Well, it's 3 am, and, finally, I think, all the logistics are set. Stuff is ready to go... I make it quite hard on myself because I am taking about 30 pounds of books. Foolhardy, maybe, but between donations, Quichua dictionaries, Spanish dictionaries, travel guides, and a book or two for leisure, I just can't leave any thing behind. So must of the weight is books. Again. And this time I am taking a laptop. A very old laptop that I got for free.
This time I am also not making the mistake of leaving my iPod behind! No more two day bus rides where you're too squished and sick to read and the only sounds are old Quichua guys snoring contentedly on your shoulder while a baby two rows ahead throws up in the aisle! Now I will have Simon and Garfunkel or Tool to drown that all out!
And an unexpected call from Santiago, an Ecuadorian friend, tonight. Making things even more complicated. He proclaims that "of course he is going to meet me at the airport" the moment my flight arrives, ignoring the fact that I might already have plans, which may or may not include a village pump fiasco (see previous entry). I think he mistook my surprise for reluctance to meet him when it was the opposite. I'd love to see him! I just also would have loved to know that in advance considering I am arriving at midnight, and it's hard to make hotel plans at that hour. My listening-to-Spanish on the phone skills are not what I would like them to be, which does not help the situation. But it appears that I will have a friendly face to greet me when I have just arrived. A bit of a shock as I did expect to adjust a bit before seeing old faces. Bit of a shock. But good. I think. Hmmmm.... mixed feelings!
Stress and exhaustion is making me incoherent and whiny right now so I think I will sign off. I will most likely find a second to update you all on my safe arrival around Tuesday, because tomorrow will be a late night, fighting travel exhaustion, fighting customs, finding lodging, and seeing Santiago for the first time in four months!
Next dispatch from Quito...
Love, Elizabeth
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