So I think it's a good time to do a little family profile:
Rosa- Host Mom mid forties
I interact with Rosa the most, since she is home the most. She's a homemaker as well as a part time maid for my program director (which is how she found out about hosting international students). For years (?) Maria Teresa (program director) has wanted Rosa to host a student, but Rosa continually turned her down. Reasons: house is too small, there were no doors, kids wouldn't be used to it. But finally, Rosa decided to give it a shot and I am lucky to be the Picho family's first international student! Rosa frets about me like my real mother would. The more she worries and frets the higher the pitch of her voice. She is really sweet and helpful. She's lived in Lumbisi her whole life, and most of her family is in Lumbisi or surrounding areas.
Juan Carlos- Host Dad also mid forties
A very nice man, who has a jolly laugh. Both times when I've had friends over to play UNO with my siblings, he has laughed and laughed (I don't know at what). He is a junior high teacher, I think he leaves the house around 5:30 am everyday during the week to take at least 3 buses to Quito. He also regularly cooks and does laundry (by hand we don't have a machine), which I think is very unusual for men (in general) but especially in Ecuador. A loving family man. [Tangent: when I got the e-mail introducing my host family, my host dad's name was listed as Freddy... I think it was just a mistake]
How they met: Apparently Juan Carlos liked Rosa a lot and for a long time but she always turned him down. Rosa dated someone else for 8 years, but he left Lumbisi and she stayed. Then she finally started to see Juan Carlos, and 4 months later they were married.
Josue- Host Brother- 15
The oldest of the family. He tends to shout when he talks. I think it's entertaining. Rosa worries that he's being too noisy and "La Joy is studying!" He loves watching soccer and yelling at the TV. He attends high school in Quito, and leaves around when Juan Carlos leaves. I have helped him with English homework, it's 100 times more rewarding than teaching English classes (so far). Josue jokes around a lot, half the time I don't get it, but I laugh anyway. Juan Carlos tells everyone that Josue will cry if he loses a card game. He made a bracelet for me the other day.
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| Left Josue, Right Carlos. Carlos smiles a lot more in real life. |
Middle child. Not as loud as Josue, but very dramatic. One evening I was eating dinner with Rosa and we heard heavy steps close to the door. Carlos came in and sprawled onto the floor. He crawled into his room saying that he was going to die because his feet hurt so much. Carlos is into traditional dancing, I've seen videos of annual celebrations in Lumbisi, he's pretty good! He really likes to play Rummy and UNO. Although he does not shout, he does talk to himself a lot. His nickname is "Gordo" or "Gordito" because he eats a lot and very fast. He is slightly "heavier" but nothing that would be considered fat in the U.S.
Genesis- Host Sister, almost 5
I have suspicions that Genesis might be slightly crazy. But I'm biased because I feel like all small children have some craziness in them. She'll be fine one second and the next she'll start crying. Or she'll wander into my room and ask me why I have black hair. Sometimes when we're eating I'll look up to see her using her hands to tear apart a fruit. She's also a little spoiled by her parents. Genesis will "sneak" meat off of her dad's plate (kind of funny) and every morning Rosa struggles with Genesis for her to eat breakfast. The good news (I guess) is that she likes me a lot. She touches my arm and hugs me whenever she can. She occasionally calls me "Mamita" (little mama). Genesis can almost be summed up by the picture below.
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| Cute with a hint of crazy? |
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