Experiencia!

We have started intense Spanish classes from 8am-11am everyday. Starting 8am classes means leaving our apartment at 7am to walk to the trolleys. The trolleys or called Trolle is an experience. You know in those movies where people are packed into buses like sardines; well, that's what it's like here. Us, semester abroad students, being the Americans that we are like to wait for a less packed trolle in fear of having our wallets, cellphones, or etc. stolen. The stories of pickpocketing are pretty crazy here. People get a blade and slice the side of bags or steal right in front of your eyes. Pros, I tell you! We were told that we have to watch out especially for the old grandmas. It's actually kind of a funny picture. Everyday a group of seven of us get on this trolley holding our bags in front of us as tight as possible, and we make no sound the whole trip. We are cautious to the max! And plus, Ecuadorians don't seem to say a word, so we are also trying to keep as low of an American profile as possible. It seems to be working!

Spanish class is a good challenging for me. We are supposed to only speak in Spanish, so there is very limited talking involved during class. We do a lot of grammar lessons and engage in conversations. Our professors are pretty laid back and make Spanish easier to learn than past Spanish professors.

After Spanish class, we have made it an adventure to grab some almuerzo at these hole in the wall restaurants. Doing this is not recommended due to the high chance of some major diarrhea, but ehhh...as our Spanish teacher said, "Una vida!" meaning one life. It's an experience. It's nothing like almost stooping down to get into this "hole in the ground," as we like to call it, restaurants. All I can say is, what an experience! Some churning stomaches here and there....EHHHH! pshhh. :)