SU EL SA

QUITO ECUADOR!!!!

I have been reading this book called Eat, Pray, Love and in it the author talks about how each place you go to has a word, one thing that is on everyone’s mind who lives there. She gave the example of Rome. In Rome the word is sex. It is what is on each person’s mind, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, young or old. Sex influences the way you walk, eat, dress, etc. I think that the word in Quito is sell. The first thing I hear in the morning as I am waking up in my hostal room is someone yelling out “manzanas manzanas naranjas naranjas solo un dolar un dolar”. I hear this chant all through out the day, it got stuck in my head yesterday so I turned it into a song and sang it for a good 15 minutes until Shad told me to stop. It is also the last thing I hear at night, before the city shuts down. “apples apples oranges oranges only one dollar one dollar”. Therefore, I have decided that this city’s word is definitely sell.

Shad and I have been in Quito Ecuador for the last 2 days staying in a very nice hostal called Hostal Quito Cultural. We each have our own room and bathroom WITH HOT WATER. We have cable TV and free breakfast and internet. It is nice treating ourselves to this great place. We have been walking around a lot in this historical center of Quito to look at shops, art galleries, and eat at different places. Last night we went to a Mexican Restaurant that was pretty good, I got some nachos and a piña colada and Shad got a margarita, corona, and a chicken enchilada..it was very expensive but we were the only ones in the restaurant and the view was gorgeous, the weather felt great, and if Shad and I were dating, it would have been a very romantic evening. BUT it was fun as friends as well. We left to go find some ice cream and chocolate and then headed back to the hostal.

Today we leave to go back to Lima and I am SO SO SO SO excited to see my mamalela, my Rosita, my Alex, my Gregoria, and my family who has flown in from the USA (not my immediate family but close enough). I cant wait to show my mamalela that I wake up on my own at 8 am, sometimes 7! I also cant wait to show her how strong my muscles have gotten. She is going to be so happy with me. I got a few gifts for my family back in Peru and I know they are going to be excited to open them. I typically go over board with buying gifts for my favorite people when I am in a different country. I dont really ever buy myself anything but I just love to get other people things, I am trying to pace myself though this time around because I dont have a job and am relying on student loans.

ANYWAY! I promise to put up some pictures when I get into Lima. I have 2 pieces of bad news though, 1. I left my memory card that had all my pictures on it in Bahia. 2. My glasses broke.
But thats ok! Because I sent a lot of my pictures to my email and posted them on here AND glasses are nerdy anyway. (im getting lasick when i get home).

Ok my fans, I miss you a lot and lets see, only 7 days left until we are back in the USA!!! I am so grateful for being able to take this trip! I love you all

An Ecuadorian man tried to bite Shad last night

for real.

SUA ECUADOR: white beaches

Shad and I decided our time was up at the farm, a new adventure needed to happen and so Friday was the last day of organic farming for us..until we get back to the USA that is. After a bitter sweet goodbye to all my favorite people on the farm…Niamh, Linn, Julie, Jutta, Henry, Luke, all the workers, and animals (Ittle, the piggy) and after a mediocre veggie burger and a few glasses of pilsener cerveza AND OF COURSE a couple of ice cream bars, Shad, Henry (from NYC) and I took the night bus from Canoa to San Domingo (?). A 5+ hour ride, windows fogged up from the inescapable heat, ripening the lingering smell of urine that was stained into each one of the seats…good thing I have the amazing talent to sleep thru anything! Poor Henry and Shad however. We arrived to San Domingo at 3 AM. Stood around the bus depot for 30 minutes being shouted at from people left and right to get on this bus and that bus. Henry, probably paralyzed from the stench that the bus left him with, stood there not knowing what to do. Shad, fled the scene, literally ran to find refuge in a bathroom (he has had travellers diarrhea for over 2 weeks now), and I was left there to make sense of the whole situation. I backtracked to where the buses and bus drivers were parked to find some answers. Finally, we made it onto another night bus heading to Esmereldas. Oversold tickets left the already cranky passengers even more furious and fighting over seats. Several people ended up standing in the aisle for over 3 hours. Shad Henry and I had seats (thank god).

Made it to Esmereldas to meet up with Eli, Henry’s friend from college who interned for a travel agency in Quito. He is the organizer for our weekend away. We took ANOTHER bus about 20 kilometers away to the small town called Sua. So exhausted. Dragging my luggage behind me, no help from the guys (I want to do it by myself these days, I am stronger now, the farm toughened me up like I said it would!) we got a taxi (the taxis they have here are very interesting, they are motorcycles with the front wheel taken off to be exchanged with a carriage that holds up to 3 passengers…can you picture it? I will upload some pictures when I am in Quito) to the hostal from heaven, I CANT REMEMBER THE NAME buttt it is very pretty and sits right on top of the beach, the sand is the grass and the ocean is the view. It is gorgeous here, my own personal resort. We arrive to eat breakfast- the continental selection on the menu with eggs bread juice and coffee. It is decent for the whole $2.50 I pay. Our room, 2 single beds, and one double bed, has a balcony and its own bathroom with a shower (cold water..oh well, im used to it by now). It is very cute and homy. Shad and I have to sleep next to each other in the double bed (ew), dont get me wrong ladies- Shad is a handsome muscular gentleman…who has turned into my second brother. Its ok, we have drawn a line down the middle of the bed and whoever crosses that line gets punched in the face.

I slept all day long yesterday. All day. It was so nice. The others went across the way to swim in the beach and enjoy themselves. I woke up later, missed lunch, but felt much better. I woke up Shad and made him accompany me to Atacombes Ecuador, a 10 minute (taxi) ride where I could get some cash from the ATM. It’s a grimy town. Eli put it best..its like Jersey Shore (minus the fist pumps). Back in Sua we all went to have dinner and a beer. I had some soup and the others all got the same delicious meal that I wish I would have ordered. Coconut Rice with Shrimp, the special here in Sua. Returned back to our hostal to find many HUGE inflatable beer bottles that served as decorations for the big party that the hostal was hosting that night. It was about 9 at night and we were all watching the Simpsons (in spanish) when I fell asleep. I had sleep paralysis that night (michelle) and it was horrible. I usually get in when I am stressed or sleep deprived. I woke up at 6 AM to hear the LOUD regatone music STILL playing, vibrating our whole room..guess the party was still going on. Shad, Eli and Henry were gone… guess they went to the party. I fell back asleep. After the party animals got back (they stumbled down to the party at 5 AM to join in on the festivities…drinking beer and dancing) we went to have breakfast. I stopped by the beach to ask a local how much this really big long inflatable tube cost (thats what she said) to ride in the ocean. There is a motor boat that drags it behind and people sit on the tube and in the Americas I think you call it, tubing. It is 2$ per person for one hour. It is 10 AM right now. We are definitely doing it sometime today and I cant wait!

So, my Ecuador trip adventure ride, is still going at a strong speed and I am having a great time! We are being very safe cautious and smart. No need to worry! The farm was such an amazing experience where I learned so many lessons, tips, and information about farming and just about myself in general (like my skills and stuff). I recommend it to everyone..of any age, with any and all interests, and with all different amounts of farming experience. I, who had 0 experience in farming, am now confident that I can and will grow a vegetable garden flower garden in the very near future. A friend told me right before I left to go on this trip, “Sorry Susan, but I dont really see you as a farmer..” Well, HA! Guess I proved us both wrong!

I will write more later, remember I am thinking of you all and wishing you the best!

Besos y abrazos,

Susi

Happy Birthday Laura and CJ!

Shad, Henry, and I just checked into a hostal, Hostal Palma that is, in Bahía. We will be here for tonight. Shad and Henry are out in about looking at different shops and seeing what there is to do in Bahía. I have found an internet café where I am able to write to my fans from.

Continuing from the previous blog (not the one about Laura), this week’s work at the farm was very strenuous and difficult. Carrying rocks, transporting sand, picking weeds with roots stronger tan my arms in tick infested fields (I have hado ver 5 ticks on me…a few of them sucking my blood), and planting planting planting seeds and seeds and seeds. It was hard work and yes my back felt like I was getting stabbed by a dull machete BUT I am not one to complain..this is the exact reason why I am here at the farm. To toughen up! To wear and tear my body and hands! To get over my fear of creepy crawlers and to build muscles and gain experiences only attainable in Ecuador. Lack of sleep also found me. The dogs on the farm are all competing for Flora (the female dog who is in heat) attention and they fight at all hours of the night. The cats got involved as well.

 A GEKKO IN MY ROOM

Some high lights from this week include but are not limited to: making chocolate (from its original form), making a ring out of a seed (from it’s original form), horseback riding, climbing into a forest to look for monkeys (found 7), meeting the oldest lady in town (Mama Jovenita, 97 years young), finishing Night Trilogy, talking to Annie on skype for half and hour, and taking a boat ride to Bahía.

BANANA LEAF LUNCH BOX FOR OUR DAY TRIP TO THE MONKEY FOREST

A LITTLE CHICK FROM MAMÁ JOVENITA’S HOUSE

MAMÁ JOVENITA IN HER HOUSE

MONKEY FOREST (I look fat and ugly but whatever, it’s a cool picture)

THERE ARE MONKEYS THERE, I PROMISE

WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTO. These are ticks on a pregnant horse I was riding.

THE WATERFALLS WE WENT TO AFTER FINDING MONKEYS. I JUMPED OFF THOSE ROCKS (HESITANTLY)..SHAD WAS CHASING ME THREATENING TO PUSH ME IN. It was fun.

SHAD AND I ON CASTAÑO. I WAS RIDING BARE BACK. (is that what it’s called?)

JASON BOURNE IN ECUADOR, ASSIGNMENT: RIO MUCHACHO FARM

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE WITH PINEAPPLE AND BANANA (these are the plates/silverwear we use at the farm)

WORKING HARD, HOEING THE EARTH TO PREPARE FOR CARROT SEEDS

BUEN PROVECHO (bon appetite) (dinner is served)

GETTING ONTO THE BOAT TO BAHÍA

HENRY, THE PHOTOGRAPHER

SHAD, THE SAILOR

Of course, there were some down sides (like with everything), I got terribly homesick on Thursday- missed my family, friends, cats, bed, tv, material things, etc. But I snapped out of it by Friday. I got a couple of tick bites. My fingernails are permanently dirty.

Well. I must go, I haven’t seen Shad or Henry in a few hours. I forgot to tell them where I was going. I should go look for them. Miss you all dear friends and family. I am beginning to think my letters will never come. BUT THEY WILL! xoxox

Thank you to LPG

I forgot to explain the reason for this voyage…I owe it all to a dear friend from middle school and high school, Laura Groggel. She is a volunteer for the Peace Corps and is in Togo Africa working on farms, teaching new efficient farming methods, and creating products for more people. Her bold and brave choice, moving to Africa for 3 years, leaving her life behind to start a new one that will reflect onto others was the motivation for my trip to Rio Muchacho Farm. Thank you Laura. You have made a huge impact in my life and in my choices. This is for you!

http://afrique-en-miniature-togo.blogspot.com/ Check out her blogspot!

To whom it concerns

Back in Canoa, back on the internet. This week was TOUGH. Hard work, little food, and a bit of homesickness. But! I made it out alive and I am glad that it is the weekend so I can relax! The main cook is gone this week, therefore dinner was a bit sparse this week. Not really..I mean I’m just so used to having 2nd and 3rds for every meal. I wasn’t really able to this week. However, one night we made up for it by making popcorn and watching Adventureland. It was pretty funny plus it had my girl Kristin Stewart in it. I haven’t seen the new Twilight movie by the way..I can’t wait to see it. Shad and I are planning on going to the movie theatre in Lima when we get there. I am also planning on getting a pedicure and manicure. (and maybe a massage) My back has been killing me lately (insert Happy Gilmore quote..for Shad) and I could really use a massage. It even hurt today when I was doing the lightest of work (picking aji off of a bush) I had to sit down next to Rosita (the pig) and take a break. Okay time to meet the others for dinner. I will write more and put more pictures up. I miss you all so much and remember I am thinking about every single one of you. Shad and I are safe, healthy, and happy! LOXOXOVE