I must say, though, that exchange isn't always as fun as it appears. It isn't a vacation or one big party; exchange is living life in a new country. Sure, there are perks to being an exchange student but it isn't that easy. I have had some days that I just ignored all Spanish because I was too exhausted to translate so I slept and didn't go out with my friends. There have been some frustrating situations when my lack of communication leaves me upset because I just can't say what I need to. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I have ever sat at a table for a meal and not said a word, until this experience- but sometimes it is easier to forget it than to fumble with words only to give up in the end. I don't give up often, but it does happen occasionally. I don't necessarily have to do well in school, but I don't have any artistic classes or anything remotely fun, so I sometimes it is really boring. And I have yet to find a weekly extra curricular to get involved in, (besides hitting the gym with my parents every few days) so some nights are boring.
Homesickness is another aspect that exchange students must deal with. I will admit that during my orientation camp, I went down to the beach and just cried because it was the first time my thoughts and comparisons of home became overwhelming and I felt homesick. But I am confident that the positives so far outweigh the negatives and will continue to do so throughout the year. I am so fortunate to be with a great host family and host club, and to be attending one of the better schools, and to be living in a comfortable home. I have heard other exchange students complain a lot about their situations, and I wouldn't change a thing about mine because the little frustrations are part of life. Everything isn't going to be perfect when you are entering a new country and a new family, there needs to be some compromise and forming of new habits. I know there are things that I need to do better, like trying harder to think and live in Spanish by practicing verb conjugations and looking up some words that I don't recognize. I should try and converse with my host parents more. And these things are challenging for me because I'm used to going home and listening to my English music and chatting with my friends from home. But all adjustments take time, and I am thankful for all the support I am receiving because it makes the transition just that much easier. Positivity is key!
Highlights of my week:
First- My trip to Cuenca over the weekend.
We went and stayed with Jorge's sister Viviana in her 15th floor apartment in the city. What a view! The ride to and from Cuenca was both frightening and amazing. I say frightening because when you are traveling at 120 km (75 mph), going up and down steep, winding roads, and our dog can't even keep his balance in the car- you have a right to be frightened. I say amazing also, because the ride through the mountains to Cuenca has incredible views. The way the roads wind through the most scenic mountain and country landscapes is worthy of a photo spread in National Geographic. I'd say it could compete with the ride through the Kancamagus (in NH). Around every corner, I found another view to take a picture of and if it wasn't for the dirty car windows and our speed, I would have managed some incredible shots. The ones I got will have to do.
I loved the city of Cuenca- it had some historical coble stone streets and some nice neighborhoods as well as the typical city blocks as well. The altitude is so much higher than Machala and at first I was taking huge breaths every minute while my body adjusted. I also had to adjust to the cooler temperature of Cuenca. I needed a sweatshirt!
We pretty much spent the weekend shopping, eating, and talking. We shopped outside of Cuenca in a town nearby that specializes in shoes; there were at least 60 different shoe stores in the center of the town. It was crazy! While we were there, I bought a cute new purse that I really like.
Second- more than half of the students in my class walked in on Monday morning wearing the NH pins I gave them a week before! It felt great to see that the students really do like the pins.
Third- I was in the opening ceremony of the Rotary fashion show event of the Reinas de Banana (Banana Queens) with the other Machala exchange students. We showed off our country flags in a quick little walk down the runway and back. It was cool that they got us involved as a quick act. Then we got to watch the rest of the fashion show and some of the exchange guys got to model (because there were less guy volunteers than girls for modeling). During the event, I took pictures with 4 different strangers (because of my blazer) and I got a complement on my Spanish understanding and speaking. I'd say it was a good night.
Fourth- Skipping school two days this week. Instead of sleeping and sitting outside while my classmates take their exams, I did something else on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday I spent the day with my exchange friend Simone who also didn't want to be bored again at school. We watched Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2 on my laptop, listened to music, and talked all day. Thursday I went to the government office to do the final registration of my visa and passport. I am all set now!
Fifth- My weekend in Guayaquil.
My host parents and I went and stayed Friday and Saturday night in my host sister, Gaby's, apartment. On Saturday we walked around the center of Guayaquil and by the Guayas River which gives its name to the Guayas Province. It is the most important river in South America that does not flow into the Atlantic Ocean or any of its seas. It's the national river of Ecuador and is present on the Coat of Arms. Before my host dad told me this, I had forgotten that I was actually swimming and seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time instead of the Atlantic.
We stopped at Parque Iguanas (Iguana Park)- where there are literally iguanas everywhere just chillin' and walking around. There are food bowls for them and they don't leave the park. There are some big iguanas too! It reminded me of when I held an iguana in Mexico. From my reaction at the park, I'm not sure I would be so brave to hold one now. Unfortunately, all the pictures of the iguanas, me pointing to the iguanas, me in front of the monument, and of the church across the street from the park, got deleted from some memory card glitch. I was so upset...stupid camera! However, I took the liberty of googling some pictures and uploading them so you can still see what I experienced. In my research, I discovered just how famous this park actually is- Steve Irwin (the "Crocodile Hunter") even did a segment at the park.
After getting super hot from walking around, we went to the huge Mall de Sol where we ate lunch in the HUGE food court and visited yet another Christmas store. Let me explain the "yet another Christmas store" statement: one of our stops for shopping when we were in Cuenca was at a store called "Salon de Navidad" - seriously, the place was the equivalent of The Christmas Tree Shop in the United States only even crazier and ALL CHRISTMAS. Well, Jorge and Vivi spent at least an hour searching and ended up buying tons of pieces to add to their already huge village set. It was initially kind of cool because my family has our own set at home that I always loved to put out and enjoy around Christmas. But then when we stopped in another Christmas themed shop during our visit in Guayaquil and then the Navidad store in the mall for another hour or Jorge and Gaby buying even more village pieces and decorations, I got a little bored. At least it was cheery right?
That's it for now. Check out my pictures:
https://ayearinalife.shutterfly.com/pictures/319 (Cuenca)
https://ayearinalife.shutterfly.com/pictures/389 (flag march and Guayaquil)
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