment I’ve been doing, working out hasn’t been my first priority, but not having the gym at my disposal is something I’ve had to get used to. So I’ve settled on running for now. But let me tell you, when people tell you the altitude is something you have to get used to, they aren’t lying. I’ve been going on runs around the park that’s down the street from my house, and it’s only about 4 km around. By the end, I am always panting excessively. The altitude combined with the smog in the air really gets my lungs and people tell me I’m going to adapt but as of now, I tend to feel like I’m dying. On the bright side, I’ve been walking a ton so I get some movement in that way.

The last thing that I have really had to get used to is being aware of my surroundings when I’m walking around. Theft is really common here and since I’m one of the few gringas walking around town, I can be targeted because obviously thieves target tourists. I take the bus everywhere and it can be tough to focus on your things when your packed like sardines in a bus where the driver stops so suddenly you feel like you’re going to fall over. I hold my backpack in front of me with my hand on the bottom anywhere I go so that it doesn’t get cut and so I always have an eye on it. I do most of my communicating with my friends when I’m at home because it isn’t recommended that you walk around the city carrying a new version of the iPhone since they’re so expensive here, and well anywhere. So I take a burner phone with me with an Ecuadorian sim card provided by the school. As a general rule, it’s always better to travel in pairs but that isn’t really an option in the mornings when I go to school. Like I said, it’s a general rule, but just cause you’re in a pair, doesn’t mean you won’t get robbed. Just the other day I was riding the bus with my host mom and when we arrived at school she realized that someone had stolen her wallet and she hadn’t noticed. It’s fair to say that there isn’t a shortage of skilled pickpockets. Like I said, it’s easy to feel unsafe when you stick out as much as my friends and I do. And the sticking out can draw the attention of more than just pickpockets. Catcalling is a real thing, and a real thing that can make you feel even more uncomfortable than you already do in a new city. It pretty much just reaffirms the fact that you stick out like an M&M in a bowl of raisins, and when I’m walking or running on my own, it’s likely because I wanted some me time, without being bothered by strange men on the street. However, I haven't had a whole bunch of trouble on this front, and you just have to ignore it.

The adjustment definitely hasn’t been the easiest thing in the world, but it’s nothing groundbreaking that I can’t handle. It’s just a new chapter of my life that I’m getting used to like any other. I’m having so much fun exploring already, and I’m doubly excited for my adventures once I get my bearings more. More fun stuff is coming and I’ll keep you all updated.

Chao por ahora,

Claire