estoy aqui.

so ive been in quito for about 4 days now and i have had the craziest mix of emotions ever. i knew culture shock was coming but i didnt know it would be so intense. yesterday was worse than today but i have never felt so disconnected to the world before in my entire life... when i was an anx ridden teenager (and trust me there was a lot of anx). here is the culture shock in bulleted form...
1. i dont speak the language well so essentially i have no idea whats going on 75% of the time. that takes a toll and even tho xime (the girl im living with) and her family are very comforting and speak so that i can understand them (and xime speaks english so thats a plus) its not the same.
2. i am currently the only exchange in quito so i have no one to voice and share my concerns with. so essentially im doing this on my own and i wasnt really expecting that. but i know from this i will be a much stronger person so it has its plus side as well.
3. im not used to having such little independence. at home and in ithaca i can get in my car or walk to whereever i need to go because i know the landscape and im familiar with life there but here i have to rely on xime or another aiesecer to escort me because a. i dont know where the fuck im going and b. im gringa so i stick out like a sore thumb and am an easy target for torment, robbery and whatever else is dealt my way. because of this i feel like a burden even though they may not think that. its going to take some time to adjust to this.

i dont want you to think im having a shit time...quite the contrary i am actually having a great time! the @ers i have met are so amazing and friendly and such characters that i know i will have an amazing semester. also though i havent seen all of quito yet the parts i have seen are so quaint and welcoming that i know i will love spending the next 3 months in the city.

ok so thats it for now...i promise my next entry will be more upbeat.