Firsts

**Currently Listening to: old Atwood CDs. =]**



When I went to type the title of this post, I wrote ''Fists'' about 4 times, and I wanted to assure everyone that this post was, in fact, about ''Firsts'', not ''Fists''.



Now that we're clear on that...

I just got back from the lovely Galápagos islands. They were WONDERFUl and I didn't want to leave. Obviously. Before I left, lots of people were telling me that I was not going to want to leave. I disreguarded this because I was like, ''I've been to the beach loads of times. I'm sure I'll love it, but I'm sure I'll be able to leave.'' False. As soon as we got to our hostal on Isla Isabella, I was hooked. Nikki, Meghan and I were walking on the beach and I was already in love. I wasn't expecting it, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was just so nice. The town is not real touristy at all and I think that's what I loved about it. There were little shops, restaurants, and panaderias lining the main road and lots of beautiful views.



BUT

I don't think i'm going to write about all that we did right now because it would probably take me the entire day to write.



My purpose of this post is to make a list of ''Firsts'' that I've had since I arrived in Ecuador and to reflect on how thankful I am that I've experienced these things. It seems appropriate it being November and all.... =]

So, here it goes:



-first time being in South America

-first time being in Ecuador

-first time having to take a bus to and from school every day (25 cents each way)

-first time feeding a llama

-first time seeing pyramids (even if they were covered in grass)

-first time bartering in an artisan market

-first time swimming in a waterfall

-first time taking classes in a foreign country

-first time taking ALL my classes in Spanish

-first time learning a 3rd language in my 2nd language

-first time living with a family that is not my own

-first time taking a 12 hour bus ride to the beach for just about $12

-first time being a vegetarian for a week

-first time riding a horse

-first time seeing monkeys in the wild

-first time being in the Amazon

-first time using an tampon without an applicator

-first time jumping off a bridge for fun

-first time witnessing a ''milk soccer'' game

-first time getting a 95% on a paper written entirely in Spanish

-first time experiencing a "Pirate" themed week at a University complete with treasure hunt, a pirate ship and a zip line across the lagoon

-first time being in the Galápagos

-first time in the southern hemisphere

-first time walking through lava-made tunnels

-first time witnessing a crab eat an iguana

-first time snorkling

-first time seeing adult sea turtles and sea lions in the wild

-first time swimming with sea turtles and sea lions

-first time climbing a volcano

-first time seeing blue footed boobies (yes, you read that right) and ''magnificent'' friggets

-first time seeing ''Solitario Jorge''. George, the last turtle of his kind.

-first time trying shrimp...and it wasn't half bad. =]

-first time getting (slightly) burnt on the equator



and I still have a whole month and a half to experience more things!

.....that's crazy. I only have a month and a half left in Ecuador. I've already been here for almost 4 months. The time has gone soo fast.


I will have to add on more to this list as my time here comes to an end. I already know of some things that I will be doing for the first time, so be prepared! =]



**See pictures on Facebook for more of my experiences in the Galápagos. It would take up WAY too much room on here to try and describe all that we did. Here's a little taste of the beauty that is Galápagos....