First Free Weekend

Viva Quitena!
Yesterday, my spanish class went to the historic city center of Quito to learn more about Quito's history and see some its most important buildings. We first visited the Presidential Palace located in the west end of the plaza grande. The plaza itself is beautiful, and since the excess of rain we have been having, the sky is pollution free, giving us a view over all of Quito as well as a clear view to the 3 of the 5 surrounding volcanoes. The plaza is set up so that each side represents a different power. As I said the presidential palace occupies the west, the city hall(representing the power of the people) occupies the east, the cathedral of Quito is to the north (power of God) and the south is shared by the University of Quito (power of knowledge) and the bishops headquarters (power of the church). Anyways, the presidential palace interesting and we got a free photo of ourselves inside courtesy of Rafael Correa. The only bizarre part of the tour was that we were required to wear protective surgical masks because one of Correa's cabinet members recently died of swine flu, making it a bit harder to understand the tour guide. After we visited the University of Quito 10 de Augosto museum, commemorating the first cry of independence in 1809. Our tour guide spoke with a lisp so I didn't quite understand everything, however one fact I can share is after the initial cry for freedom in 1809, the heroes of the revolution were heavily repressed by the Spanish government. At their trial, one revolutionary was about to be executed, when the Spanish governor told him he could save his live by saying “Viva Espańa!” (long live Spain) instead he yelled “Viva Quiteńa!” (long live Quito) and was immediately decapitated.
Pepper Spray and Soccer Riots
Last night about 12 of the students went to a soccer game at the Estadio Olimpico to see Deportista Quito take on Liga Deportista de las Universidades. La Liga as they are known are comparable to the New York Yankees (last year they were the Latin American Champions). However the game was a 3-0 upset with D. Quito on top. However, the real entertainment came from outside of the field. If you thought Vikings fans were insane, then you should visit Quito. A friend and I accidentally entered the wrong side of the stadium and found ourselves in a sea of red and black (D. Quito colors), we turned on our heels before we were seriously injured. Once seated safely in La Liga section we breathed a sigh of relief. As the teams ran on to field, it felt as though we were marching to battle. Every one was on their feet and jumping in unison causing a resounding thud to echo across the field. Then the sky was filled with white and red streamers being thrown by fans onto the field to support their team. The track surrounding the soccer field was literally a mess of white and red ribbons. Then the fireworks started, some from the stadium and some from the hands of the fans. Then came the drums. Then came the chanting, the the singing. And the game hadn't even started. 30 minutes into the game the drums, chanting and singing hadn't stopped. Nor did it stop for half time, in fact people were still singing as we were leaving the field. It is unfortunate that La Liga lost, because as a tradition, after a victory, the team and all its fans (which is a considerable number) march together up the street to the university and everyone jumps in to the campus water works and celebrates. Maybe next time.
This section is called 'soccer riots' not because the two team's fans duked it out (this would be impossible because there are concrete and barbed wire fences separating each team's fans, as well as enough policemen to occupy St. Paul) the fighting irrupted between La Liga fans and the police force. Considering that the policia wear full riot gear and are accompanied by a full K-9 unit, it didn't end well for the drunken soccer fans. They will probably watching their next soccer match from the hospital ward through bandages around their face. All in all it was an experience, hopefully next match will mean a victory for La Liga and we can all go for a swim.
Ironically the pepper spray potion of this entry comes not from the soccer match but everyday life. Consistently for the last week there have been protests throughout the city on any number of things: the new water bill, the new media bill, the resent teacher strike. All of which end in tear gas and pepper spray. It is not uncommon to be riding the bus when all of a sudden it becomes hard to breathe and you eyes start to hurt. Fortunately I have yet to experience this, but chances are good it will happen in the future.
As for life at home, my family is finally started to accept me. My sister and I bonded over Michael Jackson and Reaggetone last night, she explained to me all of her boy problems for a good 3 hours (no exaggeration) while scrolling through all of her music. As for my brothers, I watched Transporter 3 with David until about 4 in the morning last night. And if you thought it was a bad movie in english, just wait until you see it dubbed in Spanish.
On a note for my mother/father/hannah/anyone who would like to talk to me, since I do not have internet or an international cell phone, communication is a bit difficult with the states, I have had to rely on internet cafes and cabinas for contact with the North. By the way, apparently in Quito it is acceptable to watch porn in internet cafes, as the man sitting next to me is currently doing. Anyway, if anyone would like me to call them send me an email or facebook. However if anyone wants to call me (I receive all calls for free) Skype will let you call computer to phone for a single fee most times to any phone in the world (usually the fee is under 20 cents, if not it cost around 3 cents a minute) My cellphone number is 593(I believe to be Quito's area code, could be mistaken)-098056546. I'm generally free from 3-6pm central time. Until next time, paz y amor. Keep up the emails, its great to hear from you all.