Antibiotics

On Wednesday I was discussing with a few people how antibiotics are way over prescribed and how I never use them, and by Thursday I was begging for them. I can say I have slightly changed my tune now (although still think they are way over used) as I think they are the only reason I feel 95 percent human right now. It was great to finally eat a proper meal today and actually almost enjoy it.

Jodi and Dylan's friend from Tanzania took us to this fabulous bakery.

After to explore the fabulous fruit and veg market, such good prices and amazing food (now that I can eat again!).
Then back to enjoy the sunshine, I am not sure who enjoyed it more me or Lola.

Deaths Door

Is possibly a slight exaggeration, but that is certainly how I felt yesterday. In fact, I was sure I would somehow have to get a doctor here and was not quite sure how to do that. But as it turned out I did not have too, the school doctor came to me with loads of meds. How lovely was that?! So comforting to be at a school that goes to these lengths, especially when on your own. Today I feel like I might actually live (down to doctor for sure). I am still very weak but managed to get Lola to small park across the road.

Quito Facts

So these are facts (fact might be wrong word, possibly tips better) that I have found so far to be important and possibly no one else in the world will find them useful, but hey ho it is my blog.

1) False Weather forecasts. I have been checking the weather here since November and every day it predicts something similar to this:

If I was looking to go on holiday, I would never come here based on the forecast. But I can assure you I have yet to see rain (apparently been a long while) and during the day it is sunny and warm.

2) Dry Sundays. If you ignore this weather app, listen to me and do visit, the next tip is crucial. No booze sold on Sundays in supermarkets, potential disaster if unprepared like me and Karen were our first Sunday. Stock up on Saturday and avoid this devastating.

3) Carnival coins. Apparently, sometime ago the US made dollar coins, much like pound coins, the looney, the Euro and Franc. However, unlike the mentioned currencies, the US dollar coins never took off (I think possibly as they look like carnival coins), anyways they have ended up here. So if you get these in change do not dismiss them, one can be a short taxi ride.

4) Altitude Adjustment. This one got me. I assumed it happened in the first few days, not always the case. Karen and myself thought we were super stars exercising immediately. It is only now, ten days on I have learnt that sometimes it can get you later. Whoopsie.

Sure more to follow, but this is what I have found to be the most important tips/facts so far.

Getting Closer

Today was the start of proper orientation, all the teachers and staff were in, not just us newbies. I was surprised how huge the staff is, considering the school is almost half the size as ISB. The day opened with breakfast for everyone and then a welcoming ceremony for all (what was really nice, and sadly unique, was the thanking and recognising of all staff, guards, maintenance, admin etc). We are getting closer to the big day, arrival of kiddies, which is always nerve wracking, but for some reason even more so this time.

Back to Old

Yippee, thanks to Elina and her brilliant idea, that worked! I really did feel sad about leaving this blog behind, so going to try her suggestion until I figure things out.
Besides the frustration of blog changing, this weekend also provided a few challenges... I learnt a powerful lesson on Friday night about unwashed food and/or ice by spending most of Friday night and Saturday near death close to a bathroom or bucket (plus side 5 pounds down). I had a bit of the post move, missing my friends blues, but think that is natural and woken up a bit more positive today (hopefully this positivity lasts as I have a morning trying to figure out visas, by all accounts it can be a long day).
Sorry about the confusion with the blogs and sure my next post one will be more upbeat and informative (even if not about Quito but just about my developing social life).
 

New Blog

Frustratingly, this blog will not let me change the background picture (it is properly driving me nuts).  So I have started a second blog... Maybe it is better form as the first one was about Basel and the next one should be about Quito.  So the new address is:
www.amandaandlolaquito.blogspot.com
I feel a bit sad to stop writing on this one, but not sure what other solution I have (not very computer savvy and if I keep trying to fix it my laptop may be thrown out the window very soon)

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 Degrees

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 Quito 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!

 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.

And could not have done it without the help of super shipper Karen!

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!

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 very 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.

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

Super Shipper Roberts

Super shipper Roberts not only made the trip here for me and Lola painless, she also spent the day getting my flat set up while I was in school. Safe to safe all the staff want a Karen.

So this is my flat! I love it! Karen is amazing, and could not have done it without her.

Made it!

I managed to hold it together for the entire party, but properly did not yesterday. Tears started in the morning and continued all day. Had the best send off ever and thank you to all who made my time so special.

Very tearful goodbyes all morning.  Finished off with my favourite soup place, I will miss you soup, oh and Pia and Chris.

I love these people, these are the people my adventure in Basel started with. Asa, Patrick and Ellie the summer before in a conference in Brussels, Maria was the first girl I met here (I knew she was going to be trouble!) and William soon after.  I am going to miss them so much!

And after a long plane journey have it to my new home in Quito. Thank goodness Karen was with off or I am not quite sure we would have made it! Cannot quite believe it! More to follow when I get the internet and more settled :)  

Bye Bye Basel

Leaving today, properly sad. Had a fabulous party tram party, feel honoured to have so many wonderful friends but also totally crushed to be leaving. I have had a great three years here and actually cannot write much more as tear drops keep landing on the key board.

Bye bye Basel..

One More Sleep

Monday morning, and now only one more sleep in Basel and then I am off (eeeeeekkkkkkkkkk!!!). I am not totally sure how I feel about this, and not sure it will hit me until my train leaves tomorrow. What I do know is I am leaving some pretty fabulous people who made my last weekend here amazing. First on Saturday I went with three Queens to the Three Kings hotel, for a couple cocktails. We had a brilliant evening, and I know we have many more nights together, but guessing a little less frequent ;)

Then last night I met up with Maria, straight from China and William, who also recently returned. We came together three years ago and I am leaving with many many great memories of our times together.
This is going to be hard, harder than I thought and I knew it would be hard!

Bern Fun

Actually Bern was not very fun at all, trying to get Lola sorted paper wise for trip- a truly frustrating experience. However, it is all done now and fingers crossed she is already to travel (well paper wise, certainly not mentally). But I did manage a wander around Bern, which I must admit is very beautiful, but could not stay too long as had to join friends on the river on Basel for what by all accounts will be a heavy weekend.

 Beautiful Bern

 Bern Beers

 and beautiful Basel.

 Pre club drinkies

Jeru- hip hop legend, who yep did ask for my phone number (me and every other girl, but still counts)!

My New Address

So I imagine some of my organised friends would be thinking they need to get a pen and paper so they know where to send the odd Christmas or birthday card, these friends will not be happy with my news. My friends, who are more like me and totally unorganised will be relieved as now they do not need to feel guilty when they forget to send said cards. Yesterday in trying to organise one million things, I emailed the old tenants of my new flat to find out address to forward mail. The response: 'Dear Amanda, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but someone has to tell you. You have no address, you have no mail. In order to get any mail you must DHL or fed ex it to the school. And nothing valuable as you will not get it.' Brilliant! Also makes an already tricky process of leaving Basel much trickier. Oh well, I wonder what other surprises await me next week! Luckily I had a birthday party to attend in order to whine and complain at.
I love that in Basel we always seem to celebrate at a minimum two birthday celebrations, will miss that too (especially as will get no cards!).

Sunnier Times

Although yesterday did not pass without any hiccups, it was still a lovely day having had a long catch up with Marietta and then dinner with my favourite neighbours or should I say ex-neighbours, Pia and Chris. I even walked past my flat twice and did not even well up in tears, looks like I am toughening up.
As usual lovely night together. In fact, that is getting slightly boring and repetitive on here, I think I should start having the odd fall out to spice up this blog.

Sad Times

There was no doubt that leaving was going to be hard, I know I am going to a new adventure but whatever still hard! Last night handed over my flat and really wish I had taken photos, no one would ever believe I got it sparkling the way I did. And just gave my car to the new owner today, loved that car! Living at a friends house for the next week saying too many goodbyes before I make the long journey to my new home..
(having a wobble about leaving so did not feel in the mood for pictures today, maybe tomorrow)

The Last Supper

Last night I had some friends over to help eat and drink me dry. I cannot believe it really, my last dinner party in my lovely flat. I have had so many wonderful people around over the years, loads of laughs and sometimes even some decent food. I guess the next nine days will be like this, loads of lasts. Sad times really.
Jamie, Karen, Chris (tine)' Pia and Clint did a great job polishing off the carbs in my cupboard.
Condense queens, a Bajan theme as it is one year since the best holiday ever.
Expect I will be getting loads of good bye kisses over the next week (well I bloody hope so anyways), thanks for kicking it off Jamie! So today I am making sure everything is perfect for the new 'Amanda's' who arrive tomorrow night :)

Swiss Day Eve

Today is Lola's most hated day of the year, Swiss Day, in fact as I write this she is cowering and panting in her kennel with the fire works going on all around us. And it is not just today, probably all weekend, all day, all night, just brilliant. The festivities and the pain for Lola all started last night, as the celebrations kicked off with a huge party and firework show on the river last night.
Before I headed to the river I had a lovely lunch at Becci and Marks. This also means I was lucky enough to see Erin for lunch two days in a row :)  Becci made a yummy yummy veggie lunch for us. It was great to catch up.  Then me, Pia and Chris headed to the river, to a friends birthday BBQ and to enjoy the atmosphere.
We had front row seats to the party action  and the fireworks show. Which I must say I despise, I do not care if they are beautiful, I think they are selfish and cruel. All the birds were in a panic, Lola is near heart attack hiding somewhere in my flat, and I know other animals are also terrified of them. I truly despise them (you need to see Lola to totally understand).