I´m sorry. Next time there is a major upheaval in Quito, I promise to write an update sooner saying I am okay. I am not so good at this blogging thing apparently. All is calm in Quito. In fact it was calm the day after that fateful Thursday. September 30th itself was nuts though. The live coverage on TV looked like a war flick (not that I watch any).I was scared shitless watching Correa get "rescued" by the military. Uma and I just holed up at our apartment for a few days until it all blew over. Life got back to normal quite quickly.
Having a coup or a near coup is an very ordinary occurrence here- however, this was the first time there were several causalities. I think in the past dozen coups, only one foreign photographer was killed and it was because he stepped off a ledge or something. The fact that half a dozen were killed this time is certainly due to the fact that it was the police and the military sparring with machine guns. From what I gather about the president here, Correa, is that he is really "for the people", similar to Chavez in Venezuela, wanting to keep the riches and resources of the country for the people of the country. Of course he wants to censor a bit and take down the legislative branch- which is a little scary. Yet, he is passionate when he speaks and would also be quite handsome if it were not for his peculiar hair. I think I like him. It is just a matter of time until he is ousted though. Ecuadorians simply prefer coups instead of waiting for the next election cycle.
It's been almost two months now since we've arrived in Ecuador. I can't figure out if it feels longer or shorter. We are certainly comfortable, that's for sure. Our routines are down. Many of routines are new ones. Such as cooking! I have been cooking all of our meals and they have been down right tasty! Our new staples in life are chicken with rice, avocados with everything, salsa with cho-chos, Nutella, mango juice, , guava jelly, baby potatoes, and instant coffee- not all in the same meal of course. Another shocking turn of events is that I have started wearing make-up (a little)and earrings every day. I can almost hear the gasps! It's true! I think I may be becoming a lady. I am also bathing more than I have in years. That might be too much info for some of you.
School is a breeze. I don't know if its because I´ve been teaching for ten years now, or if it´s because I´ve been teaching in such demanding settings, but his job is a piece of cake. I get a lunch break EVERY DAY and at least an hour, if not two hours of planning every day. In fact, I should be planning right now! All of the other teachers seem to feel like they have no time to do anything, I just keep my mouth shut. I also think I got the nicest group f kids out of the five classes of third grade. Counting my blessing there. They are such sweeties. Their accents are so adorable and I respect their bi-lingual ability so much. I really love my class.
The hardest thing thus far that I´m dealing with is the social thing. I know this is shocking but it is true. I love all my colleagues and respect them very much, but I haven´t really made any good friends yet. I feel close to all my ladies on the bus, but I rarely, if ever, hang out with folks outside of school. This always takes much longer than one would like in a new locale. I´ve been through this same exact feeling before- moving to Portland, New York, Dominica...it just takes time to find "your people". It still sucks though.
What makes this even harder is having a young child. I realized the other day that ALL of my friends that I have post-child ,save ONE (JL), either knew and loved me before pregnancy OR is a parent themselves. You can do the math on that one.
Now, imagine this reality, but with teacher-friends. Very few of them really want to hang out with kids post-school. I know thats sounds horrible but it true. Their job is kids. They want adult time. Hell, so do I!
Anyhow, the result of all of this is that I rarely get invited to outings or weekend adventures with all of the (American single) teachers and it kinda bites. Ouch. There's a long weekend coming, and everyone is making plans and I feel kinda-sorta-really left out. I know these people like me, but they either assume I don´t want to go because of Uma or they don´t want to constant interruptions and occasional chaos that young adorable children are known to cause.
Or perhaps I´m not as likable as I like to think I am.... Of course WE all know, they are missing out on some serious cuteness and wisdom (not from me, but from my little one). Any advice on this issue will be much appreciated as I am feeling a bit like a middle schooler.
However, in my hearts of hearts I rest in the fact that whatever is mine will come to me, my true friends, my loves, etc- whatever- if it is supposed to be mine it will come if I am patient. I know I´m a pollyanna but it keeps me sane most of the time. In the meantime, I´m gonna enjoy all the wisdom and cuteness from my little love as I can. And cook and bathe and eat as much Nutella and avocados as I possibly can.
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