It’s Thursday night. It’s been a great trip. Since I have classes until 4pm, I need to spent my three hours of daylight each afternoon wisely. I got some Spanish books and picked up obligatory presents for family at the Mercado Artesenal. I have homework to finish after dinner and by the time that’s done I’m wiped.
Today I feel like I really hit a wall of mental exhaustion. I knew it was going to come, but the suddenness and intensity really caught me off guard.
I started to slip into that hole of “holy shit I still have so far to go, I’m never going to get there.” It was hard to crawl out.
But I am improving. My classes are really intense and so worthwhile. My teachers are amazing. My family is incredible. I’m really glad I came.
I can’t believe tomorrow is my last day of classes. Saturday morning I’m headed to “La Mitad del Mundo,” a spot directly under the equator, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere at the same time. Then it’s off to some hot springs where I sprung (ha!) for a night in a touristy hotel so I could relax in the warm, natural waters or some really beautiful pools. I’ll be doing all the by myself, and of course there are no direct routes.
Sunday afternoon I head back to Quito and early Monday morning I’m on a plane back to the States.
I wish I could write more but my brain is mush. Instead, here are more pictures.
EL CENTRO HISTÓRICO
EL PARQUE CAROLINA
EL TELEFORICO
MY DAILY WALK
Fabulous pictures. Loved the painted birds statuary.
Sounds like it has been a wonderful experience and lots of language happening which is exactly what you wanted. Enjoy equator! We are all looking forward to your post return recovery and more about your whole experience.
Would you repeat? Same place? Same program, different place? How soon would you feel comfortable taking your daughter and having her in a class too? How was the ‘separate time from children and your normal world’. What would you do differently/the same next time?
Cheers!!!
Sounds wonderful! I admire your “moxie” in making this trip! Enjoy the hot springs.