Twenty-four in Ecuador

Yesterday was my birthday and as you can see from the pictures there was a lot of celebrating. It was good to be with friends. The party was in celebration of a few different birthdays so the hype wasnt just for me. There was a bbq on the terrace of the Secret Garden and I ate so much food! It was delicious. The two cooks are seen in the last picture with me. As is with most Ecuadorians, I tower above them, so they had to stand on chairs to get a picture with me. The flower was a gift from Sandra, the one on the left. Today (in about two hours) Im moving to my new home. Im really excited to get settled there and be speaking Spanish all the time. I still havent finalized any new English classes, but this week Ill have more time to find students.
Above is my friend Raphaella, from Austrailian, and me. Raph and her boyfriend, Jordie are new volunteers for the month of October.
I dont think we ate half of the food prepared. I couldnt even fit the whole spread in one picture. Below is Al, from Switzerland, and me. Al has been in Quito for nine months and he goes back in December.Here the chicas. These women are so much fun. At times they act like fourteen year olds instead of twenty nine year olds, but they are really great. And they know how to cook. I have been eating so well this past month. Probably too well. Good thing there are five flights of stairs at the hostel so I can get some exercise in! Sandra is on the left and Maria Fernanda is on the right. Sandra is my connection to the family that Im living with. She always says, "Mirandita, mi favorita." Thats about it. Im going to pack everything together to make the move. Hasta luego desde Ecuador.