Otavalo, Latin American fútbol & hated banks

I am sitting on my bed tired, happy, dirty, and surrounded by trinkets. Let me explain.

Yesterday afternoon I got in a cab to go to Quito’s main bus terminal (for I had no idea where it was- far- and a cab cost $2.50) and immediately got on a bus to Otavalo, a town two hours north of Quito where there is a huge market every Saturday morning which sells everything from live animals to earrings. Possibly earrings made out of live animals. Probably not.

I got in around 5 and went to a hostel where I shared a room with another American named Emily- they didn’t have any singles but it was awesome because I got to meet all her friends and go out to dinner with them. We passed by a huge parade Otavalo was having- the annual love parade? I’m not really sure. I have pictures.

They were afraid to eat some of the things on the menu because of concerns about which fruits and vegetables will make you very uncomfortably sick! In the end we all took our chances and ordered various burritos (I even ate the cold, uncooked tomatoes- no problem!) I never worry about food in Quito but it can get a little fishy in smaller areas. It was pretty good.

The group was all going out but I decided against it because a, I brought nothing appropriate to go out in- only shorts and T-Shirts- and b I rolled my ankle badly Thursday and almost didn’t go in the first place because I was still limping. So I stayed in and went to sleep.

We went to the market at 7AM! There is SO MUCH stuff there. Hand-made clothes (hats, scarves, sweaters, everything), jewelry, shoes, bags, pottery, musical instruments, everything. I bought some presents for family and friends so I am not going to say exactly what I bought!! But cool stuff! ;)

I was on a bus to come back before 10AM because I was going to the ECUADOR V. BOLIVIA soccer game at 4- but the doors open at 2- so you need to get there super early to get a seat! I rushed home, fought with a cab driver over how much the ride should be (“No soy estupida porque soy americana!”) and went down to the stadium, a ten minute walk from my house. I found a bunch of people I knew and we watched the game, which was amazing. Ecuador won 3-1 (which they should have as one of the Bolivian players got red-carded in the first 10 or 15 minutes so they were forced to play one man down). It was incredible. Ecuador had a goal from a penalty kick which I recorded with my camera!! I love soccer. Fútbol.

I am staying in tonight because I have spent an ungodly amount of money in the last two and a half weeks... I can’t even bring myself to write it out. Some things were one-time expenses, like books, but I think because everything is so cheap here I haven’t been watching what I spend at all. Which has seriously backfired. Also, I just found out my bank is charging for $3 for using a non-CHASE ATM, on top of the $1.50 ATM fee... anyone have any idea of a cheaper way to get money? I only go to the ATM in large amounts, but I can’t afford to pay $4.50 each time for the rest of the semester. Do you guys have any suggestions??? I know you're reading, even if you won't give me any comment love!

Also, I have a paper due Monday. I’m supposed to be splitting it with another guy. He said you do the first, I’ll do the second. It turns out mine is fifty-eight pages long. How long is his? Thirteen. I’m not sure he knew when he said it. He probably did. Ugh. And I can’t contact him because, well, I don’t know how to. Oh well. I like the class but it looks like a boring reading.

Ciao.