Fotos (en serio)

Myself (the giant), Roberto, Lauren and Rosa. Rosa taught us phrases in Quechua (a native language of South America, primarily the Inca Empire). And we ate delicious pizza. Otavalo, Ecuador (La Sierra)
A little blurry, but you get the idea. This is Plaze Grande (La Plaza de Independencia) in Centro Historico, Quito, Ecuador.
Tiber. The pup that lives with us... and this is what he does each day we leave. Stares at us from under the door. He looks a lot like Lassie... but a boy.
Mitad del Mundo, Ecuador. This is the area where they discovered the Equator back in the 1700s.
Danielle´s feet, my feet. Straddling hemispheres. No big deal. My left foot is on the northern hemisphere, my right foot on the southern.

There you are. I hope it tides all of you over. I am off to go explore las iglesias del centro historico. Ciao.

You´re probably beginning to gather...

that I don´t update this thing much. The problem being... I´m in Ecuador. I am FOR SURE going to put some pictures up in the next few days. I´m going to the norte (northern party of the city) where the internet is faster and the area is referred to as, ¨gringolandia¨.

Since I have last written, many things have incurred. One, I turned 24. Two, I bought a ticket home to the States (2 July, holla). Three, I have planned trips to Peru (Lima, Cuzco, Macchu Picchu) and the Galapágos.

The next month will be hectic and interesting and I can´t wait.

You may be wondering, ¨Mary why are you returning to the states so soon, it seems as though you just left.¨ Well, I need to get up to DC to apply for student/travel visa for Spain. It is quite a process, and I will need all summer to send my passport away to Spain, etc.

I am currently looking at summer employment opportunities in Vermont, Washington State and Maine. I´m also looking at woofing projects (organic farming). Check it out, www.wwoof.org

Fotos (por fin)

THESE are the boys (Dani, Alex, Israel, Daniel, Eric, & Jonathan) that chased the ugly, ugly man who took the camera after pushing us down a hill (camera seen pictured here).

(computer is too slow and i am unwilling to wait... will update this later)

(Not so) friendly mugging

I mean, who intends to come to South America without a friendly mugging?

Lauren and I took six very awesome, Ecuadorian boys to the park yesterday. It as above the Basilica with a fantastic view of the city and some serious fun toys/rides. The gringas decided to bring their cameras, the views, the chicos... how could we not? (stupid gringas, stupid idea).

As we were rounding the boys to go back to Aldec, a very, very ugly man came up from behind us... pushed us down the hill, while simultaneously knocking the camera out of Lauren´s hands. I grappled with him... elbowing, throwing a shot to the face all while rolling down a steep hill.

He got away. But not before the six boys we were with (Daniel, Eric, Israel, Dani, Alex, & Jonathan) followed him through the historic district for about ten blocks. Throwing punches at the cabrón.

In the end, we lost. I hate losing. And what do I wake up with this morning? A torn Georgetown shirt, a scraped arm and right hand that really hurts.

When I get back to the States I´m taking some defense courses. If the mother fucker hadn´t come from behind, I could´ve given him more a run for his money.

Alas, Lauren´s camera is gone... and now we´re both just pissed off at Quito. This will pass. I hope.

The police force in Quito is shit. We went and explained everything to them. Their office is literally right next to the park where it happened. No worries, why would be there be police around when there are about one-hundred school children playing at the park? Where would be the logic in that?

The worst part, about 45 people saw it happen. And no one did a goddamn thing.

I mean, what can we expect?

We are gringas, afterall...

entonces...

Here I am in Quito, struggling to use a spanish keyboard... yet again. I can´t write much because La Casa Aldec begins soon. Quick description, La Casa de Aldec is for kids between the ages of 5-16 who either live in orphanages or the old town center of Quito. Most go to school in either the morning or afternoon. We are there all day to help the kids with homework, computer games, the English language, and making sure they eat ALL their food. Many of the children don´t get other meals throughout the day and are lucky if they have a roof over their head. We are there to help when their parents are working, etc.

As I write to you from a very clean internet cafe, I am being serenaded by the proprietor in the form of ´Hurts so Good´ by John Mellencamp.

Now, I must go to school. A new friend named Lauren from Vancouver and I are planning a trip to Otavalo this weekend. It´s the biggest outdoor market in all of South America... and is only a few hours bus ride from Quito. After that, I will begin to post pictures of this beautiful, unique place.

Bicos,

m

On a jet plane...

Is 'jet plane' one or two words?

This is when I need my intelligent friends/interns at Paste Magazine by my side to let me know of this type of information.  In fact, I am nervous that those talented people are reading this right now.  Let's be honest, I was a marketing intern for a reason.

I am leaving for Quito, Ecuador tomorrow.  This blog is to document those few months down there.  I do hope all of you enjoy.

I am currently watching the Colbert Report, taking in all that is possible of the English language.  Here is your moment of Zen tonight.  I drove the back roads of upstate South Carolina listening to the wonderful Tift Merritt's "Another Country" last night.

How fitting...