Last 2 days!

I can not believe how fast this month has gone. I remember finding the internet cafe the first week! So much has happened to me in Quito and I have learned so much. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel here this summer and learn medicine, Spanish, and the way of life of Ecuadorians. I have laughed until I´ve cried and I´ve cried until some very special people have made me laugh again. I´ve learned that I HATE the Trole. And my state of mind is more important so I will pay $4 for a cab if it means I can actually breathe. I have learned that although the healthcare is not the best, they are doing the best they can and really trying to reach out to everyone. I have also realized we have it extremely EASY in the U.S. and even though our country isn´t perfect, any person who spends a month in Ecuador would agree with me. I have learned to give everyone a chance and slow down, listen, actually listen, to people talk and you will be amazed at what they have to say. I am happy and proud to say I have made friends for life down here not only within my program but with Ecuadorians as well. Ok so that was my ramble session but I really wanted to post what is coming up in the next two days before I leave because I´m sure I won´t get a chance to write a lot.

Tonight is my roommate and I´s last dinner with our host mom, even though she never eats with us. It is her last night cooking for us. Then we are planning on heading to the Mariscal (downtown area) for ¨Ladies Night¨where us girls get in for free. Sorry guys :) Tomorrow (Thursday) is our last day of clinic :( And then Rosita, the coordinator at the school, is taking all 30 of us out for dinner and then we reserved a CHIVEA for the night. Like I defined in my Baños post, it´s similar to an American party bus but BETTER. So we all plan on doing that and then probably going out again. Friday we do not have clinic, due to the CHIVEA the night before (Thanks Dr. Alvear) and I am planning on, when I wake up, returning to La Maternidad to say one final (and difficult) goodbye to Fernando and hopefully anyone else who is working that day. Fernando wanted me to work an overnight shift but unfortunately we can´t do that because A) it´s not in the program and B) it´s dangerous...or MUY PELIGROSO. I will explain the humor behind this all to common phrase when I return. Anyway, after that I will most likely run around Quito and try to squeeze in a few more sights, tastes and smells before a group of us head to Tapas y Vinos for round two! All you can eat appetizers (tapas) and wine (vino). Then Saturday morning I wake up bright and early and head to the airport around 6:30 and my flight leaves at 8:35. I´m not thrilled about my 4 hour layover in Miami but Hilary, another student, is flying to Miami an hour after me so I should have someone to hang out with for awhile. I get in to Chicago around 8PM that night where Cody, and my long anticipated Dr. Pepper, is picking me up. I´m not sure how to feel right now. Part of me wants to come home but the other part could see myself staying for awhile. I do miss my family and friends and I can´t wait to see all of you!! I´m pretty sure I am going to have reverse culture shock when I return, walk into a store and they charge me $8 for lunch instead of $2. Not cool America. Not cool.

I did want to mention what I did today (Wednesday): I was in clinic with Dr. V until 11 AM where I witnessed a hernia repair. It was pretty intense and the resident even showed Matt and I how to do the stitch. We did not get to scrub in because I guess they didn´t need that many people. After, I walked to the TROLE (ugh) and took it to Santo Domingo church which was finally open. I have been there three times and its been closed every time. I walked around inside for awhile although they were just finishing up Mass when I entered. I then walked across the plaza so I could take a picture of the church and a lady came up to me and said, ¨Cuidado.¨ which means, ¨Be careful.¨I asked her why, all I was doing was taking a picture and she said because I might get robbed. Once again, MUY PELIGROSO. I thanked her and put my camera away. Don´t worry mom, I did NOT get robbed. Everyone just thinks Quito is like the most dangerous city and you are going to get robbed every time you whip out your camera. FALSE. After I went and had lunch in El Historico on Espejo street which is really a cobblestone walkway blocked off to trafffic. I found a cute cafe with soup, main course, desert and bebida for $2! I sat outside and ate and then planned on heading back to my house. However on my way back I happened to walk by Santa Catalina Monastery, where the nuns live. Being my curious self, I walked in and they immediately asked if I wanted to a tour. It was only a dollar and I was fortunate to get a tour guide who spoke English! It was amazing to see the convent and hear the stories about how the indigenous people taught Catholic religion through paintings. I learned about Saints, although sorry mom, St. Anthony was not included. I did see the nuns outside in the garden where they are allowed to speak with each other for only an hour during the day. The convent was built in the 1560´s and is proof when you walk across the squeaky floor. The church inside was absolutely beautiful and she even took us up to the bell tower. She showed us the handicrafts the nuns made and at the end I tried the wine they made! It was delicious. I´m really glad I accidently stumbled in. Well once again, it´s dinner time! And my last dinner at my host mother´s house. Love and miss all of you and I will see you soon!! :)

Love,
Hilary