Beer and Ice Cream

I'm becoming a little addicted to blogging. And it's weird, because I always felt that blogging was kind of self-centered and self-important, like, who cares about all these mundane little details of my life?? But, I mean, whatever! It's actually really cathartic and is a nice way for me to reflect on my day/days and share with all y'all. And those who don't care won't read it. Doiiii.

So, last night I had this really really epic dream. It was the first that I've remembered since being here. You know how sometimes with dreams, you remember one main part, and then when you start to describe it to someone, you realize that so much more than that happened? That just happened. But the really epic part of my dream was when I flew into this airport, and apparently I was in Cuba. But I got off the plane and before you even leave the airport, there are these two beaches. The one of the right was Russia (???) and then there was this little barrier made out of concrete blocks and on the other side was Cuba. Anyone could go to Russia but you had to have some sort of special visa or something to go to Cuba, but we didn't want to get one so we just ran onto the Cuba side. Ha! Take that, TSA!! So there we were on this beautiful beach in Cuba, and I don't really even know what else went on, but I was at that beach for basically what seemed like the whole night (IRL). The main meaning that I took away from this dream was "I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED TO GO TO THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I also REALLY want to go to Cuba. And I'm only realizing now, as I write this, that it's probably because I've never actually been to a tropical beach (the closest being San Diego). So yeah. Tomorrow I have Spanish class and then dance class and then come home and pack and then go out for some early pre-birthday drinks and then catch a night bus for 10 hours to Puerto Lopez and spend the next 2-3 days sleeping in the sand, playing in the water and hiking around a really cool island. Rough life...

And today was pretty excellent too. We got out of class 3 hours early and then went out to lunch as a group at this Greek/ Lebanese place. I had a delicious falafel sandwich and an Ecuadorian beer all for under $4. And then, as if that wasn't enough, we decided to go to the mall to get ice cream! It was a day of indulgence, as before today, I hadn't eaten out or had ice cream since being here. Yum yum. Then I met up with a friend that I know from SU photo classes who is living in Quito for a while and we walked around and talked a bit and then met back up with the others to go on a bit of an adventure to buy our bus tickets for tomorrow. After wandering around a somewhat seedy part of town as it got duskier and then dark, we finally found our bus company, and after a little bit of confusion and negotiating, bought 5 tickets to the beach. Hellllz yes. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a youtube video of dancing blue footed boobies, complete with original song, on the island we will be visiting this weekend. This is what my (real) dad sent me after I told them where I was going. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBZGL5y11jE. jajajajaj thanks, Dad.

Tonight I came home just in time for dinner and found that I couldn't really speak Spanish. My family teased me pretty hard core and told me that I wasn't allowed to go out with my friends anymore because they were bad influences and spoke English with me. And then to really rub it in, they proceeded to talk about plans for my birthday right in front of me, as if I didn't know what was going on. Sheesh. But I also am having some trouble speaking English now, so pretty soon, I'll probably have to revert to signs or interpretive dance. Consider yourselves warned.

I wrapped up the day with my first skype sesh with the parents. Even though the first 15 minutes was spent with them trying to get their camera hooked up (to no avail hahahaha) it was still nice ot talk to my OTHER family. ahahhaha just kidding guys :)

And for some reason, I decided to write emails and blog instead of writing my two page Spanish paper that's due tomorrow. But since I finally figured out that I have to flip the switch for hot water a whole hour before I want to take a shower, I figured that would give me an excuse to be up early writing a little (informal) paper. We'll see how that goes. I'm going to take lots and lots of pictures this weekend, so check back next week to see those, too.

Until then!
Maria-Teresa xoxo