QUITO - 9 to 5
We have now been in Ecuador for almost a week. During the week of Spanish classes we have been able to explore and get to know the city of Quito and the people of Ecuador a bit more.
The atmosphere here is very welcoming, from taxi drivers to shop tenders, we are greeted with smiles and where are you from? - I feel a sense that people have a genuine interest to why we have come to their country.
One fun example was our dialogue with a one-man street theatre group. In Quito's central park, which is so attentively well kept, filled with playground facilities for children and home to the popular sport here of volleyball, we were drawn by a crowd that had gathered to enjoy the story-tellers anecdotes. Very quickly he noticed us and engaged us as part of his comedic routine - there were some big laughs after the some of the things he said, but I don't know what they were!
Quito can be explored on foot - but steep inclines still get me out of breath due to the altitude. The sun has been shining over the last few days, but rain at 4pm remains clockwork. The streets are busy with yellow taxis, express buses expulging thick black smoke, and a bustle of commuters on their way to work in this commercial district. Two businessmen impromptly use a sheet of cardboard as an umbrella, a poodle-like dog has his hair shaved at a vetinarian's clinic, and I meet a friendly elderly Nun in a German bookstore/library.
There is quite a large German influence in Quito. This weekend we travel to the coast with a group of Germans we have met at the school.
OREGANO - CURE FOR SICKNESS
We did experience our first bout of illness yesterday, after taking lunch at the restaurant directly next to the house. We have identified the fruit juice as the culprit - pointing towards the tap water. For me it highlights the massive impact having clean and safe water to drink - our illness knocked us out for at least 24 hours - we lost liquids, nutrients and felt very weak.
The teachers at the school helped us out by giving us Oregano tea (quoted to aid stomach problems). This included a tour to the local supermarket - an incredible array of tropical fruit and vegetables, spikey skins, massive in size - some familiar: papayas and green bananas and some unfamiliar: "tomatoes of the tree" (sweet tomatoes)
The teachers at the school helped us out by giving us Oregano tea (quoted to aid stomach problems). This included a tour to the local supermarket - an incredible array of tropical fruit and vegetables, spikey skins, massive in size - some familiar: papayas and green bananas and some unfamiliar: "tomatoes of the tree" (sweet tomatoes)
We have one more week in Quito to sharpen our Spanish before heading to Ibarra, where we will be based for the next 6 months
Tom
¡Hola Tom! (is there a special greeting they use in Ecuador?)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you got there safely and hope you're managing OK to switch back to Spanish after all your recent French study!
Looking forward to reading your updates.
Bon weekend :o)
Jim
Hello Tom, glad to hear that you arrived safely in Ecuador. it's great to read your first-hand report from South America, keep it up ! As to the tropical fruit, what's that "spikey skins, massive in size" fruit ? is that your 'favourite' durian again ? lol !
ReplyDeletetake care of yourself and have a good weekend at the coast !
Simon