From the air, Quito looks like a spilled a bucket of legos on crinkled slabs of grass, bumpy and artificial like the kind they have at putt-putt courses. Over time those legos got squished and sun-washed and chewed on by the dog. At night, a heavy fog sits in the city's narrow valley. You try not to imagine the robbers out that evening plotting in foggy corners. You try not to remember the cold, acrid air on the other side of the airport's glass sliding doors. Those are ground concerns. Since Quito is mostly-- perhaps only-- beautiful by air, you must let it have its moment.
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| Lewis Family Reunion 2011 |
I spent my vacation in the States. It was perfect. I live in (and am mostly preoccupied with) places where other people come from, so I was almost surprised to remember there is a place I come from. Yes, home is complicated and usually involves borrowing a car. It's a mix of family, dogs, friend's couches, the beach and long, long stretches of cornfields. But there are people I love regardless of where I wander home to. Thanks to everyone who put me up, called, or shared a table with me in July/August. It was extremely fun-- also necessary to be reminded of the support network I have in the States.
I'm here in Ambato again. The immigration officer stamped my passport with 12-VIII cultural exchange visa, even though that was last year (I'm now under a 12-VII volunteer visa). I still occupy a dusty grey, mostly empty apartment with dishes always in the sink. Ambato's three seasons are still cold, cold with rainy, and cold with sunburn, and they still usually occur in the same day. And faculty meetings and getting my contract at the University have been, frankly, disastrous undertakings. So perhaps this hasn't been the freshest of "fresh starts." But I'm moving along my bumpy way, and things are certainly changing.
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| Pailon del Diablo, Banos, Ecuador |
For instance: I moved my plastic table to the other side of the living room, and bought new wine glasses. I'm now a real teacher, with real power to do things like give grades and yell. I am housing the new Fulbright ETA in Ambato, Paige, until she finds a place to call her own. I think my Spanish has improved (all it needed was a month's rest). And though I'm not sure why, I'm sporting this new "no one can push me around" attitude I feel like I will need in the coming year.
Today is the first day of classes!
