Though I have not actually uttered those words yet, they have essentially been said for me. By my host mother and one of our neighbours.
So, last Thursday we arrived at our homes in the communities surrounding Cayambe and Cotacatchi. We initially tried to take the main highway out of Quito, but were turned around by police fairly early on. Up ahead the road had been blockaded by protesters. The same protestors we saw on tv rioting the day before when we were waiting for our Spanish lessons. I´ve since asked my family about the protests (which are about a new water law being tabled) and they support the protests. It seems there is some serious business taking place. Anyway, I arrived at my place around 4 pm (we were aiming for 230) and was greeted by my host mom, Olimpia. She does not speak any English and does not read or write. I am still trying to "hear" Spanish, so it was pretty rough for the first few hours. When I came down from my room (we have two floors...not exactly a rarity, but enough to be worth noting) and went into the kitchen to see how dinner was coming along, I was greeted by Blanca, my host sister, and Maribel, my host cousin (Blanca´s cousin who lives at their house as Maribel´s mother lives on the coast). What I first noticed was that Blanca had a very large stomach. Pregnant large. I wasn´t too sure what to make of it at first and...language prevented me from asking...as well as the social awkwardness that seems to always surround these situations. That night I asked their ages, and I thought Blanca said she was 14. Mariebel is 12. The next day, Friday, I was supposed to go to school for the first time. However, on our way we were told that they had already left to go on a walk. So, we turned around and went back home. Then, we waited about half an hour to go into Cayambe...on the milk truck. Which is a pick up truck that goes around and picks up everyone´s cow milk in the communities surrounding Cayambe. So, Olimpia, Blanca and I hopped on the back and I got a bit of tour and saw many of the views that at some point I hope to take a picture of.
In Cayambe we went to a few shops. The first one was kind of like a clothing store, but sold household wares as well. I noticed that Blanca was looking at baby clothes. We saw a bunch of other stuff in the town, like the market, and one of the supermarkets...which had armed guards...M-16 armed. That shocked me a bit, as we only saw that on the way out. When we had entered the guards weren´t carrying anything like that (its the same door though, so this guard had just gotten there). Anyways, still thinking Blanca was 14, I was pretty distressed everytime I started to think of the implications that might have for her. A few days ago I made sure to confirm her age and she is actually 19, and engaged it seems. In any case, it seems that while I am here, she will be giving birth. And yeah, that is going to be...interesting. I don´t really know what the next little while is going to be like. I can certainly say, with the work that I´ve seen her and her mother do, that there is some crazy strength there, so, that´s good.
There is, of course, lots more to say, including a story about how one of Blanca´s brothers became a pastor (its loco, but bueno loco...as I said after hearing it...reading it really), but I can´t stay here and type forever. I walked here this afternoon, anticipating an hour and a half walk, but it ended up being about an hour. Because of that, these updates will be a little spread out I think. I am supposed to be home around/before dark as, well, my family cares for my well being. The school is supposed to be coming this way on Friday to play soccer, so I might be able to write some more then. In the meantime, chao!
Jordan
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