Dia Cincuenta, 1/4!!!!

So today is officially Day 50 for me here in Ecuador. I’ve been here for about a month and a half, a fourth of my time here in Ecuador, and over that time I’ve gone through the expected phases explained to us by the CIP before leaving Kalamazoo last spring (honeymoon phase, homesick/irritated phase, hate-this-country-why-did-I-do-this-to-myself phase, maybe-it’s-not-so-bad-after-all phase, etc). I’ve found myself settled into a pretty comfortable state of being where I still don’t get Ecuador a lot of the time, but I’m very much enjoying myself and enjoying living somewhere different like this. The language barrier, as I’ve said before, has gotten significantly easier and more rewarding. Although it still has its problems, (i.e. I almost always refuse to talk on the phone in Spanish because I simply can’t understand), I very rarely have problems with it anymore (I can usually almost always understand, more or less, what’s going on in class).
I find myself excited for the next few months, the next 3/4 of the program, knowing that it's going to pass incredibly quickly. I’m actually traveling for the next 5 weekends in a row, so those will be fun times. However, midterms have started up so I’ve got a bunch more homework coming as well, so that’s not exciting.
I am pretty proficient at finding my way around the Northern part of Quito and relatively mobile. I’m slowly discovering more freedom as I visit other friends around the city and learn how to take the busses in addition to having a greater appreciation for walking across the city.
There are still things that get me about Quito (pollution, rubbish, bureaucracy, crime and insecurity) but I’m coming to really appreciate the city. I am also really liking Ecuador and South America and all the differences and unique culture it has to it. It really is a continent with personality and history and I love its distinct character.
Last night a bunch of us K kids went to Dahlia’s (one of my roommates for the past 2 years) house to hang out and have a chill Saturday night. We baked a chocolate cake, hung out with an adorable 6 year old, and watched movies. After we finished our movie, I came to the realization, “wait, whoa, we’re in Ecuador!” Sometimes we just can’t believe we’re here, other times we just forget. It really just felt like another night at the dorms or something. I am having a great time in Ecuador, but every once in a while it’s nice to just escape and relax for a little bit.
To celebrate this auspicious day and making it through 25% of SA so far, I am sitting in my apartment doing homework as midterm season has started up and, of course, Kt is behind on her readings (surprise surprise). Some things may change over time, other things not so much. :-P