Paper Planes

While the language barrier is a bit difficult sometimes, the hardest message to get through to my family so far has been relativity. I told them a cheap used car in the United States is $6000, and that a cheap new car is around $16,000. Following that comment, the flood of questions on the precios of goods in the United States began. Yes, the Ecuadorians do not have the standard of life that Americans do (well with my host family that's debateable), but the price of living to the price of goods is relative to wage. In our conversation earlier in the week, my host father could not comprehend the extreme prices of goods (and services) in the US. However, later in the week, I was talking with my host mother for a bit. Surprisingly, after explaining how much it cost to live in Hoboken versus the wage Lageman makes, it clicked. America is an expensive place, a place with more cosas to keep us busy. Who would have thought I would try to explain the shitty housing market and why milk is so pricey in the United States.
It has been a good week, though. During last weekend, I was having my doubts about being able to last in Ecuador, but I have had some nice breakthroughs. I now have another little sister (sorry Melissa). When I first arrived and for the first few days, she was very shy; which is understandable since I'm the first Peace Corps volunteer for this family. Con la ayuda of some paper airplanes and some English lessons, I was able to get her to open up. Now that I have a new little friend, it makes it much easier to cope with the fact of being away from my real family.
For those wondering my typical day, for now (it will change in 10 weeks), I'll indulge. This week I have woke up at 6:30 each morning. I get a breakfast of eggs, fruit, milk and some sort of blended juice type of drink. I leave and catch the bus at 7:15. This week has been very Spanish class focused, so pretty much class from 8 to noon, then lunch, and then more class from 1:30 to 5-ish. Usually, I have done something for an hour after finishing class, from playing basketball to going through Cayambe for assorted stuff (like a USB device). When I get home I have a nice dinner (or merienda). Every night for dinner I get aguite de manzanillas, or chamomile tea made with the actual herb boiled in water. I chat with my host mother and sister until 8 or so. Finally, I go up to my own room (yes, I have my own little palace here), and watch some futbol while listening to my I-pod.
You are all welcome for the little Spanish lesson I snuck in there.