Hello all!
Our trip has gotten off to a fantastic start. Everyone arrived to the Miami airport safe and sound, and just in time to catch our flight to Quito. When we arrived, Suzanna was waiting for us at the airport in Quito with our driver Jimmy, who took us directly to the Hostal Charles Darwin. The group slept well the first night and, with the exception of a few minor headaches, everyone is adjusting well to Quito's 3000 meters of altitude!
Our trip has gotten off to a fantastic start. Everyone arrived to the Miami airport safe and sound, and just in time to catch our flight to Quito. When we arrived, Suzanna was waiting for us at the airport in Quito with our driver Jimmy, who took us directly to the Hostal Charles Darwin. The group slept well the first night and, with the exception of a few minor headaches, everyone is adjusting well to Quito's 3000 meters of altitude!
Our first day began with a lovely breakfast, including fabulous freshly squeezed juices that Ecuador is famous for. We then headed to Parque Ichimbia in Quito, where we received a fascinating tour from Mauricio, who explained to us a bit about la cosmovision andina, the worldview of andean indigenous peoples. We also had the opportunity to learn about some native local flora and fauna, the uses of specific plants, and to play on a playground with a few Ecuadorian kids.
Later at the park, we met in the cultural center for an orientation and talked about what to expect for the month ahead, cultural differences, building a positive group dynamic, etc. After a lunch with a spectacular view of Quito, we went to the Panecillo, which is a famous lookout point with an enormous statue of an angel.
We then proceeded to the historical center of the city (Quito's old city, which is also a World Heritage Site) where we had a dinner of typical Ecuadorian foods, such as humitas (steamed corn tamales), empanadas, and several delectable juices, of which mora (blackberry) and guayábana were the group's favorites. Next, we toured the old city guided by a costumed actress playing the character of a widow dressed in all black from 1909 (la viuda negra)-- it was an amazing performance! We finished the night with biscochos and hot chocolate and another lovely view of a classic plaza illuminated in the night.
Tomorrow we will head north on the Panamericana (the Pan American highway) to our village, Eugenio Espejo de Cajas. Everyone is anxious to get to our village! On the way, we 'll make a stop at la mitad del mundo, a monument which marks the actual line of the equator. We are also planning a lunch in the nearby city of Cayambe, which is celebrating its late june fiestas of Inti Raymi and San Pedro.
The group has become fast friends, and we are all having a blast-- the past few days have been a great introduction to each other and to Ecuador. Bye for now!
-Josh and Suzanna
The group has become fast friends, and we are all having a blast-- the past few days have been a great introduction to each other and to Ecuador. Bye for now!
-Josh and Suzanna
