Getting around Quito

The first few days...

We started off with an orientation to the program, a spanish test, and a tour of our clinical sites throughout the city.  Then, based on our spanish proficiency, we were separated into classes and we had two full days of Spanish lessons at the beginning of our first week.  My first clinical rotation was at Maternidad, which is the largest public hospital for OB/GYN.  I followed a pediatrician that rounded on the babies born to adolescent mothers, and saw those infants in follow-up in her clinic.  Since my Spanish still isn't great, it was pretty difficult to understand her conversations with patients, but I could usually get the overall message.  Maternidad is a large teaching hospital, so it is teaming with medical and nursing students as well as residents.  One of the other medical students in the program and I had the pleasure of watching as local medical students gave a presentation about contraception to the adolescent patients in the post-partum ward.  It was interesting to see that most of the methods we have are also available to the women in Quito, however cost creates a huge barrier for many.  We also attended a session that focused on teaching the young new moms about the importance of breast-feeding and how to feed properly.  They actually recommend that mothers breast-feed until the baby is two years old!

October is the start of the rainy season in Ecuador, and unfortunately it rained almost every day during the first week and we didn't get to do much in the city.  Also, it took me about a week to be fully acclimated to the altitude and feel less tired.  Between the altitude and the air pollution, the steep uphill walk we have to get home everyday feels like a marathon.  

One thing that has been easy to get used to is the food.  We have great breakfasts with fresh fruit every morning, and dinners with soup, vegetables, rice and sometimes chicken or fish.  Lunchtime is when we try out the local cafes and their $2-3 lunch specials.  There are tons of bakeries around with fresh sweet bread, cookies and other snacks.  The only hard part is that I have to go a long way to get good, fresh brewed coffee or a latte.  I miss my Alterra and Starbucks!

The house we are staying at from the road.  Its actually at the end of a cul-de-sac on a gated street.

Good times in Spanish class.  Donde esta el Profesor, Juan Carlos?

My favorite street art that we pass every morning on our way to the trole (trolley bus).

Vendors in the park that we walk through on our way to Maternidad, the public OB/GYN hospital.

So many amazing fruits in Ecuador.  Unfortunately, we were told not to buy from street vendors.

A view through the park at Alameda, near the hospital

A view of the city in the Mariscal district

A clear day and a view of Quito looking south from a pedestrian overpass at the trole stop