I’ve been pretty busy the last two weeks trying to finish up some of my course requirements.  I finally finished my paper last week, and this week I have my final presentation on Thursday.  I’ll be so relieved to finish!  My final literature/writing exam is on Friday.  Then, I’ll just have 2 weeks of indigenous culture.  It’s hard to believe that the experience is so close to ending.  I was just realizing a few days ago that the streets feel normal, and I feel much safer than when I first arrived here.  I’m still hoping that I don’t get mugged (knock on wood).  So many students have had something stolen during their time here.  I’m hoping that my luck continues until the end!

Since I’ve been so busy with school work, I haven’t been able to go out and explore too many things in the city.  Nevertheless, I’ve had a few really neat experiences.  This past week, I went to an art museum called El Capillo del Hombre.  The artwork is all by an artist named Guayasamín.  It was breathtaking!  I can’t say that I’ve ever enjoyed an art museum before, but this artist has changed that!  His work reflects the challenges of racial identity, discrimination, political controversies, love and death.  Most of his work was probably influenced by his own life since his mother was una indigena and his father a Spaniard.  Check out his work online if you get a chance!!

This past weekend, I went to the TelefériQo.  It’s sort of a tourist attraction, but definitely a lot of fun.  It’s a gondola that takes people up the Volcán Pinchincha.  We got really lucky and went on a beautiful, clear day.  There is an amazing view of the city from the top. 

I had a particularly unique experience last Sunday.  Lunch is the biggest meal here, and it usually consists of fresh juice, soup, a main dish (always with rice, usually meat, beans and salad), and fruit for dessert.  It’s a lot of food and usually only costs around $3.  Anyway, I’ve become particularly attached to the variety of soups that they have here.  They generally have potatoes, rice, sometimes lentils and a chunk of meat/beef.  Well the other day I was going to grab something quick for lunch; so, I walked into a cheap restaurant where I knew I could get soup and juice for a dollar.  For some reason I didn’t ask what the soup of the day was, I just said I wanted a bowl of it.  I sat down and low and behold the waiter brought out a bowl of something…I wasn’t sure what it actually was because all I could see were the chicken feet sticking out!  So we spent some time there, me and the chicken feet stew, just getting acquainted with one another.  I tried not to act too surprised for fear that the other dining Ecuadorians would take me as a whimp!  Then I thought, “well here goes nothing.”  It wasn’t quite as painful as you might think.  It tasted very chicken-y, but it was a little unsettling to see three pronged toes sticking up at me.  I’m proud to say that I finished it!  Now I know what your next question is…did she actually consume of the foot?  I can’t say that I was able to get that far nor am I sure how that is possible…it looked like a lot of bone to me.  BUT, I think I did a good enough job with the entire experience.  Now my next eating adventure is the cuy (guinea pig!).  After Sunday though, I think I can handle it!