Author: Unknown
Location: LWGPS
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Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Volcan Chico and Arted
Author: Laura
Location: Isabella
We woke up and went to breakfast. It was tasty! We had a glorious breakfast full of PAN!...JUGO!...MANTEQUILLA!...french toast...it was really good! We headed to our meeting point and met Maria Isabella...everyone getting excited for a long day of horseback riding. Let me tell you, no one was expecting what they were about to experience! Whether it was a biting horse, dust up your nose, or a horse that made it a point to kick everyone else...it was a wonderful experiential educational adventure! Our final view point was the edge of the Volcan Chico crater. Another beautiful sight of the day was the 2nd largest crater in the world, Sierra Negra Volcano. After the long day of horseback riding, we all went to get ice cream in town. We went to dinner at Pepe's restaurant and then had a bonfire at Dora's hotel. Our guest star of the night was Maria Isabella! We sang songs and admired Saphir's Madonna interpretation...his high voice could crack windows! Saphir won the horse race game with his horse, Arted. After the bonfire we headed to the Fiesta in town! Theo got everyone to start dancing and after that they had trouble getting us off the dance floor! Our last night in Isabella was a blast!
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Location: Isabella
We woke up and went to breakfast. It was tasty! We had a glorious breakfast full of PAN!...JUGO!...MANTEQUILLA!...french toast...it was really good! We headed to our meeting point and met Maria Isabella...everyone getting excited for a long day of horseback riding. Let me tell you, no one was expecting what they were about to experience! Whether it was a biting horse, dust up your nose, or a horse that made it a point to kick everyone else...it was a wonderful experiential educational adventure! Our final view point was the edge of the Volcan Chico crater. Another beautiful sight of the day was the 2nd largest crater in the world, Sierra Negra Volcano. After the long day of horseback riding, we all went to get ice cream in town. We went to dinner at Pepe's restaurant and then had a bonfire at Dora's hotel. Our guest star of the night was Maria Isabella! We sang songs and admired Saphir's Madonna interpretation...his high voice could crack windows! Saphir won the horse race game with his horse, Arted. After the bonfire we headed to the Fiesta in town! Theo got everyone to start dancing and after that they had trouble getting us off the dance floor! Our last night in Isabella was a blast!
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Friday, July 27, 2007
Rest and Relaxation
Author: Taylor
Location: Isabella
On Friday, team Lifeworks got a much desired and hopefully well earned day off. We all eagerly planned to skip breakfast, sleep into the afternoon and then relax on the beach. But, as we've learned so many times this trip, things don't always turn out as expected! The majority of us woke up between 6:30 and 8, ended up eating breakfast of arroz crocante cereal and pancakes with coconut whipped cream. After breakfast, some went back to bed, some read books on the beach, and some watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3. The only real activity of the day was Theo's snorkeling adventure. Saphir, Eliot, Deb, Margaux, and I managed to raise enough energy to join him in his search for manta rays in a sheltered bay of mangroves. The manta rays did not oblige us with their presence, but we did manage to find a sea cucumber (secret cumber, as Theo would say) and have a small water fight. We managed to snorkel in earnest for at least 20 minutes before we decided that it had gotten too cold. Dinner was the usual fare of rice, plantains, and meat with papaya to follow. We watched the community basketball game afterwards, bought some ice cream, and walked on the beach. Our day drew to a close with the relaxing feeling of contentment, and we went to bed with happy expectations for the day to follow.
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Location: Isabella
On Friday, team Lifeworks got a much desired and hopefully well earned day off. We all eagerly planned to skip breakfast, sleep into the afternoon and then relax on the beach. But, as we've learned so many times this trip, things don't always turn out as expected! The majority of us woke up between 6:30 and 8, ended up eating breakfast of arroz crocante cereal and pancakes with coconut whipped cream. After breakfast, some went back to bed, some read books on the beach, and some watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3. The only real activity of the day was Theo's snorkeling adventure. Saphir, Eliot, Deb, Margaux, and I managed to raise enough energy to join him in his search for manta rays in a sheltered bay of mangroves. The manta rays did not oblige us with their presence, but we did manage to find a sea cucumber (secret cumber, as Theo would say) and have a small water fight. We managed to snorkel in earnest for at least 20 minutes before we decided that it had gotten too cold. Dinner was the usual fare of rice, plantains, and meat with papaya to follow. We watched the community basketball game afterwards, bought some ice cream, and walked on the beach. Our day drew to a close with the relaxing feeling of contentment, and we went to bed with happy expectations for the day to follow.
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Sunday, July 22, 2007
Bartolome Day!
Author: Saphir and Eliot
Location:
We started the day half conscious at 4am. We then headed to the opposite side of the island where we all disembarked from the port on our boat. Most of us took a nap, while some watched dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles. We had a brief breakfast with fabulous hot chocolate. After we arrived at San Bartolome where we started hiking. On our way to the top, we were amazed at how species adapted to nature. Lava lizards have the same color as the ground. We thought some plants, which were growing all over the area, were dead. But the tour guide told us with its narrow leaves it could save water rare in the volcanic islands. At the top, we enjoyed the majestic scenery that was a fantastic blend of volcanic islands, craters, corals, sea, sky, and beach. After we returned we started snorkeling. Snorkeling for the next 2 hours was an adventure in itself. We saw several sea lions, many large sea cucumbers, coral, and starfish. But this was only the beginning! We found hundreds of nearly invisible jellyfish, rare puffer fish (one puffed up!), and trumpet fish. We then saw some penguins, some drying on the beach and one darting in and out of a huge school of fish trying to find lunch. The little guy would pop up right in front of us. We thought there was nothing more we could possibly see, when some white tipped sharks were spotted! Some of us had been in the cold water for a full 2 hours, and so we headed out from the great island. We napped, sunbathed, ate lunch, and admired the view as we crossed the silent, serene ocean. Some of us were lucky enough to see a manta ray doing a triple back flip only 20 feet from the boat. Many agree that this just might be the best day we've had in Galapagos.
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Location:
We started the day half conscious at 4am. We then headed to the opposite side of the island where we all disembarked from the port on our boat. Most of us took a nap, while some watched dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles. We had a brief breakfast with fabulous hot chocolate. After we arrived at San Bartolome where we started hiking. On our way to the top, we were amazed at how species adapted to nature. Lava lizards have the same color as the ground. We thought some plants, which were growing all over the area, were dead. But the tour guide told us with its narrow leaves it could save water rare in the volcanic islands. At the top, we enjoyed the majestic scenery that was a fantastic blend of volcanic islands, craters, corals, sea, sky, and beach. After we returned we started snorkeling. Snorkeling for the next 2 hours was an adventure in itself. We saw several sea lions, many large sea cucumbers, coral, and starfish. But this was only the beginning! We found hundreds of nearly invisible jellyfish, rare puffer fish (one puffed up!), and trumpet fish. We then saw some penguins, some drying on the beach and one darting in and out of a huge school of fish trying to find lunch. The little guy would pop up right in front of us. We thought there was nothing more we could possibly see, when some white tipped sharks were spotted! Some of us had been in the cold water for a full 2 hours, and so we headed out from the great island. We napped, sunbathed, ate lunch, and admired the view as we crossed the silent, serene ocean. Some of us were lucky enough to see a manta ray doing a triple back flip only 20 feet from the boat. Many agree that this just might be the best day we've had in Galapagos.
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Saturday, July 21, 2007
Cascarilla and Las Grietas
Author: Clara
Location:
Still slightly asleep, we walked to the local high school. When we arrived, it was evident that the mood between the locals and lifeworkers was slightly awkward. We played the "nose-tape" game, which Laura was reigning champion. A few of us, me included, got a ride up to the highlands in the back of an open chicken-like-carrying truck. Knowing my lack of Spanish skills, I smartly sat myself next to Thomas, one of the few kids who spoke some English. After arriving at the bottom of a hill, we prepared ourselves for a rocky hike. After huffing and puffing for a good 15 minutes, we learned about the task at hand. We then set off into the dense woods and ruthlessly pulled out hundreds of invasive cascarilla plants. In total, the numbe we pulled was around 8000. At 2pm, we met for a trip to las grietas, a crack in the earth filled with salt and fresh water. Everyone was awestruck, both by the beauty of the landscape and the insane cliff-jumping by the local people. We all realized how amazingly lucky we were to be in a place this unique. Once out of the water, Daniel stupidly took out his lunch in front of 12 hungry teens. We soon learned the magnitude of teenage hunger. After we were all sufficiently full, except Daniel, we headed back and tried to inform Theo on the correct way to pronounce "pillow." We then showered, stuffed our faces with delicious food, and headed back to Hotel Castro for an early night to prepare for the adventures that lay ahead on our next day of Lifeworks Galapagos!
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Location:
Still slightly asleep, we walked to the local high school. When we arrived, it was evident that the mood between the locals and lifeworkers was slightly awkward. We played the "nose-tape" game, which Laura was reigning champion. A few of us, me included, got a ride up to the highlands in the back of an open chicken-like-carrying truck. Knowing my lack of Spanish skills, I smartly sat myself next to Thomas, one of the few kids who spoke some English. After arriving at the bottom of a hill, we prepared ourselves for a rocky hike. After huffing and puffing for a good 15 minutes, we learned about the task at hand. We then set off into the dense woods and ruthlessly pulled out hundreds of invasive cascarilla plants. In total, the numbe we pulled was around 8000. At 2pm, we met for a trip to las grietas, a crack in the earth filled with salt and fresh water. Everyone was awestruck, both by the beauty of the landscape and the insane cliff-jumping by the local people. We all realized how amazingly lucky we were to be in a place this unique. Once out of the water, Daniel stupidly took out his lunch in front of 12 hungry teens. We soon learned the magnitude of teenage hunger. After we were all sufficiently full, except Daniel, we headed back and tried to inform Theo on the correct way to pronounce "pillow." We then showered, stuffed our faces with delicious food, and headed back to Hotel Castro for an early night to prepare for the adventures that lay ahead on our next day of Lifeworks Galapagos!
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Friday, July 20, 2007
Hotel Castro is a Blasto
Author: Laura
Location:
Hola! Yesterday we woke up early and went to our last meal on San Cristobal. After we ate our "feast" we headed for the Blue Fantasy, loaded with huge bags and sea sickness pills! After a 2 hour nap on the yacht, we went to lunch. After checking into Hotel Castro, everyone split into groups for free time. Free time is usually time to find the best candy shops and this time it was time to do laundry! Once free time was over, we headed to Escuela Nacional de los Galapagos, to meet our tour guides (who were the members of the high school English class).
We finished the tour back at the school and went to a performance of dance and music that portrayed the Galapoginian culture, during which we got pulled onto the dance floor to show them how we groove in USA, Canada, Bermuda, Korea, and Romania! Our day with the high school students ended with a game of football (soccer) between the Lifeworks group and the students. We met Guillermina and Mirna (owners of Hotel Castro) who also owned Sayapa (restaurant we eat dinner at). We went to dinner for a great salad, chicken, and potatoes! We went to bed right after dinner so we would be ready for a hard day of work on Saturday.
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Location:
Hola! Yesterday we woke up early and went to our last meal on San Cristobal. After we ate our "feast" we headed for the Blue Fantasy, loaded with huge bags and sea sickness pills! After a 2 hour nap on the yacht, we went to lunch. After checking into Hotel Castro, everyone split into groups for free time. Free time is usually time to find the best candy shops and this time it was time to do laundry! Once free time was over, we headed to Escuela Nacional de los Galapagos, to meet our tour guides (who were the members of the high school English class).
We finished the tour back at the school and went to a performance of dance and music that portrayed the Galapoginian culture, during which we got pulled onto the dance floor to show them how we groove in USA, Canada, Bermuda, Korea, and Romania! Our day with the high school students ended with a game of football (soccer) between the Lifeworks group and the students. We met Guillermina and Mirna (owners of Hotel Castro) who also owned Sayapa (restaurant we eat dinner at). We went to dinner for a great salad, chicken, and potatoes! We went to bed right after dinner so we would be ready for a hard day of work on Saturday.
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Thursday, July 19, 2007
Snorkeling + Sea Lions + Sun = Last Day On San Cristobal
Author: Jackie and Justine
Location:
We dragged ourselves out of bed at 7:30, but with some excitement because a day trip lay ahead of us. We enjoyed our 2nd-to-last meal at our favorite San Cristobal restaurant, a hearty breakfast with bread and jam and JUICE! Though some of us were anxious about seasickness...with the help of dramamine, we climbed aboard the Blue Fantasy, along with our enthusiastic guide, Harry. Our first stop on the boat was Islas Lobos where we observed resting sea lions and flying friggets and blue footed boobies. Most of the group endured the freezing cold water (Elliot didn't) to snorkel. Once we set off again we got to see the famous Kicker Rock, a spectacle formed from volcanic ashes, and now an attraction for boobies! Harry went into scientific detail about its origins and we gained new knowledge. Cutting through the turquoise waves with our boat, we soon found ourselves on a beautiful empty beach called Puerto Grande. Many of us relaxed and listened to music in this haven.
After sunning ourselves, we enjoyed a lunch prepared by the boat's crew and traveled to an amazing snorkling site, still on Puerto Grande. The majority of the group once again plunged into the icy water to snorkel with the many playful sea lions in the area. It was remarkable to be able to see the fun-loving animals so up-close and personal, an luckily, it was immortalized with underwater cameras.
We returned to our hotel to have some free time before our dinner of delicious pizzas. Once we were stuffed, we did some group activities to get to know each other even better. After a packed day of fun, we settled into bed for our last night on San Cristobal...looking forward to discovering a new island, Santa Cruz, in the morning.
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Location:
We dragged ourselves out of bed at 7:30, but with some excitement because a day trip lay ahead of us. We enjoyed our 2nd-to-last meal at our favorite San Cristobal restaurant, a hearty breakfast with bread and jam and JUICE! Though some of us were anxious about seasickness...with the help of dramamine, we climbed aboard the Blue Fantasy, along with our enthusiastic guide, Harry. Our first stop on the boat was Islas Lobos where we observed resting sea lions and flying friggets and blue footed boobies. Most of the group endured the freezing cold water (Elliot didn't) to snorkel. Once we set off again we got to see the famous Kicker Rock, a spectacle formed from volcanic ashes, and now an attraction for boobies! Harry went into scientific detail about its origins and we gained new knowledge. Cutting through the turquoise waves with our boat, we soon found ourselves on a beautiful empty beach called Puerto Grande. Many of us relaxed and listened to music in this haven.
After sunning ourselves, we enjoyed a lunch prepared by the boat's crew and traveled to an amazing snorkling site, still on Puerto Grande. The majority of the group once again plunged into the icy water to snorkel with the many playful sea lions in the area. It was remarkable to be able to see the fun-loving animals so up-close and personal, an luckily, it was immortalized with underwater cameras.
We returned to our hotel to have some free time before our dinner of delicious pizzas. Once we were stuffed, we did some group activities to get to know each other even better. After a packed day of fun, we settled into bed for our last night on San Cristobal...looking forward to discovering a new island, Santa Cruz, in the morning.
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Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Mora No More
Author: Taylor
Location:
Today we took the bus up into the highlands to cut down blackberry bushes (mora) that were taking over the area. The bushes were very thorny, however the task was an excellent way to relieve frustration...whacking away at the ground. We ended up clearing out much of the area and the people who worked there were very grateful. After leaving the highlands we ate lunch and then went to the school we had visited before to finish up our paint job. From there we got some ice cream and went to the beach. We then ate dinner at the usual place, had some free time in which most of us relaxed, then went to bed.
Author: Taylor
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Location:
Today we took the bus up into the highlands to cut down blackberry bushes (mora) that were taking over the area. The bushes were very thorny, however the task was an excellent way to relieve frustration...whacking away at the ground. We ended up clearing out much of the area and the people who worked there were very grateful. After leaving the highlands we ate lunch and then went to the school we had visited before to finish up our paint job. From there we got some ice cream and went to the beach. We then ate dinner at the usual place, had some free time in which most of us relaxed, then went to bed.
Author: Taylor
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Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Day 4
Author: Sophie
Location:
Today a few of us woke early to go on a run before breakfast while others were still asleep. When they returned it was time for beakfast. All of us then walked to the hardware store to get paint and paintbrushes. We then arrived at the school where we were painting the walls. Many of us got attached to the kids at the school. We played soccer and basketball with them. We went to a new place for lunch where we had delicious smoothies and when we had stuffed ourselves we went to the interpretation center to watch a documentary on the Galapagos. Most of us fell asleep during the movie. After the movie we went and got ice cream before our amazing dance class. We learned many new dance steps with some of the children from the school we were working at. Looking forward to another great day!
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Location:
Today a few of us woke early to go on a run before breakfast while others were still asleep. When they returned it was time for beakfast. All of us then walked to the hardware store to get paint and paintbrushes. We then arrived at the school where we were painting the walls. Many of us got attached to the kids at the school. We played soccer and basketball with them. We went to a new place for lunch where we had delicious smoothies and when we had stuffed ourselves we went to the interpretation center to watch a documentary on the Galapagos. Most of us fell asleep during the movie. After the movie we went and got ice cream before our amazing dance class. We learned many new dance steps with some of the children from the school we were working at. Looking forward to another great day!
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Another Great Day!
Author: All
Location:
Today a few of us woke up early to go on a run before breakfast while others were still asleep. When they returned it was time for breakfast. All of us then walked to the hardware store to get paint and paint brushes. We then arrived at the school where we were painting the walls. Many of us got attached to the kids at the school. We played soccer and basketball with them. We went to a new place for lunch where we had delicious smoothies. When we had stuffed ourselves we went to the interpretation center to watch a documentary on the Galapagos. Most of us fell asleep during the movie. After the movie we went and got ice cream before our amazing dance class. We learned many new dance steps with some of the children from the school we were working at. Looking forward to another great day!
Flickr Photos from Today
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Location:
Today a few of us woke up early to go on a run before breakfast while others were still asleep. When they returned it was time for breakfast. All of us then walked to the hardware store to get paint and paint brushes. We then arrived at the school where we were painting the walls. Many of us got attached to the kids at the school. We played soccer and basketball with them. We went to a new place for lunch where we had delicious smoothies. When we had stuffed ourselves we went to the interpretation center to watch a documentary on the Galapagos. Most of us fell asleep during the movie. After the movie we went and got ice cream before our amazing dance class. We learned many new dance steps with some of the children from the school we were working at. Looking forward to another great day!
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Monday, July 16, 2007
Day 3 Update
Author: Deborah and Sophie
Location: Galapaguera
We started the day at 8am in the morning. Breakfast was good, as usual, at the local cafe with cereal and toast. Our day trip began with a relaxing bus ride to the Galapaguera. Havier, a park employee, was kind enough to give us a tour of the grounds. As we walked along, and Havier explained the history of the park we stumbled upon a huge boulder, surprisingly it turned out to be a giant tortoise. As we stood in shock staring at this unique creature we noticed there were giant tortoises everywhere. After the tour it was time to get to work. We put on our work gloves and were told we were going to remove an invasive plant species known as the Supa-Rosa. Although removing this plant would seemingly be a horrible experience, everyone enjoyed each others company as we sang Disney songs. It was rewarding to see that mostly all of the Supa Rosas were removed by lunchtime. After lunch we walked to the beach. The walk was long but it was all worth it when we saw the beautiful beach scenery and the sight of pure blue water and the clean sand was breathtaking. We enjoyed a long swim in the water, jumping over waves and body surfing. After the swim we picked up trash on the beach, although the beach was pretty clean. After our job was done we headed back to the hotel and had a dinner of fried chicken and pasta. After dinner, the entire group met in the kitchen for a heated forum on what we consider a service. The day came to end with a bit of tension, but overall it was a good day.
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Location: Galapaguera
We started the day at 8am in the morning. Breakfast was good, as usual, at the local cafe with cereal and toast. Our day trip began with a relaxing bus ride to the Galapaguera. Havier, a park employee, was kind enough to give us a tour of the grounds. As we walked along, and Havier explained the history of the park we stumbled upon a huge boulder, surprisingly it turned out to be a giant tortoise. As we stood in shock staring at this unique creature we noticed there were giant tortoises everywhere. After the tour it was time to get to work. We put on our work gloves and were told we were going to remove an invasive plant species known as the Supa-Rosa. Although removing this plant would seemingly be a horrible experience, everyone enjoyed each others company as we sang Disney songs. It was rewarding to see that mostly all of the Supa Rosas were removed by lunchtime. After lunch we walked to the beach. The walk was long but it was all worth it when we saw the beautiful beach scenery and the sight of pure blue water and the clean sand was breathtaking. We enjoyed a long swim in the water, jumping over waves and body surfing. After the swim we picked up trash on the beach, although the beach was pretty clean. After our job was done we headed back to the hotel and had a dinner of fried chicken and pasta. After dinner, the entire group met in the kitchen for a heated forum on what we consider a service. The day came to end with a bit of tension, but overall it was a good day.
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Sunday, July 15, 2007
July 15th Update
Author: Laura R
Location: San Cristobal
We woke up very early, at 5am! We had to catch a 7am flight from Quito to Baltra (which is the island in the Galapagos that has the airport.) Once we got to the islands we met out third instructor, Row, and really got the trip started! All fifteen of us got aboard the Blue Fantasy for the ride to San Cristobal. The boat ride was the longest 2 hours of many peoples lives. Once we got to San Cristobal, we settled into the hotel Mar Azul. After the group got settled into their room with new roomates, we headed to the beach! Some of us played soccer or frisbee, some snorkeled and played with the sea lions and some just watched everything around them but everyone had a blast! We went straight to the restaurant for either a vegetarian spaghetti or an Ecuadorian fish dinner. Once we got back to the Mar Azul Hotel everyone relaxed until our fun group meeting at 8pm. During our meeting, we played games, talked about our fears for the next 3 weeks and our expectations. Around 10pm everyone was crashing and it was time to go to sleep after our first day in the Galapagos Islands! Ps. Hi Dad from Doodle-Bug!
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Location: San Cristobal
We woke up very early, at 5am! We had to catch a 7am flight from Quito to Baltra (which is the island in the Galapagos that has the airport.) Once we got to the islands we met out third instructor, Row, and really got the trip started! All fifteen of us got aboard the Blue Fantasy for the ride to San Cristobal. The boat ride was the longest 2 hours of many peoples lives. Once we got to San Cristobal, we settled into the hotel Mar Azul. After the group got settled into their room with new roomates, we headed to the beach! Some of us played soccer or frisbee, some snorkeled and played with the sea lions and some just watched everything around them but everyone had a blast! We went straight to the restaurant for either a vegetarian spaghetti or an Ecuadorian fish dinner. Once we got back to the Mar Azul Hotel everyone relaxed until our fun group meeting at 8pm. During our meeting, we played games, talked about our fears for the next 3 weeks and our expectations. Around 10pm everyone was crashing and it was time to go to sleep after our first day in the Galapagos Islands! Ps. Hi Dad from Doodle-Bug!
Flickr Photos from Today
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Saturday, July 14, 2007
Adventures in Otavalo and Mischief at the Mitad del Mundo
Author: Taylor
Location: Quito area
We began our first day at the relatively sane hour of 7:30, though for some of us it seemed almost impossible to appear 5 or 6 hours before the normal teenage waking hour of 12. Despite minor groaning, and thanks to the unfailingly positive attitudes of our funmakers Theo and Daniel, we managed to make it onto a tour bus with only a few forgotten items and make our way to Otavalo. This town, 2 1/2 hours away from Quito, is famous for its open air market, although none of us gringos had ever heard of it. We arrived to find ourselves in a bustling rural metropolis of shawl bedecked locals frying bananas, displaying big carcasses and shoving alpaca shawls into our unbelieving faces as soon as we stepped onto the sidewalk. Cries of "dos por cinco" and "los mejor precios aqui" fill the air. We wander through a maze of local handicraft stalls and fruit stands for two hours, somehow manage to find lunch, and successfully haggle some decent prices out of the eager vendors, all the while trying not to seem like the ignorant and vulnerable tourists that we very obviously are.
Once we returned to the bus, full of empanadas and carrying our news bracelets and scarves, we venture off to "Mitad del Mundo" - the Equator (or as Daniel likes to put it, the Eee-quator...wooow!). We considered going to the top of a monument where people used to think the Equator was, didn't, and continued on to the real Equator line. This museum is harder to find, and apparently it is not uncommon for tourists to go to the first monument and never realize that they had missed the Equator completely. Luckily for us, we had Trusty Theo and Daring Daniel to guide us. We learned about native tribal groups, Margaux balanced an egg on a nail with the help of lesser gravity, and then the group took our leave to return to Quito and a nice hot shower. It's been a fantastic day, and all of us are excited for the next 20 to come (pound it!).
Flickr Photos from Today
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Location: Quito area
We began our first day at the relatively sane hour of 7:30, though for some of us it seemed almost impossible to appear 5 or 6 hours before the normal teenage waking hour of 12. Despite minor groaning, and thanks to the unfailingly positive attitudes of our funmakers Theo and Daniel, we managed to make it onto a tour bus with only a few forgotten items and make our way to Otavalo. This town, 2 1/2 hours away from Quito, is famous for its open air market, although none of us gringos had ever heard of it. We arrived to find ourselves in a bustling rural metropolis of shawl bedecked locals frying bananas, displaying big carcasses and shoving alpaca shawls into our unbelieving faces as soon as we stepped onto the sidewalk. Cries of "dos por cinco" and "los mejor precios aqui" fill the air. We wander through a maze of local handicraft stalls and fruit stands for two hours, somehow manage to find lunch, and successfully haggle some decent prices out of the eager vendors, all the while trying not to seem like the ignorant and vulnerable tourists that we very obviously are.
Once we returned to the bus, full of empanadas and carrying our news bracelets and scarves, we venture off to "Mitad del Mundo" - the Equator (or as Daniel likes to put it, the Eee-quator...wooow!). We considered going to the top of a monument where people used to think the Equator was, didn't, and continued on to the real Equator line. This museum is harder to find, and apparently it is not uncommon for tourists to go to the first monument and never realize that they had missed the Equator completely. Luckily for us, we had Trusty Theo and Daring Daniel to guide us. We learned about native tribal groups, Margaux balanced an egg on a nail with the help of lesser gravity, and then the group took our leave to return to Quito and a nice hot shower. It's been a fantastic day, and all of us are excited for the next 20 to come (pound it!).
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
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