Learning to type all over again

In Ecuador, they have Spanish keyboards. Very similar to those in the US, just a little different. I´ll be on a role with the typing and then all of a sudden Right now I´m in the computer lab at my new Universidad = USFQ. We started our pre-semester class yesterday. Each day we begin with an hour of Ecuador history/cultural study. Then, from 10-12:30, we are in our Spanish classes. This is where Kimbo gets a little scared. All of the internationals have to take a Spanish placement test and I scored at as ¨advanced¨ and thought that was an overestimate of my level to begin with. Anyway, the next level was the ¨native speaker¨level, and I guess I was pretty close to that, because when we split up into classes (supposed to be by your score) they put me with the native speakers!! AHH!! I was scared, but the teacher of the class is SO charismatic and expressive. I can understand her usually, but this class is definitely going to be a challenge. It may end up being the hardest class I take while abroad. It´s 2 and a half hours of Spanish all the time. And I´m learning so much, but all the information and new vocabulary sometimes makes my brain feel like it´s going to explode. If the professor feels that I need to be moved, she could place be back into the next level down, and I will understand if this happens. I guess for now, I just have to keep trying. Sometimes it´s really hard though, because a lot of the girls speak much better than I do and, being the semi-perfectionist that I am, I get down on myself and abilities. BUT!! It´s a challenge, and I would usually say I´m one that´s up for a challenge, so here we go!
Mi Familia-
I live with an older couple: Beatriz y Rodrigo de Sosa. They have a main maid named Rosa and another helper named ? Aurora?? I´m not sure how to say or spell it yet. Beatriz is definitely the person who runs the house. Rodgrigo is laid back and sarcastic and a funny old man. I look forward to talking with him more. Their daughter, Jeanette, and her husband Juan Carlos live in the apartment above us and they also have a host student from BCA, and Messiah, and it´s none other than Katie Miller. She´s my jogging friend from school who has been in a lot of my other classes at Messiah, and is also a Spec Ed/Elem Ed. major. She´s a lot more of a worry-wort than I am so I guess it´s good. She keeps me safe and away from harm. We also live very close to the big park in Quito, which I think is definitely going to be a blessing for me. I miss the trees and dirt and grass of OH and Messiah, but that park will hopefully serve as a place for me to feel at home again.
Quito´s still huge, and I´m not sure if I´ll ever get used to it but as they say here ¨poco a poco¨ = little by little, I´ll get the hang of it. Katie and I get to travel to class together every day. Paying for transportation is something I´ll have to get used to. It´s a dollar total to get to school and back every day, which I guess is very cheap- it´s just something to get used to. Food is really cheap- like REALLY. I´m planning on eating lunch for 1.50-2.00 every day. I haven´t gotten sick yet, and have tried a couple new things. I struggle with (like I knew I would) keeping myself safe and allowing myself to take risks in order to experience and really live in this culture. I ate apples yesterday and today with the peel, which we´re not suggested to do. I don´t know... there comes a point where I´m just like - you know what, if I get sick... I´ll learn.
I´m still not exactly sure what my classes are going to be. I´m thinking about taking a private music lesson of some sorts. Maybe percussion, maybe voice... maybe both! I don´t know.
During this first month we have optional afternoon sessions and today´s is SALSA CLASS!! I am REALLY REALLY excited for this. baile baile baile!
This weekend we´re going to Otavalo, one of the largest markets in the world (I think). It´s not too far from Quito. Then we´re home for a weekend and then the following weekend we go into the Amazon!! Lots of traveling to start off with. I´m hoping to get my volunteering figured out soon, since I want that to be one of my main focuses while I´m down here.

And now for some cultural differences, always a good time.
- of course, having a domestic employee is always different. Yesterday I left for school with some dirty laundry in the laundry basket (a literal basket in the corner) and returned with it cleaned and ironed (everything was ironed mind you) and laying on my bed.
- pedestrians do NOT have the right of way- if a car´s coming, you get out of its way.
- you don´t put your toilet paper in the toilet, the pipes can´t take it, you throw it in the trash can beside the toilet. Takes some getting used to. Also, the toilet flushes in the opposite direction. I´m not to say that I´m accelerated in the sciences, but I think it´s because I´m on the other side of the planet. minor thing... you know. :-)
-my host papi spits out random bits of food from the table onto the floor. I´ve been told this is NOT typical in Ecuador. At least I don´t have to worry so much about poor table manners.
-They were not kidding when they said that the girls at the university would dress nice. They dress like they´re ready for a business interview every day. Well, I guess I can´t really say for sure because school hasn´t started yet, but there are some students and faculty around and they are definitely not wearing jeans, tennis shoes and OSU shirts like some crazy gringas. :-)
-I´m a gringa (which isn´t derogatory word here), therefore I receive many a look and the occasional, or frequent ¨piropo¨= cat call. In Ecuador, men and women are allowed to look as much as they want, staring at someone isn´t culturally wrong, but if you stare back and then start talking it´s like your flirting with them. Moral of the story- i have to try refraining from iniciating conversation with they guys around the university.

Well... if you are still reading this I applaud you. I know it´s long.
Unfortunately, I can´t access my Messiah email here. Everyone else seems to be able to, but not me. sadness. I guess I´m going to break down and spend the buck at the internet cafe tonight. Remember'- if you don´t have skype you should consider it. It´s free international calling, which is a very wonderful thing.
chao! <-- that´s what they say a lot here.