So, after flying in about four planes during these past couple of days, I am not so afraid of flying anymore. I mean, I am still a bit nervous when I feel a random decrease made by the plane, but other than that, it’s not so bad.
I’m having a decent time here. I can’t say I hate it, but I can’t say I really love it either. Walking through Quito made me really miss Stroudsburg. Maybe it’s because there is no grand bookstore around. Oh well, Quito does have great croissants, ironically.
During my long van drive to various parts in the Galapagos, I realized I’m somewhat blessed. I know a ton of people my age that hasn’t been out of the country, let alone, out of state, or even crazier, out of Stroudsburg. I know it’s not their fault, but if they ever have the chance to see the world as opposed to what they’ve seen on the National Geographic, they’d be surprised. My brother told me that he has bragging rights and he’s going to tell everyone about his vacation. Me? Eh, I wouldn’t call it bragging, but I want to educate people about my experience here. First hand experiences can really wonder ones mind. Maybe they could hopefully learn something from my stories.
It was nice meeting many people here. Ecuadorians are nice and welcoming. At the airport in Quito, it’s amazing seeing the different kinds of jobs outside of the airport. People were walking around with huge articles of lottery tickets, which vaguely reminded me of Brian’s mom and the earlier days of when my grandma and I would go to the store across the street and bought random lottery tickets. In addition, I even saw an elderly man selling various glasses holders, like the ones where Steve Urkle wore, but I guess more fashionable and not so thick.
Now, it’s 6:30 pm and it is dark. So much for Day light savings time.
When I get back to Stroudsburg, I am going to have three days to pack all my things to college. I realized that I don’t have much time to say goodbye to my family before I leave to Moravian, but I’m not so heart-broken. There is always vacation, family day, etc. So I’m not so worried. Though, I really do miss my grandma. I’m tempted to see her right when I come back on the 20th and help her out for a bit. I have no idea what’s going to happen.
Anyways, my mom is a complete self-centered woman. In her world, it’s all about her. We were eating lunch at this one place near the ocean. We got into the topic of her always choosing where we go to vacation. She responded, “It’s my money. I choose where we go.” Honestly, I thought a family is supposed to decide as a whole where they want to go. It’s not just the person with the money. I don’t think “family” should operate like that. Oh well. My mom can suck it. Karma is gonna get her. According to John Lennon, it will.
I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I’m thousands of miles away from home. It’s daunting to realize, but then again it’s nice. I like to explore, see new people, taste exotic foods, and see what the world has in store. As much as I miss Stroudsburg, I still like this kind of rush of traveling. And plus, I’m away from the problems at home. Okay, they aren’t many problems, but more of pet peeves. Heh, maybe this “vacation” will help me deal with these problems, in an odd sort of way.
With traveling, hopping into a shit load of planes and sitting next to cool people from around the world, it’s a grand feeling being around such different company. Although my dream job is about five or more years away, with the traveling, exploring, questioning, hell, I am just getting started.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 1:51 am – Galapagos time
Welcome to the Jungle
My first club/bar experience was shitty. In Ecuador, the drinking age is 15. Edi, our guide said many girls like tequilas, and since the name sounded immaculate and sweet, I decided, “Why the hell not?” I was clearly wrong and my assimilations were just a fallacy. Tequila is the perhaps the nastiest shit I have ever drank. Okay actually, all the alcohol that I drank was disgusting. Even the pina colada. And to tell you the truth, that pina colada was my last refuge of “good” alcohol, considering all the stuff I tasted prior that night was all out gross.
I didn’t drink a lot, if that’s what you were thinking. Though, I wanted to try something new and be legal at the same time. But after trying a few drinks (don’t worry I was not [NEVER] drunk), I realized the whole club and bar scene isn’t for me. Not only is alcohol nasty as hell and it’s bad for my still growing 17 year old petite frame, dancing with random people just didn’t seem to faze me. I mean, what’s so wonderful about dancing with a bunch of random people. Honestly, from the dancing I’ve seen, it looked like intercourse with just clothes on. Oh okay, let’s call it dry sex, shall we.
My mom wanted to go and it was Edi’s birthday, so they decided to go to a club. I’m not big on dancing, but I wanted to check it out. I wanted to see what an Ecuadorian club has to offer.
Unlike America, even kids can go to this club. I think I saw a girl who looked like she was about ten dancing. What really surprised me is how laid back the bartenders were when I asked for a drink (which was the Pina Colada. The only drink I asked for. The others, I just took little sips from Edi.) Considering that many people think that I’m 12 or 14, these bartenders didn’t seem to care that someone like me was just casually drinking.
My mom and other random people made me dance with this Swiss guy named Steven. He was 16. He was blonde, tall, flashed a bright smile, had a cool accent and seemed to laugh at everything. (Which is good because I like it when people laugh and smile a lot. It’s very welcoming.) We met him and his family at this restaurant a couple hours before. It was very awkward considering I have a boyfriend and I can’t dance. Thankfully, Steven couldn’t dance either so I guess it was just a very odd time for the both of us. Steven dimly looked like my friend Connor which made it even weirder because as much as I like Connor as a friend, I don’t want to dance with him. Only BH please. :)
We tried dancing the salsa but it wasn’t working so after that one song was over, I quickly unhooked hands with Steven and I went to sit down with Edi.
Odder enough, Steven’s sister, Nadia, kept on dancing with this 17-year-old Ecuadorian guy the whole night. I accidently caught a glimpse of them kissing… a lot. I knew they met only a couple of hours prior to the dancing, which bewildered me. Yet, a lot of this whole making out business is very evident in clubs like that. Not to mention Nadia lives in Switzerland while the Ecquordian 17 year old guy with glasses lives in… well, Ecuador. I’m not that kind of girl who would just kiss a guy whom I just met. I’m that kind of so-called “innocent” person who likes to save it for that special person. I’m not going to think “Oh okay I like you. I just met you and whatever, but let’s share a nice kiss anyways.” Not any guy can get me; you have to be very special to even be considered = BH.
Plus, I’d rather go and talk to someone instead of dance. Other guys were asking me to dance which was terrible because there was this language barrier between us. My mom encouraged me to go and dance with them so they could teach me salsa. So I somewhat learned, but when guys tried to get their jiggy on (as what Mr. Cassady referred to), I literally screamed and hastily moved to the other side so they couldn’t touch me. It happened twice, which makes me want to barf just thinking about it. Thankfully, none of them went close. EW EW EW! Those people are gross.
Later, two other guys (who looked WAY older than me) asked to dance, and since I didn’t want haphazard people who I just met trying to put their juices near me, I shook my head and said “No.” This one guy got angry, as a matter of fact. He tried leaning in towards me and kept on asking me “Why? What’s wrong?” The top of his baseball cap was hitting my head and I covered my lips, afraid that he was trying to take me or something. I declined again and told him to get away. He replied “Welcome to my country.” The tone of his voice was ghastly and it made me think of Guns N’ Roses’ song, “Welcome to the Jungle.” I don’t feel bad for rejecting these guys. It was my mom’s fault that she made me dance with Steven in the first place. I guess everyone thought I was an open target because I unhooked hands from him so quickly. And no, I didn’t (and WILL NOT) participate in that nasty, dry sex kind of dancing. People tried to, but as I said, I screamed and backed FAR away. People are so gross these days. Whatever happened to civilized dancing… like the fucking waltz?!
In the club, it seemed like a jungle alright. Everyone was like animals prancing on each other as if there was no tomorrow. The males of the jungle were running towards woman as if there was no food, as if the girls had something blissful to offer. I was just the explorer who took a wrong turn and almost ended up dead.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 7:14 pm – Galapagos time
I got lost coming back to the hotel. Our guide Edi and everyone else wanted to go straight back to the hotel after touring the National Park and wasting time by the beach for 20 minutes (while I crazily played solitaire).
It was our last day in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and I still feel as if we didn’t see much what this town/small island/whatever has to offer. While my family and Edi was going back to the hotel, I made many stops going into the little shops that Puerto Ayora has to offer. My favorite was the art and jewelry gallery that was called “Galeri Aymara.” Although the majority of the stuff was expensive, I really enjoyed looking at the handmade articles by the Ecuadorian people. A few things were even made by tribal people; and just by buying their woven baskets or paintings will ensure that their homelands will not be ruined due to human activities such as logging, which harms rainforest, thus, their homes.
It was hard asking people for directions since the majority of the people here speak Spanish. When I ask for directions, sometimes they’ll smile and/or laugh. It was funny because I was asking one man in a market where the nearest school was (since my hotel is right next to a school) and he thought I wanted to buy water (aqua). Not even close. I tried to use various hand motions such as writing and thinking but that didn’t work. The young woman who was carrying a baby was laughing. I guess when it comes time to play charades, I’ll pretty much fail. Not that charades is something I don’t really try in, I suppose. I get a little too into things much easily than others, especially during nerdy game shows like Jeopardy. But that’s a different story. (But oh damn I do miss watching Jeopardy. Thankfully, it’s being tivo’ed!)
In a few moments, Edi is about to pick us up and take us to dinner. After last night, I am not going to go out with my mom and him afterwards. Clubbing, dancing, and drinking is NOT for me. Maybe I am somewhat of a homebody, chilling in the hotel, reading, writing, and spending some time with my siblings. Yeah, I think that’s a plan.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009, didn’t keep track of time since I was writing this in my notebook…
On the island of Floreana
Already, I am counting down the days until I leave. Honestly, I’m getting kind of bored. It’s always the same ol’ stuff. Plus, I can’t really stand my mom. She’s always rude and so self consumed in her own world. Very irritating indeed.
The best part of today was riding on top of the truck. I felt like Anderson Cooper traveling within the depths of Africa, with his hand held camera talking about what he saw, whether it was the pain, the anguish, or the joys in Africa, educating his listeners/viewers. Actually, I did the same thing. I was using my mom’s camera that had a video recorder. I couldn’t help but make a video of myself talking, using the recorder to catch what exactly I was seeing. I’m a bit embarrassed watching myself do some “journalist” things since all of it was ad-lib. I wish I was able to add more information though. It would’ve been great.
I also did another video a couple days ago, highlighting busy late night restaurants situated on the island of Santa Cruz. My mom said I was terrible with the camera movements, so terrible that she didn’t take note of the information I presented. She liked my whole truck video though. She was surprised on the stuff I said. Though, I still don’t want to watch myself or hear myself for that matter. I’m weird when it comes to seeing myself on tape. It’s a rare occurrence now, but maybe very ubiquitous in the coming years.
Thursday, August 13, 2009 – 5pm Galapagos time
We are now in Island Isabella. After a two-hour groggy boat ride, and going to two other different hotels, we are settled in a dingy hotel that looks more like a prison cell than an inviting hotel. We were supposed to be in Hotel Saint Vicente, according to what Edi said, equipped with internet and everything, but we are now in this shitty one. I shouldn’t be complaining, but after what your guide tells you is just a mere fallacy, you get kinda aggravated. We are only here for three days and three nights and I honestly can’t wait to come home. Sadly enough, I have only three days to be with my family and friends before I leave for band camp. I love how my mom plans vacations . It’s ridiculous and self-centered actually.
Everyone said the Galapagos is so pretty and it is their dream to come here, but honestly, this place is over –rated. They make it sound like it’s a paradise and it is gorgeous, but really, it’s nothing special. It’s just a third world country filled with smooth sand and snorkeling. Sure, you catch the cool animals lounging around you, but other than that, it’s just another set of tiny islands. Been there done that.
Oh remember one of the guys who I thought was going to teach me salsa, but tried to do a nasty dance with me and I left… well apparently he’s a police officer! He asked me, “Where you the girl I tried dancing with?”
And you know what I said?
“Nope. That’s not me.”
HA! Sorry buddy but the only person that can dance with me is this one tall pale boy that I love named Brian Scott Hatch. (I cannot believe I just used his whole name on this.) Haha
Same day, 8:56pm – Galapagos time
I’ve always wanted to make it a habit to be able to sleep early and wake up early considering for the majority of the summer I’ve been sleeping extra extra late and waking up like around 1pm. It’s nearly 9 o’clock and I am friggen tired. Not to mention, I’m not feeling good. My mom says I don’t have much fiber in my diet and that’s why I’ve been acting the way I am. Nevertheless, I still think that it’s probably some of the UFO’s (Unidentified Food Object) I’ve been eating. There was one time last night that I drank some Fanta in a glass bottle and didn’t finish it. Therefore, before I went to sleep, I chugged the half of the bottle until it was finished. It was a stupid act to do since I didn’t want to waste any of it but I was already sick of the damn thing.
At dinner, we sat next to four people from Slovenia. Now my brother is that type of person to ask obscure questions. Moreover, he didn’t seem to fail at this one. Here is how the conversation went with a Slovenian woman:
Richie: What country are you from?
Slovenian Woman: Slovenia.
R: Oh so you speak Slovakian.
SW: No. Slovenian. Where are you from?
Me: America.
R: What do you think about Americans? [Inaudible] because when I’m on the internet a lot of people don’t like Americans.
SW: *laughs* I haven’t been to America actually.
Mom: Ignore him.
R: She’s mean.
SW: How old are you to be asking these such questions? 10?
R: uh…
Basically, you get the idea. This wasn’t the first time this happened either. This time, it happened with a man from Switzerland. While this conversation was happening, I was trying to look for the USB port the Swiss guy asked for and this is what I heard. Just remembering the conversation makes me LOL, literally.
*knock*knock*
Me: Hi there.
Swiss Man: Hi, do you have a USB port for a camera? (Talks in German to a colleague nearby.)
Me: Yeah uh, hold on.
Richie: Where are you from?
SM: Switzerland.
R: Oh so you speak Swedish.
SM: No. Sweden and Switzerland are two different countries. Do you know where they are?
R: So you speak… Swiz then?
SM: No, German.
I remember when my brother was a really good kid. He had excellent manners, good conversation skills, the whole nine yards. Then after my sister was born, he became the outcast of the family. I’m not sure how he became like that, but it’s kind of sad to see such a negative transformation. He does, however, need a male role model. If only he can be here sooner for my brother.
I return home in 7 days. I am so flippin’ stoked! I miss home and I miss petting Freckles, the cute ass kitty.
It’s nearly 9:30 and I am tired. Good. (Though I am still experiencing an upset stomach.) Bleck.
Friday, August 14, 2009 – 1:29 Galapagos time
I didn’t go snorkeling today. I was too sick to really go out but I did. Instead, I read Twilight. I really have to finish that damn book before band camp. Because all freshman are required to read “The World without Us” before Freshman Orientation. Shucks.
Six days until I come home! Eeeeee! I am so stoked. I can’t wait to see the ones I love and I’m so excited to hug everyone. I’m considering on making a stop to Stroudsburg’s band camp and check up on my lovely band friends. I hope they are doing well.
I forgot to mention the things that I’ve noticed in the Galapagos. Well here’s a list before I have to leave for another “adventure.”
- Dogs, like deers, roam around the streets of the Galapagos. A lot of them don’t have collars either. Chloe loves to pet them and is tempted to take a few of them home. I just want PETA to take them and put them in a safe place. I did, however, see an extremely skinny cat without a collar. Anorexia much? Just kidding. But seriously.
- There are no streetlights… anywhere. I have yet to see a green light. (Ha, reminds me of Green Knight!)
- Pretty much everyone here speaks Spanish. This makes the language barrier kinda hard and kind of annoying at the same time, especially when you need to use the bathroom badly.
- Lava lizards are like the mice in New York. Fast, small, and pretty much everywhere.
- Lots of the women here dress in really tight clothing, thus showing every blub they have.
- There are more men here than woman. This is why there is a nudie bar in Santa Cruz. (I haven’t seen it, but I heard someone ask about it.)
- You know how in America, they usually serve salad before dinners? Well it’s usually soup here, which is kinda odd since it is already friggen hot here.
- There is a bevy of motorcycles and bikes. Many young children usually sit in the front of the motorcycle. Crazy, I know.
- Since the Galapagos is a third world country, the majority of the money from tourists goes to corrupt politicians. (When you enter the island of the Galapagos, you have to pay $100 per person. I think $50 for little kids.)
- I found about five little bugs in my soup today.
- I really do miss TV – in English. I can’t stand the sight of Jeff Corwin talking in this bizarre, heavy Spanish accent. It doesn’t look right. It’s like making SpongeBob purple. Not the way it goes people!
- Either many of the men here are friendly, or they just want to do something because I’ve been getting a ton of large, Joker-like smiles, and I’m not sure how to take it.
That’s all I can think of for now.
Same day, 5:42 Galapagos time
We went to this memorial called the “Wall of Tears.” Prisoners from World War 2 were situated there and they were given bread and water. Many of them later perished due to the harsh conditions. I wish I knew more information, but since our tour group spoke Spanish (four people are from Italy and can understand Spanish while the other three people are from Barcelona, Spain.) and our tour guide, Oswald spoke in Spanish for the majority of the time, it was tough to catch information. Damn this language barrier. Oswald occasionally spoke in English to just my family though. However, not enough at the Wall of the Tears. It was very interesting to me since it deals with history and I effing LOVE history! Heck, two summers ago, three amazing weeks consisted of it!
Also, at the Wall of Tears, there were steps that lead up high above the wall. Overall, at the top, we were 4,000 feet above the ground! The breeze felt absolutely beautiful considering it was very hot down in the ground. The sight was beautiful. You could see a multitude of volcanoes and mountains as well as the pure blue ocean. Another thing that was very populated within the grand sight was cactuses…
We also went to another tortoise-breeding habitat. Okay, I get it. Galapagos = Tortoise Heaven. But if you haven’t seen these types of turtles up close, it really is a once in a life time experience considering there isn’t many of them in the world.
144 more hours until I’m home!!!! (Roughly)
