Living Another New Life in Cuenca

Since about two weeks ago I have been living on my own here in Cuenca.  It was great experiencing the time I spent living with Tania and her family, however cultural differences and styles of living made me come to the decision that I would like to try living on my own.  I was always worried about waking up the little kids at night if I would come home late from being out with friends and it is also easier now because I am living in the center.  I am renting a room out from an older couple that has a huge house.  One side of the house is for the family, and then the other half is for renting out.  Everything is furnished, so it is convenient.  It is all foreigners that are renting out.  There are people from Madison, Chicago, Minnesota, Germany and Spain.  Another new experience.

Now that I am living in the center it is much easier to walk where I want to go.  I have guitar lessons three days a week and then in the afternoons now I am usually spending time at the orphanage.  Some girls are little brats, but others are really sweet.  I can only try to give them what I have to offer.  Usually we are just chatting, I help them study, or sometimes I need to explain to them what their English homework is asking of them.  

Only about a month and a couple of weeks left.  I plan on continuing to volunteer and then also doing a little bit of traveling as well.  At the end of the trip I will visit my friend who lives in Quito and he will take me to the airport and everything.  I actually met him in the States at the Model United Nations conference (he studies at St. Thomas in the cities) and now he is home in Ecuador for the summer.  So, that convenience will come in handy and I'll have a personal tour guide to show me around Quito a little bit more.  

All for now,

              Kiley