class notes

I got a little bored the other day during a lecture I had in Montevideo, Uruguay and decided to jot some things down on my mind. Hope it makes sense. Before I copy it down, I'll give a little status update: I have finally moved in for good with my new host family in Santiago. They seem to be really cool. I have a two sisters ages 22 and 19. They seem to be pretty cool. I also have a grandfather who is 89 years old! Pretty crazy stuff. He looks and acts every part of that age too. Can't hear a damn thing, have to scream into his ear. Really funny but really nice old man too. He has written 3 books, all in spanish. He gave me one. I think that he is a very intelligent man, although sadly, seems too old to show it. I arrived back in Santiago late last night after all day traveling. I am really ready to be back and have the trip wrapped up. Although very exciting and new, the traveling has definitely worn me down. We went to tons of really cool and really not museums in which I struggled immensely to understand what was going on. Found low points in my journey thus far, only to be riding another brief high back in my new home. I am excited about the future, really stoked. Kind of scared too. Skiing maybe domingo (Sunday). I'll keep you posted. The post below is kind of random, hope it isn't too weird. Hope things are well!

Here I am, sitting in an antique classroom in Montevideo, Uruguay. Not only am I attempting to understand a lecture in a foreign tongue, in which I understand about 64%, but also I am surrounded by kids which were 100% unknown strangers just over 1 month ago. Not only are they not strangers any longer, they are friends, amigos. Most of them share only one thing in common w/ me- a journey in S.A., in which we seek a life changing experience. Something none of us have ever known or experienced before this point. For me, something unforgettable. Something which everyday brings something brand new. I'm sitting here in this class, now not paying attention whatsoever, but rather scratching words into my notes. The most content I have scratched in my notes thus far. I wish to learn less about LatinAmerica in places like this boring classroom and more through the culture and people. Through first-hand experience.

Laaate Cuenca

Today is my last hoorah here in Cuenca. Wow, I can't believe how quickly it's passed. I am relieved to be done with my classes, which have been surprisingly grueling and difficult. I think I now have at least 3 weeks of no class. Winter break, I guess you could say. Cuenca has been a nice place to be for a month. It's a beautiful, charming city with a lot to offer. But, I chose this program primarily for Chile, and I'm stoked to go. Ecuador has been a nice little bonus. Tonight we have a little dinner thing to close out the program here, should be boring. Ready to get out of here and head to Santiago, Buenos Aires y Montevideo. Most excited to shred the Andes. Running short on time once again, posted some more pics though. I'll holler later. Hope all is well in the north!

Colin

Ouch!

Apparently, 4th of July is not celebrated in Ecuador. This year was a bit different from what I am used to. I got a makeover from my host parents at a nearby mall which was about the only American thing I came close to doing. Malls here are just like Chapel Hills and other very American shopping centers. After we took paid a visit to the rest of the family (aunts and gma), to my surprise. After several hours with them and supervising my host father fix light poles at a local market, we finally went home. Saturday was the hardest day for me thus far. I missed my friends and family, the gallery and good weather.

Sunday was a blast. One of the best days yet and I needed it. We took a trip to the closest beach which was 2.5 hours or so away. It wasn't the prettiest beach, to my families admission, but it did the job. We took super ghetto boat, packed with touristy Ecuatorianos, in between some jungle and ended up on a beach near Machala. The result was a marvelous castilla de arena (sandcastle) constructed my none other than my sis Maria Rosa (Chochi, the fam calls her) and myself. While doing so, in attempt to look more like an Ecuatoriano, I charred my skin in the hot sun. It's kinda bad, maybe blisters later tonight. Super uncomfortable with the backpack. It was all worth it in the end. A great day with the fam, in which actually felt like summer. Maybe me only "summer" day.

Some quick things before I go- Last week in Ecuador! Lots of homework for the next couple of days, finals later this week. Super excited/ready to move on to the main event. Sad that things are picking up with my host family right before I leave. Feel like I just got here, lots of things I still want to do. Sick last week, charred this week. Almost got "robbed" last week, some lady told me. I don't really believe her though. Stoked to shred the gnar in Chile!

Love/miss you all,

Colín (sounds like "CO leen" en español)

Oh my gato (as my host mother said about my sunburn)! I almost forgot, new pics of beach day online. picasaweb.google.com/cstingley

Salchichas overcome!

Since my last post I have rebounded a bit mentally. Yesterday, I along with a few other of my classmates were pretty sick from something we all ate. I ended up being the lucky one without parasites in my stomach. Nonetheless, I was pretty sick last night. On the bright side I got to miss two classes which I definitely enjoyed. I feel much better today after getting some good rest and pastillas from the doc.

In other news, I am uploading pictures as we speak! Check out http://picasaweb.google.com/cstingley/ . I just put up some pics of my trip to Cajas and and putting some more up of my neighborhood, house and favorite family member Suca. I will have more coming later.

As everyone has been telling me, my time in Ecuador is going surprisingly fast. I only have a little over a week left before I head to Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo. Cuenca is a cool little city and wish I knew it better, but I am really excited to head to Santiago. After all, I chose to go on this program primarily for Santiago. Cuenca was just a bonus. This weekend will be the last weekend here in Cuenca and my family has planned to take me to their other home in the country, about an hour drive from my house. That is about all I know about it. It is pretty interesting because, sadly, this is about as in depth as our conversations get. Conversations with locals are the most frustrating instances that I encounter here. There are so many times I want to ask people what they think about so many different aspects of life. Whether is be simple political stances, religion, or the image of los Estados Unidos and what they think of my country and the rest of the world. We talk about these things in class but it is difficult to get what I am thinking across. Sometimes I can feel soo powerful about a topic and be so verbally powerless. I am sorry to cut this short but I am being forced to go eat chocolate cake! bummer

Hope all is well!

http://picasaweb.google.com/cstingley/

I got a picture up! This is at El Parque Nacional de Cajas