Real Update, not just cat photos

It’s been a hot minute, guys. Let’s see, what have I been up to? 

I went on a really cool hike at Los Ilinizas (some mountains nearby) which led to a waterfall and hot springs. The hot springs were filled with copper so we left smelling like old pennies and looking like we’d been using too much fake tan spray. I stained my YOLO shirt, but decided that was okay, because that’s what the shirt is all about, know what I’m sayin?! 

I’ve been hanging around the school, trying hard to work with the teachers, but they’ve been really busy. We got WiFi at school though! Fancy! So that’s awesome.

I’m in the middle of a househunt. I’ve looked at a couple new places and have made no decisions. I’ll probably move at the beginning of December so I’ll be sure to fill you in and post photos. (some might be of the house, mostly just photos of cats)

My town’s anniversary was October 14^th. Pujili is now a wise, old 161 years-old. Aging like a fine wine, if you ask me. We had tons of fiestas, of course. The highlight of which was watching drunk guys get trampled by bulls. In the United States, there are a lot of laws and rules set in place to protect people from themselves and their potential for stupidity. Wear your seatbelt. You must be this tall to ride. No smoking. Speed limit: 65. Helmet laws for bicycles. And plenty of food sanitation regulations. 

In Ecuador, on the other hand, it’s pretty much a free-for-all. In fact, last weekend, the town government actually set up and sponsored an event in which people get drunk and try to get themselves killed. And then we all set up wooden shacks and eat snacks while we watch. Like a spectator sport. Awesome.

It was basically amateur bullfighting, in which anyone can enter the ring and tango with the toros. It was somewhat thrilling the first day but then it lasted a total of four days and I sort of got sick of it. But it was definitely an experience! 

Then, last week, I was sent to a city called Riobamba in Chimborazo (2 provinces south) to present at a teachers’ workshop. We did 2 days for 4 hours each day. It was somewhat tiring at the end, but I LOVE workshops. After each session, the teachers clap and tell you how good a teacher you are and want to take photos with you. Talk about an ego boost. It’s as if I’m some famous Swedish professor sent across the world to give a lecture on Quantum Physics, or something equally confusing, rather than a 2 hour Powerpoint about my native language. PLUS GUESS WHAT I ATE?! You’ll never guess because you’ll think it’s so mundane and not worth YELLING IN CAPS LOCK so I’ll just tell you. CARL’S FREAKING JUNIOR! It’s the only one I’ve seen in this country and it was so delectably delicious. I got a Portobello mushroom burger and my mouth had a party and it invited that burger because it looked like a fun-ghi! Get it?! 

Finally, this weekend, my host family entered our bitch into a dog show. (it’s our female dog, I’m not being crude, you guys) She is so gross. She has long, blonde, nappy hair and there is always food stuck in it. Okay, that kinda sounds like me, but at least I brush it! Sometimes! Anyway, her name is Kiara and she is ridiculous. She won 3 categories!!!! 2 trophies, tons of dog food, treats, brushes, everything. But man, this was a shitzu show, if you ask me. All the dogs barked at each other the entire time so you couldn’t hear the presenter and not a single dog could do a trick. Most people here believe you can’t train dogs. The other top 3 participants included Scrappy the baby pug, dressed as Dracula, and Dobo, the un-fixed French bulldog who peed on everything in sight, including the other dogs. Definitely an experience.

Alright. I’m out. I’ll post again soon with photos of toros, bitches, and cats when I can sort out whatever fight my camera is having with my computer because right now, they’re not speaking to one another. 

Here’s an excellent song I’m currently rapping to. The message: “the things you own end up owning you” (name that movie and you’re my new best friend)

http://youtu.be/gAg3uMlNyHA

p.s.

 

You can´t shut ME down!

What the government shutdown meant for me: thankfully, nothing. Although I am a government employee, Peace Corps Ecualife went on as usual for me. We all received an email from the Peace Corps director in DC saying that basically all the non-essential functions were shutdown stateside in order for the volunteers to have the funds to continue working, including our in-country medical and security staff. I don’t really know if that was a voluntary sacrifice made on their behalf, but I am extremely grateful nonetheless. I can’t imagine what it would look like for us to be shutdown as well. Would we be sent home? Would we be sent to our consolidation points to wait it out? Would we be stuck here without our monthly stipend? I can’t imagine the questions and uncertainty that government employees have been forced to face during this ridiculous conflict. I also don’t know the current status of the shutdown, I heard it may have just been put off until later. I don’t know because I would much rather browse through photos of cats on the Chive than read about some crybabies and their political nonsense. 

Everyday is Caturday, y’all! 

(he could run the government better. just look at that tie.)

Embarrassing Reflections

Buying toilet paper in this country is embarrassing for me. So silly. It’s such an essential purchase and yet, I’ve started buying it in the city so that I can hide it in my backpack on the way back home. And it’s all because I’ve actually seen people snickering or smiling when they see me walking by with just a 4 pack of Charmin in my hand. (Okay, we don’t actually have Charmin. I said that for effect. I actually buy the best smelling cheap brand, Scott.) This is how I figure it: everything I do is noticed and observed. I could be walking down a street in San Diego with a roll of toilet paper and I would be just as invisible as usual, but here, they see it and think about it. So then, I assume they think “jaja the gringa poops” or maybe they’re thinking that I have to buy tons of TP because everyone knows gringos get gastrointestinal problems here, which I’m proud to say that I haven’t in MONTHS, thank you very much! (Knock on wood.) Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Or maybe I also had my fly down and a kick me sign on my back the times that I noticed people laughing. 

Also

 

That moment when you realize all the time you save by not shaving your legs is canceled out by how much time you spend flossing meat out of your teeth. Said the female Peace Corps Volunteer who was a vegetarian once upon a time. (I floss my teeth multiple times a day. True story.)