Thursday, August 27, 2009

La Familia

So I think that I have finally learned the names and the structure of this family, and will thereby describe it here as evidence.

The Mother: Violet (she is very very nice, but speaks the least English)

The Oldest Daughter: Gisella (she really wants to learn english but has a hard time hearing the differnces between similar words)

The Oldest Daughters Boyfriend: Gabrielle (knows the most English, I am always excited when he comes over)

The Middle Son: Paublo (is very friendly and has ascorted me to the volunteer agency today and is out showing Yoni different churches right now, Yoni says he thinks he is 27)

The Youngest Daughter: Brezna (she is 18 and likes to sleep late, which makes me look not as bad when I sleep to 11AM beacuase of my jet leg)

The Youngest Daughters Boyfriend: Miguel (also very friendly and knows some English, he is also unusually brave about trying to speak it)

There have also been a couple other neighbors and friends that have come by with their children periodically but I don´t remember their names.

I am starting to become like Yoni, not in that I don´t talk, but when I speak English it becomes a simplar English since that´s how I´ve been thinking when I try to speak Spanish. I end up saying "very difficult" a lot.

I am also very very tired, which is a bit weird considering how late I slept. Yoni said he was tired the first day and he thinks it has to do with the altitude. I think very very mild altitude sickness shows up and tiredness and lack of breath, which I have experianced every time I try to tackle stairs (and there are lots of stairs).


I took some pictures of the house to show everyone what it is like here:

This is the living room:

This is the dining room:

This is the kitchen:

This is my bedroom:

(I don´t have a picture of Yoni´s room because his door is locked since he is out with Paublo)

This is the view from the stiarway window:


9 comments:

  1. great pictures! Bet you are happy that you brought your camera. The symptoms do sound like altitude affects. You'll have to decide if the medicine is better or worse than the condition. I think that people eventually adapt but that could take weeks. Hope that orientation was fun. Take care!
    Love/Mom

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  2. Hi Hanne,

    I don't think your symptoms sounds like altitude sickness, since that often is more related with headache, insomnia and upset stomach. I think you just need to catch up on sleep, the last few days have been filled with a lot of excitment and positive stress so just make sure that you drink and rest enough to make sure your body adjust to the air pressure.

    The pictures of your host families house is nice. I look forward to see some portraits as well of the family and their friends. Some nice street pictures with people in wool hats would be another good series of pictures - your motives are endless :)

    Ta väl hand om Dig själv -- Tycker mycket om Dig
    Pappa

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  3. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Sounds like you are enjoying getting to know the members of your host family. It is always great to get your daily updates. I am sure that you will have many interesting days over the next few weeks.
    Take care, Greg

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  4. Wow. I especially like the pictures from the stairs. Quito looks like an amazing city. I hope you're adjusting to the altitude. Keep posting puctures!

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  5. That last comment was me (Anthony) by the way. Sorry about that.

    -Anthony (this time I remembered!)

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  6. I love the pictures. How is the food more spanish or mexican flavors? Both are awesome. Do they do tapas and then dinner like 10:00pm. Have a good time and send more pix.

    Love, Auntie Jan

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  7. Hanne: I hope you enjoy Ecuador and the amazing experiences ahead! And try the ceviche (yum)!
    -Uncle Jim

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  8. Sounds like you are having a blast make sure to hit up the markets and get some jewelry! There is usually some amazing silver and art around too!:)
    -Marie

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  9. Hi Hanne,
    Emma is now visiting at my house. We did the kitchen thing this morning and made applesauce. Yesterday we went to the movies to see Time Travelers Wife with Isabeau. We are looking to find something interesting to do, but I am not a very good guide.

    Grandma Delta

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