More to see, more to do...

It's hard to update fully on what's been going on because not very much has happened. I'm starting to settle in with the family more, I'm more comfortable joining in on their activities than I was a week or so ago. The other night we watched an Ecuadorian, Jefferson Perez, win the world racewalk championship in Osaka by a good 12 seconds, then collapse on the other side of the finish line. We've spent a lot of time at the Malecon 2000, which I think I mentioned before. It's not as beautiful in the daytime, but in many respects it's better because you can see what's aroudn you, the Guayas river and the handsome government buildings and all the Ecuadorians, too.

And, because no city is free from American culture, we had lunch at McDonald's two days ago!

My spanish is making leaps and bounds of progress. It's not so much that I'm learning new vocabulary, or even necessarily improving my speech, but I have a lot easier time comprehending what others say to me. I still hit some snags, though: On Thursday, my host mother Mirta came home from the store and told me something in spanish, but I didn't understand her, so I said "Que?" ["What?"] and she said "I need... help... you." And I told her I was fine, and she shook her head and said "I need helping you" So I said again, more clearly, that I was alright. Then she tried again, and said "I need you help"... and the lightbulb went on! She wanted help bringing in the groceries. I am so grateful for their patience and willingness to speak slowly, try english, use simpler vocabulary, enunciate. It is an enormous help for me.

Saturday, we were supposed to have a meeting of all the Guayaquil inbound exchange students, but it was postponed until this coming weekend because there was no place to have it. No Rotarians were able to offer their homes, and the restaurant where Rotary meetings usually are was already booked.

Diego is getting ready for his big departure to Deutschland on the 4th, buying gifts for his families and pins for his blazer. I don't ask him if he's nervous, excited, scared, because I know how it is. I was just in his position 3 weeks ago!

So, I've got a lot of Ecuador now under my belt, lots of cultural learning and making myself at home, but also tons more to see and do. More soon; ciao!