Almost a Week In Sua

So it's hard to believe but I've been in Sua now almost a week now. I have had friend fish EVERY.SIngle day and I'm not tired of it yet lol. Sua is a tiny town with lots of friendly people. This weekend was a feriada so a normally super quiet Sua was pretty live! Of course there is the beach that I have gone to everyday and it's cute and fabulous. I am doing the host fam thing again and that has been an adjustment. Just to discuss it in one second, I don't have one second to myself...not one..I actually writing this post under the guise that I am taking a shower because it's the only only only time I am sola. I just wanted to touch base and say I"M HERE! I'm happy, I'm adjusting, but asi es la vida. The newest adventure is going to be HOUSING! Right now I'm in a little cozy room which would be fine except I have EVERYTHING from my apartment. So a full apartment worth of stuff in a tiny tiny room. There is stuff I need that I just don't feel like unpacking all these boxes to get ya know? So I feel like I'm camping and hoping I can move rather soon. I'm pretty sure PC is not going to make me do the standard 3 month jam...somethings gotta give if THAT is that call. The other issue with housing is that either you live in Sua or you come for a weekend. No one rents here really long term like a year. So I have had a TIME finding a place. I'm meeting a friend this afternoon to take pictures of two of my possibilities. If I can get more "shower" time, I will post those pics so everyone can be in on the decision making process :) More to come...

#7 Afternoon naps

Shout out first of all because I have an “occupation” right now that allows afternoon naps! That alone is wondrous. Yet, it gets even better here in Ecuador. Whenever my work day ends early, I get sooooo excited because there is a chance the sun is till out right were I need it to be for my after noon naps. I come home and lay in my super cozy bed right in front of my huge window and I open the curtains and the sheers and just sun bathe basically until I drift into a dreamy sleep. It’s The.Best. I of course have my fan workin over time which makes dreams of beach getaways a breeze. ..wait was that a pun? A lot of times I wake up when it gets dark, as if the darkness has disturbed my sleep and now I must waken to get on with my day. That’s exactly how it goes. I get up and proceed to eat some dinner and continue on with my night activities. But those afternoon naps falling asleep in the sun, are something I will always think back on when reminiscing about my time in Ecuador

Oh, Oh, The Places You'll Go...

So in my hiatus, I haven't updated on ALL the places I've been in Ecuador, so I will be starting a simultaneous series about the places I've visited. I am also contributing some of these to another blog I'm writing for, so they may have a different "voice", so just know that's why. :) Check under the "places I've been" tag. Stay tuned...

A Change Is Gonna Come....

I could have been posting everyday, the ups and downs of what has been happening, but emotional roller coaster not only sound cliché, it doesn't even BEGIN to describe what I've been going through of feeling. I'll just give you the facts and as austerely as possible.

I'm being taken out of Guayaquil and moved to Sua for safety and security reasons.
This a HUGE change, I was just in Mid Service planning my next year in Guayaquil with the Mujeres, and now that is all changing. You never know what news tomorrow will bring.

Well in this case this has been dragging out for a month. I wasn't sure where I was going or when, and while it has been nuts, I have really great program managers that have I think taken care of the situation better than most people would have.

There have been tears, lots of stress and with all the unknowns hanging over me for weeks, it's been insane.

Now I have definites, so now I'm writing.

Location: Sua, a playa (that means beach and that's a plus) in Esmeraldas...a region I have never been to...It's going to be small town versus the big city I'm used to an aaaalll the changes that go with it...

When: Oct 29th is my official move out day...

In the meantime: I'm packing like a crazy person, STILL have to go to Quito to complete site change paper work and other Peace Corps Business...So I essentially have 3 days to pack up my aparment.

I know it's for the best, but the hardest part was telling the Mujeres I work with. I'm going to miss them SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much I can't even think about it!! I will keep in touch and I just know everything happens for a reason and I just hope and pray that this is the best path for all of us. One of the ladies was saying to look at it in a positive light, that I'm going to get a chance to help another community that may need me even more like I have helped them. I thought that was really sweet for her to say. All of them have said that they are most concerned with my well being and are going to miss me.

That has been the most shocking thing for me actually how much even my site mates are going to miss me. I feel like all I do is go to work and shut myself indoors. I am not half as sunshiney or social as I normally am, so I was surprised at everyones sadness...I thought it was only going to be ME missing Everybody else! Same with the ladies, they are so amazing and have been around for 10 years, so I knew EYE was destroyed with the news, but I didn't know they were going to equally miss me as much. I always planned to have Mujeres de Lucha in my life beyond my time with them, even when I returned to the states, so that still hasn't chanced. My Program Manager said I can still stay in touch and help out a little bit as well.

So that is the news...it's the beginning of my second year in Peace Corps and I'm starting in a completely different location! So lucky for everyone I have started blogging again and you can be a part of this new adventure of mine. Ahroa, I'm packing, saying good bye, and trying to get my wits about myself in this topsy turvy turn of events!

Love and Light

JC

# 6 My Apartment and my Neighbors

As I have mentioned I love my apartment here. I didn’t think my place would be this cozy when joining the Peace Corps so that is a positive. I also love my living situation. My neighbors are the best. They have a 2 year old boy that never sleeps and is either tying to talk, laughing or crying. Sounds annoying but he’s so super cute. My vecina who is at home pretty much all day watching him is soooo sweet. We have a great relationship. We share food and pleasantries and she keeps an eye on my place when I’m gone. The husband is usually gone at work all day, but my vecina sit up by the front gate every night to welcome them home. They are so sweet. Anyone who has lived anywhere with great or horrible neighbors knows what a blessing it is to have great neighbors! Also my landlady is great. She is all about the business, but she gets things done. If anything breaks or shaks a loose, she’s on top of it, even if it’s a Saturday! Anyone who has ever rented knows. That your sanity lies in the responsiveness of your landlord! So I feel like I landed in a pretty sweet spot, and that’s why my living sitch lands a spot on the list!

# 5 Mujeres de Lucha

I could go on for days how much I love them, so I AT LEAST had to put them on the list. I would not be in Ecuador and loving it like I do if it weren’t for the Mujeres de Lucha. They are group of visionary woman who work tirelessly to uplift their community. I am inspired by them every day I am here. They know how to make a way out of no way and I love that in a ‘em! We have had great times together and I look forward to my future with them!

#4 Cutest Kids on the PLANET!

When pictures are better than words...