Home Sweet Home

Weather: Cold!

I landed in Miami around 6am East coast time. Lucky for me I had a bit over an hour to make it to my gate once we landed. For Olivia and Hannah they weren't so lucky and ended up missing their connecting flights. It turns out a group of people on another flight that was supposed to leave Quito around the same time we were sat on the runway for four hours because the airspace over Colombia was closed. This is what made our flight late too but luckily for us they were able to figure out an alternate route very quickly. I truly lucked out both going to Ecuador and returning, I had no missed or delayed flights it honestly couldn't have gone smoother. Being in Miami was obviously different for me but there was still a lot of Spanish speakers and diversity. I actually ordered breakfast in Spanish...

Once I got to my gate there were people coming off of their flight. There were women that had clearly sat first class and were just yuppies more or less. One was complaining about the lack of sleep she got. It was just frustrating hearing them

complain especially after living in a third world country for 4 months. I eventually got on my flight and landed in Boston with no issues. I found Mom and Dad and it was great to see them. I was in need of hugs from them. We grabbed my bags and headed off. I was pretty hungry for lunch so we stopped at Panera in Hingham. I ordered myself a salad, and I can't remember if the girl asked me if I wanted chicken or not, but all I had on me was a $10 bill and the order came to $10.48 so I told her I had to go get more change. She ended up telling me I was all set which was really nice, but while this was occurring I felt myself getting pretty overwhelmed. I waited for my salad and sure enough there was chicken all over it so the guy made me a new one and I was on my way. As soon as I got into the car I ended up crying...yes crying... I guess I was overwhelmed as that was my first time ordering in English in awhile, the place was pretty busy, and everyone was American. It was a lot to take in. Later in the day Mom, Dad, and I went to Mia Regazza and Auntie surprised me there! It was so good to see her. I ended up getting a veggie panini and oh boy was it glorious.

Fast forward, it's now Monday, May 13th and I have been home for a week now. I've been able to eat all the foods I've missed and spend much needed time with my pups. Ever since having my salad, I have been okay and reverse culture shock hasn't been too much of a thing. It's kinda like I never left in a way. I worked a shift at the pharmacy yesterday, and for the most part I have just been going to doctor appointments and catching up with friends and family. I will say I keep having to remind myself to put the toilet paper in the toilet and there have been a few days (yesterday being one) that I just feel miserable and I don't quite know why. I think part of it missing my host family a bit. I also have been really bloated and my stomach hasn't been doing the greatest which makes me feel gross. Whether I realize it or not I am probably still adjusting to get back into a routine here. It's nice having a bit of a break before Alaska too (I leave May 31st).

Reflecting on everything, I am so grateful to have been able to have this experience. Ecuador now has a piece of my heart and I have learned to appreciate things on a level I never deemed possible. I have gained patience and learned that there is no point in rushing life. There were points this semester where I was freaking out because I wasn't hearing back from jobs I applied to. I should have trusted the process more and now I know going forward everything happens for a reason and it'll work out the way it's supposed to. I think it would be a stretch to say that studying abroad flipped my world upside down however, it did make that travel bug I had before it grow immensely. I'm curious to see where I'll end up next and I'm looking forward to see what the future holds considering I am a senior now. I am thankful for everyone I met along the way and the lasting relationships I have with my families in Quito and the Galapagos. It was truly an experience I will never forget, and it's certainly bittersweet this journal has officially come to an end.