July 29th
Leaving my Future husband at the airport was very sad. We were both at a lost for words and just staring at each other sadly. He then gave me a long hug and whispered that he loves me and will miss me in my ear. The moment was far to tense, so I did what I always do in moments like these, and cracked a silly joke so we can ease up and smile a little. : “Hey, I’m not dying buddy!” J and mission accomplished. I then whipped out my camera and asked him some questions, we laughed and kissed, and then I was on my way.
No matter how hard you try and try
It’s always sad to say goodbye
When I get nervous I babble, just a little bit, and I also find comfort in friendly strangers. So as the plane departed, I started looking around for some good company then I spotted a young girl that was studying Spanish just like me. Her name was Aveeva, she was going to Quito and had told me stories about her previous time in the Galapagos, and things I should look forward to and be aware of: “they love nicknames, sometimes their nicknames will tease you a bit, but don’t take it personally, it’s a form of endearment”. I thanked her for her great insight and let her know I was nervous. We chatted a bit and shared some stories of travel and adventure and she really made me feel comfortable. We even practiced some Spanish together. She was from North Carolina, and was going on a medical internship to a hospital in Quito for 4 months. It was comforting to meet another ruthless traveller, I’m the only one I know in my group of friends, and being a minority is never easy.
Never alone with strangers near
Potential friends you shouldn’t fear
Friends on the plane
Have kept me sane
Hard to feel pain
When I’m smiling
After a nap I woke up to a sudden dip in the planes smooth flying. It looked like it was going to crash into buildings when we were landing. The Quito airport is right in the middle of the city and is surrounded with malls, apartment buildings, hotels and shops. When I got off the plane I said . . . and a man picked me up at the airport with a paper with my name written on it I found I was relieved when I saw him. I wouldn't have to awkwardly ask strangers, and my fear of getting kidnapped was diminished. But only slightly. Human trafficking is real, and it’s one of those things that nobody thinks will ever happen to them, so when it does, they feel stupid for not even considering the situation possibility. So I’m considering it at least, because you never know right? Why not me? What makes me so lucky?
A name on a sign
That looked like mine
It felt sublime
Its adventure time
I’ve always wanted to keep a journal because there’s nothing more motivating that reading what you used to be and comparing it to who you have become. Keeping tags on detailed feelings that you’ve felt at the moment is amazing. It gives you a better understanding of yourself, because you are your emotions. This is my first night here in Quito and I must say, so far so good. I’ve been getting a big confidence boost as far as my Spanish goes. I’ve gotten such great feedback from the very welcoming driver Jose. And my height being so overwhelming for the little man, made for a fantastic icebreaker. My giantness can come in handy. He has two daughters and thought one of them was tall, but she’s nothing compared to me, and he wanted me to have dinner with his family the following day so he can show everyone. I am in no position to pass up friendship, or a free dinner, so I accepted without hesitation. We arrived at a small building in 15 minutes, and a little woman greeted me at the door. Her name was Ana Maria, and when she first saw me, she looked surprised that I wasn't wearing heels, smiled and gave me a hug. Her arms were wrapped tightly around my lower back, that's how small she was. She kept repeating “que linda! que linda!” which means “how pretty! how pretty!”
At 6’3’’ I feel like a freak
But the words you speak
Are kind
You think I’m unique
I’m blind
I should see me through your eyes
When we got to her house, that was on the second floor, she told me that God has blessed me with height and beauty. She even woke up her sister just to show me to her, her sister was 10x more enthusiastic than her. I usually feel weird and awkward about my height. But they’re making me feel like it's the best thing in the world. Her sister kept repeating: “Como una Barbie, alta y flaka como una Barbie” Which translates to, “like a Barbie, tall and skinny like a Barbie!” This made me blush. As outgoing as I thought I was as a person, standing out and drawing this much attention in a country that isn’t mine scares me.
If everyone sees me like you
I have no clue
What I will do
Theres so much for me to learn, not only about Ecuador but about myself. This awkward feeling I'm feeling, like an alien on another planet, I hope that fades with time. This is fantastic, its crazy and everything is so different already. After a tour of her humble home, she showed me to my room and I quickly fell asleep after a long day of travel.
End of Journal Entry:
I promised myself I would write exactly what is in my journal. Which means I couldn't even leave out the embarrassing details. I guess being tall DOES have it’s advantages socially. I may not blend in well, but maybe that's a good thing. Just maybe, we’ll see.
