Galapagos

I arrived in San Cristobal Island of the Galapagos Ecuador!! The capital of paridise as they like to call it. This will be my home for the next three months. It is a city of about 6000 people so I feel quite at home in this small community but am often reminded by little things that this truley is a third world country. The school here is amazing. A beach is right across the street and our professor actually suggested jumping in the ocean during our ten minute breaks from class.

My family life is least then expected but I guess that is my own fault since I shouldnt have been expecting anything when I came here. I live with a single mom and three kids (8,11,15) My mom works during the day and goes to college at night. THe fifteen year old boy basically runs the household. My breakfasts are made the night before and left out for me to eat alone. usually consisting of crackers, eggs, an apple, ham(more like spam), juice,and tea. Dinner is made for me in the afternoon and left out for me to eat ALONE. usually it is rice and chicken or seafood......beans. always twwo things to drink and it is never just water. I really dont like the fact that I eat alone. one it is just simply lonely and two that is a major family bonding time i'm lacking. I really dont see my family often. They keep to themselves and if i come and casually do homework in the living room they leave the area. I almost feel like a burden. But at the same time I think they need me there as income. They are getting paid for housing me and I get the feeling that they need that money. Alot of times the mom doesnt eat at all. On the weekends they dont have dinner but rather just a snack like a juice box or two cookies. My host mom trys not to be a burden so i have no rules. I can come home when ever I want...she doesnt need to know where i am....I can bring boys home(as long as she meets them).....I'm not sure I really enjoy so much freedom. If i was living alone that would be one thing but i dont feel like part of the family if I have no rules at all.
Classes here are so INTENSE. Right now my teacher is trying to teach genetic evolution in a matter of two weeks. We have already had five quizes and one midterm, a project......and a 7 page single spaced paper assigned. And to top it off we all got a stomach infection from eating something bad. We were out of commision for three days the first week we arrived. But you can't say youve had the whole experience of studying in a 3rd world country till you have spent the night on the bathroom floor, made friends with the toilet, and visited the hospital and local pharmacy. Hopefully this is it! no more getting sick!

On sunday my class went on a snorkling field trip. We got to swim with sealions who are extemly playful and will come up inches from your face. twirl around you. pull you by the flippers. It is a little bit scary but as long as you dont encounter a male the interactions are usually just playful. We also went to a second location called kicker rock. There we saw a hammerhead. and many many many galapagos sharks and black tips. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. We also saw many cool fish, rays, turtles and jelly fish. I made friends with the naturalist on board and with a researcher who went with us. Very nice people and I may be able to bum a couple free trips from them.

If you have any specific questions you should ask. I'm full of lots of information but seem to have little time and when I find it I cant think of things to say :)

Will try to stay ontop of the updates! promise
miss you all SOOOO much