Mushpa

Forget what I said about "ya," my new favorite word is "mushpa" it is a Quichua word that means dumb. I just like the way it sounds so I find every excuse to say it to other students [only the international ones, others might take offense] I am learning a bunch of Quichua words in my Ecuadorian culture class. Arrarray is uses when something is hot [pronounced ah-rah-rahyyy] and achachay is used when something is cold [pronounced ah-cha-chai] and lastly, you all should know this one... ayayay, is used when something hurts [pronounces eye-eye-eye].

My stomach is still being a bit weird but for the most part it's alright. I ate fried tilapia last night for dinner. Yes mom, I'm sorry! I know you have been trying to get me to try new things my whole life and I finally am. I will seriously eat anything when I get home. After turkey organs, fish, tomatoes and cow feet, there will be nothing that can scare me in the U.S. (except salmon... I won't eat salmon)

Triathlon class was all swimming today and our coach was back. I have never swam so hard in my life. I am already a pretty terrible swimmer so I don't have any skills to help me and I'm still really out of shape. We did 20 warm-up laps and then began our relays... After that we ran around the pool, did crunches and then one more lap to top it off. I had no idea how hard swimming can be. Now I do- and I'm ready for a nap.

Tonight I'm going in the chiva (tour/party) bus around Quito. I can stay out past 10 though because I have my field trip tomorrow. I'm going to Karanki [Incan archaeology site] for the day and then coming home in the evening. The cabin plan fell through so a couple friends and I are going to ride a bus on Saturday to the huge market in Otavalo. I can't wait to see the market and all of the things people make and sell.

After lunch, two other friends and I were walking and saw bright orange chicks. The man who owns them charges $1 for a picture with the chicks. We paid and got pictures with the adorable chicks. I feel bad because I'm pretty sure the guy dyed them but they seemed very happy.

I'm beginning to understand my ecology professor a lot better now. I just have to concentrate the whole class to make sure I don't miss anything. My project partner is very sweet too. We begin our project on Sunday so after this weekend I am going to inundate my blog with pictures.

I also got burned :( I put sunscreen everywhere on my body except for the back of my shoulders where I planned to ask someone for help. I forgot and then went on a bike ride for my triathlon class. It's safe to say that my sunscreen works because I didn't get burned anywhere except where I forgot my sunscreen. I was only outside for one hour but that's all it takes since I'm basically on the equator

My triathlon swim gear. Don't I look like a professional??

My lovely burn

Orange baby chickens

closer look

.