Allyson Block -- Ecuador (Home Club -- Ballston Spa)

May 2015

            May was a little chaotic. The last Rotary trip was a ten day bus tour around Ecuador. About the same time that I left my host parents also began their own travels. Their daughter is currently on exchange in Germany, and they went to visit her and tour Europe for two weeks. Luckily our trips overlapped so I was only without them for about a week. My aunt and uncle alternated staying in the house with me so that I could catch my bus and go to classes like normal. It was a fine/semi-boring week, but as a result of their absence I have realized just how attached I’ve become to my host family.

            Right now I am in a very weird place. These last few months I’ve been pretty homesick. At the beginning of my exchange I could put my finger on exactly what I was missing, be it my family, my friends, my dog, fall football games or simply Stewart’s ice-cream. But now there isn’t anything specific, it’s all become a dull ache- I miss the United States. I miss things that are familiar. I miss a culture that is more organized and logical to me.

 At the beginning of May I made myself a calendar in one of my school notebooks, so as to plan out and keep track of my last few months here. When I first started I would cross off the days, hoping they would pass by faster. I had already started to make summer plans with my friends, I was looking forward to beginning the university and I often found myself daydreaming of Fourth of July fireworks in Congress Park. But sometime, somehow, I didn’t even notice the change in myself, but the excitement of crossing off each day turned into dread. “I only have twenty-eight days left! How did this happen? Yesterday was Christmas!”

            I love this country- I love the people, the food, the mountains, the language, I love it all. I plan on returning, and I know that I’ll stay in touch with my family here, but I’m also acutely aware that even if I do come back it will never be the same.

            I would certainly consider my year here sabbatical. Yes, I did my homework and went to class but, of course, you cannot compare Latin American education to the AP/IB schedule I was used to in NY. Still, I would never say that my exchange was a ‘vacation’.

            I live here: I deal with family drama, I go to church, I run errands & grocery shop. I know my neighbors & run into my friends on the street. I get student discounts, wash the dog, do dishes, visit grandma and watch the news. In this small foreign country, which twelve months ago I couldn’t even locate on a map, I have started a new life.

            I am excited to go back to good ‘ole Ballston Spa- but instead of rushing through the days I want to drag them out and enjoy all of the time I have left in this beautiful country.

                                                                                    Con mucho cariño y un corazón lleno,

                                                                                                Nos vemos pronto,

                                                                                                            Allyson Block

Allyson Block -- Ecuador (Home Club -- Ballston Spa)

 April 2015

            My parents arrived in Ecuador April 2^nd. Since they came just in time for holy week my host family was very enthusiastic to have them try ‘finesca’, the traditional ‘Easter’ soup made from twelve grains (one for each of the 12 apostles). Both of my host families were so hospitable; in the few short days we were in my city we had countless different lunch/dinner invitations. I think that my parents were truly shocked at how big these family reunions generally were- but I explained to them that this is just how the culture is. Ecuadorian people LOVE to entertain. A dinner to meet their exchange student’s parents is easily turned into every distant uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor all invited to an ‘open house’ of sorts. An open house without an end time, and where no food was actually organized. But in the Latin culture such details aren’t so important. As long as there is a full bottle of wine, music, and plenty of hands to cook (whatever they can scavenge from the fridge) it’s a party!

 

            I had such an amazing time with my parents here; I was so proud to be able to show them this country that I have come to love so much. Even more, it was incredibly rewarding to be able to put my language skills to the test! I was nervous at the prospect of being a translator (both linguistic and cultural) but it all went relatively smoothly! From explanations of flora, fauna and history with our tour guides to traditional recipe exchanges between my moms I was able to successfully navigate through it all. However, at the end of the week my mind felt like Jell-O and I refused to translate anymore political questions for my brother.

            I know that some of my friends didn’t want their families to come and ‘interrupt’ their exchange years. But, for any future exchange student, I would highly urge that, if it is within their means, they organize a family visit. The eight days that my family was here were a whirlwind, but without a doubt one of the most rewarding experiences of my whole exchange.

                                                                                                                            Con mucho cariño,