besos, comida, "chicles y coca"

First Sunday at Lili and Ivanhoe's- I'm bursting at the seams with cultural experiences. Living in a spanish speaking country has been a dream since I was 14. Now, after removing the rose-colored glasses, I'm really experiencing it! (that means i'm going to be myself here, and honestly report on the experience.)

ah, priemero- besos. I believe I've discussed this cultural phenomenon in the past, but here's a refresher. When you greet someone you give them a fake cheek kiss. Let me tell you, I touched cheeks with about 20 strangers today. barf.
la iglesia- spanish church, quite possibly the longest thing in the mundo. We got there at 10 and didn't leave until 1:30. I wish I was kidding. Interestingly enough, Lili and Ivanhoe go to a reformed church - and today's sermon was on the calvinist classic, election/predestination. Yep, just picture it... a two hour sermon on predestination, in spanish. : )
la comida- for lunch today Lili and her sister Melba (Sharon's host mama), made mexican food (?).  It was great, but totally different than mexican food in the states. Guacamole, sour cream(?), lettuce and tomatoe with what tasted like baked beans and ground beef. Sounds nuts, but tasted great (yes, I even had a little beef.)! Fun fact- the Ecuas eat tacos/burritos with a knife and fork. Another fun fact, not one ounce of kilol (bacteria killing solvent that makes fruits and veggies safe for the gringos) was used in preparation for this meal.
chicles y coca- yes, you read that right- gum and cocaine. I'm not sure how we got on this topic, but Lili and Melba were telling Sharon and I about the dangerous nightlife in La Mariscal (tourist neighborhood where my spanish school is.) Apparently, little kids and middle aged women sell drugs under the rather lame guise of "chicles, chicles, coca, chicles." They pretend to sell gum and candy- then slip in the cocaine. Fresh breath and controlled substances, is there a better pairing?

All in all, this has been a great two days. I am so excited to get to know Lili y Ivanhoe and their family more. I'm sure by the time homestays are wrapping up, my espanol will be mucho mejor!!!! As they say in Ecuador- hasta pronto!