Quito Day 10

Well.. Apparently today is Valentine´s Day! We were very unaware. This holiday is not nearly as commercialized as it is in the U.S. Same routine again, Spanish in the morning, our teacher Paola bought us flowers. It was so sweet. Then I was needing to upload more photos, (I still have more to go) so I went to the internet cafe, called my mom and tried to get caught up again. i fall behind very fast when i don´t do this daily. While I was at the cafe, Sarah was walking around.

Once we had dinner and went back to the hostal a party was waiting for us. The hostal family was having rum and cokes. Free of charge rum and cokes. Sprite and Rum once the coke was no more. These are also very strong drinks. I was basically held captive and forced to drink with the family. They pulled a Kostia on my and said that it was disrespectful not to take a drink when one is offered to you. And once you take it, you must drink it. It was the most "peer pressure" I think I have ever experienced, and thts hard considering who my friends are. Anyway, out of complete respect I stayed and drank with them. After my 6th or 7th "soda" and rum, I decided that it was time to do my Spanish homework and go to bed. Yep I had school in the morning. But I did get some slack because my teacher was there and kept cheersing everyone. Another Kostia Tradition.

It was a really fun party. lots of music, dancing, gabbing, and watching old Latin Singers from the 70s and their videos. I was given a new Ecuadorian name. Margarita was not cutting it apparently, but the new name is "Pepita". i have no idea where it came from, but like the drinks, out of respect you take things that are given to you, including names.

I had fun practicing my spanish with two young girls who were visiting. They were 11 and 8 from Guayaquil. We discussed the importance of "High School Musical". it was so much fun, plus it was free. I can say it was probably the most fun I have had on a Valentine´s day.

02/14/08