El día del trabajo

Happy workers day!! The only knowledge of this day I have known before is the worker protests, especially for latino workers rights. Well here, it's a much bigger deal. We actually get to celebrate all of our hard work, by getting a day off!

Happy May Day!! Something we don't have here-obviously-and something I miss. Remember picking flowers and making the paper holder for them? And then ringing your neighbor's doorbell (if you were brave enough) to deliver them flowers and wish them a happy may day?

Well it's great to have a break after only having one day this week, and getting ready for 3 more hard and last days. That's right!! This is my last week here in Cuenca. This is my last week of spanish literature classes (wahooo) and my last day of teaching my students English (booooo). This also means getting ready to say goodbye to my wonderful host family, friends, and beautiful culture, and a gorgeous city! I'm so sad to go. Yesterday my mom was saying "no te vayas" (don't go) and I said that I don't want to and I'm sad to be leaving. This is so true. So much of me wishes I could stay here for the summer and just teach English and live. But there is a HUGE part of me that can hardly wait to get back to the states. That's right I said it. I love the United States, this is for real. There are so many things I can barely wait for. Of course most of it has to do with the people, my friends and family, but to be back somewhere I know and were everything is second nature for me, wwheewww. I can only image how much I will miss Ecuador once I am back...I hope I'm ready for reverse culture shock (this is real, double D).

Today I started my day with a great run...okay maybe I should rephrase that. I think sometimes I forget that we are not at sea level...8,000 feet. It felt so good at first, and then the next 15 minutes....were hard. I do love running here, even though the altitude difference it hard, it feels so good, and I'm excited to see the difference at sea level.

Later, I got to skype with my wonderful friend Thirza!! It was so fun to talk with her and catch up. I also have a whole new appreciation of her English (she is from Switzerland), and we had fun talking about languages and all that good stuff. Then, I went to lunch with an friend, Laura, who is also studying abroad here. She leaves tomorrow so it was a goodbye see ya later lunch! We then bought some DVDs (shhh...) and I walked home, eating with zumir pink ice cream...when in Cuenca...

I am now on my way to Kari and Kendra's to worship together with their group! Wow, I'm so excited for this, I hope it's awesome :) And hopefully I will get some homework done later today, as the next 3 days will be insane! Thank you everyone who may be following my travels and praying. I can't believe it's so close to ending. Besos!!!

p.s. I will load some more pictures of my school and students soon, oh how I wish you could meet them all!!...but then you all might become English teachers, and we need you to keep doing what you do!