O Man! Quito is fun.

Just woke up with the sun shining in my face and the sound of barking dogs ringing in my ears. I don’t understand how the weather forecast always says it’s going to rain in Quito. I’ve been here for almost a week and it hasn’t rained once that I’m aware of (it was “supposed” to do so every day). Last night was a blast. I met up with Maureen and her friend Diego from last year and we got some dinner at my favorite place – Mr. Bagel. It was delicious! We then moved on to a couple bars, got more amazing food and then headed out to a free concert in central Quito. The music being played wasn’t normally my style – hardcore rock with some grunge and just craziness mixed in. I actually really liked it though! Our friend Carolina was having a bad day so we watched her work off that negative energy in the mosh pit. It was pretty hilarious watching a normally kind and gentle person being transformed into a bundle of rage and terror. Remind me to never make her mad! I got home pretty late... again, but managed to not set off the alarm to my house! Congratulations to me! Today I’m going to another free concert that should be more traditionally up my alley (they’re playing hip-hop and reggae). Tomorrow I have to crack down on my work, however. My boss from CARE, Belen, sent me a super nice email welcoming me to Quito and telling me about some of the projects that are under way. I have a meeting at their office on Monday so we’re going to go over what the next steps are for the maternal health project and then start to conceptualize the climate change research. Hope you all have a sunny and happy day! The pictures are of Maureen, Diego and me at the bar “Aladdin” in the Mariscal, the concert, and some street art (Guayasamin Style – a famous Ecuadorian painter.