The End of the Training Epoch

When I returned from my technical trip, I really just had one last week of training and with my host family. The week flew by, finishing up training competencies, spending time with my “Olmedo girls” (who I had lived with in town and spent virtually everyday with), last minute errands in Cayambe and preparing our despedidas with language groups, families, and Peace Corps.
For our “good-bye community” lunch, we prepared and presented a traditional dance and song. (I sang and didn't dance, surprising I know...) We also prepared a meal to share with our families. The Peace Corps ordered two Horneados (whole, baked pigs), to feed the families, and each group of volunteers in communities prepared a side dish. The classy ladies of Olmedo (that would be my group), made broccoli salad. Friday afternoon we chopped 20 heads of broccoli, kilos of grapes, bunches of green onions, and bags of raisins and walnuts in preparation for our delicious salad for the party. My family was skeptical of a raw broccoli salad, but by the end of the meal both huge pots of salad were gone!
After the party with the families, all of us trainees met up at the “Coffee Bar” in Cayambe for our personal despedida. We all ordered drinks and light snacks and enjoyed all being in one place together, since normally our personal outings were limited to groups of 5 people. A good time was had by all, but headed home early because I knew my family was preparing another special despedida for me. I walked into the house to find a cake on the table, and two huge pots on the stove. Within the next half-hour all of Edita's family was arriving and we sat down at the table to make speeches and toast with peach wine (a terrible, preferred drink in the Sierra!) We ate a soup filled with chicken insides and feet (I ate around what could...eeek) and then arroz colorado, the Ecuadorian version of fried rice with plantains, shrimp, veggies and of course, chopped up hot dogs. We all sat at the table and chatted until all of the sweet, sticky wine was gone and then I got tearful hugs and well wishes from the whole family as they left. I of course had much packing to do before bed.
I was up bright and early the next morning, to finish getting ready to leave. I got an extra special breakfast with an egg and onion sandwich and another wrapped up to take with me. :D All 5 girls loaded up Senor Segundo's truck with our many, heavy bags and I couldn't help but cry as I said good-bye to Edita and Mariela who had taken such good care of me and showed me so much love! I know that I go back and visit them at least once during my stay here!
In Quito we settled into our hostel, which would be our home the next few days. We visited the Mitad del Mundo Monument, ate a traditional lunch at a really nice restaurant, and did all the touristy things: straddled the equator and attempted to hold the world in our hands for pictures, visited the museum, etc. It was a really cool place and I can't wait to have visitors to go back and spend more time there!
We had two more days of work in the office and then Wednesday, August 19th, I swore in as a Peace Corps Volunteer for the second time. I have to admit it was not quite as exciting the second time, but I did shed a tear or two during the speeches because Peace Corps service is such an awesome opportunity, and I am so privileged to be here for two years learning, growing and working. So here I am for the second time, about to head out to my corner of Ecuador this time. My bags are packed, by job description is murky, but I am so excited (and nervous) to get started once again – and this time with a much stronger grasp of the language! This has to be easier the second time around! (Right?!)