There seems to be a common question which I keep asking myself “Am I actually getting college credit for this?” This experience has been more than a dream so far and I often have to pinch myself to realize that this is my life. A highlight of this week was our biology class this week where we got to interact with and even move Galapagos turtles (these huge things weigh about 700 pounds.) It was an amazing experience to be up close with such a huge and unique animal. Also, in class this week I have felt my Spanish improve immensely. It is amazing to me the amount of vocabulary I have learn since being here (we do go to Spanish class for 4 hours a day and constantly immersed in it but still!) It is so exciting to start to be able to express myself more clearly in Spanish.
One of us feeding the Galapagos Turtle
The location of our Thursday biodiversity classes
This week was packed with pre-Carnaval excitement. My host mom has been cooking for weeks to prepare, including 350 higos (figs) which she cooked for upwards of eight hours. She also made Dulce de leche with and without coconut, fig jam, peach jam and pickled vegetables. Cuenca (and most parts of Ecuador) celebrate caraval with large amounts of water, karaoka (foam spray made for Carnaval that smell like bananas), and large amount of food. No one is spared of being pelted with water and covered in karaoka. This week leading up to Carnaval has been full of little kids and adults spraying us and each other on the streets. The th ing that is wonderful to me about Carnaval thus far is that everyone is involved, by no means is this just a party for the kids. My host dad who works in a bank came home yesterday soaking wet and laughing. They had “played Carnaval” at his work, imagine this, grown people in suits and ties and slacks throwing water at one another laughing the whole time.
Pot of figs
Every Friday instead of class we go to volunteer sites and have the chance to give back to our new home. Arthur, Taylor and I volunteer at Tadeo Torres, a Cuenca Orphanage. So far it has been an amazing experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to help out, play with adorable kids, and practice my Spanish as well. Today however was the orphanages Carnaval celebration, I have never experienced anything like it. The day began normal, with us playing and helping the kids. However, things got crazy after snack time. It all began with one of the sisters, in full nun attire, spraying us in the faces with karaoka. This progressed to all the children running outside to grab their own karaoka. We ran around spray each other, and everything and everyone is fair game (the sisters where ruthless and kept getting Arthur and I in the face!) Soon on of the sisters pulled out the hose and was spraying the kids, her co-workers, and us with water. Needless to say after this all ended we were all completely soaked. The staff then asked for us to stay and have a meal with them and the children. After this we went and played a basketball game with the staff, including the nuns still in full atire(things did get a little competitive.) The kids sat on the sidelines cheering us on as we tested our skills. Afterwards we all the participants of the game walked down to the corner and had a beer. It was a truly crazy and amazing day.
We are leaving today to go to Ambato (a northern city), the Baños (hot springs), and the coast for Carnaval since we have the whole week free. Ambato is known for their huge parades and celebrations and I can’t wait to see and participate in this huge party. My host family even warned me this morning when I am walking to the bus at 7AM in the morning prepared to be get sprayed because after 630 AM people are out and about starting the festivities. So wish me luck! I am so appreciative to everyone who has made this experience possible and can’t wait to share more stories later!