You're going to... Nicaragua...right?

 The answer is no. No, I am not going to Nicaragua, Guatemala, Venezuela, or Colombia. I am going to Ecuador. It is a small country, with a population of roughly 15,007,343. It is bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean on the west. It was third on my list of countries, but that would be because I put mine down in a random order. I just wanted to go to South America. Ecuador has the eighth largest economy in Latin America and is on the U.S. dollar. I like that part especially because I don't have any money to exchange. The country is split into 3 different regions: the coast, mountains, and Amazon jungle. I will be living in the mountains.

Ambato is in the middle of the country. It is Ecuador's 10 largest city by population. 

As you can see, the capital of Ecuador is Quito. The largest city is Guayaquil in the south. I'll be in between those two. I will be living in the center of the country in Ambato. It is located in the Andes Mountains about and hour or so south of Quito. Ambato is a city of about 300,000 and somewhat of and industrial hub in Ecuador. Despite this, Ambato is regarded as one of the more beautiful cities in Ecuador. Here are some pictures of the city. 

                                     

While I am there, I will be living in a house with my host mother, father and younger brother. I think he is 15 or 16. I have been in contact with him the most and I am hella excited to meet he and his family. He loves soccer, so I think we will get along well. I also have a host sister but she will be in Germany for the year I'm there. As for school, I will be attending a private Catholic boys part military school. It's called San Pio X. I think it will blend quite well with the  liberal, atheist, heterosexual, pacifist that I have grown up to be. Anyway, I'm willing to give it a go. Open mindedness is the name of the game when abroad and I intend to keep that mindset. With that I finish this post and realize that I only have 10 more days left in this great country of 'MURICA.