Sian and I decided to spend our Carnaval weekend on the coast, in the city of Atacames. Our bus left Quito at 11p on Saturday night (we couldn't get any tickets beforehand, because so many people wanted to go to the beach for Carnaval). There were so many people at the bus terminal (is that what you call it?), that we were afraid we were going to miss our bus! Our bus pulled in at around 10:55p, the lady called out the bus number to Atacames over the speakers o...

Our first task at the orphanage today was to organize the food pantry. Sian and I organized milk products, oatmeal, pasta, and cooking oil. We rocked it. Max and Roberto had to move these gigantic bags of rice and sugar into the bag room, and they also rocked it. Despite the fact that I was sneezing the whole time (I've caught quite the cold!), we had a good time. After organizing, Vanessa asked me if I would help her do laundry. She's 16 years old, originally f...

I experienced my first earthquake tremors today! The epicenter was Esmeraldas, a city on the coast. It happened around 6am this morning. I was obviously sleeping...and thought it was all in my dreams. But, when I went to breakfast this morning, Marcelo said it was for realsies. I told him that it was kind-of nice with the building swaying...I felt like I was being rocked to sleep. He thought that was quite funny. Well, after breakfast and a conversation about l...

Hola! So, it's Tuesday. I have just finished having dinner with my host family. We had sopa con queso, tomates, y papas con carne. Olgita, our host mami, always makes the best meals! Marcelo, our host papi, eats dinner with us (it was me and the other two Americans tonight as the Belgians have left, and Hy Jeong was out and about). We each talk about our days, and so we have all gotten a lot better at using el preterito (past tense). It has been such a great exp...

Well, I made it! I have so many stories to tell already! It began iwth a tearful goodbye (on my part) to my amazing boyfriend Mike in Minneapolis. I then proceeded, quite nervy, to stand in line with my maybe too heavy luggage and maybe too large carry-on. I just finished packing the night before (typical Lauren), which was the main problem. Meh, turned out to be just fine, and my carry-on I could stuff (kicking was involved) under the seat in front of me. Phew!...