Mi Vida Nueva - Parte I

Now that I have a new favorite TV channel and only watch telenovelas now (thanks Ecuavisa), I am going to make this blog entry a two-parter. Can you handle the suspense? I didn't think so. Truth is, I haven't taken any pictures of where I have been working yet. so I'll give you that half of my new life either later this week or sometime next. So, where to begin? Most everyone who reads this blog has already talked to me (or for you stalkers out there maybe not). But the living situation is no Cayambe. As I said in my previous entry, I am living in Playa Grande. When I first said this at my new place of employment, they started laughing at me, as I soon learned why. Playa Grande is tucked away in the mountains, hills, whatever outside of Atacames. The camioneta (pickup truck) I take can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half to get into town. It depends on the weather, time of day, or if someone wants to stop at the market along the way and hold up the camioneta for 20 additional minutes. But arriving at "home" feels great after some ofthese excessively long rides (here's a picture of home):

 

As for Playa Grande itself, there isn't much to it from what I have in these pictures. The little soccer and volley ball courts and a few houses. If I need anything I have to hope the camioneta swings by, but it is unreliable at best. On to living conditions- manageable. I would be lying if I said the next few months are going to be easy, but right now chanchos (pigs) and especially gallos (roosters) are making life hell. I am a light sleeper. I really don't need to explain myself there, it's basic arithmetic (that's English for math). Waking up at 4:30 in the morning and having difficulty getting back to sleep is not my cup of tea. Another gripe is showering in the river. When fish are biting at your ankles because they like to eat soap, you know you aren't anywhere near normalcy. As I also said in my previous entry, I'm built Ford tough, just not exactly those words.

 

The family I'm with seems very nice and everyone is concerned that I am feeling fine. It is going to be a bit more difficult to integrate with my family here than Cayambe, but I will manage. Whether it be through soccer or working a few days here in harvesting the cacao with Don Ochoa, I'll get into the swing of things in the campo. And this brings me to my final thought, enemies. Don't worry I haven't made any here...except one- myself. Back in the States and even in training, we had other people or at least trivial things to occupy our time and our thoughts. The past week (my first week here) I was left to myself. Everything unfamiliar. No one to really talk to- English speakers. So what happened? Self-doubt and anxiety plagued me for a good part of the week. "What did I get myself into? How am I going to survive these two years?" Questions along those lines. The past week was probably my low in terms of emotions, and it was my first as an actual volunteer. Overwhelmed- what did I do? I turned the thoughts around. Stopped thinking negatively and looked at where I was. Sure I may be on my own in something very foreign to me, but soon enough I'll have some form of my own life and routine. I realized that I cannot let negative emotions take me over. So my advice to you (whoever is out there reading), do not let yourself be your own enemy. If you start turning toward negative thoughts, try and turn them around. Look at the positives.

 

Finally, if anyone from the States (this includes future Ecuador Omnibusers, concerned parents of fellow Omnibus 99ers, or random bill collecters that speak English) reading this wants to text me or give me a call here is how to get in touch:
011-593-9-794-7761

Also, my new mailing address is on the right side there. Don´t send any heavy packages and claim $0 in value no matter what when sending stuff. Don´t send money. Other than that, I shouldn´t have too many problems getting mail.