An A to Z of Latin American Sport

Today's blog is brought to you by ESPN, which we actually have in our host family house, thus enabling me to watch more sport than I was technically able to at home. I'm all for expanding my culture horizons but hey, I have needs. So here's a quick rundown of life in Quito this week from a sporting perspective.

Athletics- numerous disciplines including triple jumping across pavements (drain covers are optional here and the holes are about 20ft deep) and hammer (what I would like to do to the dog downstairs which, let me put on record, is the most annoying creature on the planet and which I am going to drop kick into Colombia when we leave)

Basketball- unlikely to garner any medals for Ecuador. I am above average height here and Chris is some form of giant.

Cricket- little success so far in explaining this to either Ecuadoreans or Americans

Darts- how one gets across roads. Highway Code not invented here yet.

Equestrianism- Chris did not allow me to go on the Oh-so-tacky horse drawn carriage tour round the Old Town. Spoilsport.

Fencing- what keeps us away from the numerous vicious and possibly rabid dogs here.

Golf- one of many varieties of VWs of which Ecuador is particularly fond. Chris is keeping a Beetle tally

Hiking- quite a lot of this required. We have a 30 minute walk to work and we also come home for lunch. Two hours walking per day and that's uphill and before we get to the fun stuff.

Ice-skating. Technically it's winter here but so far we've been living through a heat wave and it's been 22 degrees or higher everyday.

Judo - required to keep the kids we are working with in check. They don't play by the rules and tend to swarm on you all at once.

Karate- see above.

Live Football- due to the delights of cable television and the existence of a dubious Irish bar called Finn McCools in the Mariscal, we've been able to watch a lot of english games and the american football but we've also seen our host dad and his team play in the local park league on Sunday. Unfortunately they were thrashed 11-2 but we learnt a lot of useful vocab.

Mountaineering- Later this week we're off higher up into the mountains to visit our host brother, who is building a pig farm in a village further north in Pinchaca province. So far I have not succumbed to altitude sickness although my girly-weed boyfriend seems to have a mild case.

Name that Food- not a sport but an amusing pastime nevertheless. Not always recognisable but so far always delicious. Phew.

Orienteering- so far so good. If you keep the statue of the Virgin on the hill on your right generally going in the right direction. Haven´t worked out how to navigate by the sun yet. it doesn't seem to behave the same way here.

Polo- saw some of this while trying to find our way to work in the thursday market having got off the bus too early. It was a welcome relief from waving at all the soldiers in the army bases that we had inadvertently stumbled across.

Quizzing- not a sport of course more of an art form, but those of you worrying that Chris is lacking home comforts will be pleased to hear he's located a pub quiz for Tuesday nights.

Rowing - haven't had any fights at all yet (see what I did there?)

Squash- What happens on the trolley bus on a Friday night

Torture- there is an exercise bicycle in the living room and the kids in the family (abetted by Chris) take great pleasure in making me sweat away on it in the evenings. I'm trying not to take this too personally.

Union, Rugby - THEY'RE SHOWING THE SIX NATIONS! :-)

Volleyball- national past time. Nets stretched out across parks and some roads. Very popular. Only played by men though.

Wrestling- what we're still doing with the language, albeit much better than last week.

X - country. Trips planned this month include a trip to the beach (six hours away), Otavalo market, Latacunga and the Quilotoa Loop. More on these later.

and finally...

Ziplining- we're heading off to the Cloud Forest of Mindo next Monday (yes, it does sound like it should be in Star Wars) for some hardcore ziplining through the forest. Apparently I get to jump about like Spiderman. It's a hard life.

(P.S Yes, I missed out Y. I didn't think anyone would be awake after such a long posting)