Just a quick update...no photos....

I am currently in Quito for a 2 week training conference.  I leave next Thursday night for Maryland where I'll be attending the 53rd reunion of Surrattsville High School, class of 1963,  and returning to Guayaquil and my Peace Corps assignment on Sept. 1.  

This time in Quito has been lovely.  The training sessions have been very interesting and helpful for the most part but its been hard to stay on my diet.   I even got in trouble for being too picky about the snacks they offer us at our coffee breaks.  We are eternally grateful for the breaks and some of the snacks are delicious but ....I turned my nose up ( literally) at an 18oz cup of jello.  I asked the girl, " Do you know where gelatin comes from ?"  She said she does but I don't believe her.... I don't think anyone who eats it really knows where it comes from. ICK !!!!   Major ICK!!!

But this Quito weather is beautiful..the sky is clear, the air is fresh, sunny days, really really beautiful.  A very nice change from Guayaquil.  I do enjoy my host family in Guayaquil and the students in the school but it is a very depressing place to live.  Every day is cloudy for at least part of the day and, after spending 7 hours in the morning in the hot classrooms with 40 students,  the afternoons are often so hot that I cannot leave the air conditioning until the sun goes down.  Too depressing for me.

I am going on an urban hike this afternoon with some other volunteers so I might have some pretty photos to post this evening.  Otherwise...hasta pronto....

Pat