Equator and Volcano

On Friday we went to the Equator it was pretty sweet we balanced an egg on a nail, got to see that on the Equator water drains straight down on the South it drains counterclockwise and North clockwise it was way cool to see how by moving South or North it changes the direction of the water. Also we learned that when you are on the Equator you lose resistance which was an interesting dimenstration. We blew dart guns at a catcus and I actually made it! We also went to a volcano which was pretty sweet oh by the way if you cant tell I dyed my hair dark my roommate is a hair dresser and I decided I wanted to do it so she helped me the other night!

Church in Ecuador

So going to church has been an adventure because it is all in Spanish we only go to sacrament since we don´t understand it. Even though I don´t understand the language very well I can still feel the spirit. I love that the spirit can be so strong no matter where you are. The church is true and I love to see how the church works here.

Fiesta with a Nun!

The other night we had a party at our house for the workers and nun that we work with. At first it was kind of awkward because we dont speak much Spanish and they don't speak much English so we all just sat around staring at each other. Then the voulnteers decided to play a game one of the girls made up "Guess that Orphan" basically what you do is you do something that the orphan does that all of us would know. They didn't really understand what we were doing but it was funny to us. We ate dinner which was amazing I ate everything they made which is rare because lately I have been only eating a few things. After dinner the workers prepared two dances for us. Ashley the girl in charge of us sang us a song which was amazing and Andrew decided to do a little dance called....wait for it Solider Boy. Overall it was a good night here are the two dances they did for us and solider boy.

Coy aka Guinea Pig

So most of you know that I am a picky eater and dont like much meat. Before I came on this adventure I was told you would have the opportunity to eat coy which is guniea pig. I was grossed out when I heard this but I decided when am I ever going to have this opportunity again so I decided to try it. Here is a video of Heather, Nikki, and I trying it. It wasn't that gross but I definately couldn't eat a whole one. It takes 90 mins to cook just one! If I didn't know what it was I probably could have eaten more but it was just sitting there with its head still there it was freaking me out. So now I can say that I have eaten guinea pig!

Christmas Tree

So the other day we went and got a Christmas tree. We are trying to bring the Christmas spirit to the house since we will be here. We are also going to draw names and do the twelve days of Christmas. Here are a few pictures of us getting the tree.

Bull Fight

We went to a bull fight on Wednesday. All last week there was celebrations going on becuase it is Ecuador´s founders day on Dec 6th. The bull fight was crazy we got lost from the guy that we were supposed to follow because there was an insane amount of people there! If you aren´t there by 12 they close the doors well since we lost him we had to wait outside of the doors and we didn´t know if we were going to get in or not. We had to wait for a half and hour the guy was pissed at us but it wasn´t our fault. We missed some horse show and them killing the first bull. It was a weird experience I am pretty sure that will be the last time I go it is sweet to say I went to one though. After they stab the bull they stick a knife in its brain and move it around to make sure it is dead it is pretty gross they twitch and stuff!

So most of the girls have gotten sick and I have been lucky enough not to but then on Sunday right before the Christmas Devotional I got sick. I have a cold and it sucks because I still have to go to shift even though I feel like crap cause there are too many sick and we don´t have enough girls to cover. Today was so bad because I woke up felt like crap but knew I had to go and the other girl that was with me is sick too so lets just say it was a bad situation. We go into where the kids are and two have thrown up it was so gross they got it all over themselves and the smell is really getting to me. We have to bathe them so I figured I would start with them so they don´t have to lay in it well they also had the grossest diapers ever I started gagging it was bad cause the little girl was still throwing up and I had to leave the room. The other girl that was with me starting gagging too! I finally gained composure and got her bathed the rest of the day she didn´t feel good she was just laying on me and had gross diapers! Also two of the kids have lice so I am nervous I might get it I haven´t ever had it before and we have to bathe them so it is going to be interesting. Within the three weeks I have been here we have gotten 5 new kids they are the saddest stories most were found in garbages one baby was only a day old when they found her. Another one was found on the sidewalk tried up in a garbage bag that said, ¨I can´t take care of him please help.¨ I just think it is so sad that parents just desert their children like that.

Paper Chain

Last night Ashley and I made a paper chain for how many days until she goes home. We made it because she is engaged and getting married a month after she gets home. I think she is crazy to be here I don´t think I could do it. I have a really good time with her I am glad I am roommates with her!

Ecuador at a Glance

Here are some of the things I got at the market: a blanket, two paintings, and these sweet purses.

My roommates Ashley, Caitlin, and I.

I am actually taller then someone look how small she is.

Ashley and I by our bus.

Here are some pictures of Ecuador: My roommate Ashley and I on our first fieldtrip to Otavalo (the biggest

open market in the world!)

The houses here are so close together I love it!


Our first night out at dinner.

This whole experience has been amazing, it has also been way exhausting. Taking care of multiple kids at once that dont speak English is often times hard but then I remember that I am here for them. I have already learned so much from them they are amazing kids. It is crazy you can fall in love with them they just melt your heart once they smile or when they get so excited when you walk into their rooms and they greet you by saying , ¨Hola.¨ I just love these kids so much. I just don´t understand how someone can give up a child. I would do anything to find these kids a home that is all they want. I was expecting the kids to be sad all the time but they are the opposite they are so happy with what they have. Each child can bring a smile to your face sure they can drive you nuts at times but then they smile and I can´t help but love them. I have only been here for two weeks and I can´t explain how much I love working with them. I look forward to when I have shift and get to work with them. I would recommend doing this to everyone. You lose yourself in the work it is amazing and I am so glad I decided to do this.

My room for three months

For those that want to see my room here it is.

Finally in Ecuador

So I had to be to the airport by 4:50 AM because my flight left at 6:50 AM then I had a layover for about 4 hours. The flight to Ecuador was 6 hours let me just tell you what a long day yesterday was. I experienced so many emotions all at once sadness, happiness, anticipation, and not knowing what to expect next. It was nice to have a layover in a sense because all the girls got to kind of know each other after all we are going to be spending alot of time together so we might as well start. We landed in Quito went through customs and met Angel to take us to where we were going to live. By this point I was really overwhelmed and thought, ¨What did I get myself into?¨ We got to the house I found out where my room was unpacked and went to bed. I woke up this morning thinking, ¨Am I really in Ecuador?¨ I really am here guys my wait is finally over!!! Today we just went over orientation stuff to make sure we know the rules and just to get situated. Lunch is the biggest meal they eat over here our cook made us tacos that I liked and great bananna bread. I am actually suprised with myself I didn´t think I would like the food by I actually do like it, my mom would be shocked. After orientation we had a break so a bit which was nice I just relaxed. Then everyone that lives in the house went out to dinner I liked the food there too and got to know some of the current volunteers. Lets just say it was an adventure getting there people drive alot different then in Utah there are basically no rules people just go where ever they want. You could be driving in your lane the next thing you know someone is coming over on you. It is pretty crazy but I like it, it is definately a change to what I am used to. Tomorrow we get to start working in the orphanages we have orientation but Ashley(my roommate she is from Arizona she is a really cute girl) and I get to go to the morning shift for the current volunteers to show us how it works we have to be out of the house by 630 AM. Then at about 10 we will meet up with the other volunteers and do orientation I am pretty excited about tomorrow this is what I have been waiting for. I will let you know how tomorrow goes.

Twilight

I was supposed to see Twilight tonight my dad won me some premiere tickets for the show tonight. My dad's friend went to turn the tickets in, she got in line at 3 and they don't give you the tickets til 4 by the time she got to the ticket office they were sold out! So I am kind of bummed out because now I have to wait until I get back which isn't until Feb!!!!!

Last Day Of Work

Tomorrow is my last day of work I decided I was leaving in August! It seemed like this day wouldn't ever come and now here I am at the eve of my last day at AFCU I can't believe how fast time has flown by!