March

The month of March is now over. This month I had a couple of very unique experiences. The first of these was carnival. From March 1st until the 4th, we celebrated carnival in the nearby valley of Vilcabamba. Four days of complete craziness, carnival was spent in the town center. Here people poured water over each other, covered each other with flour and raw eggs, and also smeared food coloring on each other's clothing, body, or whatever was available. In the evening there were parties in farm houses. Almost all of Loja was there, making it a real adventure. After four tiring days filled with fun, it was time to return to Loja, back to the real world. This was the first time I had experienced a carnival, and it was very fun getting to forget about everything and just go crazy. Everyone was laughing and getting each other wet, not a single worry for four whole days. In my opinion, everybody could use a holiday like this.

That next weekend after coming back to Loja two of my classmates had birthdays, Sofie and Maria Susana. They are both very good of friends of mine, having accepted me with open arms here in Ecuador. Thus, that weekend we had two get-togethers for each of them, celebrating amongst friends and family. It was good time.

 Towards the middle of March, I received an email from my host club counselor that announced our next rotary trip. This trip was to be taken to the Galápagos Islands. This group of islands, territory of Ecuador, is known worldwide for being the place where Charles Darwin developed his theory of Evolution. Thus, having received the email of our trip being that upcoming Wednesday March 19th, I packed my bags and in no time was on the way. We arrived in the afternoon of the 19th on the island Santa Cruz, after hours in bus, airplane, and boat. Along with 40 other exchange students and several Rotarian chaperones, we had made it. I was extremely excited for this trip, as the Galápagos Islands are very famous, and it is a place not everyone gets the chance to visit. Having arrived in the afternoon, we left the hotel to go to a local beach by the name of Tortuga Bay. A beautiful beach, it was all white sand and clear water, just like in the photos. To add to that, literally swimming next to us were small sharks, sting rays, and marine iguanas(distinct to the islands). Already amazed, the next three days I experienced the rest of the wonders of the archipelago Galapagos. Each morning we went by boat to the other islands. We got to know the largest Island Isabela, as well as famous Bartolome, and the last day San Cristobal, the capital of Galapagos. Each of these tours showed us something new, as we saw all different types of animals, sea lions, dolphins, manta rays, jellyfish, giant turtles, flamingos, blue-footed birds, etc. I was extremely impressed with the trip. The animals were not afraid of us, so I was able to observe them from close up, as well as take many detailed photos. However, after four exhausting days, it was time to go home again. Satisfied and too tired to imagine, it was time to go back to Loja. Sadly, this meant another see-you-later to the other exchange students, as there are only two of us in Loja. The other being Xenia, a girl from Germany, who I have grown very close to. Overall, I would say that visiting Galapagos was well worth the time, money, and energy spent, for there is literally no other place in the world like it. For those people looking for an adventure, this place is just it.

The rest of the month I spent back at school. Everything was back to "normal" until I realized that my English teacher had asked me to be the host of an upcoming poetry contest. Having almost completely forgotten, I came to realize that this contest was to be that next day, Thursday the 27th of March. Not to worry, as I am an all-powerful exchange student, but still I was rather nervous at the idea. The thing was that this was to be my official test of my use of the Spanish language. My English teacher had selected a friend of mine, Claudia, to host as well, but she was to announce in English. I on the other hand was to translate to Spanish the same announcements. As hosts, we were to present the participants of the poetry contest, as well as give introductions, closings, and cite lines from famous poems. Being the next day, Claudia had luckily already finished up our script while I was in Galapagos. I spent that whole day going over the lines, making sure to work on my pronunciation, as this was to be a very important and very formal presentation, with no room for error. Before I knew it, it was the next morning, I was in a suit behind a podium, with a microphone set, and a crowd of 250 people in front of me. Despite my nerves and fear of messing up the words, the contest was a complete success(Message me on Facebook for a link to the video clips). Only messing up but a few pronunciations, the crowd enjoyed every bit of it. I had passed my official Spanish test for the year. The English teacher, Milton, came to me after to thank me. I would like to say that he is one of the best legitimate people I have met here in Ecuador. Although I did him a favor, I would say he has done me more of a favor with his passion for teaching. He is one of the most hardworking people I know, as it's not easy being a teacher, especially not of a foreign language. Milton also organized the event of the contest; because of this it was a success. For people like him, I am reminded that exchange is worth the missing of my family and friends back home. You get to know and care about people from different parts of the world.

The month of March was filled with emotion, and although sometimes difficult, it has been on the best. My journey continues, and so does the emotion, but slowly and surely it is coming to an end.