Ecuador, Sweet Ecuador

  After a over 24 hours of traveling, three different planes, and countless cups of juice, the 10 or so exchange students and I landed in Guayaquil, Ecuador! I'd like to say my flights were comfortable and homey, but they shoved us to the back of every plane and in most cases I was in the middle. Oh well, on the last stretch, a small group of the kids got to sit together (Pictured is Stephanie from Washington and Marcus from Alaska and then, well, me!).

   After arriving in Guayaquil, a whole half hour late, we had to wait in an hour long line for customs. It took the whole plane a little over an hour to get through, but all of us got our passports signed and we´re good to go! My sister and my dad came to the airport to pick me up and it was so good to finally meet them! My mom and younger sister could not come because my mom had to work and my sister had to go to school. Speaking of occupations, my dad is a shrimp farm owner (shrimp is a very big export here in Machala) and my mom is a teacher! My family is just the best and they are all so very nice!

   Since being here, I have been to one party and it was a going away party for a friend of my sister. The friend will be leaving to Pennsylvania on Friday, so naturally a fiesta was in order! I was thinking that it was just going to be a nice quiet going away party but little did I know that the all day preperation was serious business and that it was not at all a quiet party. I dressed in a regular summery dress and was the most under dressed person there! It was embarrassing at first, but I went with it. The party was so much fun! Dancing, music and fun! There was another girl from the states there, so we hung out. The party lasted a lot longer than I expected too! We were at the house till at LEAST 5am. Craziness! But like I said, it was a blast!

   I have done a lot of sleeping since being here, which I am hoping is just jet lag. I try and be as involved as I can, but the language barrier frusturates me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I like to talk- a lot. So my inability to gab has been tough, but that just creates all the more drive to learn Spanish even faster. My problem is that I can understand really well, however it is answering that I cannot quite do. I mainly say "Yes", "Sure", and "I understand" oh and "OKAY". I also do a lot of smiling. If they cant understand me, at least they can tell that I am a happy camper!

   Well that is all for now! I hope to get more pictures up soon. I get kind of embarrased when I take pictures- but this is not new. I will step out of my comfort zone soon and snap away at everything I see. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods, where ever you are. I will try my best to make weekly updates!!

Hasta luego,

Marlee

    

P.S.-

Just as an extra, I took this picture after we took off from Miami. I am pretty sure it is Nassau, but do not quote me on that.