Thank you Elina

Back to the old blog! I love my friends, always there to help, Elina provided me with a
temporary solution which I quite like...
So back to www.amandandlola.blogspot.com
Sorry!

Academia Cotopaxi

Academia Cotopaxi is the school that wisely ;) hired me last year. It is an American International school, very different from Basel, but good to learn about all different systems. They have spent the last ten days helping us get use to the altitude, get flats ready, show us around the city and learn about the culture of Ecuador. Next week the real work starts in preparation for the kiddies arrival. I cannot say much about the teaching yet, but here are some pictures of the campus.














It is a beautiful campus, that I get very lost in, but have another week to find my way around..

Zero Zero Zero

Karen's last full day was yesterday and we finally got to do a 'touristy thing' and go jump over the equator.












I can now claim I have been back and forth from the northern to southern hemisphere several times. It was great to see and I am glad I got Karen there before she left (sad girl as today she is going).

First Dinner Party

It almost took a full week but finally had my first dinner party. I think the rearranging of the flat gave me the needed inspiration, it just looks miles better!




My 5 dollar table flowers



Trying to create an ambiance.



But only made people suffer through it for a bit, my next purchase is a patio heater!



My new upstairs neighbour, Pia.



Dylan and Jodi, really could not have hoped for better neighbours.



Lola is now all happy and settled. Looking all comfy in the sofa.

Cotopaxi Peeps

I have certainly landed on my feet people wise, my neighbours are fantastic, Jodi and Dylan (expect they will be on here loads) and everyone in our newbie group seems really friendly. We are of course socialising loads and trying to find our feet. There are even loads of people my age, as usually I find the newbies a bit younger. Tonight I am hosting my first dinner party, it has taken almost a week so kinda slacking!


Kanda


The group


Shannon and me


Beautiful art walk


Brian and Dylan. These are just a few of the 30 new people starting this year. I will get them all on eventually!

First Impressions of Quito

It is huge, I never imagined it to be so big, it will take some getting use to for sure. The first thing that really struck me was the weather, all the weather channels said it was raining most days and cool (due to the altitude almost 3000 meters), well it was been warm/hot and sunny every day. It certainly cools down when the sun goes down and cool in the morning but I think I can handle that. The next thing is how safe I feel (do not worry Dad still being very very careful) and also how clean the neighbourhood around me is (was told it was not). The people seem very very friendly and always smiling at me and Lola. In fact the park behind my house is amazing, beautiful views and even an agility course for Lola. It is going to take some getting use to and I am going to need to learn Spanish but so far it seems like a great city.


View in park towards my flat (5 minute walk)


View from the other side of the park.


Agility course :)


The old city, which was a big hard to navigate.

However, very beautiful.

 So a good start, and the people I am working with seem great too.