Lama Love

Hi this is Ali. This is my first blog entry ever, so keep  your expectations low. This is my first time travelling to Ecuador. This country encompasses many different components that when totaled make this country very unique. So far since I have arrived, I have been teaching English with Ella at a Spanish school. I have truly enjoyed the children whom I am teaching. They are very smart and really friendly. I found it amusing that when I first arrived everyone was confused when I said I was Canadian. I suppose that is due to the difference in immigration between Canada and Ecuador. The children I teach are very inquisitive and ask many questions which makes each day exciting and fun. The country itself is beautiful and provides numerous types of nature. I have seen green lands and mountains. This is something I will cherish when I return to Winnipeg since we are unable to view this type of nature. We have so far done site seeing in many different places. Each place I  visit, people are very friendly and kind. Since I have met Amber, I love lammmaaassss.  I can see myself living in this type of a country. The city seems to always be alive, and there is always activities to be done. I love the group I am with. Everyone is so supportive and kind. Being the only guy is at times a bit awkward, but I have to admit I truly am enjoying my time.

llama face.

We have all had a variety of New experiences in our schools over the last week. Learning lots and seeing what the education system is like in another country. It's quite different from the schools I've been in back home, and in a way almost refreshing. Students are all very confident and comfortable talking in front of the class, the all laugh with each other and with very well together. The classroom dynamic is quite different, and learning is controlled by the teacher rather than the clock like back home.

We have been teaching grammar rules to our classes, and taking time to talk about Canada. The students were very excited to see a map of Canada and pictures of animals and landscapes that we brought to share. They had a lot of questions for us and were very eager to learn about our home.

Possibly my favorite activity we have done outside of class was taking a gondola ride up a mountain to get a view of Quito. It was here that we also came face to face with some llama friends.

First Week in Ecuador

       It has been one week since I have landed in Ecuador. When I landed I was amazed by the incredible view surrounding me. Mountains, trees, and beautiful sunshine. So far I have been attending schools to help and teach English. Though at first I was not sure what was expected of me, I have now considered myself a friend to the students and teachers.
      I learn from them more than they would ever learn from me. Today I was talking to the students and asked them if they thought Canada was better than Ecuador to which they replied yes. I then asked the teacher to translate for me what I was about to say in Spanish. No country is better than another, and no group of people are smarter. We are all one and what may be strength in one country, may be the shortcoming in another country. Ecuador is blessed by its natural beauty and the beauty of its people. This country reminds me so much of my home country Egypt.
     The people are so warm to one another and show affection every chance they can. There's emotion and love and passion running within this land. I am so blessed to be here and to be able to meet these people. In three weeks it will be time to go home, but I will leave with a part of Ecuador. This place will always mean something to me. As for the people, I hope they know happiness is not measured by technology or money, it is measured by the people around us, and the friendships we make and keep.

No way, I'm in Ecuador!

             In less than a week I have fallen in love with the city of Quito, with all its beautiful sites and loving people. Although the days are long and exhausting, I have yet to feel completely overwhelmed …and that is of course thanks to my wonderful group members!

              One of my favorite touristy adventures we've been on this week, was to the presidents palace downtown. When the current president, Rafael Correa, became president in 2007 he decided that the riches of Ecuador should be shared with the people, so the gates were opened and tours through the palace began. I think this idea of equality in riches and the wellbeing of the community really speaks to Ecuador's character as a whole. They are a people full of warmth; the teacher I'm working alongside, at Calderon, says that "we are poor but happy."

But there are still some things about Ecuador that will take some getting used to…

• Putting toilet paper in the garbage not toilet
• No toilet paper in stalls- you better grab it before you go in or else your searching your purse for napkins or flyers
• Using bottled water to brush your teeth
• Students are extremely confident.. They have no problem asking if you are married or are single…or if they can have your phone number
• Getting lots of kisses on the cheek from students and teachers
• Living with strangers (although that one hasn't been tough because they have all turned out to be awesome roomies!)

Update

Our first week in Quito is slowly coming to an end. I have been assigned to the Humberto Mata Martinez highschool where I have been following the English teacher around for the past three days. The students are wonderful and are easily one of the best part of this trip. They spent a whole class asking us questions about our lives in Canada and the things we like and dislike. The last class we met even sang us songs and read us poems. They are such warm and friendly people. The class dynamic in Quito is very different than in Canada. Here in Quito, the students must pay five cents for every page of a test before they can take the test. The students stand when they address the class and answer questions. They also stand when the teacher enters room. They remain standing until they are seated by the teacher. It is all very interesting. I cannot wait to spend more time with these kids.

Stay classy Winnipeg,
Ambre

FIrst Day of School

Quito is a city of contrasts and change. It is referred to by locals as the "carita de dios"- god's face; when he is sad it rains, when he is happy the sun shines. It can rain in the north, hail in the west and be sunny in the south. As we travel around the city from place to place, changes can be seen unfolding in front of us. New roads, new hospitals, new police stations and new schools. Our first Monday we had a tour of the three schools we will be working in for the rest of the month, Humberto Mata, Cotocollao and Calderon. The first two schools were small, laid back and seemed very nice.

The new school, Calderon, was opened in the past year and is a school of the millennium. Our tour was guided with enthusiasm and pride- computer labs, projectors, a pool and "baby" bathrooms! This 1800 student school is one of many built throughout the country and is truly amazing. Our first day of classes proved eventful. The students told us about their old schools and how many of them have come to study together in their last years of high school. It will be an adventure to work here for the rest of the month!

Made it to Quito!

So after a long night in Montreal and finally joining my group in Toronto (:S) ... I finally made it to Quito! Quito is an amazing city with break taking views! The landscape pictures I have tried to capture on camera do not accurately portray or encompass the beauty of this city. I have quickly realized that Quito is it not what I expected to see and my ideas that I had were quickly squashed. The city is larger and more developed than I had expected.

In the four days that we have been in Quito, we have been extremely busy trying to keep up with the fast paced tempo of the city. We have travelled to different sight seeing (touristy) destinations as well as we have visited the schools that we will be working at for the next month.  My favorite place that we have visited thus far would be downtown Quito. I love the architecture of the buildings. The fine details on the outside of buildings are exquisite, especially at one church that we passed near the downtown square of Quito (Plaza De La Independencia?).

Although there are many topics that can be discussed with all the things that we have done in the last couple of days! The moment that stands out the most at this time is the first day that we went to visit the different schools. I was overwhelmed with emotion to see how welcoming and excited that the school staff and students were at our arrival (especially the little kids at Calderon who sang to us). The warmth and kindness they portrayed to our group such as welcoming us to be apart of their family made me realize the kind of meaningful and reciprocal relationships/connections that can be built in our time in Quito. Their generosity and excitement made me also extremely excited to meet and get to know the staff and students that we would be working with. Although Jen and I were only able to meet one class, I believe that this next month will offer many opportunities for us to build relationships with the students and staff of Calderon.