I could get used to this life. Ecuador feels like home, yet I am truly on vacation, so I feel relaxed and comfortable.I wake up early to get Maya moving. She still has a very swollen eye, but is is improving and will not require a visit to the hospital. I was actually looking forward to checking out the medical system, but am relieved that we are safe so far without the need to rush to the Emergency room. Maya wanted carrot cake for breakfast, and I did not have the 'ganas' to insist on a better choice. I added bananas and milk and hoped the three cups of carrots counted as something healthy.
Eric and I walk down with Maya to meet her bus, and then walk the few steps to Boncaffe for coffee. I had arranged to meet Amparo at 9 AM in the Mariscal, so had the time to walk to Guayasamin Language School. The hours at Spanish speed by, and I hope I am actually learning something, rather than reviewing what I know. I have no idea about grammar or tenses, I just make it up as I go. I imagine that Amparo knows that I am clueless. I am able to express myself well and my vocabulary is great, but I still don't have a clue how to conjugate verbs. I followed the students to salsa class. Paul, our former teacher at Son Latino was teaching the class. My favourite teacher Jipsum, has moved to Switzerland, and Son Latino is no more. Paul could not tell me what he was doing there. The class was actually very good, better than I remembered when Paul taught us before. I am almost lost in the movements, my body in step, reminding itself, dancing to the rhythm. One of the women, who played a male dancing role was clearly very good at salsa. Later she told us that she once taught Latin dance. She and Paul showed us an impressive example of salsa, a reason to return for more.
Amparo had given me instructions of how to get to a shop that may have coriander and turmeric. I had tried several recipes these past few days, which had asked for several spices I could not find at Megamaxi or the local market store. Next time in Otavalo or Sangolqui, I must make a concerted effort to find the spices unavailable in the usual stores. I did find 'Camali', where coriander seeds were available. Later, I cooked them on the stove for a bit and then ground them up using the osterizer that is supposed to be a juicer. My kitchen is woefully inadequate, but I make do.
I walked back home using side streets and doubling back a few times to avoid the car exhaust. Eric met me at a supposedly Italian gelato shop, but of course it was nothing like Italian gelato. I had described making my carrot cake to Amparo during my lesson, and my neighbour could not concentrate on his lesson when he heard the details. I was looking forward to carrot cake all day, so Eric and I had one piece while waiting for Maya and another when she arrived.
My plan for the evening was to watch the Ecuador Venezuela game, (which was not too exciting and the Ecuadorians did not play well and tied 1:1), and watch the debate between Obama and Romney, which was better than the last one between the two. Between talking to Maya and Eric and my parents and Monica, I toasted coriander seeds and ground them, ground cloves, and started my quinoa, lentil and garbanzo bean soup. I had to soak the garbanzo beans all night and cook them beforehand for an hour. The soup was not ready for dinner, so with the leftover chickpeas, I made a delicious hummus and served it with carrots and salad and more carrot cake for dessert. I am not sure I want to make another cake like that; it is far too tasty!
I have lectures to watch for my online history course, and the last eight books of the Odyssey to read for my mythology course, and an essay to write for my Spanish class, so the evening is just beginning. I guess this is no vacation, but it is not my ordinary life either. It is rather remarkable how busy and active my life is now that we are established in our new home.
Eric and I walk down with Maya to meet her bus, and then walk the few steps to Boncaffe for coffee. I had arranged to meet Amparo at 9 AM in the Mariscal, so had the time to walk to Guayasamin Language School. The hours at Spanish speed by, and I hope I am actually learning something, rather than reviewing what I know. I have no idea about grammar or tenses, I just make it up as I go. I imagine that Amparo knows that I am clueless. I am able to express myself well and my vocabulary is great, but I still don't have a clue how to conjugate verbs. I followed the students to salsa class. Paul, our former teacher at Son Latino was teaching the class. My favourite teacher Jipsum, has moved to Switzerland, and Son Latino is no more. Paul could not tell me what he was doing there. The class was actually very good, better than I remembered when Paul taught us before. I am almost lost in the movements, my body in step, reminding itself, dancing to the rhythm. One of the women, who played a male dancing role was clearly very good at salsa. Later she told us that she once taught Latin dance. She and Paul showed us an impressive example of salsa, a reason to return for more.
Amparo had given me instructions of how to get to a shop that may have coriander and turmeric. I had tried several recipes these past few days, which had asked for several spices I could not find at Megamaxi or the local market store. Next time in Otavalo or Sangolqui, I must make a concerted effort to find the spices unavailable in the usual stores. I did find 'Camali', where coriander seeds were available. Later, I cooked them on the stove for a bit and then ground them up using the osterizer that is supposed to be a juicer. My kitchen is woefully inadequate, but I make do.
I walked back home using side streets and doubling back a few times to avoid the car exhaust. Eric met me at a supposedly Italian gelato shop, but of course it was nothing like Italian gelato. I had described making my carrot cake to Amparo during my lesson, and my neighbour could not concentrate on his lesson when he heard the details. I was looking forward to carrot cake all day, so Eric and I had one piece while waiting for Maya and another when she arrived.
My plan for the evening was to watch the Ecuador Venezuela game, (which was not too exciting and the Ecuadorians did not play well and tied 1:1), and watch the debate between Obama and Romney, which was better than the last one between the two. Between talking to Maya and Eric and my parents and Monica, I toasted coriander seeds and ground them, ground cloves, and started my quinoa, lentil and garbanzo bean soup. I had to soak the garbanzo beans all night and cook them beforehand for an hour. The soup was not ready for dinner, so with the leftover chickpeas, I made a delicious hummus and served it with carrots and salad and more carrot cake for dessert. I am not sure I want to make another cake like that; it is far too tasty!
I have lectures to watch for my online history course, and the last eight books of the Odyssey to read for my mythology course, and an essay to write for my Spanish class, so the evening is just beginning. I guess this is no vacation, but it is not my ordinary life either. It is rather remarkable how busy and active my life is now that we are established in our new home.
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