Jul 29, 2012 - The Last of South America

July 29th Our last day in Ecuador and we had it all to ourselves… until 4:15 that is. We got up late and messed around in the room then decided on a walk. We headed down hill to one of the city parks – “La Carolina.” Beautiful park. At one end a Sphinx – like statue where two women were holding what looked like a religious ceremony with a small fire on the statue and a pile of flower pedals. As we walked further there was kite flying, soccer. RC airplanes, picnics, vendors setting up stalls, and an elaborate play set for the kids –...

Jul 28, 2012 - Vegetables and volcanoes

July 28th Up at 6:00 Am to a light rain. Alice had schedules a horse ride so we put on our waterproofs and walked down to the barn. Teddy, from New York, who spends summers at the inn, was saddling the horses. After a bit of a struggle, and with Alice's help, he got them saddled and off they road. About a half hour in the rain with a bit of cantering involved. After the ride Alice and a couple of the kids from Poland milked the inn's cow and collected about a dozen eggs from the chickens. We took them up into the kitchen then had some...

Jul 28, 2012 - Helping the local community and Baños

July 28 We are driving through Palileo now on our way to Baños. Palileo is known for making jeans. People come from all over Ecuador to buy jeans here. They can make (copy) any size and style. Might give China a run for their money.. One day. ;) Today was the first time it rained since I've been in Ecuador. After breakfast at the hostel this morning we helped Josè and his family cut grass to feed the cows and goats down by the river. The family goat was used to carry the haul of wet grass back up the mountain. Livestock are also fed...

Jul 27, 2012 - Salasaca community traditions, customs, and culture

July 27 In the bus on our way to Baños. The scenery is really beautiful. Lots of mountains. We got to stop once to take a panoramic pic. Next we are going to pass an active volcano called Cotopaxi it is 5023m high. We've left Pichincha and are in the Tungurahua province. Our journey is taking us through Latacunga, Salcedo, Ambato. We are staying tonight in small village in Salasaca called Wasalata Community. The traditional Quichua language is spoken in the small indigenous communities of Salasaca. The people of the village wear the...

Jul 26, 2012 - Yoga, face painting and the locals

July 26 Today the kids really tired me out. Either that or meeting up with my friends after dinner last night and not getting to bed early enough. We met in the plaza (basically a square near the church also known as the park where people meet and hangout) to have a couple drinks and play cards. I had a non alcoholic drink called pony which is a carbonated malt drink I really liked. We played King's corners and I won the first round. Most of the kids were well behaved today but there were a couple incidents where boys were aggressive and...

Jul 25, 2012 - Class structure

July 25 I worked with the 5-6 year olds today. I really enjoy the younger kids more than the older. Although the ones who don't listen very well make it a challenge. The volunteers already at the camp have a little routine for the kids each day which gives some structure. The morning is started with singing children's songs in spanish and English outside. Then the students are divided into 2 groups. One group is called pitufos (smurfs) and the other group is called gatos (cats). The children are separated into their groups and one group...

Jul 24, 2012 - Sports, spanish classes, and planting

July 24th Today will be pretty busy. I will be assisting with the sports activities at the camp. In the afternoon I will help my host Mom in the garden. I also have a spanish lesson. Next week I will be able to go to Quito. Last night I wasn't able to climb the mountain with a couple of the volunteers because of my spanish class but I think I need the lessons this for review so next week when I replace the other volunteer I will be more prepared. I didn't go to the dance last night with the others either because my host family usually eats...

Jul 23, 2012 - Day 1

July 23 1st sleep in Ecuador and day 1 of camp. I slept a solid 6 hours but now I'm awake and can't sleep. I wonder what the project is going to be like today. I wish I had more experience but I guess I will after these two weeks. Santi my host Dad is awake now as well. He is a nice man but we have a hard time communicating with my poor spanish and his lack of English. I think today will be a challenge. I don't know yet how I will be able to contribute to the project. Kate suggested a mini olympics for the kids because of the olympics in...

Jul 22, 2012 - Quiet in Quito

July 22 A 1:30 wake up call, shower, and no breakfast to start the day... We rode with our guide Edgar to the Lima airport and arrived at 3:00. In through immigration and security and at the gate at 3:30. Flight at 6:00... We played some cards and ate some buns for breakfast... Alice slept through most of the 2 1/2 hour flight - I took some cat naps. All was well until about ten minutes out when we experienced some severe turbulence. Apparently this is common as the rest of the tour group who had a more human flight experienced the same...

Jul 22, 2012 - Flight from London and meeting my host family in Lumbisi

Journal entry written on the plane from Amsterdam.. I am an hour and a half away from landing. Surprisingly I don't feel anxious at all. I'm looking forward to meeting my host family and settling in. Tomorrow I find out what I'm going to be doing at the summer camp. My goal is to write an entry everyday of my experiences. The things the kids are learning, the structure of the school, the teachers and the students. I want to share about my host family and their everyday life in Lumbisi. I am very excited to be able to have this experience to...

Jun 25, 2012 - an end and a beginning

Arrived Quito another very big city and stayed i n the new town which isn't really that new but on the surface is very nice. We warned not to under any circumstances walk around at night and to take a taxi even for two or three blocks but during the day not a problem. A cute little restaurant up the road called the Magic Bean was a great place to have our farewell dinner and it was a full house except of course for Anne who simply couldn't stay up that late - like 9.00pm. headed to a bar after dinner and didn't stay out too late even...

Jun 6, 2012 - Sorprendente Quito

La sveglia alle 4.50 si è rivelata inutile. La motivazione era un viaggio di 9/10 ore in truck per raggiungere Quito (dopo le 3 ore e mezza di barca per raggiungere Coca), si voleva così non arrivare troppo tardi. Il tragitto si è rivelato più veloce del previsto e alle 17.30 eravamo già alle porte della città. Qui però è arrivata la sorpresa. Ci ferma la polizia: ai mezzi pesanti non è consentito l’ingresso prima delle 20. Ci aspettavano di conseguenza 2 ore di attesa sul ciglio della strada. Ne abbiamo approfittato per raccogliere le...