Week Number 11

Hola

My memory are getting bad, I hardly remember what i did this week or else I just do not much?
Well at least I remember a lot of small sweet things/stories, that has made my week so much better...

Monday was not that fun though, I was sick! Tuesday normal school.

Wednesday:
I went on a class trip to Quito, but not with my class. I went together with Arnetta and Lucas's class from Ibarra. I was invited by one of their friends, Andres. They have a very nice class, but it's different compared to my class in Otavalo, don't know how to explain.
We went in a private bus, and I can promise you they know how to throw a party in a bus!
First we went to the TelefériQo. It was nice going there again, because the weather was so much better and you could actually see Quito from the top. It was a little bit cold, but so pretty!

Quito

More Quito

I went out, where not to go... 

When I had to take the lifted down, I had to sit in another one than Arnetta and her friends. So I sat together with with a family from Canada that was on a one month vacation in Ecuador, and they were such a nice family. They had a two years old boy and he was the most adorable kid ever! He spoke more Spanish than English.

After the TelefériQo, we went to south Quito and ate lunch in a big mall. I also had some things to do in Quito that Wednesday so unfortunately I had to say goodbye to the group and take a taxi back to north Quito.

It's a pretty long and expensive taxi ride from south to north Quito, but I got into a taxi with a really nice man and we stared talking in Spanish of course - Felt like a boss! I explained that I haven't been sightseeing that much in Quito, so for free he gave me a sightseeing tour around in Quito.
When I get out of the taxi he gave me the hand and wished me good luck for my entire life. Sweet people do exist.  

The view from a roof top! 

Same night another sweet thing happened...
So I was sitting outside in front of a McDonald's (free wifi) and waiting for a friend. Then this guy came with two ice creams and pointed at the free chairs at my table and I thought Oh in a minuted his girlfriend is coming, so of course I said yes, because all the other tables was taken. But no girlfriend came, instead he gave me the ice cream and said it was for me. I was quite confused and asked why. And as sweet as he was, he replied with "I was on my way home and then I walked by you and I thought why is such a pretty girl sitting alone? How can I talk with her? Of course I buy her ice cream!" Well and that was how I met Cristóbal from the US, who has been living in Quito for seven years.           

Thursday: 
I stayed in Quito to Thursday, because I was supposed to see a TV show begging recorded in Quito Thursday morning, but unfortunately it was canceled. I was going to see it with Andres, because his brother works there, but I'm invited to see it some other time. So instead I slept almost the whole day and first at lunch time did I do something. I went out with my host brother and one of his friends.
At 5pm it was time for me to go home. I took the bus home with Andres.
On the way home he tired to teach me words with R and RR, but it's just so damn hard! I can never get that Spanish RR right... To me it sounds the exact same when people say Pero (but) and Perro (dog) or Caro (expensive) and Carro (car), but when I said apparently there is a big different?

Friday:
Back in school... Our drawing teacher had invited the whole grade to a opening art night in Ibarra and of course we went! It was very fancy they served red/white wine, small bits and everybody was nice dressed. After the art thing, we where a big group of hungry people so we all went to some bar in Ibarra. It was a good night and it was nice to hangout with some of the girls, outside school.

My teacher is the third person from right 

Dany, Eri, Diana and me 

Saturday: 

I had to get up early Saturday, because Diana would take me to the market of animals. We were going, because I want to see a lama, but no lama's that Saturday, but I saw some other animals.

The market

Just another animal...

We finished the market quickly and went home to Diana. Diana lives the most wonderful place on earth. Her house is 15 minutes away from Otavalo, but it's so nice and quiet. Her house or houses (yes there is more than one house) has a HUGE garden and her family grows so many different kinds of vegetables and fruits. They have 31 chickens and they lay green and blue eggs. So Diana made me a omelet made of green eggs, it was very good! Later that day came Dany and we just chilled the rest of the day together.

This is Diana's view from her house! 

Fresh passionfruit  

Diana <3

The green eggs, are not green inside... 

Sunday:
So today I have been cocking Danish food, for my family. I made meatloaf, with brown sauce, soft fried onions and potatoes. It was very good to have something Danish and something without rice! When I told my host mom that we weren't going to eat rice today, I swear she saw her life passing buy in pictures! No rice, no meal. 

Food in the making!

My lovely kitchen cat

It always lays on the radio

After lunch we went to Lago Cuicocha, it was cloudy and cold, but so pretty! My family promised to take me there again, but on a day where the sun shines - Already looking forward to go back.

The pictures say nothing compared to really life

It's my host mom and dad waving, and my moms sister standing

Love 

David Guetta

Hola 

What a concert!
Well I better start from the begging. 

Right after school Friday did I went home and pack a bag and off I went to Quito with the bus. No parties just a chill Friday night with on of my friends.
I stayed at my host brothers place and so did my host mom and dad, they had taken the car and came a lot latter then I. So when I woke up Saturday morning had my host mom made a big delicious Ecuadorian breakfast (nothing compared to a Danish breakfast, but really good). Then my host dad and mom drove me to my Danish friend Sofie who lives in Quito. I stayed at her place, because I was going to the concert with her. Then my host dad and mom drove us to a mall where we looked around, and then Sofie and I had a good lunch. Also Sofie tried frozen yogurt for the first time.
After that we took a taxi to Quicentro another big mall. We shopped clothes for the concert, I bought new pants and a top.

At 4 pm did we meet with Renni and together with her did we all go to a cafe.
After an hour we all went home to Sofie's house changed clothes, put on some makeup and off we went to David Guetta.

The line for the entrance, were so long, but luckily did we find the other exchange students, and they were almost in the front of the line. So we got a really good spot, right in the middle, very close to the stage. We were about 12 people, our spirits were high and everyone was happy. But unfortunately was David Guetta 4 house late and the two DJ's before him was boring, it was a totally party killer!

Finally did David Guetta go on stage and the concert started. It was a really good concert, but because we had waited so long everybody were really tried and after the first three songs people stopped jumping. The most of the people just stood and nodded their heads.

Waiting outside

Photobomb 

In total it was a really good concert and I had a great time. 

The DJ's before David Guetta

Finally David Guetta played

Really good photo! 

Big light show  

I would have loved to have a photo of all the people to the concert taken from where David Guetta stood. 

Our little group would have been so clear, because we are all blonde compared to Ecuadorian people...  

Not all of us are on that picture... 

Sunday we slept almost the whole day away Sofie and me. When we came down to eat breakfast it wasn't breakfast, but lunch Sofie's family had made for us... It was really good.
Then as usual a two hours long bus home. I was still tired after the concert and as soon as I sat down in the bus I fell asleep. 

Love 

Mini Tivoli

Hola 

Just making a quick update from Ecuador... 

Another day without school. I'm not quite sure why? A teacher just came Wednesday in the middle of a lesson and told us that there was no school tomorrow, Thursday.
I really don't feel like question it, no school is awesome! 

Actually I didn't do much doing the day time, but in the evening one of friends called and asked if I wanted to go with them to a mini tivoli, who can say no to that? 

It was super funny! My cheeks are literally  hurting, because I have been smiling so much. But also it was kinda scary, the rollor coaster was so old and the security so bad. They had to run with the wagon to make it start driving. For a moment I thought I was going to die.
I'm having a lot of does moments here... But isn't it why I'm here? ;-) 

Beautiful night 

The girls were screaming like crazy and I couldn't stop laughing at them. They should try The Demon!

Tomorrow I will go to school and then Quito, because Saturday David Guetta plays in Quito and I got tickets! :-D I'm going with Sofie from Denmark and Renni from Germany! And at the concert we will meet up with the rest of the exchange students that are going. I'm looking so forward and I can't wait to tell you guys about it!  

Love

A Lot Of Quito In One Week!

Hola

It has been a very busy week, but that's the way I like it!

Monday and Tuesday:
Was normal days. You can read in one of my other updates what I do normal days.
Actually something else did happen Tuesday evening, I went to a pool with Diana. It was super funny and nice to swim again. Diana and me and a group of boys were the only ones there. The boys were super sweet and one of them spoke English, because he has been living in the US.

Wednesday:
I didn't go to school, because Pablo came and visit me. So I was hanging out with him all day and showed him around in Otavalo. We saw the market and the waterfall. For the first time did I see the waterfall, while the sun was shining. It was so pretty! I had a good day.

To get to the waterfall we took a little off-road 

One of those places where the picture says nothing, but in really life - Omg! 

Thursday:
No school again, but this time, because it was a important day for Otavalo. It was some parade day... All the schools, universities and stuff like that was walking in the parade. It was a little bit boring, because they all just played the same melody and did the same steps. But the dancers had pretty uniforms. The parade was over 4 hours long...
I saw it because my school was in it and one of my really good friends was one of the dancers. Also my host mom would give a speech in the end of the parade, but it started raining so they had to get inside and then I couldn't see or hear her.

My host mom is the lady that waves

My host mom is the lady that thumbs up

My friend is the rear - So pretty in her uniform 

After the parade I went straight home, because i had to pack for Quito.
Same day I went to Quito, because there was a Halloween party that night with all the exchange students. I came an hour late and also I was the only one not dressed in a costume... But it was still fun. The party was already done at 10 pm, because it was a Thursday.

Friday:  
Friday doing the day time was a little bit boring, because all the exchange students in Quito was in school and couldn't hangout. So i was home alone in my host brothers apartment, but then he came home and we went out and ate lunch together.
There was another Halloween party Friday and I went together with Pablo and his friends. It was a fun night.

Again not a costume... 

Saturday: 
Home to little Otavalo.
I was supposed to go to another Halloween party in Ibarra, but I said no thanks and stayed home for the first Saturday - It was nice.

Sunday:  
Friday had I left my jacket in one of the guys car and I forgot to get it back Saturday, so Sunday off I went to Quito again to get my jacket. Because it's a two hours long bus ride I already left Otavalo 8 am and stayed the whole day in Quito. But as stupid as I'm, I forgot my sunglasses at my friend's home -.- So yes I have to go back to Quito and get my sunglasses. Hopefully I wont forget anything this time!

Monday:
I was so tried that I didn't hear my alarm and first woke up 11 am. No school for me today...
Unfortunately my grandpa here in Ecuador just died today and the day has pretty much turned grey!

Take good care of each other! I miss you all in Denmark.  

Love

My Life In Ecuador Is Not Only Cakes And Dancing...

Hola

So I finally have time to make a update about my everyday life here in Ecuador.
So today I'm going to tell you guys about general things here. 

I don't remember if I actually have told where I live? But here it comes I live in Otavalo which is a little city, about 2 hours away from Quito the capital of Ecuador. Otavalo may be a little city, but it's every famous, because Otavalo is one of the oldest city's and it's here all the original people come from in Ecuador. 

So I go to school with a lot of the original Ecuadorian and they are the only once allowed not to wear school uniform, because they are wearing the original clothes. 

So yes I wear school uniform every single day! Monday the boys wear tie and the girls a blue bow on there shirt, but I still don't have that one... Then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday it's normal school uniform. Friday, because we have gym class we wear our gym uniform and it's so ugly!

The normal school uniform...

Here in Ecuador the school starts at 7 am and it's so early, but the school is always done at 01:10 pm. I can walk to school and it only takes me 10 minutes. Everyday when the bell rings (which btw isn't a bell, but a weird sound with a horn) everybody goes to the schoolyard and we stand in long roads with our class for 20 minutes, because we are "listing" to a nun reading up from the bible and then we pray. Also everyday 12 pm we pray. It is so weird and so different from Denmark! 

We only have on break and we don't eat lunch at school, so I'm always so hungry when I come home from school. Normally I'm first home 2 pm, because when I walk home I walk together with all my friends and they take a huge detour, they do it, because they want to walk on the main street of Otavalo, because all students in Otavalo walks on that street and basically the girls only do it to look at boys and the boys only do it to look at girls... And all the older boys that can drive, drives around in their cars and play loud music and this happens every day! But of course there are more people on Fridays... And btw in my school we are not allowed to wear make-up. So everyday 10 minutes before the bell rings, all the girls sits and put makeup on, do their hair and makes sure that they look nice, to the daily walk home.

After an hour of walking around and looking at boys and talking with my friends, I go home and eat lunch, which my maid has made for me. 

I have a maid and she is fantastic! I don't know what to do when I return to Denmark? She is the nicest person ever and she does everything for me! 

Around 4 pm I go out with my friends. They always have to make homework, but they do it in bars and cafés, because there is wifi there and then we can have a good time, talk and get a snack while doing homework - Smart! 

I would love to show pictures of my school, but I don't have any, because I'm not allowed to have my phone with me to school. 

Mostly my school makes me think about The Garden Of Eden, it's so tropical... All over my school there is stone animals with flowers growing out of their back. Then there is all the tropical plants, trees and flowers. The birds are always singing and I've seen hummingbirds more than once in a old flower tree. And all the buildings are painted in a delicate yellow color and on top of that words from the bible is writing all over the school... My school is super Catholic. It even has a church in the school, not close to the school, no the church are in the school and only used by the school.

If anybody wonders what I do in school, I can tell you nothing. Mostly I sleep... Sometimes I help/make the girls homework, because a lot of it is just writing after a book and I can do that even do it is in Spanish and the teachers still haven't noticed that the handwriting changes. English and gym is the only two classes I fully participate in.

When someone suggests that I try harder in school...

Of course I don't sleep in school, mom! I do my best to participate...

So as you guys can guess my Spanish is still not fluent at all! But I can have an conversation now and most important I can ask for my host parents permission to different things :-)  

Nodding your head, smiling, and saying yes...

The way people dress here is also very different. The girls always wear high heels, lots of jewelry and their pants are extremely tight! They always look good and put a lot of lipgloss on. I like that kind of culture where you take the time to make something out of yourself. But sometimes it's just to much and it makes me feel like shit, because all the girls are styled up like if they were going to a party and I'm just wearing jeans and t-shirt...

The boys style are more like Danish boys, but more rock/badass than hipster... 

I really want to buy clothes here in Ecuador, so my style will be more like theirs, but clothes is so expensive here!
Please send me money!

What your friends from home tell you about your new foreign style: 

Love You All

If there is anything you guys would like to know about my life here and Ecuador, just let me know!  

What The F***?

Hola
Somethings here in Ecuador are just to weird not to mansion...

When it's too hard to not judge the cultural differences:

  

So here is a list over different things from Denmark to Ecuador: 

• They eat chess with EVERYTHING? Every time we eat there is always a plate only with chess... Even when we eat cake/dessert. They even put chess in the hot chocolate?
  
• Here is none road signs that tell the speed you are a lot to drive with? I have seen road signs for bump and children on the street, but never a sign that tell the maximum speed...
  
• Here it's totally normally and totally okay to like your own stuff on Facebook? Every Ecuadorian person I'm friends with on Facebook does it. Wtf it's like giving yourself a high five...
  
• The age different of couples here are huge, the boy are always at least 2 years older, but mostly more! Some of the girls in my school that are 14 years old date guys that are 20? Why would a 20 years old guy want to date a girl that still doesn't wear a bra?
  
• It's normal to have more than one girl/boyfriend?
  
• It's only the driver wearing the seat belt, on less you drive on the highway.
  
• Every time a teacher enters the classroom everybody stands up and greetings the teacher. But in general they have no respect for their teachers...
  
• Food are so cheap here, I can buy a nice big dinner + soda for 5 dollars.
  
• Boys and girls are not allowed to be alone together in the house.
  
• They don't use knifes to eat with, only to cut their food with.
  
  Coping each other's homework is totally okay, from the teacher side.
  
• They have a television in every single room, except the living room.
  
• Men do nothing in the house.
  
• Boys always pay for the girls! (I actually like this different - Danish boys could learn something)
  
• They don't hug when they say Hi/Bye, they kiss on the cheek. (It have cost me a lot of awkward moments)
  
• There are big walls in front of every house or metal mesh on the windows and doors. All the houses/stores are super protected.
  
• Having a maid is normal.
  
• There are guards with weapons in front of the banks.
  
• At school they pay for the cope sheets the teachers gives them.
  
• They have statues and pictures with Jesus and Maria or cross in every room!
  
• Having two phones is normal. A smartphone and then a shitty phone for texting and calling.
  
• There are homeless dogs on every street.
  
• There isn't toilet paper in the single box on public toilets, you need to take it before you go in.

Keep track on my list, I may put more things on...

Love