Just a Few More Days....

So my mother said that I should write a post describing how I'm getting ready to leave for Ecuador, because "people" would be interested in that....though I assure you, it is not that exciting. Mostly it entails preparing myself for the culture shock that is about to come. For example, the water is so dirty that even the Ecuadorians don't drink it... therefore, I'm bound to get sick even though I won't be drinking the water. At least it's an excuse not to eat lettuce!! Also, the elevation is so much higher, so I'll probably suffer from some headaches from that. So I'll basically be ill the first two weeks!!

Something else interesting is that the plumbing system in Ecuador is very different. You can't flush toilet paper... instead, most homes have a little waste basket next to the toilet where you will throw the toilet paper away when you are finished with it. HOWEVER some public places DON'T EVEN SUPPLY TOILET PAPER. I'm not excited to experience that, because knowing me, I'll forget to bring some with me. Also, they don't sell feminine products in Otavalo, so I seriously stocked up. It'll be my whole suitcase.

I truly apologize if you did not want to read that sort of stuff about bodily systems, but this is the kind of stuff I am thinking about before my trip there!! It makes me so thankful for the United States, where you can buy tampons anywhere and where you can flush your toilet paper down the toilet. And where you can drink the water!!! So PLEASE appreciate your clean toilet habits while I'm gone, because I'll seriously be missing them!

As for "normal" ways of getting ready - I had to get three vaccines: typhoid, hep A, and tetanus. No malaria, because the mosquitos that carry malaria don't live in the high elevation areas, which is where I'll be. Those mosquitos only survive in the lower elevations...like the coastal areas and the rainforest areas/Galapagos. I'll only be in Quito and Otavalo, which is 9000 ft elevation, or something like that.

I'm also trying to figure out how I'll pack everything without my suitcase being too heavy. I always overpack, because I have big dreams about the clothes I'll wear...even though I know I'll probably wear the same outfit everyday..... the remnants of attending a private school my whole life - really wish I still had a uniform haha! It's inappropriate to wear shorts down there, and the weather will be on the chillier side anyways, so I won't be packing that. But I have to bring clothes that are professional to teach in, everyday wear AKA cozy, hiking, a bathing suit, going-out clothes for the discotheques, etc.! It's a lot, plus all the necessary things (contacts, glasses, etc) AND of course, I want to spoil my students with gifts. I also need to make sure that I will have room to bring my all my souvenirs! Otavalo is known for its HUGE market, and I LOVE TO SHOP AND HAGGLE, so I will be buying a lot. I just need to make sure I can get it all back home to the USA afterwards hahahah.

Hopefully my mom approves this "preparation" post lol. Here's a picture of Otavalo's market for your enjoyment:

Taken from: http://gilliansheppard.blogspot.com/