Es Tranquilo

Ecuador is filled with volcanoes, many of which are still active. There's tidal waves and landslides, social conflicts and military uprisings. The people though, insist that their country and their way of life is "tranquilo," and they pride themselves on their calm, laidback lifestyle.

It's once again "tranquilo" in Ecuador, and I'm officially off of lock down and in Quito. Things are about as normal in the city as I guess they could be 3 days after an attempted military coup. Thursday night on the news I heard the President scream to an enraged mob "hear I am, here's the President, kill me if you are brave enough" and I watched in real time a member of the military die in a firefight. Friday morning the city was already being cleaned up, the President was back in Independence Square, and although there was still an uneasiness in the air, it became safe enough for us to be in the city and cross province borders.
It was all so surreal. It's hard for me fathom that this is just a part of normal life-the last 3 presidents were ousted by the people, so for the people here, a military coup is not that crazy. I don't know if I could ever get used to this type of instability.

Before arriving in Quito a few hours ago, I had to say goodbye to my host family in Los Chillos. I can't believe it has already been a month and it's time to move on. Saturday was a day of major ups and downs, literally, and gastrically. I climbed Ilalo (the volcano near my house) for the second time, only this time we went to the peak (3060m = major UP). Once again I was trailing my host father the entire way, and once again we went down the mountain "mas rapido"- translation: at a sprint. I couldn't keep pace on the way down either, and in my haste I rolled an ankle and went tumbling down quite a ways (major down- about 15m). I made it back to the house slightly bruised and covered in dirt, and was "surprised" (they had told me about the surprise fiesta the day before) with a party by my two younger cousins, Mateo, 11, and Daniela, 10. They had set up a table, chairs, and umbrellas out in the yard with snacks, homemade juice, and a cooler full of ice cream. We all danced and I listened to Mateo talk about the love of his life. They had also set up a slip and slide so we went sliding across the plastic tarp covered in soap about 100 times. For two little kids, they knew how to throw a party. I felt a little old for the slip and slide, until my 23 year old host brother and his girlfriend came out an joined (major up of the day).

I went inside after the fiesta for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. I had accidentally told my host father at the beginning of the week that I was willing to try any food once, one thing led to another, and the next thing I knew I was in the kitchen washing cows feet for soup. The soup itself wasn't bad, but the cows' feet were AWFUL. They cooked down to the texture of gelatin. I thought I was going to vomit everywhere when I tried to eat them, and jello has been forever ruined for me. I felt bad, so I put on my game face, stopped chewing, and just started swallowing the meat flavored jello pieces. Apparently I didn't have a good poker face because my host father put down his spoon, started laughing, and told me that I didn't have to eat it if I didn't like it (major low).

It was a little sad to leave today after being with my host family for a month. I'm so pumped to go the rain forest tomorrow, and I'm excited to be staying in Quito afterwards because I think the city will be a lot of fun, but it was weird saying goodbye to the people I have shared the past month with. I was a bit skeptical of staying with a host family at first, but it turned out to be a great experience.