Más más más!

So apparently I'm not just in Ecuador, I'm studying in Ecuador..as in taking classes. I'm taking one class at the graduate school associated with IES on Human Rights. It's really interesting so far (despite being at 7 am) but will definitely be my hardest class. My other classes are with IES and the undergrad university, and shouldn't be too difficult. Some people were worried about having to study during all their free time here...study? If I wanted to study I would have stayed in Storrs!

This past week was really fun. We went to the Teleferiqo, which is a cable car that goes up 13,500 feet to Pichincha, one of the volcanoes outside Quito. We hiked and took pictures and rode horses (while wearing amazingly warm ponchos). The landscape is amazing with mountains and clouds framing the city.

My gringa friends and I are slowly getting used to going out around here. The main bar/club area is called La Mariscal but it's known as Gringolandia. It can be dangerous but you just have to watch your back (and your drunk friends' backs) and give fake phone numbers to the gringa hunters. I was actually relieved to find out that the bars here close at 2 am - staying out until 7 am in Spain was crazy but not the most sustainable lifestyle. 2 am leaves plenty of time to sleep and still enjoy daylight! Sometimes it can be annoying at the end of the night because cab drivers try to rip off Americans. You have to argue with them about the price, which should be around 5 dollars. I have more practice with Spanish so I tend get the lucky job, which is fine because I like a good fight.

On Sunday a few friends and I decided to return to the Teleferiqo to conquer Pichincha. It was about a 6 hour hike including some snack breaks, and really tough towards the end. It was actually scary at some points, with a narrow winding trail on the edge of huge cliffs and drop-offs. I REALLY wanted to make it to the top, but when we got to the first peak I was dizzy and lightheaded (not much oxygen at 15,500 feet) so I had to stop. The remaining 15-20 minute climb was almost vertical rocks and I didn't want to fall to my death 2 weeks into my trip. The view was still absolutely amazing. The best part was seeing planes taking off way below us in Quito and watching the clouds move in and out of the mountains.

My internet at home is somewhat slow so I'm not putting up pictures right now but here's a link to my Facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2324317&id=9031237&l=ee556a0333. You can view them even if you don't have a account.

Pictures from the Pichincha hike to come!