My
flight from St. Louis to Atlanta was not a problem. It was Atlanta to
Quito that proved to be rough! They switched gates on us three times;
we began at one gate, moved to another, and then they moved us back to
the original gate but we didn’t have a plane yet. It also began pouring
very hard. Our flight was supposed to take off at 5:35, and after they
boarded half of us they stopped because of maintenance problems. Our
flight was pushed to 6, then 6:30, then 7 and finally we left Atlanta
at 8 pm Thursday with a full flight of people.

The flight itself went well. I didn’t sleep on it but watched “The
Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and a little bit of “Yes Man.” The touch screens displaying movies also had some free games and a map to show our route, so that was neat to check on once in a while during the five hour flight. They
also served us dinner, which for airplane food was pretty good. I had
trouble later with finding my bags; turns out one was still stuck in
Atlanta and I would be getting it on the next flight to Quito Friday at
7 (that’s today for those of you keeping score), but I can just come to
the airport Saturday morning and get it.

Finally, around 2 a.m. I made it to my host family’s house and was
greeted by my host mom. She helped me with my bags upstairs, showed me
my room, let me call my mom on her phone and then I slept for a while.

Today has been incredibly busy. I got up at 7:30 and talked to some
medical students who were wrapping up their trip and then I had
breakfast. I found the Internet cafe where I’m updating this blog and
one of the med school guys, Milan, offered to have me go with him while
he got fútbol tickets at the stadium, so I went with him. After much
walking and a few taxi rides, we found the stadium was closed, but we
could go to another place to get tickets. We took a cab there but by
the time we got there, I needed to head to the house because I was
going to go to my internship site with Patricia, the coordinator.

I got there a little late where Patricia and Anna were talking with
another student going on a hiking trip. Patricia and I then left,
taking a few buses and talking about what I’m going to be doing at the
Pontifica Catolica Universidad de Ecuador (which, coincidentally, is a
Jesuit Catholic school like my university!). Their campus is really
gorgeous and has a spectacular view of the Andes. How lucky they are to
see that every day! Don’t worry, I’ll be taking pictures. I have some
now but I want to get some more before I put them up.

When we got there we met with Edmundo, who is in charge of the
organization that I’m going to be working with. He told me to come back
Monday at 10:30 for him to present what I would be doing. Patricia and
I took the bus back towards the house and she got off at the halfway
mark, and then I went from there on the bus up my street, called Gazca.

I took a break and napped a little and read a book I brought, then
had lunch with my host mom and her sons. Then I came down here to the
Internet cafe, gave my mom a call through Skype and went back up to
read some more and nap because the elevation was kind of getting to me.

I really like Quito so far. It’s a little smoggy from car and bus
exhaust and it’s true that there are people and sometimes children
selling candy, fruit or papers on the road, but it’s a really neat
place to be. I can’t wait to explore some more.