Saturday, March 28, 2009

Days in Ecuador!

Let it Rain, Let it Rain!



I went to grab coffee with the student teachers from Alliance Academy and two girls who are here in Ecuador for a semester on a mission trip (one of them goes to school with me)



Day at Mariscal- Downtown Ecuador we went to shop at the market



The girls



I have never seen this before! They divided the shop into little cubby holes for people to use the phone



The market



Gerilyn and a cute boy selling candy on the street



Gerilyn and me



Gerilyn loves the rain!



... and Sarah hates it!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The countdown continues!

I leave in ... 2 days!!

New fun facts about Ecuador

Population: 1,397,698 ( city ); 1,842,201 ( metropolitan area )

Average Temperature: 15.8 degrees C/ 60.5 degrees F (The weather right now is about 70 degrees)

Most precipitation: 20 cm/ 4 inches ( It rains almost every day and it is suppose to rain every day this week)

Elevation: 2811 meters/ 9223 feet ( which means it isn't as hot as you would think. The elevation and mountains keep the air cool, but because it is on the equator the sun is really powerful so protective sunscreen is a must!)

Registered taxicabs: 8,800 (Just for fun)

Quito, known as “the eternal spring”, is said to have the best weather in the world.

(I found this information at http://www.wcities.com/en/guide/fun_facts/324/guide.html)

** I am sorry if this is boring information! I am so excited about Ecuador that I thought it would be fun to post new information about it each day! WHen I am there I will post my own pictures! I can't wait!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Ecuador... Here I come!

I leave in 3 days!! I leave on Thursday morning! I am so excited. The family I am living with overseas called me on Friday. It was so fun being able to talk to someone from another country! I cannot wait to meet them. I cannot wait! I will be teaching ESL to the Kindergarten classes at the Alliance Academy.
I thought You might be interested in learning where I am going and about the school I will be teaching at. I posted some intersting information below which I got from the school website- http://www.alliance.k12.ec/index.html



History
Alliance Academy International traces its origin to humble beginnings. Several young missionary couples who were concerned about the education of their children looked to God for guidance and wisdom. As a result, the school opened on November 3, 1929, in one of the rooms of the Alliance Mission House on Cuenca Street in downtown Quito.

The school remained at this location until 1939 when funds became available to purchase property. At this time land on the north end of the city in an area known as Iñaquito was purchased. The property was divided between the Alliance Academy and Christian radio station HCJB.

Since 1945 the Academy has served children from families of many different missions, embassies, and private business enterprises.



Location
The Alliance Academy International is located in Quito, Ecuador. Ecuador is situated on the Pacific coast of South America. The Andes mountains run through it, giving the country a wide variety of climates. Quito has springtime weather year-round because it is located near the equator at about 9,500 feet.

As the oldest capital city in the western hemisphere, it is endowed with a rich cultural heritage. Shopping malls, cable TV and fast food restaurants counterpoint it as a modern locale.

Ecuador has it all, not just in climate, but also in beauty. The mountains are breathtaking while the Amazon jungle contains spectacular flora and fauna. The coast offers relaxing beaches with warm waters. The Galápagos Islands belong to Ecuador and some of the most unique species in the world can be found there.

Ecuador is a country blessed with an intriguing combination of natural wonders and cultural diversity. It is an ideal setting for the Alliance Academy International.

Friday, March 6, 2009

I am leaving for Quito, Ecuador in 6 DAYS!!! I am so excited and I cannot wait. I have been student teaching in Jackson for the past 7 weeks. I finish on Tuesday and then I leave on Thursday. My life has been a combination of planning for my trip, completing requirements for my major, and planning my wedding! I will be in Ecuador for about 9 and a half weeks.When I come back I will graduate 5 days later and then I get married 3 weeks later!! Wow my life is busy, but I wouldn't have it anyother way!
I didn't realize how beautiful Ecuador is!! Here are a few pictures just to show you a glimpse of where I will be living March- May.

This is the captial building in Quito.

This mountain is breathtaking!!

The city is huge!!

This is a Spanish church.