Oops!

As the pictures shows - lunch time came today and all the gringos got into a little click! Not really a good look.
The CO had a little word in Marks ear reminding him that we need to not be seen as only interested in our own culture. In my defense - after hours of spanish - it is so nice to have english spoken around you - but I can see his point! I hope he had a word in the other's ears too cause we may look like we are "dis-ing" them tomorrow!

1st day of Spanish DC

Very tired tonight - 1st day of the convention en espanol. It hard work I can tell you - thank goodness for the notes I took at the English convention!
We were picked up this morning by our faithful "G" but he wasn't able to bring us home tonight so we have just endured a ride home on 2 buses - at night they are always full and I don't know what happened to chivalry or them respecting old age - we stood for part of the ride (hard work in high heels).
Was assigned to toilets this morning - yep Ecuadorians have a little bit of learning to go in that department - glad the job is over for the weekend. Not a very rico job I have to say.
Had to do cleaning after the last session too but was happy to work - got me out of having speak spanish to anyone else.

Gold Star for us maybe?

Just home from the meeting and have to tell you about our good deed for the day. On the walk home we came across a family struggling to carry lots of stuff. The little girl was expected to carry a heavy backpack and it almost tipped her over when she picked it up. Of course we offered to carry it for her and thankfully it was not far to go cause they were heading for the casa above the internet cafe that I used to go to back in the days of no internet at home. Well the lady that always served me, came out and when she saw me she gushed "Senora Elizabeth - Where have you been and why haven't you been visiting me" (she knows I have internet at home so it wasn't that she was missing my business). I gave her a hug and told her I would come and see her very soon. She seemed very happy to see me again and I hope we gave her a good witness helping her family.

How do you like my new outfit?

Mark thought I needed to go native!

Keeping my reputation for tripping over myself in tact!

Well I finally did it and I made a huge fool of myself when I did it too. Yep I fell over!

On the way to the territory this morning along with 5 others I mis-steped and went for such a skate! Down I came, books and bag scattering as I did and then ended up sprawled over the pavement. Of course everyone rushed around me and I jumped up in attempt to save my dignity but I had shaken myself up so much tears came to my eyes and I couldn't stop them for a while. I wanted to go home but that would have meant the new hermana I was going to be working with would have been by herself so I soldiered on for an hour. I only have a few bumps and bruises - on my already weak knees - and a sore neck so it could have been worse.

Mark suggested somewhat unkindly I thought - that he could buy me a walking stick!!! The cheek of the man!

A Little let down

Ugh what a day! Well actually it was a beautiful day to start with and I had an appointment with my English study at 10.30 so was quite happy walking up the hill in the sun. Well I don't know what happened but she weren't there so I decided to trudge up a little higher to the shop where she works. Nup! not there either so I made my way home again a little disappointed. Never mind - I have my other spanish one this afternoon and the sun is shining - life is still good. Well 3pm came and off I went with Barbara to see Nelly. Oops - shoulda taken my umbrella because by the time we got to her place it was teeming with rain! And she weren't there either!!! However we went back past her place of work and her husband said their baby was sick so she had taken her to the coast for a few days and would be back tomorrow. Got to always give them the benefit of the doubt eh!
I am now wet and cold and about to jump in the shower. For all my walking not much success but these things happen. Mark is going to shout me dinner at the mall tonight - yay at least I don't have to cook!

The Fog is Lifting!!

I had such a great morning this morning! I really felt in control because I could understand what the householders were saying to me and was able to answer them back. It is like a 4 month long fog in my brain finally lifting. Also what made me exceptionally happy was I found a girl who I had started a study with back in June again. I had first met her and her husband at their metalwork shop and placed a book with them (if you are reading this Chad - you may remember, you were with me and I had been chickening out all morning until you made me talk!). I had about 5 studies with her and then she was not at the shop anymore and so I had just about given up. This morning though I called on her house and she said that she stopped going to the shop cause it was too loud for her baby there. Yes - she still wanted a study so we have made an appointment for Friday! I am so happy to have found her!
Anyway by the end of the morning I had placed 9 mags and 2 brochures and arranged to visit all of them again.I even found one man who I will take Mark back to as he speaks English. Fantastico!!