It is now 1:00am the morning of departure and I can finally say - I am ready to go. I am staring at two bags. The one on the right is my backpack that contains my limited articles of clothing, flip flops, my ever precious Chuck T's, toiletries, a small medicine cabinet ranging from malaria pills to Azithromycin (I'll let you look that one up) and enough Wet Ones, fresh and citrus scent, to last me 6 weeks (thanks Grandma!). To my left is a grab bag for the kiddies. Play-Doh, Sidewalk Chalk, jump ropes, crayons, Oh..there's my $60 in Lice kits (apparently a problem in SA), markers, and thanks to Joyce, dress-up clothes, stuffed animals, and more. Let's cross our fingers both make it to Quito. My track record for lost luggage is only so-so.
I arrive in Quito at 10:00pm tomorrow, or I guess it is now today, and I am told to look for someone holding a sign with my name on it. If, after wandering around for a while, I still don't see anyone, I am to call either Patricia or Patricio, my in-country coordinators, and "not to worry, they will come get me". I can only imagine the mini melt-down that may occur if I have to try and figure out how to use the payphones at the airport after traveling all day. Trusty electronic translator, don't let me down.
Come tomorrow, I am summoning my 'go with the flow' attitude, because it sounds like I am going to need it in Ecuador. I am laughing as I write that last sentence because the degree of formality over the process to volunteer in SA is not quite as organized and informative as I am imagining it would be here in America. I am envisioning large packets of paperwork, containing various details - addresses, names of the people you are living with, maybe a brief bio, what to expect in the local city, safety warnings, tips on cultural differences (to avoid offending your host family and being that American). Nope, I have received one piece of paper with two cell phone numbers and a guarantee I will have some place to live when I get there. I promise this non-profit is legit (still laughing). I've been told it's just "Ecua".
Dear Alison,
ReplyDeleteI am so stoked about your adventure as you probably know. I understand everything from the why, and I love the leap of faith that you had to take for this life adventure. I expect it to be a fantastic, eye opening time, which will be over way to quickly. Having spent a week in Quito, and Guayquil so many years ago I know something about the people and what you will be seeing. I also understand the impact of what you will do. Your willingness to go with the flow will work exceptionally well, because you will have many unexpected turns with your adventure. I wish you all the best, and I do expect that you will change in some significant ways. The people of Equador will open their arms for you, you will see things that you never expected. I am looking forward to your future blogs. Oh, your translater will probably fail you to some extent, because of Equadorian modismos, and other reasons, but just keep trying to use the spanish that you know, and you will learn quite a bit with daily practice. Have fun, and enjoy the kids, the hills of Quito. You will be in better shape after walking up and down the many hills.
Dear Alison,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about the adventure you are beginning. I understand the why, and know that you will have an unbelievably significant yet incredibly quick experience; it will fly by, and you will learn so much each day. I believe that your leap of faith will be greatly rewarded, with a more open mind, with a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and with an understanding of the fine people of Equador, and their culture. From this juxtapositioned with how you have had the good fortune to live may change you positively. I believe it will. Enjoy the children, your host family, the old colonial beauty of Quito, it's wonderful hills, and the great culture of Equador. I look forward to your blogs, and know that you are missed by many great friends and family from Everett to Seattle and beyond. Have fun, and use all the spanish words you can daily. You may find that your translator will fail you at times because of all the modismos of Equadorian spanish. I wish you the best!
Hey there Sis!!! Well you should have touched down in Quito by now and hopefully obtained BOTH of the bags you checked.....LOL :) I am so very proud of you and this adventure you have embarked on! I love you so very much and will chat with you soon my sister!
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