I promise to stop being a weekend-updater.
Okay, let's be real.  I promise to try to stop being a weekend-updater.

Anyway, this weekend I stayed in Quito and 1.) lost horrendously in a game of Risk with a friend's host family that is a bit more family-like than mine; 2.) attended an "amistoso" fútbol game versus Jamaica (Hai-mai-ka) that doesn't yet count toward the World Cup stats and did nothing but show evidence of Jamaica's terrible defense; 3.) went to a USFQ-sponsored fiesta for the international students that combined a field day complete with potato sack relay races with Pilseners and a very traditional roasted horneado (whole roasted pig); 4.) went to a concert of the Wailers and swayed with a surprisingly huge crowd as though we were in an Ecuadorian sea whilst listening to a local ska band whose brass section wore woolen animal hat/masks followed by hours of reggae that paid homage to the great Bob Marley (Jah bless!); 5.) finished the night at a hookah bar, where you could enjoy a $1.50 pipa while listening to karaoke, classic love ballad-style; 6.) visited the Basilica in the historic center of Quito, a cathedral with towers almost 80 meters high accessible by means of climbing a series of ladders and crossing a few bridges; and 7.) ended the weekend bumming around eating helado (ice cream) in the Plaza Grande and lazily choosing a winner for my Baby of the Day Award (bebe del dia!).

Under the impression that my camera would get snatched if I took it out for the majority of above-mentioned activities, I can only provide you blog-readers with pictures from the Basilica.