1) The market is full of diverse things just like Ecuador is full of diverse people. The people that make up Quito come from many different backgrounds; in my time here I have met people who call Quito home from different indigenous groups, continents and countries. The market sells a wide variety of things that come together to create a lively and unique atmosphere.

 2) The last day at Neque I was feeling very sick. I had had a headache all day and I was congested and a little bit grumpy. I honestly wasn't looking forward to being surrounded by loud kids for a few hours but when we got there my attitude changed pretty quickly. The more time I spent with the kids the more I  forgot about the pain in my head and the homework waiting for me. We took the kids to a tiny park with barbed wire on the fences and stray dogs all around but they had a blast. Despite everything these kids face they were delighted just to have a slide to go down. I left Neque feeling sad to be leaving them but also invigorated. These kids have reminded me to let go of my "problems" and enjoy what I can while I can. I left Neque with a refreshed perspective but I'm not sure what I left the kids with. I know at the very least we gave them a few fun days and a lot of supplies, both of which can hopefully take some of the pressure out of their young lives. I wish that I could do more for them.

 3) Cooking is a great way to communicate without language; although not everyone knows the spanish word for dough, we all can learn how to knead it by watching. Cooking today was a fun time but it was also a bit challenging. Most of us had never made empanadas before so there was definitely a learning curve. Something that many of the professors knew like a second nature was very difficult for us to learn. Some empanadas had to be remade and, to the dismay of one of the professors, we couldn't get the twist technique down to close the empanadas so we had to adapt and use a fork. I enjoyed the soup and some of the empanadas were really good (while others needed some help). I am glad that I know how to make them now and hopefully I can try again in the future (probably with my mom's help).

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