Well, I feel like I have finally settled into things here. I have gotten to know my host family much much better, and I am happy to report that I feel really blessed to have been placed in their home. The other American students in my program are way fun, and the Ecuadorians that I have met have been more than welcoming. I can’t believe that I have already almost been here a month, and I think this semester is going to fly by.
On one of the first nights we were here (maybe in the first week of classes?) we found an advertisement for a live, free concert in the centro de cultura near the university. Javier Calamaro, a famous Argentine singer, was going to be performing. His declared genre is RockTango, and none of us really knew what to expect. His band consisted of an accordion player, two guitarists, a pianist, and two drummers. Together they were amazing. When I think of an accordion player, an image of an old man in tavern, playing polka music pops into my head, but this guy was the farthest thing from that. He was wearing a black cut off t-shirt, a long silver chain necklace, and his hair was cut in a pseudo 1980’s voluminous rocker style. It was awesome. He played the accordion over his knee, and during his solos he rocked it. The pianist was on our side of the stage, and we could see the way he artfully bounced his fingers up and down the entire piano, jumping, sliding, and caressing the keys. One of the highlights of the show was definitely when the guitarist from the back had a solo. He was probably pushing fifty, wearing a Hawaiian print shirt under a black jacket, and looked slightly awkward holding his guitar. He started out slow, and it wasn’t very impressive, but just when we thought he was through the singer, Javier, yelled, “Dáme Más” and the guitarist went crazy. It was incredible. The lights were flashing on him, the crowd was echoing the increasing speed of his fingers on the chords, and he was lost in the music. I loved it. It was the kind of show that makes you wish you could play music. I have yet to mention the singer-- don’t let that make you think he a was let down. One girl described him as the Latin Josh Grobin, and I have to agree. He was a great performer. He walked all over the stage, dramatically extending his arm, and pumping his heel. He went off stage once and waited for us to demand he return, and when he did he had taken off his shirt, leaving only his under tank-top. Definitely a crowd-pleasing moment. I am not sure that I would buy his CD, but the live energy was phenomenal.
A group of 11 of us went to the beach this past weekend. We took an over night bus that lasted about 8 hours. From the next bus station we were meant to catch a short hour and a half long bus, which according to the website departed every half hour, to a ferry that would take us to Canoa, the beach we wanted. When we got to the bus station we followed one of the men who was saying, “Canoa, Canoa.” We ended up having to wait two hours for that bus to leave, and then once we were on the bus we found out that it was going some round about way, there was not going to be a ferry, and the ride would last for at least 4 hours. After driving for a bit, and then stopping at a station we had already visited the night before, the driver stopped for an hour for lunch. One of the things that is kind of fun about the buses, is that periodically someone will jump on selling food, or CD’s, or glasses. There were a few times that people were selling empanadas (so good), or one time we got this hollowed out starchy ball with goo inside, also really tasty. We got to see some parts of the Ecuadorian mountains that I am sure I wouldn’t have seen otherwise, but I am not sure that the saddled donkeys, and scattered bunches of cows were really worth the 18 total hours of transit it took us to get to the beach. At least it only cost $14 total for the bus rides? We got to the beach on Friday afternoon, checked into our $5 per night hostel, and went to the beach. It was overcast, but still nice. The water was amazing. We figured out the buses for the ride back, and got there in 8 hours, thank goodness.
Also, I went to church last week. I tried going the week before also, but I misread the starting time, and got there at 12 when they were finishing instead of 9 when they started. There are some really nice people in the ward, and the building is only a few blocks from my house. The whole meeting was in Spanish, obviously, and I am happy to say that I could understand almost everything that went on. Singing hymns was probably my favorite part of Sunday. The hymns have a special ability to invite the spirit, and always leave me feeling uplifted. I am so grateful for the church, and happy to finally be able to go again after being in China.
Our hostel in Canoa
The Beach
My hand next to a spider--in a restaurant
I haven't taken very many picture here because I am always afraid my camera will be stolen, but I'll try to work on it.
