We’ve been in Ecuador for over a week now! We are sad because the time is flying by, but happy because after such a short while we feel at home and like part of a family. It’s awesome that the students have gotten so close so quickly. The fact that we all smell like sweat and cattle probably adds to the bonding!
Some highlights of the past few days have been milking Señora Gloria’s cow and using the fresh milk to make hot chocolate, helping with construction at the community center, and eating cuy (guinea pig) for lunch! Everyone in the community has been so warm and welcoming in sharing their culture and lives with us. The students have also begun their independent projects—making a documentary about life in Las Tolas, killing and preparing a chicken, learning how to make some traditional dishes, painting a mural at the school where we have been staying, and visiting a coffee farm, just to name a few. As leaders we are proud of their creativity and hard work, and very excited to see the outcomes!
Coffee harvesting in Las Tolas.
Surprise cuy prepared for lunch by one of the women in Las Tolas.
Today was our last day of work for the week before we get to enjoy a few fun days in Mindo, a small town known for bird watching, ziplining, and hiking. We THINK we will have both WiFi and washing machines in Mindo, which means better communication for you, and relief for the noses for us!
¡Saludos desde Las Tolas!
– Claire, Nicolas, & the Language Learning Ecuador Crew!
Early morning cow milking.