The Newb

One year ago - August 19, 2010 - I arrived in Guayaquil to begin my work as a Peace Corps Volunteer. When I got off the bus in the terminal, I was smelly and disheveled and wide-eyed, and I distinctly remember the conversation I had with the cab driver who brought me to my house, because he complimented me on my Spanish. That struck me as a premature judgment, because I anticipated innumerable instances in which I would make a fool of myself while attempting to communicate in this foreign language. (I was right.)

The best part about arriving in site was meeting the host family. And one year later, we're all still under the same roof, although I'm two stories closer to it than they are. Not too much has changed: Mariana has cut her hair...there are some new curtains in the bedroom...Fernanda, a sister who lives in Italy, is in town for the summer and has temporarily joined the gang.

I try to spend time with the host family, and usually this comes in the form of helping Marcelo and Andrés with their homework. But occasionally we find other things to do, like watch movies or go to the park...

...or bake cookies.

One month ago, we had a visitor with us on our cookie baking spree.

Her name is Sarah, and she'll be living with the host family downstairs starting TOMORROW.

Sarah hails from Ohio and likes Tony Bennett, spam with ketchup, and taking long walks on the beach.

Just kidding.

But she really is from Ohio.

This will be the family's third go-round hosting a Peace Corps Volunteer.

They say that the third time's a charm. Well, if this photo is indicative of anything, there are some crazy times ahead...