Enferma

First, I apologize for the inconsistent font sizes, sometimes I copy and paste pre-written posts to save money and time at the internet cafe. What might be worse than the inconsistent fonts is my ability at editing HTML. 

Anyway, this past weekend I was a little sick.  As delicious as everything has been, my stomach is unhappy with the sudden change in food.  A doctor visited me on Saturday because I had a fever (the combination of stomach problems and fevers is bad news bears).  Anyway, the whole thing also made me kind of homesick.  Of course, I have been much better in the last few days.  I actually typed up a post while feverish to distract myself.  It´s the most angsty thing I have written since I was 12.  But please don't worry, lots of other people on my program have gotten sick (I guess that's not reassuring).  It's pretty common for students studying abroad to go through this, and it's not that serious.  

Besides being sick, there are a couple of other things that make me miss home.  Mostly really small things...

Like the bugs in my room.  Occasionally there will be a small critters attempting cohabitation with me.  I deal with it pretty much like a 12 year old.  I mostly take the route of avoidance, as well as use whatever I have at hand such as my shoes, napkin, bottle of lotion.
Example: Small spider on my wall, me with a shoe.  Done and done.
Example 2: Giant spider, the size of my thumb (yes I think my thumb is Giant). I let out a strangled distressed sound.  My host mom came running to see if I had choked on my antibiotics.  When she saw Giant spider, she yelled for my host dad, who then killed the spider with his hat.  All he said was, "How ugly!"

Another thing is the paper sizes here.  Instead of 8 and 1/2 by 11, the papers are just slightly longer than what we use in the States.  So, I have Ecuadorean paper and my 5 subject U.S. notebook and folders.  The papers stick out just enough to make me think I'm going to give myself a papercut everytime I get something from my backpack.  Solution: tear off the bottom of the pages.

Lastly, in the shower at my house the water pressure and temperature are negatively correlated.  In the mornings I try to find a good balance between the two.  I've gotten a lot better at it, but the first few days were quite interesting. 

Really, it's just the small things.  Of course being sick was not quite a "small" thing.  I'm still having a wonderful time, and I'm amazed that I've already been here for over 2 weeks.  Just wanted to let you all know that I still think about home occasionally in spite of the amazing things going on here :) 

Speaking of amazing things, our program is taking a trip to Machahi, Huasalata and Banos this weekend.  I will not be posting until next week most likely.  There is a travel alert from the U.S about Banos regarding active volcanoes.  But fear not, I am an ash dodging expert and I will be just fine.