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