Joy all around...- Welcome to Atlanta

Roughly five hours from Quito to Atlanta it is strange thinking about my time in Ecuador while on the plane. It does not seem to have just been yesterday anymore. The feeling upon arriving in Atlanta was beyond amazing and indescribable, I read a sign that read “U.S.  Homeland Security welcomes you to the Unites States of America.” I realize that what I’m returning to is whole other world/rhythm from Quito. People at the Atlanta airport were so warm, happy, kind, and helpful in comparison to UIO airport in Quito. In Quito Denise and I needed help with our luggage and there were six individuals who could have helped us yet chose to stand in place and look at us struggle. One man in Atlanta wishes us a Merry Christmas as he helped us with our bags. The man had a big smile on his face and I could not help but smile back and genuinely thank him for the good wishes. I cannot believe Christmas is near and next and next week New Years. ( (8am)

TGI Friday’s: Eggs, Toast, Hash Browns, Bacon, and ICED TEA! with lemons. Get out of town. Haha.

This beast of a breakfast was at 7am.

Note:

Although I will never forget where I have come from and will forever be grateful for what I have- I cannot see myself settling for just anything.  I have changed in many positive aspects all due to seventeen weeks experiencing life. A dear friend of mine told me today (December 21^st, 2010) how interesting she finds that one person can impact another’s life. It does not happen often that I can relate or fully understand what one is talking about normally I find I find myself listening to gain understanding. I learned from one person during my time abroad that many times we let things become routine and limit ourselves and time from opportunities to learn, discover, and experience life. Although the main thing I learned was to Live life and not always plan it I learned numerous lessons.  One person has forever changed my life and I am perpetuity grateful. With much uncertainty of what the future holds I am just excited. ( From Atlanta to Phoenix)

My  Mom Bertha!

My sister listened well and had my iced coffee from Starbucks for when I arrived.

Fue Chevere el Ecuador

Dear Family and Friends.

                                                       

My time in Ecuador has come to an end. I have been here 17 weeks and I must say it truly was a great experience. It may sound cliché but I truly could not have done this trip without the unconditional love and support from my Family.  I improved my Spanish at Academia Latinoamericana de Espanol and took business courses at Equatorialis University. The professors from the academy definitely taught me a lot.  I have a whole new perspective on learning having been the only student in a couple of my classes. I have experienced some of the greatest moments of my life so far in Ecuador. I cannot imagine what this trip would have been without Denise and her host family.  I had some great things happen but also experienced some tough moments but with all good and bad I learned quite a few lessons. At this moment in time I am neither sad nor happy beyond imagination to return home but I look forward to see my family.  The greatest thing I have learned in Ecuador is that not everything can be or should be planned. Although I have goals and I have lots to look forward to I really don’t know what will happen with time but one thing I do now is that my adventure is just beginning.  I would like to thank the following people:

Denise: for being an Amazing friend, I love you.  Thanks for all the great laughs. (I’m in my space shuttle!)

Adrian and Carlos: for being so hospitable and warm towards me. I always felt welcomed.

Brian:  Thank You for allowing me to become your friend. You are an incredible dude! Thanks for all the fun times. Thanks for the encouragement to walk to school.

Vincent: Thank you for being so open and allowing me to get to know you. Thank you for being an honest, funny, outgoing, kind, generous person among other things. Thank you for being part of my Cuenca trip.

Raquel:  Thank you for your advice and guidance.

Family, Mike, Joann, Rae: I LOVE YOU GUYS! THANK YOU.

Yonseili Flores

Huerta, Mitad del Mundo, Parillada

Huerta, Mitad del Mundo, Parillada

The day before I return home and I spent most of part of it with my host family. For breakfast I had egg, bread with cheese and supermaxi’s famous raspberry jam, and coffee.  I accompanied them to the market and to airport because they needed to send a package. My host family since I arrived at their house spoke of their ‘huerta’ and how they wanted me to go see it, and pick avocados. Sr. Manuel many times told me about the coffee he grew at the ‘huerta’; occasionally I saw him roasting and grinding the beans.  I visited the ‘huerta’ and I was mind blown by the size of the huge avocado trees, there were also tangerines, lemons, corn, lettuce, herbs, and more.  Afterwards they took me to the Middle of the World, which I had visited in August. I asked for them to take me because it was a place I really wanted to see once more before I left.

Lunch was at Jasmine’s my host mom’s daughter’s house and they had a ‘parillada’ for me because I am returning home.  The ‘parillada’ was extremely good, Sr. Manuel had quite a few jokes, and thankfully no one choked on their food with the amount of laughing that went on.  After lunch everyone kind of did their own thing and I watched part of a movie in one of the rooms. It was around 6pm when we left and according to what I understood my host mom said; we were returning home. Nope, turns out they wanted to visit other family member… It was not bad because there were two brothers that I was talking too and they turned out to be really cool people.  I really wanted to return home and Sr. Manuel realized that so because my host parents were not ready to return home they had one of the guys bring me to the house. I immediately go see Denise and her family which I missed all day.

Denise, Joakim, and I went out and had a sweet time. Denise and I worked a bit on our blogs and looked back at some of our many videos of our time in Ecuador and I must say- FUNNY!

-Yonseili

Museo de Guaya amín y un almuerzo Buenaso.

I went to Museo de Guayasamín in the morning with Denise. The guide at the museum talked really fast so we skipped the tour and decided to just take pictures. My host family took me out for lunch at a restaurant called ‘Que Ricas Fritadas’ located in Nayon (pueblo) located in the ‘Chillos’ area. For lunch:

Demorocho-Empanadas

Choclo con Qeso- Corn on a cob with cheese

Fritada con tortillas- Typical Ecuadorian dish

Quimbolito: Pancake taste in a banana leaf

I helped my host mom by putting together candy bags after lunch. I then just worked on getting my luggage together and washed some things.  In the evening I went over to visit Denise because I had been at my home alone.  In the evening Denise, her host mom and I went out for a girls night out at Coffee Tree.  We girls had a great time the music and vibe was GREAT! It was quite a moment when Adriana asked Denise and I what was the worst and best part of Ecuador; I answered she had been the best. Adriana seemed to have been touched by my answer and began to get teary eyed.  It is true though Adriana has been the beyond amazing, helpful, understanding, kinds, etc.

-Yonseili