Day 47: Hump Day (Wednesday) (01/13/10)
Today I woke up an hour and a half before class, and got up an hour before class.
Breakfast was huge again. I'm going to get fat eating all these large meals and not exercising.
In my first class today I learned (or started learning) many new verbs and how to talk about the future a little. We ended up talking a lot about sex ed, which was a little random (but probably started with our conversation about national problems, teen pregnancy, as well as talking about my mom's work).
When class ended I walked to "Moliendo Cafe" for lunch. Today I tried "arepa mixta" which is basically tortilla covered by a pile of veggies, beans, chicken and beef.
I also had some Colombian (because this is a Colombian cafe) drink that was a little similar to cold chai, but with different spices accented. They also have almuerzos, so the next time I go I'll probably get that.
I finished eating and headed to the hotel for a second, then decided to go online for a bit.
I wrote to Santiago, my mom and Annette, then headed to my conversation class.
We covered A TON of vocab, I won't be able to remember all of it for a long time, but hopefully I'll get it (poco a poco).
After class I headed back to the hotel and did some writing. This morning when I got up I wondered why my waist band is so tight. I'm bloated.
I've been drinking two cups of green tea each morning, lots of water through out, yogurt most days and I haven't had regular BMs (TMI, I know. Sorry). I don't want to stop taking my iron, but I know that has a little bit to do with it. Ugh.
I think I'll head to Tía and maybe buy some yogurt and granola for dinner.
I told Gabe I would try to email today and that I would ask about sending a package here, but I haven't asked and I'm not sure what to write.
Maybe I'll update my blog some to help me come up with ideas. I need to remember to write down Jamie's address and Brooke's phone number.
I wish I remembered where the closer Tía was. The one by the market is kinda far.
After Tía I walked back to the hotel and ate my yogurt. I also bought some more jasmine tea. The tea box is ridiculous. There's a half naked airbrushed chick on one side and a half naked photoshopped dude on the other (both Asian, of course, since it's Oriental brand tea). Hopefully, it doesn't taste like crap.
Watched a little TV, now I'm headed to the internet shop to email Gabe and update my blog.
I wound up emailing Gabe and Steph and some others, but didn't update the blog at all. When I left, I headed to the hotel and watched a little TV then went to bed.
Breakfast was huge again. I'm going to get fat eating all these large meals and not exercising.
In my first class today I learned (or started learning) many new verbs and how to talk about the future a little. We ended up talking a lot about sex ed, which was a little random (but probably started with our conversation about national problems, teen pregnancy, as well as talking about my mom's work).
When class ended I walked to "Moliendo Cafe" for lunch. Today I tried "arepa mixta" which is basically tortilla covered by a pile of veggies, beans, chicken and beef.
I also had some Colombian (because this is a Colombian cafe) drink that was a little similar to cold chai, but with different spices accented. They also have almuerzos, so the next time I go I'll probably get that.
I finished eating and headed to the hotel for a second, then decided to go online for a bit.
I wrote to Santiago, my mom and Annette, then headed to my conversation class.
We covered A TON of vocab, I won't be able to remember all of it for a long time, but hopefully I'll get it (poco a poco).
After class I headed back to the hotel and did some writing. This morning when I got up I wondered why my waist band is so tight. I'm bloated.
I've been drinking two cups of green tea each morning, lots of water through out, yogurt most days and I haven't had regular BMs (TMI, I know. Sorry). I don't want to stop taking my iron, but I know that has a little bit to do with it. Ugh.
I think I'll head to Tía and maybe buy some yogurt and granola for dinner.
I told Gabe I would try to email today and that I would ask about sending a package here, but I haven't asked and I'm not sure what to write.
Maybe I'll update my blog some to help me come up with ideas. I need to remember to write down Jamie's address and Brooke's phone number.
I wish I remembered where the closer Tía was. The one by the market is kinda far.
After Tía I walked back to the hotel and ate my yogurt. I also bought some more jasmine tea. The tea box is ridiculous. There's a half naked airbrushed chick on one side and a half naked photoshopped dude on the other (both Asian, of course, since it's Oriental brand tea). Hopefully, it doesn't taste like crap.
Watched a little TV, now I'm headed to the internet shop to email Gabe and update my blog.
I wound up emailing Gabe and Steph and some others, but didn't update the blog at all. When I left, I headed to the hotel and watched a little TV then went to bed.
Day 48: Galapagos Planning (01/14/10)
I was exhausted this morning. I finally managed to pry myself out of bed with the promise of a hot shower. Unfortunately, I got in the shower only to be disappointed by lukewarm water. I decided to get out and wait 'til the afternoon to try for hot water.
Today at breakfast there was jugo again and my new tea (no matter how ridiculous the packaging) tasted alright. Instead of the normal rolls there were croissant-like things. I forced myself to only eat one even though I wanted both.
In class this morning we worked mostly on GUSTAR-to like and a little on progresivo (things ending in the equivalent of -ing in English). My homework is to reply to an internet personal ad of sorts. It's just some girl's ad for an international pen pal, but even still, it'll be weird to write back (personal ad style).
I walked to a restaurant next to the cathedral for lunch, but there was a long line out the door, so I came back to the Colombian place (this time for the almuerzo).
The soup and jugo were both good, but the meat in the entree was a little plain (still good though).
After eating I headed to the internet shop. Kendyl and Annette both wrote to me.
I left to go to the bathroom, but I think I might head back to call Santiago. Or maybe I'll take a nap... If I nap I have to call right when I get out of class. I think that's what I'll do.
Tomorrow I want to try to remember to ask Esperanza (my grammar teacher) about Baños (not the one up north, but the one close to here). Taking a soak in the hot springs sounds really nice.
I need to ask Eugenio (my conversation teacher) today if he knows about receiving packages here.
I need to call USAA about my credit card and I need to email my doctor about an appointment when I get back.
I forgot to ask Eugenio, and I didn't call USAA. BUT I did meet up with Santiago and have reserved a hotel room for the Galapagos for this next week!
Tomorrow he's going to help me buy my plane tickets after my first class.
After we found my hotel room, we went to dinner. At dinner we both ate burritos and talked for a while.
I headed back to the internet shop and did some blogging. Then went back to the room and got ready for bed.
Today at breakfast there was jugo again and my new tea (no matter how ridiculous the packaging) tasted alright. Instead of the normal rolls there were croissant-like things. I forced myself to only eat one even though I wanted both.
In class this morning we worked mostly on GUSTAR-to like and a little on progresivo (things ending in the equivalent of -ing in English). My homework is to reply to an internet personal ad of sorts. It's just some girl's ad for an international pen pal, but even still, it'll be weird to write back (personal ad style).
I walked to a restaurant next to the cathedral for lunch, but there was a long line out the door, so I came back to the Colombian place (this time for the almuerzo).
The soup and jugo were both good, but the meat in the entree was a little plain (still good though).
After eating I headed to the internet shop. Kendyl and Annette both wrote to me.
I left to go to the bathroom, but I think I might head back to call Santiago. Or maybe I'll take a nap... If I nap I have to call right when I get out of class. I think that's what I'll do.
Tomorrow I want to try to remember to ask Esperanza (my grammar teacher) about Baños (not the one up north, but the one close to here). Taking a soak in the hot springs sounds really nice.
I need to ask Eugenio (my conversation teacher) today if he knows about receiving packages here.
I need to call USAA about my credit card and I need to email my doctor about an appointment when I get back.
I forgot to ask Eugenio, and I didn't call USAA. BUT I did meet up with Santiago and have reserved a hotel room for the Galapagos for this next week!
Tomorrow he's going to help me buy my plane tickets after my first class.
After we found my hotel room, we went to dinner. At dinner we both ate burritos and talked for a while.
I headed back to the internet shop and did some blogging. Then went back to the room and got ready for bed.
Day 49: Last Day of Class (01/15/10)
Last night I decided I would try to get up a little earlier today (since sleeping in doesn't seem to be doing any good).
I hit snooze a couple times, but got up around 8:30.
The shower water still wasn't particularly hot (by the end of the shower it was cold), but at least it started out relatively warm.
I took my time getting ready and still had 45 minutes for breakfast.
At breakfast there were two guys from England (I think). I didn't talk to them, but if I run into them later today I will. Even if I am leaving for the Galapagos on Monday, it'd be nice to meet someone on this trip. Maybe they'll be in Cuenca when I get back or maybe they'll be headed somewhere I'd like to go too.
There is some kind of staff meeting at the Spanish school today, so we'll be starting a bit late.
This staff meeting turned out to be a baby shower.
The last day of class went pretty well I think. Today we talked about people's obsessions with things. The first iPod (apparently that was huge in Ecuador), Hannah Montana, concert/sports tickets, etc.
At the end I was supposed to fill out evaluations for Esperanza, but I only understood some of the questions so I waited until later to fill out the rest.
After class I met with Santiago and we found tickets for my flights to/from the Galapagos (with help from the hotel owner). I only had $100 on me though, so we set up a time to meet later to pay the rest (after my second class). Santiago and I ate at a place near his work and then parted ways.
After my class I filled out the evaluations and then headed to the back to get more cash.
Santiago was supposed too meet me at my hotel at 6 to head to the travel agency to pay the rest. I was supposed to pay by 6:30. The agency called my hotel at 6:25 , and Santiago was still not here, so I went on my own.
The tickets including a special travelers tax ($10) were $520.75 and I need to bring at least $100 with me. The Galapagos entry fee (which must be payed in cash) is $100. I will also need some cash to get to my hotel from the airport.
Guidebooks recommend bringing your own water because it's much more expensive on the islands, but I don't think I'll have the room in my bag. It's about 25 cents for a bottle of water here and about $1 there, which does add up. But when I'm already spending $40 a night and $500 for tickets, $100 for entry, and who knows how much for boats and tours, a couple dollars a day for water doesn't seem like much.
Now I just have to figure out which islands I want to go to and which nights I'll need to stay on other islands (and where I'll stay).
After buying the tickets I meet up with Santiago and talk to his friend about accommodations. When he leaves I stay and look online for info about the specific islands. I really much prefer looking for this kind of info in books.
We're supposed to meet at 10 tomorrow to discuss it, but maybe he won't mind a quick stop at the book store first?
After being online for a while (I updated my blog a bit) I head back to the hotel for bed.
I hit snooze a couple times, but got up around 8:30.
The shower water still wasn't particularly hot (by the end of the shower it was cold), but at least it started out relatively warm.
I took my time getting ready and still had 45 minutes for breakfast.
At breakfast there were two guys from England (I think). I didn't talk to them, but if I run into them later today I will. Even if I am leaving for the Galapagos on Monday, it'd be nice to meet someone on this trip. Maybe they'll be in Cuenca when I get back or maybe they'll be headed somewhere I'd like to go too.
There is some kind of staff meeting at the Spanish school today, so we'll be starting a bit late.
This staff meeting turned out to be a baby shower.
The last day of class went pretty well I think. Today we talked about people's obsessions with things. The first iPod (apparently that was huge in Ecuador), Hannah Montana, concert/sports tickets, etc.
At the end I was supposed to fill out evaluations for Esperanza, but I only understood some of the questions so I waited until later to fill out the rest.
After class I met with Santiago and we found tickets for my flights to/from the Galapagos (with help from the hotel owner). I only had $100 on me though, so we set up a time to meet later to pay the rest (after my second class). Santiago and I ate at a place near his work and then parted ways.
After my class I filled out the evaluations and then headed to the back to get more cash.
Santiago was supposed too meet me at my hotel at 6 to head to the travel agency to pay the rest. I was supposed to pay by 6:30. The agency called my hotel at 6:25 , and Santiago was still not here, so I went on my own.
The tickets including a special travelers tax ($10) were $520.75 and I need to bring at least $100 with me. The Galapagos entry fee (which must be payed in cash) is $100. I will also need some cash to get to my hotel from the airport.
Guidebooks recommend bringing your own water because it's much more expensive on the islands, but I don't think I'll have the room in my bag. It's about 25 cents for a bottle of water here and about $1 there, which does add up. But when I'm already spending $40 a night and $500 for tickets, $100 for entry, and who knows how much for boats and tours, a couple dollars a day for water doesn't seem like much.
Now I just have to figure out which islands I want to go to and which nights I'll need to stay on other islands (and where I'll stay).
After buying the tickets I meet up with Santiago and talk to his friend about accommodations. When he leaves I stay and look online for info about the specific islands. I really much prefer looking for this kind of info in books.
We're supposed to meet at 10 tomorrow to discuss it, but maybe he won't mind a quick stop at the book store first?
After being online for a while (I updated my blog a bit) I head back to the hotel for bed.
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