Study Abroad - Quito, Ecuador: Plan A: Cotopaxi - Postponed; Plan B: Parrillada - Postponed; Plan C: Order in

Up and at 'em!

As I do every morning, I had breakfast. Martica joined us today and brought buñuelos for us to eat. After that, the family went out to do errands and I stayed in to work on my final presentation paper. Literally, I was on my HP Compaq 6515b most of the day. I listened to music as I worked and once in a while I gave myself breaks in between. I like how the Zune my brother let me borrow can pick up radio stations. Quito has plenty of stations to choose from. I've decided 89.7 is my favorite.

Lunch was deeelicious and Martica also joined us for this. It was a great soup, so great I got seconds. The fam left with Martica to help her out with something and said they'd be back.

We planned to make a parrillada (barbecue) but the weather ruined it for us. All day it was cloudy, cold, and drizzling at the very least. But that didn't stop us from getting together, no siree Bob. My host family suggested that if we still wanted to do something we could order food. Yonseili and I decided to order from Pizzeria el Hornero. Their menu has several things to offer.

We had invited Raquel to come over for the parrillada. She called me to ask what was going to happen since the weather wasn't good for a barbecue. I explained and she said she was still down to come and that she'd arrive in half an hour. I got ready and after a while headed to Yonseili's house. I heard her coming down the stairs because the bell had rang...not because of me, but Raquel had arrived. I would have opened the gate but I wasn't sure if in fact it was her, and plus Yonseili could simply push the button to open the gate. Anywho, I just stood at the doorway and waited for Yonseili to open the door. I scared her... I wish I could get a dollar for every time she has screamed during our stay here.

My host parents hadn't arrived by 6:30pm but Yonseili and I hung out with Raquel until everyone arrived. Yonseili ordered the food from Hornero and we waited. We shared pictures with her and chit-chat.

Later my host family arrived and then Yonseili's host parents arrived. I felt kinda bad because when Aidita came into the living room, she immediately saw the picture we gave my host family of us and asked where hers was... my host mom told her we were saving it for her.

yummy

Highlight of the day: So the food got there and the food was served. Around the table was Yonseili, Raquel, Aidita, Don Manuelito, Carlos, Adriana, and myself. What's interesting is that Raquel used to be Don Manuelito's student at the university. I remember when we watched Love in the Times of Cholera, she mentioned she read that book in his class. We had ordered pollo a la brasa with potatoes, rice and pizza. The pizza had olives and I must admit it was good. Aidita said a few jokes because Don Manuelito kept telling her to do so, 'cause she puts the 'sal' on them. Raquel was a great guest and I'm happy my host parents liked her and saw who she was, because we'd always talk about her.

Dinner was a success... although we didn't go to the Cotopaxi like we had originally planned to do with Raquel, and although we didn't have the barbecue, we enjoyed good food and good company. I'm glad the weather can't get into the house.