Sarah arrives in South America...

Sarah has been in South America for a few months now. She started with a tour of Patagonia, before taking a language course at our Spanish school in Ecuador. We'll catch up with her again to see how her volunteer project on the Galapagos goes. 

How did you feel boarding the plane to South America?
It was quite exciting really other than nerves about the flight itself as I was really looking forward to coming here. It did seem like it had taken ages to come around though. It was funny as I had sort of forgotten I was going to Argentina first as I was thinking a lot about the Spanish lessons and also what I was going to do after the Galapagos finished as I had to sort some stuff out. Argentina was just amazing. I loved it. If you get the chance all I can say is go. So by the time it came for me to come to Quito I was well into it all. Even when my flight from Buenos Aires was cancelled I was pretty relaxed. And as it turned out I ended up on an earlier connection so there was no problem at all.

How have you settled into life at the language school?
I love the school. It's a great place with a really relaxed atmosphere. I do feel like I'm 12 again as you get homework and everything. It is quite intensive as you do 4 hours a day and it's one on one with the teacher. But I knew nothing before and now, well... I surprise myself at times. I really like my teacher and the school organises lots of activities such as trips out, cooking and salsa classes. We've done loads of good stuff - been horse riding round Cotpaxi, been to a few football matches, the indigenous market at Otavalo and also been to the equator at El Mitad del Mundo where the water really did go down the plughole the opposite way either side of the equator.  I've managed to steer clear of the dance classes so far but will probably succumb, as it is total salsa city here. 

What is the accommodation and food like?
Im living with a lady right in the centre of the mariscal district, which is the tourist area about 2 minutes walk from school, which is very handy seeing as lessons start at 8.30am. She really is very sweet and has become my Ecuadorian mother. The food is great - all home cooked and is a mixture of European and typical Ecuadorian dishes like soups, rice and potatoes. Every morning she makes these great juices out of Ecuadorian fruits such as tomate de arbol. Apparently they are good for my cholesterol levels - I don't know about that but my hair is looking very glossy. A German boy also moved in the other week.

How are getting on with your fellow students as well as staff and the local community?
It's been great. I am one of the older students at the school but that doesn't make any difference. We pretty much all go round and do things together in the afternoons, evenings and weekends and anyway you all have something in common to start with because you are here learning Spanish and volunteering as well. I haven't had any problems but the staff at the school would bend over backwards to help you. They are so lovely as have been the Ecuadorian people in general. It's quite humbling at times.

What has been the highlight of your experience so far?
It's pretty difficult to pick out one thing. Actually when I first arrived it was Carnival time. It's not such a big thing here as in other places but the school went to watch the parade in Guapulo. My teacher told me there was no water throwing here - righto. We were all soaked and covered in foam and the music and dancing in the streets was just infectious. But that is just one of many things I've loved. Every day there's something new.

Do you think you will achieve what you set out to do?
I would say yes. I didn't have any goals or anything like that but I can count to 1,000 in Spanish now and more. Something I couldn't do a couple of weeks ago. 

Have you felt home sick or experienced culture shock and if so how did you deal with these feelings?
I don't usually feel homesick when I'm away and this time has been no different. You just get immersed in everything and one of the reasons for going away is to experience new things. I never really go away with any expectations and to be honest the more different things are the more I love it.

How would you sum up your experience so far?
In a word - fantastic.