EIL Intercultural Learning

Hi Everyone. Ok so I know I am back in Ireland already and as great as Dublin is, I am sure I won't be able to top my stories from Ecuador. But, I wanted to post one more time on this journey. I wanted to make a point of saying that in winning the travel award, I was not only lucky enough to see a new part of the world but I was able to create a HUGE change in my life. Something I have noticed more recently. I called the blog post 'Memorias de Ayer' for a few reasons. Firstly, to try and be dramatic and try and get you to read this :) .

Hi Everyone,

So I have made it back to Ireland after a fantastic two months in Ecuador. I have to say this is the post I was looking forward to writing the least because it means I am out of Ecuador. While I am glad to be home I have definitely noticed a change in myself. I think I had gotten very used to the relaxed atmosphere, coming back to my work and study and everything else moving at 100 mph was a bit of a shock to the system. Although now that I am back I want to fill you in on the last and possibly best moments of my time in Ecuador.

Well as I mentioned in my last post it was sports week this week in my school here in Puerto Quito. Which as you can imagine is exactly what it says. But of course it just wouldn't be Ecuador with out a bit of a show. On the first day the students had a parade around the town dressed in the uniform of their chosen sports team. I was on the teachers side and we were wearing a not so ligitimate Brazil football kit. But first, as I mentioned in my last post I was asked to be 'El Padrino' or 'El Cabellero' for one of the sports teams.

Hey everyone, While I have an opportunity I thought I'd drop a line and talk a small bit about the social aspect of 'teaching while traveling'. Of course, you would have to try quite hard to go to another country and not meet anyone new but I have to say the social culture of Ecuador is unlike any other I know. I knew, seeing as this was the first time I was to leave Europe, I would notice some differences and indeed some stereotypes. Which really is true. My first two weeks, in Quito, allowed me to get to know other volunteers in the school.

Hey Everybody. Ok, here's an update on what I have been up to here over the past couple of weeks in Ecuador. After leaving Quito I swapped the busy streets and flashing lights of 'La Mariscal' for the laid back town of Puerto Quito. Although don't let the name fool you, this place could be nothing less like the capital.

So I´m at the end of week three here in Ecuador and what an experience it has been so far. Of course the 22 hour trip from Dublin to Quito really

takes it out of you especially when you are told your luggage is running a 'little late'. And being in a city 3km above sea level doesn't help but that di