Hola Amigos!

Hey everyone! So I just stumbled through creating this blogger account (for some reason the spanish infiltrated my computer as well?). Its been probably the craziest 24 hours of my life, but now I finally have a few seconds to take it all in. It turns out I really do know as little Spanish as I thought, haha. Its easier to understand what people are saying than to make sentences of my own...but I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. They explained some of the local customs today, and the explained that people here greet everyone when they walk into a room. Instead of waiting for individual introductions, you are just supposed to let everyone know who you are. See, I would love to have that in the United States because I think so many awkward social moments could be remedied by blanket introductions, but its a bit nerve-wrecking when I know such little Spanish!

Today I had my first orientation at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito! It is such a gorgeous campus, I can't get over it. The buildings are painted bright colors and there are flowers blooming everywhere. The weather was absolutely perfect all day...partially cloudy and 65 degrees with a small breeze. The storm clouds started rolling in over the mountains at about 5:30, but it was almost more beautiful than the perfect weather :) It was wonderful to smell rain again after so many months of cold!

I still cannot believe I am finally here after almost a year of planning. Its weird to think that the rain thats coming down on the roof of my host madre's house is Ecuadorian rain...or that when I turn on the radio its Spanish songs and voices. Its all still so strange, but I'm sure that I will get the hang of it eventually.

Anyway, thanks for reading! I'll keep you updated on all of my stories :)