So, here I am! I’m in Ecuador for the fourth time yet still
being surprised. I’m sure you all were just dying to know what my life has been
like (probably not!), so here is my first update! Bear with me because it might
get a little more interesting later on…
I’m sure some of you have read on my Facebook that I had probably
one of the best flight experiences in my life this time going to Ecuador. Two
years ago my first time living in Ecuador (apart from my mission trip) was also
my first time navigating four airports, three plane rides, and two layovers by
myself. I had never traveled alone- especially not overseas. I did all right,
but I’m pretty sure I didn’t feel so great that year and last year, so this
year, to prevent plane sickness, I bought Dramamine, which I think definitely
helped.
Nevertheless, I had a strange feeling the day I was leaving.
I finished packing without much anxiety, and my bags were surprisingly light.
It was like I was finally used to all of this back and forth and finally
learned how to pack only what I needed.
After some rushing around and fear of missing boarding the
first flight, I realized that all the money that I had cashed out for the trip
was not with me; I left it in my parent’s car. Yet that was probably one of the
best things to forget because they just put it in my account later.. even though
it cost me some ATM fees!
My first flight was decent. I slept a bit and ate a pretty
good beef meal. I have to say- I don’t hate plane food!
I got to El Salvador at night and entertained the long boarding delay by listening to and watching a group of Canadian kids who were going to Ecuador on a mission trip. I was absolutely delighted to hear a familiar English song and looked around to find where it was coming from. I saw Toby Mac lyrics on a TV screen and squealed to myself. The El Salvador airport was not only playing English music- but Christian music! Then, as I was waiting in line to board, I heard another familiar songs—one of my favorites. Not only was “You Are For Me” by Kari Jobe was playing, but a video of a church in a worship service was on the screen. What an awesome reminder!
As I was boarding the plane, the lady scanned my ticket, but
it didn’t go through. I started to get a little worried when the lady next to
her gave her another ticket that scanned through. She then proceeded to tell me
that my seat was switched to “business class- Row 3”. I was reallyyyy confused
and honestly worried that I had the wrong seat. When I got on the plane I asked
the flight attendant, and she asked, “Oh, do you not want that seat?” I told
her no, no, I just wasn’t sure why it was changed. She then said sometimes that
happens and to enjoy! And that I did!
I wished my flight from El Salvador to Ecuador was longer
because the first class ride was incredible. I felt like I was in some kind of
VIP part of the plane… well, I guess I was, but it’s not like I deserved it. I
didn’t pay for anything! I surmised that it was because I gave up my seat on
the first plane ride (which worked out just fine for me because I got seated by
myself and with lots of leg room!), but I’ll never know! God’s just good!
If you’ve never been before (which, duh, I haven’t), first
class seating is like its own world. There are curtains blocking off everyone
else, and there were only 3 rows with two seats on each side. The seats were
huge and super comfy with so much space. The headrests were movable and cushioned.
First class even has its own bathroom. They actually take meal requests with a
menu and give you hot towels for your hands before meals. The flight attendants
put cloths on our huge trays and put a meal on it that looked like it came from
a restaurant. It was lasagna with a side of meat and mini vegetables with bread
and butter, and the utensils were wrapped up in a cloth napkin. Then they came
out with DESSERT, which was a piece of apple pie with a strawberry next to it!
Incredible!
Being in first class like that was like a once in a lifetime
experience, and I’m so blessed to have had it. I get so anxious about flying
now (even after having done it internationally over a dozen times) because of
my stomach, and being put in first class was an incredible and unexpected
distraction, and I was so grateful! I’d never been so sad to leave a plane!
That being said, everything went wonderfully. My bags (which
were way under 50lbs, crazily enough!) and guitar came in safely, and Santiago
greeted me at the airport with flowers. Our friend, Ryan, from El Refugio
dropped us off at the house, and I went into my new house for the first time.
My family had the house redone so that workers from El Refugio could live
downstairs, and we moved upstairs. The house was really nice, and my room was
nicer.
I walked up to the door to see a big WELCOME sign with streamers. Then when I opened the door, there were more streamers, balloons, signs that said I LOVE YOU on them, another huge bouquet of flowers, and a bunch of chocolate. My room is purple and pink with a princess castle in it. (It’s my little sister’s!) It’s adorable.
So to make this a litttttlee shorter, in this first week and
a half we:
-Went food shopping & budgeted pretty well (always feel
like an adult doing that, hahaha)
-Watched everyone (employees, too) frantically run to TVs
and gather around in crowds in the mall to watch the World Cup
-Ate our first double quarter pounder cheeseburgers at
McDonalds with a coupon (I ended up giving Santy one of the meats, so he
actually ate 3 pieces of meat!)
-Curiously checked out clothing stores in Condado (just like
American high end stores- $70 for a nice shirt, no thanks)
-Found out that our new house, which now has cable, has
channels in English- including my American family’s favorite, ID TV!
-Put finishing touches on my room (hung up clothes, put
everything away, put everything together)
-Created a budget for our time here (God provides!)
-Ate Ecuadorian pizza & shawarmas (like a pork wrap)
-Traveled around in search of white flip flops (impossible
task around here since it’s cold most of the day)
-Changed outfits several times in a day since the weather is
so inconsistent (I miss the beach…)
-Watched “The Vow” (so good)
-Watched the fiestas of Calacali begin with a parade (my
brothers & Santy’s brother played in the band)
-Ate caramel apples, Ecuadorian doughnuts, chocolate covered
strawberries, cookies, ice cream cones, and other baked goods that I shouldn’t
have eaten
-Burned all the calories from dessert off by walking it all
off
-Bought my family & bridal party gifts at the vendors
that came for the street parties
-Watched fireworks at the parade
-Went to the El Refugio store to work (I helped stock
stuff!)
-Went to my first Ecuadorian church service of the year!
-Plucked Santiago’s & Efren’s (his brother) eyebrows,
and Angelica’s, too (I plan on doing more of Santy’s family’s, hehe)
-Did Angelica’s god daughter’s makeup
-Tried endlessly to be able to use my iPhone here but gave
up (no one would unlock it!) and bought a new charger for my crappy Ecuadorian
phone
-Hung out with my family and decided that Fridays will be
family hang out day :)
-For our first family day we watched TV together, played
Blokus, and ate dinner together (meatloaf that I bought and Santy cooked!)
-Hung out with the Cevallos family who is back in Ecuador
for a month! I got to play with the kids and hear the immigration story of
Courtney (an American) & Juan Carlos (an Ecuadorian)
-Got closer to my cute little sister, Rebeca and did her
hair/got her ready and brought her to her last day of school
-Created days for speaking in English (Monday, Wednesday,
Friday) & Spanish (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday); Saturday is mixed
-Walked all around Quito for an entire day with my host mom,
Angelica and her friend from the kitchen, Anita
-Bought cute sandals for $5 at a market that I needed to
match my white dress!
-Ate the equivalent of McDonalds at said market
-Finally went to a mini orientation at For His Children, the
orphanage we’ll be serving at. It’s beautiful, and everyone is so nice!
Overall my first week and a half hasn’t been all that
interesting but much of the usual. I’m happy to be closer to my family here (if
you read back on entries, you’ll see how they, mostly my little sister, had to
warm up to me). My brother’s voices have gotten lower, which is crazy! They’re
getting so big and finishing their first year of high school (12 years old is
when they start high school). Rebeca, my little sister, is 5 years old and
finishing her first year of kinder garden. They’re still like little kids to
me, but they’re growing up!
So that’s pretty much it. I know it was still pretty long,
but hey, I write. That’s what I do! And this is going to be the last time that
I will be living in Angelica’s house, unmarried, and for a long period of time.
The next time I’ll be back here will be for my Ecuadorian wedding, and Santy
& I will already have been married in the US. It’s pretty crazy to think
about, and it kind of makes me sad, but I’m excited for the adventures that
these next 5 months will bring.
Thanks for all your prayers & support these last crazy 2 years, and here’s to one last big Ecuadorian adventure as a “single” woman. Enjoy :)
**To get more ministry-detailed emails, please contact me at
ap756@cairn.edu.**
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