Espanol

We have developed a routine which includes desayuno at 8 am, Spanish lessons with private teacher Jaime between 8.30 11.30 am at our house, almuerzo with Pancho around 1 pm, siesta, homework, trip to town for beer/coffee etc and checking out a museum or new neighborhood and then I beat Brad playing cards while having some vino tinto.

Apparently Spanish is easier than Swedish. Brad managed to talk through a whole transaction at the store after two classes. Took him a year to do that in Sweden. We are way passed una cerveza but just got to adjectivo posesivo y pronombres objetivos and I am a bit confused for the moment though. Staying with a family is the really the best lesson. We have to speak Spanish during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Watch TV and (attempt) to read the newspaper, play with Pancho´s sister´s grand kids who are happy to correct our Spanish while practicing their English with us. Also love the fact that we have traditional Ecuadorian food everyday which is delicious! Ceviche made with trout (forell en Suecia), different soups everyday and amazing juices including my new favourite Tomate de Arbol (Tree tomato).

There are huge class divisions in Quito and it's bizarre to one minute pass men dressed in expensive suits and the next watching a seven-year old carrying a baby while trying to sell you some candy or shine your shoes. We are getting a good insight to a middle class Ecuadorian home. Big house in the new part of the city with armed guards at the corners, car, live-in maid and kids taking all their classes in English.

They are talking about the debate and election on the news but in Spanish, ahhh wish we could watch it tonight. So curios. Wei and Jason, do you realize we will be starting the Inca Trail the day of the election? Brad put his ballot in the mail yesterday...