Return to Ecuador

Anyone who really knows me knows that I'm a worrier. Most of my apprehension about returning to Ecuador stemmed from the fact that I was doing it alone. In my head, I was freaking out about actually getting to Quito, being able to carry all my luggage by myself, and getting to my hostel without a problem, especially so late at night. And as usual, all that worrying was pointless. I actually got to Quito in one piece, carried all my luggage like a trooper, and got to the hostel without a hitch. It helps that everyone is so amazingly nice and helpful here, and it definitely helps that I can speak Spanish. I honestly don't know how I would be able to function if I didn't. But, I digress. Then, once I got to Quito, I was worried about getting from the hostel back to the airport and then to my hostel in Cuenca. But, again, worrying was pointless. I pulled it all off without a hitch. I guess I can do things independently after all and succeed. But, the worrier in me doubts that I can.

Through all that worrying and apprehension, the minute I stepped off the plane in Quito and smelled that polluted Ecuadorian air, I knew I was where I belonged. I had a familiar feeling, a sense of being home, and I couldn't help but smile. That was true, too, when I landed in Cuenca the next day. Even more of a sense of familiarity and of being home, considering I lived here for two and a half months. But, since I haven't started teaching yet, who knows if this feeling will last. I'll be less of a pessimist in that regard and hope that it does.

So, now that I'm in Cuenca, the task at hand is to find an apartment. At the moment, I'm living in a hostel with two other women who will be teaching English with me. We are planning on finding an apartment together to split the cost, so that starts ASAP. I'm tired of living out of my suitcase.