tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65427089024327900042024-03-05T16:27:22.694-08:00Cuentos de EcuadorI am a college student studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador for one year. I will be climbing mountains, eating new foods, and meeting tons of people. Read about all my adventures here! Sigue explorando!Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-68263163567287994142013-04-24T08:32:00.000-07:002013-04-24T08:39:53.958-07:00Understanding Poverty I was really excited about my trip to Salasaca- a weekend with my Anthropology class learning about Indigenous weaving techniques. All I needed to do was pay the $50 deposit, so I took my debit card to school to withdraw money. When my class ended at 5:30, I loaded the crowded bus with my backpack on my chest and my arms crossed protectively over it. I got off the bus at the stop where the super market was; I got some groceries and loaded them on the conveyor belt. I brought my backpack to the front and felt for my wallet- it wasn´t there. I dropped to the floor and frantically searched every pocket. Still not there. I stood up and told the cashier I didn´t have my wallet who responded by rolling his eyes and calling someone over to take the food. I walked to an internet cafe so I could call my mom but realized I had no money to pay for the call.<br />
I got home and opened the cupboard to see half a bag of rice and a can of corn- good enough. I went to sleep tossing and turning, trying to figure out how someone had robbed me and what I had done to deserve this karma. <br />
The next day I asked my roommate if I could borrow 50 cents to get to school. I didn´t have money for lunch and was already hungry. I got on the bus with my backpack on front, looking at each person´s face, imagining a thief inside each one. I guess I had gotten too comfortable and had this horrible feeling- this is not my home.<br />
Although I lost $200, my debit card, my student ID, and a beautiful green leather wallet from Morocco, all I can do now is try and understand why this happened. I didn´t know how I was going to buy my next meal and realized a large percentage of the world lives like this, so I decided to look up some statistics. I found out that over 3 BILLION people live on less than $2.50 a day! In Ecuador alone, about 30% of the population lives below the national poverty line- which is much lower than the poverty line in the United States. Even though I had seen these statistics before, I have never fully understood them. I have never felt hunger in my belly with not even a cent in my pocket. I have never not had enough money to ride the bus to school.<br />
Today, I struggle with poverty alongside 3 billion other people. Tomorrow, I receive cash from a wire transfer my mom will send me and I will return to my privileged life. <br />
As I am writing this on the bus, I look up to see a woman playing with her baby. The woman´s shoes are torn and it´s raining outside. The baby´s clothes are dirty- not dirty from playing in dirt, but dirty from having to wear the same clothes every day. Nevertheless, the baby screams with joy and the young mother responds with a giggle. I imagine it was her husband who stole my wallet. I imagine him buying shoes for his wife and a coat for his baby with the money he found in my wallet. Suddenly I feel alright about everything that happened. Although I don´t have enough money to eat lunch today, at least a family in Quito will be able to afford new shoes and a warm coat. Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-12011316321330129782013-04-15T14:57:00.005-07:002013-04-15T14:57:51.891-07:00Puerto Lopez, Playa los Frailes, and Isla de la Plata This past weekend I took a trip to Puerto Lopez which is on the Pacific Coast of Ecuador a few hours from Guayaquil. Puerto Lopez is a small fishing town on the border of Machalilla National Park which contains beautiful beaches, pre-Colombian archeological sites, and Isla de la Plata also known as Poor Man's Galapagos. Check out the pictures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVirWUCXiTO1bgXhzR5_yQOmt7pKOztJL_bL75LlWLbfcJ2FofeyLREaNjEstTRO1LfFOeG6ubTPuMMH03LjWrixrf6uQq0xS3V6S1X02e_pFMNqktI0u97cyl8_gNeVFNDXEc94yf9c-/s1600/P1060594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVirWUCXiTO1bgXhzR5_yQOmt7pKOztJL_bL75LlWLbfcJ2FofeyLREaNjEstTRO1LfFOeG6ubTPuMMH03LjWrixrf6uQq0xS3V6S1X02e_pFMNqktI0u97cyl8_gNeVFNDXEc94yf9c-/s320/P1060594.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puerto Lopez is a small fishing town and in the mornings all the boats come to shore to show their catches- sharks, squids, shrimp, and many other kinds of seafood. All the boats are left on the sand and fish are gutted right there on the sand. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaGCxCRETecEV8KLiCdhPPW65Z9T1eDw6u3gemlK1R5q9oKxPfcdxX6y3_tkd7vPjB7l5X16i9dgk8-KiXBv3Of2knUkcI8IS6Cb11zx1sjhoaxQ6NffndG_RGh6LgvipnDgQS8sTFIHY/s1600/P1060565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaGCxCRETecEV8KLiCdhPPW65Z9T1eDw6u3gemlK1R5q9oKxPfcdxX6y3_tkd7vPjB7l5X16i9dgk8-KiXBv3Of2knUkcI8IS6Cb11zx1sjhoaxQ6NffndG_RGh6LgvipnDgQS8sTFIHY/s320/P1060565.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Ceviche de camaron which is a very famous and typical dish on the Ecuadorian coast. It contains shrimp (or other seafood), onions, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, a bit of orange juice, and lime juice. It's actually VERY delicious. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_98s6VKj2qfdTiE44OF9VsiWmUUmbOlWm0w3sdhmN6Jros6jfEj1SJcP0MAVZX2vXzunnLLqI7CVpDk6Z5JOznOkqkcaYiXKtC6YO9-zVjT12BoXJq5lmSXqPTu7725yo8HDjG-dD7DTY/s1600/P1060585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_98s6VKj2qfdTiE44OF9VsiWmUUmbOlWm0w3sdhmN6Jros6jfEj1SJcP0MAVZX2vXzunnLLqI7CVpDk6Z5JOznOkqkcaYiXKtC6YO9-zVjT12BoXJq5lmSXqPTu7725yo8HDjG-dD7DTY/s320/P1060585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After arriving in Puerto Lopez at 6:30 am, we took a moto-taxi to Playa los Frailes inside of Machalilla park. We arrived around 8 am and found this pristine, white sand beach with little crabs running everywhere. No one arrived for two hours!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SYDCdeQa6STuRujc0Zxh-RMy8XDrbSmxuClze0R489YJzrnFs-muZaRb4Oyfjgzhl6Pz0Q62fs7_WiSb0RWgDOId1SQvSQRzpaRuZnBgPRtXod9qHhfqpBRlmHeM5InunBBw6u2SZC7O/s1600/P1060581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SYDCdeQa6STuRujc0Zxh-RMy8XDrbSmxuClze0R489YJzrnFs-muZaRb4Oyfjgzhl6Pz0Q62fs7_WiSb0RWgDOId1SQvSQRzpaRuZnBgPRtXod9qHhfqpBRlmHeM5InunBBw6u2SZC7O/s320/P1060581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was very hot so we took shelter under this toxic tree... I'm not kidding- its leaves irritate the skin and lead to rashes. But we were pretty desperate for shade. We also hiked up one of the cliffs and on the other side was a black sand beach with many huge rock formations. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfAjxwfZ87-J67K0JiJ4yiBdnw7K8jHeLKr7cil_Rnrqk6VUjDLg7ROFgSCQTdBZgVuJQW5ONOR7ujo1slCDsQHN9zltBqsdxjMbR61vPMtjvmhLXHyc6O0m-P2jMVk18xnBVWq_RyP8u/s1600/P1060628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfAjxwfZ87-J67K0JiJ4yiBdnw7K8jHeLKr7cil_Rnrqk6VUjDLg7ROFgSCQTdBZgVuJQW5ONOR7ujo1slCDsQHN9zltBqsdxjMbR61vPMtjvmhLXHyc6O0m-P2jMVk18xnBVWq_RyP8u/s320/P1060628.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Isla de la Plata, or Poor Man's Galapagos. It is home to Blue footed boobies, sealions, hermit crabs, sea turtles, and many other birds and marine life. After an hour and a half on a speed boat with a group of 10 Dutch flight attendants, we arrived and hiked across the island to see the cliffs with the most wildlife. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07VckxmqbIhrKGeqc7tBNj-bUH_hpUJWl95kHn-yyuz1DBeTlgZ5IP3xsQDVLwcasq7uO8XA78QjPmkDyIegecclBDSGhjyOnSZc9kZfc-jGDHlYhikyBe5mHkS9Tq1-C1ST6EDsp_ydg/s1600/P1060642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07VckxmqbIhrKGeqc7tBNj-bUH_hpUJWl95kHn-yyuz1DBeTlgZ5IP3xsQDVLwcasq7uO8XA78QjPmkDyIegecclBDSGhjyOnSZc9kZfc-jGDHlYhikyBe5mHkS9Tq1-C1ST6EDsp_ydg/s320/P1060642.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a Blue footed boobie- it has no fear of people since no one has ever mistreated them here. You are required to hike in a group with a guide. Isla de la Plata means Silver Island- this name comes from the bird shit on the cliffs that shine when the sun hits it just right. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0MceHGIykGGJ_RTiJzqvC1E-yIuasa7jy0LK2F_Ed9agjyOcoKV4v-vaJtvEkEBGykvw30EIGG0Pu-9gAq-AF5BKvaJwkJGPzcWeuiCbWlmFn7XWQQu4AsSaiFz509ERbu91gQ5DL-Ju/s1600/P1060671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0MceHGIykGGJ_RTiJzqvC1E-yIuasa7jy0LK2F_Ed9agjyOcoKV4v-vaJtvEkEBGykvw30EIGG0Pu-9gAq-AF5BKvaJwkJGPzcWeuiCbWlmFn7XWQQu4AsSaiFz509ERbu91gQ5DL-Ju/s320/P1060671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way out, we saw two huge sea turtles!! On the island there are many nesting areas where sea turtle eggs will hatch in a few months. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvdCncJEi2WfrAHwbF_zydMuJoPF3dmKp6t-ebbw5KL-54vxDme5Dapcx5k5K9MzXPXc_QrSeLWWQwkfth4JJyHDqyKVolI2wSxUQp06eUJUPvJ4vXaxaH8rpgctVabhDjYcTSHtGBzsn/s1600/P1060678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvdCncJEi2WfrAHwbF_zydMuJoPF3dmKp6t-ebbw5KL-54vxDme5Dapcx5k5K9MzXPXc_QrSeLWWQwkfth4JJyHDqyKVolI2wSxUQp06eUJUPvJ4vXaxaH8rpgctVabhDjYcTSHtGBzsn/s320/P1060678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although the water wasn't clear because of the currents, we went snorkeling and were able to see coral reefs and many types of tropical fish. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISBAGcxCH9G24KbytAAhf-KeOoLw4qetCfkH0DKDKjhD1FTUBnsU-e43piphlYFx4MRsCLihlGaOt5wUKMqiajpbQMnOr-cZiOsH0pG5yahbxbNS-MmWJzhH65LjaqEvAfEBtH3asgqeI/s1600/P1060698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISBAGcxCH9G24KbytAAhf-KeOoLw4qetCfkH0DKDKjhD1FTUBnsU-e43piphlYFx4MRsCLihlGaOt5wUKMqiajpbQMnOr-cZiOsH0pG5yahbxbNS-MmWJzhH65LjaqEvAfEBtH3asgqeI/s320/P1060698.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone hangs out on the beach for sunset. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgef-myJYvbVsr33HWxXWQmu9d2RFHAf-uUs2DPBd4UYJn56Bu0733fIwhk2d5obZXwQz5d3E91K59rOrGsRA8lANDrnLzZ4fGA-BlZRGPfFSb-UuQKMFnhcZuIAR0Bc2JSQ9FUKK9QIMbv/s1600/P1060699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgef-myJYvbVsr33HWxXWQmu9d2RFHAf-uUs2DPBd4UYJn56Bu0733fIwhk2d5obZXwQz5d3E91K59rOrGsRA8lANDrnLzZ4fGA-BlZRGPfFSb-UuQKMFnhcZuIAR0Bc2JSQ9FUKK9QIMbv/s320/P1060699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another typical plate- arroz con conchas (rice with shells). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhyp7t8KLBaFEF9X6zec2ugLRxMj3_TmbN89gZzfhhj-pjz4iapism2Pydk9K3Q-xtYlyrk6HqpbzE2KAVQPRttqcf4r6yZUQX2_B7U5-X9bkX9mP1XbBTlvPQ-JOPmAOcgKpy2q7-j6R/s1600/P1060706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhyp7t8KLBaFEF9X6zec2ugLRxMj3_TmbN89gZzfhhj-pjz4iapism2Pydk9K3Q-xtYlyrk6HqpbzE2KAVQPRttqcf4r6yZUQX2_B7U5-X9bkX9mP1XbBTlvPQ-JOPmAOcgKpy2q7-j6R/s320/P1060706.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the restaurants/bars/clubs all along the beach. They open early in the morning for breakfast and stay open late into the night. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpADG9ecQg0YhmdZDRz2XhIJLImIPMUcuP4lP0pIqmjO5q7osvjqGOQK3h2zkMdx-6tiUsWwmtFG_eHN-vTrFmWv-94X8MFiWxRgO7Xf1MOiJwK-4QGXCgSaS4tYZBRbqNTI0zK1AkygwV/s1600/P1060710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpADG9ecQg0YhmdZDRz2XhIJLImIPMUcuP4lP0pIqmjO5q7osvjqGOQK3h2zkMdx-6tiUsWwmtFG_eHN-vTrFmWv-94X8MFiWxRgO7Xf1MOiJwK-4QGXCgSaS4tYZBRbqNTI0zK1AkygwV/s320/P1060710.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a very relaxed, great trip. I would recommend Puerto Lopez to anyone coming to Ecuador. The town itself is a cute beach town similar to Montanita and Canoa but the surrounding areas are what make it unique. The islands and beaches protected by the national park show the real beauty of nature that Ecuador can offer. </td></tr>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-13303091596638199412013-04-02T21:14:00.003-07:002013-04-02T21:15:53.724-07:00Colombia<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrczyJvrK93dA20Gn58HYUeTE1YNfEFo_3ba1Upf-4oZLrFrwF3wfbVFdUfCg4DS9sB7xrGOexY7dkJVFubtyV-eOxsh6_HNCWaFp-zkUqZxi2OBmPpPdHl60jU4ixOzsNZ0NZVrRcrVZ/s1600/P1060187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrczyJvrK93dA20Gn58HYUeTE1YNfEFo_3ba1Upf-4oZLrFrwF3wfbVFdUfCg4DS9sB7xrGOexY7dkJVFubtyV-eOxsh6_HNCWaFp-zkUqZxi2OBmPpPdHl60jU4ixOzsNZ0NZVrRcrVZ/s200/P1060187.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZuVTvvhR4gfCreAmeFPJ5vSbWg0iOon4lLQXrlg4lIpVW6MHQtuNHMcDs97d5VNNg5cxdxdEh6gbay1rXNPmgsZhmfGZY_xwpk0eWXrMFNpguzHNP904sXaPAukpediFfxEkHbu_4_vE/s1600/P1060442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZuVTvvhR4gfCreAmeFPJ5vSbWg0iOon4lLQXrlg4lIpVW6MHQtuNHMcDs97d5VNNg5cxdxdEh6gbay1rXNPmgsZhmfGZY_xwpk0eWXrMFNpguzHNP904sXaPAukpediFfxEkHbu_4_vE/s200/P1060442.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmxJQhQ9qa98ISA2lw4MEKWMdQyrXfobSAqv1LAgZJAbqNeVJYh4eL4H72D6qjv8ehw_WwrRjvpn1yEUY3__NpTYZyZBidEPgImQKOHLX72HDziqVnKrOOkSLRYgT0ULEbZEdpzwmxc9m/s1600/P1060307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmxJQhQ9qa98ISA2lw4MEKWMdQyrXfobSAqv1LAgZJAbqNeVJYh4eL4H72D6qjv8ehw_WwrRjvpn1yEUY3__NpTYZyZBidEPgImQKOHLX72HDziqVnKrOOkSLRYgT0ULEbZEdpzwmxc9m/s200/P1060307.JPG" width="200" /></a> <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Spring break here in Ecuador is called
Semana Santa because it is the week leading up to Easter. The best part about
this week is that there are no classes!! So I grabbed my friend Carley and we
booked a ticket from Quito to Medellin, Colombia. After a 24 hour late start
(read about it on my previous post), we finally arrived in Medellin and checked
in to the Black Sheep Hostel located in El Poblado. We grabbed some beers and
headed outside to talk with all the other travelers. There were tons of
Germans, tons of Kiwis and Aussies, a handful of Brits, and a Colombian. We
ended up going out salsa dancing with a few people and had a great time
watching the amazing dancing of the locals. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0EMT1h16F7sTZ81xFIWmbqH_uc75h5l0ENBBFLBLUEfvdJwEhcKf0PKTJ5xj4JjTEsxd9IaGBTKXVDwOzpc4fkuLxqIDc8no3xwkrCBjssZ_qQjMN5Ghu5fAJO067QEDXAo0peqUV2E9/s1600/P1060452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0EMT1h16F7sTZ81xFIWmbqH_uc75h5l0ENBBFLBLUEfvdJwEhcKf0PKTJ5xj4JjTEsxd9IaGBTKXVDwOzpc4fkuLxqIDc8no3xwkrCBjssZ_qQjMN5Ghu5fAJO067QEDXAo0peqUV2E9/s200/P1060452.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0JJiV-ZKOdToeD6Xv_FXQDnGJ2vV2yRnuQF_M0jgWlDCH6Kyq4lkBdyXuTysjTykkWKQKujHcpSs8J9sqSSh2DYZs8YH-FgeOxN7Yk-i_N6Q2RV_hWIdqV_xwVTZddZiTF6qFjzut2aB/s1600/P1060483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0JJiV-ZKOdToeD6Xv_FXQDnGJ2vV2yRnuQF_M0jgWlDCH6Kyq4lkBdyXuTysjTykkWKQKujHcpSs8J9sqSSh2DYZs8YH-FgeOxN7Yk-i_N6Q2RV_hWIdqV_xwVTZddZiTF6qFjzut2aB/s200/P1060483.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9tfcJPnPakNfssiOfqvb3p1UUcz7TiKFtJgdkKuX7oCQH3LnA3LJCW2KdMt5kv2yh0koZifnq97NapNa1BtaxUxtifv-EBjMmjzxaJAexuYavP83yQIKCc_pqXRFVYedrm4cGwea1bZW/s1600/P1060481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9tfcJPnPakNfssiOfqvb3p1UUcz7TiKFtJgdkKuX7oCQH3LnA3LJCW2KdMt5kv2yh0koZifnq97NapNa1BtaxUxtifv-EBjMmjzxaJAexuYavP83yQIKCc_pqXRFVYedrm4cGwea1bZW/s200/P1060481.JPG" width="150" /></a>The next morning
we circled all the tourist sites on the map and started our sightseeing day. We
started by taking the metro to the north of the city where you can ride a cable
car up the side of the mountains where the poorest part of the city is. At the top
there is a large library called La Biblioteca Español. It
is shaped like two large black boulders and caters to the
most marginalized part of the city. The view is amazing! Further up
the cable car is the top of the mountain... but you keep going for 30 minutes
over a beautiful forest with metallic butterflies. At the end is a HUGE park
with horses, lakes, museums, markets, and whatever else you can imagine. We
didn't have enough time to hike around, but we enjoyed the sun and took the
cable car down again to the main city. Next, we went to the Botanical Gardens
which are beautiful. We were there on a Sunday so there were hundreds of people
just hanging out in the park. We took a nap on the grass and then walked around
a different part of the city where we found a planetarium. Neither of us had
been to a planetarium in a long time and the one in Medellin is one of the best
in the world so we bought a ticket and waited outside watching all the kids
play in the fountains.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLJEDjJJChSWpdkJ87gZRZiifCPqgAda6f0PQ_f357NY5Ej0k6iLE29K8LoXQqTIILrQV-c1nEwok7qD29KheddwIRhkydeOuLRZYWJchhRw8lZJetT0Uy6umTcc5AczWeft7hRKm-v1Y/s1600/P1060320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLJEDjJJChSWpdkJ87gZRZiifCPqgAda6f0PQ_f357NY5Ej0k6iLE29K8LoXQqTIILrQV-c1nEwok7qD29KheddwIRhkydeOuLRZYWJchhRw8lZJetT0Uy6umTcc5AczWeft7hRKm-v1Y/s200/P1060320.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">On Monday we
walked around the city and went to Botero Plaza, the Museum de Antioquia, and
saw a few churches. The next day we took a walking tour of Medellin run by a
young guy trying to break into the tourism business. It was an amazing tour and
showed us many parts of the city. That afternoon we boarded a plane to
Cartagena and once we arrived, we went to an air-conditioned salsa bar. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9ML4rKl-7X7cC52v_io31hkaS3a7iED1qiRwqYyLgWm5CvLJd_B4U4XKu-C-XgqiyIbSO8lHC6eWKNbXgWRhFycMlsTquqO92scDD7A9wPAzWsA6RctS1c0WJ0GLAJPh8BCizOBxcIzu/s1600/P1060504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9ML4rKl-7X7cC52v_io31hkaS3a7iED1qiRwqYyLgWm5CvLJd_B4U4XKu-C-XgqiyIbSO8lHC6eWKNbXgWRhFycMlsTquqO92scDD7A9wPAzWsA6RctS1c0WJ0GLAJPh8BCizOBxcIzu/s200/P1060504.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMifBqzwDHIf43BmMFojkjxTSSHRfLdXZiORH0n9qKABVviyXdP3GFm3fU_CzMfOsxzlZcEFTBb4INJMy_rNm3Z-2W-Q3eGgN1-xZV5dBVfKndoTgaZd_e7my79jIgS2ekl1r63V-agXYP/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMifBqzwDHIf43BmMFojkjxTSSHRfLdXZiORH0n9qKABVviyXdP3GFm3fU_CzMfOsxzlZcEFTBb4INJMy_rNm3Z-2W-Q3eGgN1-xZV5dBVfKndoTgaZd_e7my79jIgS2ekl1r63V-agXYP/s200/IMG_0107.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIo36wDYNgRziiodfqxFsgyfgpBk-2wJud3A3WR3I90eJeu3D2VwLKDCGj8dpfEiDh77OSzXUU1wmyUpXoDxUHrw7mT5kPU1t059XZIgV9qN8sIe9x5jTMY6OU9sEQNdslSbQfsGbyQ9F/s1600/P1060489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIo36wDYNgRziiodfqxFsgyfgpBk-2wJud3A3WR3I90eJeu3D2VwLKDCGj8dpfEiDh77OSzXUU1wmyUpXoDxUHrw7mT5kPU1t059XZIgV9qN8sIe9x5jTMY6OU9sEQNdslSbQfsGbyQ9F/s200/P1060489.JPG" width="200" /></a> The next day we
spent walking around the beautiful colonial town. All the buildings are unique
and many have huge window boxes filled with flowers and are painted bright
colors. Around the city center is a huge stone wall with cannons scattered
around. In the evening we hopped on a chiva which is an open-air party bus that
has a band playing live music and unlimited alcohol. We drove around the city
and stopped to dance and hold sloths. The tour ended at a club which was ok for
old people, but our group decided to head to a huge hostal right outside the
stone wall called Media Luna. It was a huge party with live music. </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1gUKlOWGRIZ4VKPMM36Vi-sgkPR0JRsn4dFyUVrNJDNScd5JLfmHNHGdi4Zqr4Oa_7gdJssWK5E67fbLuINBvOprlXP5L506YTWbHNsc6xYNsiUuhGclFVJhh5GmAUlVufdb5-8WNY52/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1gUKlOWGRIZ4VKPMM36Vi-sgkPR0JRsn4dFyUVrNJDNScd5JLfmHNHGdi4Zqr4Oa_7gdJssWK5E67fbLuINBvOprlXP5L506YTWbHNsc6xYNsiUuhGclFVJhh5GmAUlVufdb5-8WNY52/s200/IMG_0209.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBM399wzdYk5RAaIQ37byFeVfY2ILvVMFbs1DGdzoJnRf15o65XRE5xPLjFivH3k3RRthvcI7L9OA1KmFxvXCD3wcByFRmhC0ZrgD-3s19SOsxX6GaWPJ25Qk5qsJbBG5UCVS-dbRhQRa/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBM399wzdYk5RAaIQ37byFeVfY2ILvVMFbs1DGdzoJnRf15o65XRE5xPLjFivH3k3RRthvcI7L9OA1KmFxvXCD3wcByFRmhC0ZrgD-3s19SOsxX6GaWPJ25Qk5qsJbBG5UCVS-dbRhQRa/s200/IMG_0016.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqoMu6QWTVZO2fZosULLERvz9su9ilUZv5zv1lrm0fnkl8uLsThcxS9naI_qtfAlAVQ1o18SsyalU4gPvzzsM6775wEP4Qv-teRB4_QWFnhDVBVHTJpfiiDO4jIcwA_13i5FCwUtqKdnh/s1600/P1060540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqoMu6QWTVZO2fZosULLERvz9su9ilUZv5zv1lrm0fnkl8uLsThcxS9naI_qtfAlAVQ1o18SsyalU4gPvzzsM6775wEP4Qv-teRB4_QWFnhDVBVHTJpfiiDO4jIcwA_13i5FCwUtqKdnh/s200/P1060540.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> My favorite part
of the whole trip was today: we took a tour of Islas del Rosario. We went to
the port in the morning and got on a small motor boat crammed with people and
took a sea-sickening ride to islands an hour or so off shore. Cartagena is
located on the Caribbean coast so the water is all kinds of colors. We let some
people off to tour an aquarium but a few of us stayed on the boat to go
snorkeling at another island. Snorkeling was AMAZING. Even though the coral
reef was in bad condition, we were able to see tons of species of tropical
fish. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72iF1XZtysctX3arMEJCs8Pn2t9vYLtEDG5-R1jRxe4MZN3JKyYl7l1mDiL23n9lDOEkqw7Si2rqM6CawlUOOolepxhrunebdstHyx9CwILcDonVXZu596X3CsouSvWWNk7b-dtssqrfr/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72iF1XZtysctX3arMEJCs8Pn2t9vYLtEDG5-R1jRxe4MZN3JKyYl7l1mDiL23n9lDOEkqw7Si2rqM6CawlUOOolepxhrunebdstHyx9CwILcDonVXZu596X3CsouSvWWNk7b-dtssqrfr/s200/IMG_0049.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> Our last day in Cartagena consisted of
touring a castle called Castillo San Felipe which was the Spanish Army’s
castle. We spent the rest of the day walking around the city some more, eating
tons of fruit, and hanging out with people at the hostal. We took a night bus
to Medellin and spent the next day shopping and walking around the city some
more. That night we went out with a lot of people from our hostal to la Zona
Rosa which is the main area with lots of bars and clubs. We went to a few salsa
bars and enjoyed the atmosphere.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8Cs5NqmUVqQAAn5m0_i0NwNCUI0wvZLE1tSGbbc3nSNokT0yTPTRMMsjKT1zOj75Xzxl0J3paM3guPLTVi_iHpVvRPSRSrcHlPpnp0FLlXKWISYEsfQJ9EZFaUIjWSMvpFy60tSesQhd/s1600/P1060493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8Cs5NqmUVqQAAn5m0_i0NwNCUI0wvZLE1tSGbbc3nSNokT0yTPTRMMsjKT1zOj75Xzxl0J3paM3guPLTVi_iHpVvRPSRSrcHlPpnp0FLlXKWISYEsfQJ9EZFaUIjWSMvpFy60tSesQhd/s200/P1060493.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> Since the next morning was Easter, I
decided to go to the Cathedral to see what was going on. I arrived just in time
to see the huge parade with statues of Jesus, Mary, and other saints being
marched around the plaza complete with six military bands. Our flight was in
the afternoon and we returned exhausted back home to Quito.</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnA8CxhE0O1K12QCzQlSK9AFtr0sRPRQ6g-ROWwc1Ly_LhemCKYkwtJKtibzbRtCfvFDd_zwRrp9AG1VVRV_XNSsAEY2d71onIha9h8aV8obBh-rz4DYLYr1KhNycmRY0z49GbT1QsxCK/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnA8CxhE0O1K12QCzQlSK9AFtr0sRPRQ6g-ROWwc1Ly_LhemCKYkwtJKtibzbRtCfvFDd_zwRrp9AG1VVRV_XNSsAEY2d71onIha9h8aV8obBh-rz4DYLYr1KhNycmRY0z49GbT1QsxCK/s200/IMG_0094.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDvfwRlP0dPi6zzkj3DtfLMyG7Msdv2mo4VGTXzsfc-5KnhlphLkJOX5JfT7cMStT1DSZx7wGP02fvGJhqmmN8eo6SS-m29s3PmIxOU_x2Qa2QH1UbZJSBZnAZgLrsAZguEcMils2fTx5/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDvfwRlP0dPi6zzkj3DtfLMyG7Msdv2mo4VGTXzsfc-5KnhlphLkJOX5JfT7cMStT1DSZx7wGP02fvGJhqmmN8eo6SS-m29s3PmIxOU_x2Qa2QH1UbZJSBZnAZgLrsAZguEcMils2fTx5/s200/IMG_0080.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> Colombia fully exceeded all of my
expectations. Coming from an American perspective, we are told that Colombia is
filled with drugs and violence and that there is nothing worth seeing there. I
knew that wasn’t true so I was intrigued to see what it offered and was fully
surprised at how gorgeous and unique Medellin is and how mesmerizing the
streets of Cartagena are. I wish I had 100 years to explore every corner of
every town in Colombia, but a week was sufficient to guarantee my return to
this wonderful country. Thanks Colombia.</span></div>
<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-81264012547594801572013-04-01T15:17:00.000-07:002013-04-01T15:26:49.569-07:00A (really) hateful ode to LAN AirlinesOh LAN, you really suck.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ignored the hassle of trying to find out the correct price
for my ticket. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I brushed off the fact that the radar broke while we were in
the air. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I waited patiently for five hours while you tried to get
your shit together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I oohed and aahed at the boring hotel room you took me to
after midnight. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cheered when the plane landed in the correct destination
30 hours later. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I even said “gracias” to the flight attendants on my way
out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t slap your worker across the face when she
contradicted everything I had been told. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I gave up on that reimbursement you promised me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, I would rather be a stowaway in the back of a truck
carrying dynamite than deal with your sorry excuse for an airline company. </div>
Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-24145340489453452772013-03-10T10:00:00.000-07:002013-03-10T10:00:12.827-07:00Carnaval in Montañita<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Carnaval is the huge celebration before Lent starts- you might know it as Mardi Gras. Basically, it's an excuse to party for an entire week without anyone judging you for it. With my friends Santiago and Daniel from Quito and my gringas Carley and Bridget from the US, we set out for Montañita, which is a small surf town on the coast known for it's famously wild parties. We arrived on Friday afternoon, left on Tuesday morning, and spent our time hanging out on the beach, hanging out at our campsite, or seeing what the nightlife of the town had to offer us. Here are some pictures and stories of my time:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8lH7zEbQG5JXGz65StruhKcHuxvlRV1m3grPtCIpdzpj4pAsjMNQvAzA80IYhsLrp-AfW3-C91Q_XutBD3KN3i6NxkIYEsyu_q1N66220Nud8mprqtHaWK21e5BG3jgeKeEB-z4kvWgB/s1600/378383_4720809617994_1771264616_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8lH7zEbQG5JXGz65StruhKcHuxvlRV1m3grPtCIpdzpj4pAsjMNQvAzA80IYhsLrp-AfW3-C91Q_XutBD3KN3i6NxkIYEsyu_q1N66220Nud8mprqtHaWK21e5BG3jgeKeEB-z4kvWgB/s320/378383_4720809617994_1771264616_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the day we hung out on the beach with vendors walking up and down all day selling anything from fruit salads and sandwiches to homemade mahogany lamps. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SNItnd0Fw3kNfIzkpS-HdKb1R4PCrVaoptHZiu-ePsgfoWIubbFbcTE5C54Fp1I1X5Fu6GvvcaRqM5HUypl9BWqqNTMn9fyvBYd3OqLmKY_OExIBBGmRfr09haDPehAOcinyQMSdqrdS/s1600/378383_4720781617294_1079770700_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SNItnd0Fw3kNfIzkpS-HdKb1R4PCrVaoptHZiu-ePsgfoWIubbFbcTE5C54Fp1I1X5Fu6GvvcaRqM5HUypl9BWqqNTMn9fyvBYd3OqLmKY_OExIBBGmRfr09haDPehAOcinyQMSdqrdS/s320/378383_4720781617294_1079770700_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's our group: Santiago, Carley, me, Daniel, and Bridget. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin9bIbhUHpYqMGjh3Vuo3pnyYJL4z581QxRGdBkW7cQkT6ruwlMdg9TTgCWZHo8PhPetV3t0D3FUzD8oyDnPysYzi5WwWzvFLFfFEo8crtZgEvr2no3d3EL4yFBz6gnDZmdcPcFQhbXvr/s1600/533131_4720800377763_386894969_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin9bIbhUHpYqMGjh3Vuo3pnyYJL4z581QxRGdBkW7cQkT6ruwlMdg9TTgCWZHo8PhPetV3t0D3FUzD8oyDnPysYzi5WwWzvFLFfFEo8crtZgEvr2no3d3EL4yFBz6gnDZmdcPcFQhbXvr/s320/533131_4720800377763_386894969_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are probably more bars and dance clubs in Montañita than there are restaurants or grocery stores. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhakxBwkIVyAFpVOkmbjfkVCnLxIJmxLyPShuc9F6tBIwL3jmK8jiNpNdWaJZ5m8NuKrssc6Mowb3Cdr0UuaPEBMX27Y854m6wvJemJtkDMwHU26zq6sGsW2ta9O0yyNQnj6CP-mE2Keic/s1600/541002_4720816098156_875704488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhakxBwkIVyAFpVOkmbjfkVCnLxIJmxLyPShuc9F6tBIwL3jmK8jiNpNdWaJZ5m8NuKrssc6Mowb3Cdr0UuaPEBMX27Y854m6wvJemJtkDMwHU26zq6sGsW2ta9O0yyNQnj6CP-mE2Keic/s320/541002_4720816098156_875704488_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the drive there, I donned these sunglasses and Bad Boy hat and stared people down from the car. Our last night in Montañita we all wore different funny sunglasses which were huge hits. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUstCF4LEC4eCL-RyNO7t8B1DIOWkYdsC5bqetTHGzc1IIWJHfj8GUW5UeaznmzXJLXtulfQnMTI91P5kVeT6q2Xw7st43cEOdsMZoBfPU0uW2O5tK8kNONvYSORxuNGm2E_So2YqlDb5T/s1600/58423_4720784457365_1655337731_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUstCF4LEC4eCL-RyNO7t8B1DIOWkYdsC5bqetTHGzc1IIWJHfj8GUW5UeaznmzXJLXtulfQnMTI91P5kVeT6q2Xw7st43cEOdsMZoBfPU0uW2O5tK8kNONvYSORxuNGm2E_So2YqlDb5T/s320/58423_4720784457365_1655337731_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Usually Montañita is crowded, but during Carnaval, the streets were packed all times of the day. Many people visit here and never leave- they end up selling bracelets or food on the beach. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpezTTzJPKlZ-MUepGNfgHjUD5mOdm1_f3SiD20W0_Eqq00yZemouz1cIlNkhobz9CewHKGXOI0J0DizrCs3XVtyxGYi43_FwJjTQGm3yPnIYapuNdKthtGk0nOeU9zdPoUMsUjV339RFl/s1600/599226_4720770257010_1246367119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpezTTzJPKlZ-MUepGNfgHjUD5mOdm1_f3SiD20W0_Eqq00yZemouz1cIlNkhobz9CewHKGXOI0J0DizrCs3XVtyxGYi43_FwJjTQGm3yPnIYapuNdKthtGk0nOeU9zdPoUMsUjV339RFl/s320/599226_4720770257010_1246367119_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very ingenious way to make money but unfortunately the puppet was targeted by all the drunk people and didn't survive the foam.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJm2248xnOnasbbFaaHMtO_6jdNwXsKE3HVvx6lEe1AeJIUs7U80pzBGkzkhe29KzrJ_HFeozfGyCp4OgNmrxJVa8lXNVjvkJ0560OYpNmwl-e6GAOUsfG92AvKVXjXKB49hlQ7SNWm86p/s1600/75500_4720783817349_495418214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJm2248xnOnasbbFaaHMtO_6jdNwXsKE3HVvx6lEe1AeJIUs7U80pzBGkzkhe29KzrJ_HFeozfGyCp4OgNmrxJVa8lXNVjvkJ0560OYpNmwl-e6GAOUsfG92AvKVXjXKB49hlQ7SNWm86p/s320/75500_4720783817349_495418214_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since there was no room in any of the hostals, we decided to camp. This campsite was huge and had bathrooms, a kitchen, hammocks, and dogs. A lot of people will stay here for months at a time. Constant didgeridoo tones set the environment. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jak3eWwMX4c1hm4tXVbQjD2TMUbS_3oD7cqecnvJZ2WxrDdqNjCi_Yyq8RyMkq9SExPygsOrs8HaagZdtcOormZ4a6PnRQ6lcUbjoYKAZ1kT3rzprdO9wzPBMrCKRXqMdLvwAmDJFyL_/s1600/P1060124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jak3eWwMX4c1hm4tXVbQjD2TMUbS_3oD7cqecnvJZ2WxrDdqNjCi_Yyq8RyMkq9SExPygsOrs8HaagZdtcOormZ4a6PnRQ6lcUbjoYKAZ1kT3rzprdO9wzPBMrCKRXqMdLvwAmDJFyL_/s320/P1060124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For carnaval, foam is a huge thing. This foam will stain for clothes blue and burn your eyes but people just walk down the street aiming at hot girls or parents who bring their little kids out to party. At the end of each night, my hair was soaked with foam and my skin had a blue tint to it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX62Fd4F7PWP23d-KDw4hAU3PwIgf6vW_r-U2wSMWIsNaaivoQ-sN_6oPZ8WvnlRZxvtXpnBH1nkAseQXHf2c2-1nuztlXpkQYeW8f_1odUgIELkJ4u3WH2jx_tuC7tmDAMYOuuR_Ja7Yw/s1600/P1060135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX62Fd4F7PWP23d-KDw4hAU3PwIgf6vW_r-U2wSMWIsNaaivoQ-sN_6oPZ8WvnlRZxvtXpnBH1nkAseQXHf2c2-1nuztlXpkQYeW8f_1odUgIELkJ4u3WH2jx_tuC7tmDAMYOuuR_Ja7Yw/s320/P1060135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On one day we left Montañita and drove to a beach down the highway called Valdivia. Valdivia is the sight of one of the most famous pre-Incan civilizations and is famous for their pottery and Venus statues. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpoNQ6bZAHFEfu8cuaIJZPRCJ7wXkCN-Mq_18H0ut8ZPxeMg7Eo5On1T9ZhaezhySB4nSayFT4LTMhxDnZ5A-Qfa2claeAqJ-Kw1Z5VpimTrf-pkS-WVJY7LTHf8r9BmMcqyRJvrf34aU/s1600/P1060131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpoNQ6bZAHFEfu8cuaIJZPRCJ7wXkCN-Mq_18H0ut8ZPxeMg7Eo5On1T9ZhaezhySB4nSayFT4LTMhxDnZ5A-Qfa2claeAqJ-Kw1Z5VpimTrf-pkS-WVJY7LTHf8r9BmMcqyRJvrf34aU/s320/P1060131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite was a mess. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL997KPDDTnoqtcUxTz5WQqRFWqAO-TZy6Y6uGY_cibjLI1YD-CZ_kaxFVW86vAfsImQo2mKtDMpLqTpOaz4s0z5o5Xn0d5qoEblpvTLhSuEE2NWdwtoDUAiDxu6dXQFBCrY8OQptQL2MS/s1600/P1060125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL997KPDDTnoqtcUxTz5WQqRFWqAO-TZy6Y6uGY_cibjLI1YD-CZ_kaxFVW86vAfsImQo2mKtDMpLqTpOaz4s0z5o5Xn0d5qoEblpvTLhSuEE2NWdwtoDUAiDxu6dXQFBCrY8OQptQL2MS/s320/P1060125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carley decided to sleep in her hammock because it was so hot in the tent. The mosquitoes were everywhere and I got about 70 bites.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV9y4yhW1VoLNObeLCHj2nQnKDanLytbFNOAzJ73EOLhTO1W320HfgoQsHTD6d0sZzN4cCacgfDy2DC8AzlklEJFyVObqJyxE8Ys3DiPJ0cLmSwpz1VqOC9RDgmNwERvJWE5-gBUoNTJ4/s1600/P1060136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV9y4yhW1VoLNObeLCHj2nQnKDanLytbFNOAzJ73EOLhTO1W320HfgoQsHTD6d0sZzN4cCacgfDy2DC8AzlklEJFyVObqJyxE8Ys3DiPJ0cLmSwpz1VqOC9RDgmNwERvJWE5-gBUoNTJ4/s320/P1060136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach in Valdivia. Similar to Montañita but with nicer cabanas and fewer people. This is where families come to party. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9DcGbE2L55VRpgmBBIPE-9w_WsTH0BXwLx0jC2rnmhaaAJ4-FdzZ-eJJqC4p3sty1cNZhwLtuAOnNdxTa091mE0ONOELVh9suJKujJMrs7FQhIv5NjP6lGPYDLh4hLGv0WeGjY2EtFIB/s1600/P1060143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9DcGbE2L55VRpgmBBIPE-9w_WsTH0BXwLx0jC2rnmhaaAJ4-FdzZ-eJJqC4p3sty1cNZhwLtuAOnNdxTa091mE0ONOELVh9suJKujJMrs7FQhIv5NjP6lGPYDLh4hLGv0WeGjY2EtFIB/s320/P1060143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of Valdivia- imagine this beach but with 10x the people in Montañita. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuIhQMOJ6sa0qLcGn_RIz2C7zyRzatfMTRMmpPZ86NIZqp0gQ1sGeja-bymLWKezyo8JCPcFsUVD0pPa-cJvjwjL8eA-GobiCMfKvPcO3fYC0Ij5IYRMfkpRpi4wJrwDc3xgmTs3IyKzR/s1600/P1060141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuIhQMOJ6sa0qLcGn_RIz2C7zyRzatfMTRMmpPZ86NIZqp0gQ1sGeja-bymLWKezyo8JCPcFsUVD0pPa-cJvjwjL8eA-GobiCMfKvPcO3fYC0Ij5IYRMfkpRpi4wJrwDc3xgmTs3IyKzR/s320/P1060141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although we didn't go surfing or horse back riding or hiking, we enjoyed each other's company and were perfectly happy hanging out all day. It was a great trip with amazing people. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_Wd8q4rq0Vuhkul0_UR0dRvhC5fAOaKL53RiZu0TreeCJ5EbAxuqyZzFGE_NurJa0edJxNF0wwurNwRoWWjVCmr0yOpoXI5VUSiqpZEUjmpc1ypl3207ccyXsfxRCz2-7Mj0BJ-K4x39/s1600/P1060152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_Wd8q4rq0Vuhkul0_UR0dRvhC5fAOaKL53RiZu0TreeCJ5EbAxuqyZzFGE_NurJa0edJxNF0wwurNwRoWWjVCmr0yOpoXI5VUSiqpZEUjmpc1ypl3207ccyXsfxRCz2-7Mj0BJ-K4x39/s320/P1060152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With every party town comes bad decisions. This tattoo parlor made it very easy for drunk people to find their way into their store. </td></tr>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-61002103303699096192013-02-24T18:30:00.000-08:002013-02-24T18:30:33.938-08:00Another crazy monthFebruary has been filled with, well, parties! Carnaval was the weekend of February 9th (blog post coming soon, my friend likes to wait a month before posting photos...) and it was so much fun and crazy! The weekend after that I went to an opera at my university which was streamed live from the MET and then hosted a half-birthday party for me and another friend. The party turned out to be much more wild than anticipated but was fun once again.<br />
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This weekend I went back to visit the Tunki family from Puyo. They are the Shuar family I stayed with in the Amazon (<a href="http://cuentosdeecuador.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-week-in-amazon.html">http://cuentosdeecuador.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-week-in-amazon.html</a>). I am currently taking an Oral Literature class and so we have to find stories from people all around Ecuador. I convinced my group that Jorge had the best stories out there so my friend Mike and I traveled to Puyo to record a long story about Iirshim who is a famous character in the Shuar culture.<br />
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Jorge was very excited that we were writing down this story for the first time but I couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable extracting this piece of his culture. After all, I am a complete outsider coming into his community taking this story for my own use. We compensated him for his time and I left some small gifts for his daughters who I unfortunately didn't see. Overall it was a good trip and now I am left with the task of transcribing the 30 minute story and then translating it to English!!<br />
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Send me an email if you would like a finished copy of Jorge's story- he is very eager to share it with the world.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-42553258197362853032013-02-03T08:27:00.000-08:002013-02-03T08:27:24.926-08:00HomeI think I need to start updating my blog more often- I am starting to forget how lucky and privileged I am to have this opportunity. I have been here for over 7 months now and I finally feel at home. I know Quito (or at least my part of the city) like the back of my hand. I know my neighbors, I run into people when I go to the supermarket, I have lots of friends to join me in any activity I'm doing, and most of all, I love it. When I'm walking home on a sunny day (which is almost every day!) I am filled with this feeling of contentment. Even if every night doesn't go my way or I have bad days every now and then, I am at peace with myself. I have found balance in my life and I am thankful for this gift that Ecuador gave me.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-29055996638686448832013-01-18T13:59:00.000-08:002013-01-18T13:59:56.111-08:00Mommy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Instead of going home for Christmas break, my mom came and visited me for two weeks! We had an amazing time and saw tons of places around Quito and Ecuador. Here are some highlights of what we did: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-9iqXEC6e9lyAkWyUlcO0CJ1JLyOSQ3KVo583xhs_Svff4acUjNDZ1QjjZSjti7T7rKuYKrqBF4E60zK_DUcpxdQRxWGCEaO8CS_gMhyphenhyphen2Bk2aSzX9N7Ecchzxofok2caZI2rtdG6jHfZ/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-9iqXEC6e9lyAkWyUlcO0CJ1JLyOSQ3KVo583xhs_Svff4acUjNDZ1QjjZSjti7T7rKuYKrqBF4E60zK_DUcpxdQRxWGCEaO8CS_gMhyphenhyphen2Bk2aSzX9N7Ecchzxofok2caZI2rtdG6jHfZ/s400/IMG_2007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my mom. On one of our first trips, we went to Otavalo and Cotacachi. This picture was taken in front of Lago Cuicocha which is a volcanic lake near the town of Cotacachi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_z7EsV9iogxocYN9fJ5fY73YmKMhB7sw7Gbk9F_pVrxrA1RSIItwts-m3f2JaMcaAq09tByLbC90IwwezymLUhpbnNTS737kkHDvKgAxtShvAvfTlISBC1suzdJSa7pGQ0nVut0p_Bmf/s1600/IMG_2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_z7EsV9iogxocYN9fJ5fY73YmKMhB7sw7Gbk9F_pVrxrA1RSIItwts-m3f2JaMcaAq09tByLbC90IwwezymLUhpbnNTS737kkHDvKgAxtShvAvfTlISBC1suzdJSa7pGQ0nVut0p_Bmf/s400/IMG_2070.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Sunday we went "church hopping" to all the big cathedrals in Centro Historico. After mass at San Francisco Monastery, there was a huge parade for the last Sunday of the year. This included people with huge masks, devils, traditionally-dressed dancers, and many men dressed up like women. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YvXQZ-UKvpnjfJuemcDF-6erW2WWEV0OZRpmdSlm6L65FOgeYuRPnzBgl7Tt9BGedauo45Ei6KyeEG_CCF_wOOqV7UOI4fXmRSOwyXQcTh7Ql7yta0LrOF0A7_KhCkGF2SbsnKFO3arf/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YvXQZ-UKvpnjfJuemcDF-6erW2WWEV0OZRpmdSlm6L65FOgeYuRPnzBgl7Tt9BGedauo45Ei6KyeEG_CCF_wOOqV7UOI4fXmRSOwyXQcTh7Ql7yta0LrOF0A7_KhCkGF2SbsnKFO3arf/s400/IMG_1963.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another picture from Otavalo. We had a great time looking around the market and bought a few souvenirs for my mom to bring home. These included pants, purses, ponchos, artwork, and even fluffy llamas. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLVNFt9830_gJGwgFNEQFIE4xyIw1wx168gyXb77Djq9zXokCkahJktBOsSWWVA3BIfFIrTvgllm4C1PRXkkatnoLk5YWgmBiSny0xoM4yL_zzcKQ3Bwq3cyrwpHPN9XJ4VL5D5hNPPwz/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLVNFt9830_gJGwgFNEQFIE4xyIw1wx168gyXb77Djq9zXokCkahJktBOsSWWVA3BIfFIrTvgllm4C1PRXkkatnoLk5YWgmBiSny0xoM4yL_zzcKQ3Bwq3cyrwpHPN9XJ4VL5D5hNPPwz/s400/IMG_2113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even visited Mitad del Mundo (the equator line)! We saw the big monument in the picture and also went to the real equator line (not the yellow one) and saw that museum, too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ow2WA5zG53Xv35wAx_HRYSxE8UVwdobzhYKTMDoIVIjyQ8sS5VQrjvR23Ms4MiLmeThKek6ybYH6CFDW9t1zxaRltzQE1OQXN4MYXAS4e0Kip7JZ-68IsW-shkUgsn7JOHZZ8NifBoW9/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ow2WA5zG53Xv35wAx_HRYSxE8UVwdobzhYKTMDoIVIjyQ8sS5VQrjvR23Ms4MiLmeThKek6ybYH6CFDW9t1zxaRltzQE1OQXN4MYXAS4e0Kip7JZ-68IsW-shkUgsn7JOHZZ8NifBoW9/s400/IMG_2191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tradition on New Year's Eve is for guys to dress up like widows (ends up looking like hookers) and running around in the streets harassing cars and asking for small change. Most men wear plastic pieces on their chests to resemble enormous boobs. It's pretty hilarious and we got quite a show. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur8yphZLlcZ4xWUjYGQhlJbZyDC9rn_39AM0o_MXnFqeXBC9oS3D2D8vGZBZVY77om-I1xkV-u6h1sCwKnzGFG0ehO7w4PgxUX-KtxZEooW72vpsvDARMXpiwSkyqIyTZC3Nlo7U8RNHC/s1600/IMG_2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur8yphZLlcZ4xWUjYGQhlJbZyDC9rn_39AM0o_MXnFqeXBC9oS3D2D8vGZBZVY77om-I1xkV-u6h1sCwKnzGFG0ehO7w4PgxUX-KtxZEooW72vpsvDARMXpiwSkyqIyTZC3Nlo7U8RNHC/s400/IMG_2188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another tradition on New Year's Eve is to burn dolls in the street. These represent all the bad things that happened the year before. But watch out, sometimes they're stuffed with fireworks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWbVmQSNGYTyGD2TbGKHGm-dVguCEkk-HUrVMSW2YGtr7Jc_-3-HPQlS72FxoGUPY6SQAGCgYuc2EXkoXEluDlOTta58Mbnbb6P0cgACmbslkl1Ga_5eWc_UNDNhd3v4wNVutifowj0RH/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWbVmQSNGYTyGD2TbGKHGm-dVguCEkk-HUrVMSW2YGtr7Jc_-3-HPQlS72FxoGUPY6SQAGCgYuc2EXkoXEluDlOTta58Mbnbb6P0cgACmbslkl1Ga_5eWc_UNDNhd3v4wNVutifowj0RH/s400/IMG_2332.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also went to Mindo, which is a clouded forest resembling the rainforest. We stayed in a great hotel with a beautiful pool. We went to a butterfly hatchery to watch butterflies being born and hummingbirds flying around. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTJkz6w6Z9budqLFGvJ6K6Q-aLf5lAvwRcfzGjpM6VE_wGzlb5E74eSH6ufRQEg6P1ZmforH-HbrepSOj6PssHW0cp6ucGPWEnEtWkhpWyR_W6u2NTtWKoi9kXsEl78OhL34quA9a3nAk/s1600/IMG_2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTJkz6w6Z9budqLFGvJ6K6Q-aLf5lAvwRcfzGjpM6VE_wGzlb5E74eSH6ufRQEg6P1ZmforH-HbrepSOj6PssHW0cp6ucGPWEnEtWkhpWyR_W6u2NTtWKoi9kXsEl78OhL34quA9a3nAk/s400/IMG_2374.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also went on a waterfall hike in Mindo which involved crossing above the canopy of the rainforest in a big metal basket, hiking for a few hours and swimming in 5 beautiful waterfalls. The water was a little chilly but since it's so humid it wasn't bad. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAV_ngiB5h-NFJvAQo4PSDJtG0bWAu8tEL9D7IUJNJJlpGqmBAB4eQu_O8KgQ6DffinI0D9HcCB00dfJuAqVxI7shOMqR8CcTzM9UzbFsoF7fD-Wa46np-0RUOmEO2ZYcqIkQPqkFMA1y/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAV_ngiB5h-NFJvAQo4PSDJtG0bWAu8tEL9D7IUJNJJlpGqmBAB4eQu_O8KgQ6DffinI0D9HcCB00dfJuAqVxI7shOMqR8CcTzM9UzbFsoF7fD-Wa46np-0RUOmEO2ZYcqIkQPqkFMA1y/s400/IMG_2426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went up the Teleferico which is a cable car that takes you up to a high point to look at Quito. It is an amazing view and we were able to see where I lived and where I went to school. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-zFjvXgpKwqA1M1RPgyc8sA2ArXU2q_YPWe327Ws9u8XVUAcEJ3_P8ShfzHyPG6bV9OqSv6yfY1GAhTjZx2luw12Kb7seHQHtQHTw_MMtiVb6_vuuk_zZaHN8XY9hdIRGEVZh1K8pKYN/s1600/IMG_2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-zFjvXgpKwqA1M1RPgyc8sA2ArXU2q_YPWe327Ws9u8XVUAcEJ3_P8ShfzHyPG6bV9OqSv6yfY1GAhTjZx2luw12Kb7seHQHtQHTw_MMtiVb6_vuuk_zZaHN8XY9hdIRGEVZh1K8pKYN/s400/IMG_2513.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After an airline mix-up, we had a few extra days so we decided to go to the beach! We picked Canoa because I had been there before. We took a night bus, arrived at 6 am, found a great hostal right on the beach, and spent the next two days lounging on the beautiful beach. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsBrXmJpHUv2c96TtTcjdge4_0liUA_FtrHLZaAXaCFfa2BlriqPrWmST9Ahw2_OeKP4AFetgreQOeQTG0P6IXh2oqywWlqCdfFzkMleKQ0I21dOJBhfoNTvbZ5VLsvesKUQKpl_kkPn5/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsBrXmJpHUv2c96TtTcjdge4_0liUA_FtrHLZaAXaCFfa2BlriqPrWmST9Ahw2_OeKP4AFetgreQOeQTG0P6IXh2oqywWlqCdfFzkMleKQ0I21dOJBhfoNTvbZ5VLsvesKUQKpl_kkPn5/s400/IMG_2533.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rented one of these cabanas both days since the sun is so strong on the equator. We swam, read, and ate delicious ceviches and sea food. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXxnQzRcV5Ct-Rd1dnKMGpB02MxcXggJepSuUN6mhKohDnfjP_6y-WMQM9rS8ll0H5eXIuKC0po9e5VPkooNiwX5JIfQL3znopDcpOyJvbT1rLvMVZsqOty23J-4z9EzBvTKSn7EGtpYY/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXxnQzRcV5Ct-Rd1dnKMGpB02MxcXggJepSuUN6mhKohDnfjP_6y-WMQM9rS8ll0H5eXIuKC0po9e5VPkooNiwX5JIfQL3znopDcpOyJvbT1rLvMVZsqOty23J-4z9EzBvTKSn7EGtpYY/s400/IMG_2604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also met a girl who taught surfing so the next day I took a yoga and surf lesson with her and actually rode a few waves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnFdadmyjolUXk_Oao767OJ0g85OmO8tU91AhQWMXSoHUcWLn157XYZai2GeQ-cyt7d_GK03wz8Hepy6xNe3jn7NfCkxUd33kvGntQM1hX6dmsm8hbmsBklYgui2VIUWooqQMx5GrVj38/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnFdadmyjolUXk_Oao767OJ0g85OmO8tU91AhQWMXSoHUcWLn157XYZai2GeQ-cyt7d_GK03wz8Hepy6xNe3jn7NfCkxUd33kvGntQM1hX6dmsm8hbmsBklYgui2VIUWooqQMx5GrVj38/s400/IMG_2619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom was our official photographer and we took the first photo in front of the "Betty Wave." Here's the site for her surf school: https://www.facebook.com/BettySurfandYoga?fref=ts </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c6zbQ89MA6qiSpRr3BXef_fITtfJhCXZFVt1ENQRO-oFcsvPQZXAuy0mBgeTMWBordfT9XM7JapD6X5WB8ZkFuJiM38NvBTdhXj3Djtb9YIgZzg84T2U_rvAr5P_ZJzF8H2EI41KZDVb/s1600/IMG_2652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c6zbQ89MA6qiSpRr3BXef_fITtfJhCXZFVt1ENQRO-oFcsvPQZXAuy0mBgeTMWBordfT9XM7JapD6X5WB8ZkFuJiM38NvBTdhXj3Djtb9YIgZzg84T2U_rvAr5P_ZJzF8H2EI41KZDVb/s400/IMG_2652.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall, it was a great trip for my mom and I think she really enjoyed it. It was so much fun to finally show my family how I live down here and why I love it so much. I just hope she'll now understand when I announce I might stay here forever...</td></tr>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-9229259705618202032012-12-25T12:21:00.000-08:002012-12-25T12:21:00.438-08:00A week in the Amazon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJAYfpMCUk4QNKwU6WSQWnH6by9062olpBKLCtSZ1p3R9VQP0EZxNRn2g5f5mAQpSp8q4v3TuiPDioX5g6goEY-uUwwUtMw9BOlrhARCBaBlVVTU0Xlx-8_aR6MOOmR5FLHk53D69PzK5/s1600/PC160005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJAYfpMCUk4QNKwU6WSQWnH6by9062olpBKLCtSZ1p3R9VQP0EZxNRn2g5f5mAQpSp8q4v3TuiPDioX5g6goEY-uUwwUtMw9BOlrhARCBaBlVVTU0Xlx-8_aR6MOOmR5FLHk53D69PzK5/s200/PC160005.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dean, Medi, & Jorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It’s been a while since I’ve written, mostly because
December has been crazy so far. I had finals for the first two weeks and
somehow I managed to receive As in all of my classes including Macroeconomics!
The Saturday after finals, my friend Dean and I took off for the Oriente
(Amazon rain forest). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNf2tdnYALyIe1Bi2aMVib9cCRbOQM9YCt8npa8aQEDc9BxrDDgZQJVirBVWZQMPuIo2X-4-xcjnPGAZOcreeAACQxJbCMMRjEOu4SexOiFhnB5o29SfloTRm_Fzb8ALx7-rfLSVMIv-f/s1600/PC170055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNf2tdnYALyIe1Bi2aMVib9cCRbOQM9YCt8npa8aQEDc9BxrDDgZQJVirBVWZQMPuIo2X-4-xcjnPGAZOcreeAACQxJbCMMRjEOu4SexOiFhnB5o29SfloTRm_Fzb8ALx7-rfLSVMIv-f/s200/PC170055.JPG" width="200" /></a>After arriving in the south bus terminal, we hopped on a bus
going to Puyo and enjoyed the 5 hour ride in the dark. Once in Puyo, we ate a
huge chicken dinner, swatted away the mosquitoes, and went to bed in our hot,
humid room. The next morning we waited at the terminal to meet Jorge but instead
met his son, Silvio, who led us on to a bus going to Macas. Silvio was really
friendly and was interested in who we were and what we were doing in Ecuador
and after an hour and half we hopped off the bus in the middle of the highway.
He led us up to a house (really, shack by most Western standards) where we met
Jorge and his young daughter Medi. We rested for a bit and then started the
hike.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CRRu886DO0FKMZqF-pEUmssZi41hjzYuilhMuUw3qgqryc8DmcbH0RVBzNWsg9_qyhVQykau9VBYgOeTIvLV2mnWIYt8MSQogKnpQo1vF8BMIEprdLmav32YKa8CDwRuMjqEqNtDsyIg/s1600/PC170049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CRRu886DO0FKMZqF-pEUmssZi41hjzYuilhMuUw3qgqryc8DmcbH0RVBzNWsg9_qyhVQykau9VBYgOeTIvLV2mnWIYt8MSQogKnpQo1vF8BMIEprdLmav32YKa8CDwRuMjqEqNtDsyIg/s200/PC170049.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The four hour hike led us deeper into the jungle through
rivers and swamps, all covered in mud. We saw medicinal plants, fruits,
insects, birds, and amazing views of the jungle. Dean and I slipped on almost
every log and got stuck in every patch of mud while Jorge and his wife, Rut,
glided smoothly over the mud. We finally arrived and saw his beautiful home.
His house is completely traditional, made of wood, bamboo, and the floors are
dirt. We rested on the porch of the volunteer house and Jorge pointed out a rock
that he said used to be used to make hot sauce for eating human flesh. Lovely. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXlZj1XXuqKV1RoAhLY0mGX_1JrkkH9q2AHCUiIyLmlokc0qEtebcsJeOvduUQT5uoH2d3JeRuz3WMdtbOovYQ0K1AdW6vzGCVVCoAfQ8xqOyKM0tCn8FGQWIluIwREh0arCmMnXDu2TS/s1600/PC170057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXlZj1XXuqKV1RoAhLY0mGX_1JrkkH9q2AHCUiIyLmlokc0qEtebcsJeOvduUQT5uoH2d3JeRuz3WMdtbOovYQ0K1AdW6vzGCVVCoAfQ8xqOyKM0tCn8FGQWIluIwREh0arCmMnXDu2TS/s200/PC170057.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Dinner consisted of cooked bananas and plantains and
afterwards Jorge played a traditional flute and we got into bed and immediately
passed out by 9 pm. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-l6c7Mh2L5zESIiMe2uEVFWinbFae3OHj76jTAjEH74pkvROg42Eyfa3m9g1WxrmKFRVhZWImbvQT-969dPWhKhIHqcDXuR7VjvsJF7OTcieEbkvO2GwnmYSEO7yrYoP0LxSCfksBggB/s1600/PC180087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-l6c7Mh2L5zESIiMe2uEVFWinbFae3OHj76jTAjEH74pkvROg42Eyfa3m9g1WxrmKFRVhZWImbvQT-969dPWhKhIHqcDXuR7VjvsJF7OTcieEbkvO2GwnmYSEO7yrYoP0LxSCfksBggB/s200/PC180087.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgWUcfilX1NmbaaRgo5SGESMV87Xp28MDyXkaVD56URYEAYM-qUtyr_B685UcHHORD-caNMbLAGfQF5KvMc5NJL5bBg0vaiGA3YYl_ieMg3nliCjgKdZn3vooHkG4ruzxIbj7Hn6qgC_A/s1600/PC170060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgWUcfilX1NmbaaRgo5SGESMV87Xp28MDyXkaVD56URYEAYM-qUtyr_B685UcHHORD-caNMbLAGfQF5KvMc5NJL5bBg0vaiGA3YYl_ieMg3nliCjgKdZn3vooHkG4ruzxIbj7Hn6qgC_A/s200/PC170060.JPG" width="200" /></a>The next morning we were greeted by armadillo soup for
breakfast since Jorge’s nephew had shot an armadillo the night before. We spent
the morning clearing out a patch of forest that had decaying logs everywhere.
There we saw monstrous, venomous insects and I screamed when a big red any got
inside my glove. Jorge just laughed and said I might go unconscious and swell
up, but at least I wouldn’t die. Again, lovely. After about an hour it started
to pour but we kept working, welcoming the cool rain. After the rain stopped we
heard toucans in the trees and ate guava fruit. Lunch was cooked bananas. So
was dinner. <br />
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The next day we ate more cooked bananas for breakfast and,
surprise, also for lunch. After lunch we went to the river to swim around and
wash our clothes. Jorge informed us that there were no dangerous animals like
anacondas in the river. But watch out for the red ants and other poisonous
snakes. That night there was an enormous thunder and lightning storm. It was
immediately above us so the flash illuminated everything and immediately a huge
BOOM would shake the whole house. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraxKWFh7SBuB8aBjUYAXKCy20YL4bbptBSykptUEn2V1cxvbCB_uN-WR0WI4COivI7CJ1fL3GKzQvTWRgEH6eI45z-ijcNTTG1Xl66Ibxn9UgiUXTazwwXT_3qMUcPhPDTY80g8Q_sW_T/s1600/PC200142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraxKWFh7SBuB8aBjUYAXKCy20YL4bbptBSykptUEn2V1cxvbCB_uN-WR0WI4COivI7CJ1fL3GKzQvTWRgEH6eI45z-ijcNTTG1Xl66Ibxn9UgiUXTazwwXT_3qMUcPhPDTY80g8Q_sW_T/s200/PC200142.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cacao</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On day 4 we constructed a bed made from logs we cut down and
carried ourselves. I couldn’t help much because I wasn’t even strong enough to
saw bamboo- I blame the banana diet. On day 5 we cleaned up a cacao field and
then went on a hike through the jungle. We saw a ton of medicinal plants like
the Sandi tree, dragon blood tree, and lots of others I can’t remember. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk36wXgQsBZiqfCddL8lIrCMHxlBeAENiUgte874M9AeFdZoc9eFGHMjShgj7vK3IptdqISSbtEUKuq6kyqyGusdTJnJDeR8FcefxrROZZHRGEnzRq0yjbj-vGiagpa5VIc0VwmDg773g/s1600/PC210190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk36wXgQsBZiqfCddL8lIrCMHxlBeAENiUgte874M9AeFdZoc9eFGHMjShgj7vK3IptdqISSbtEUKuq6kyqyGusdTJnJDeR8FcefxrROZZHRGEnzRq0yjbj-vGiagpa5VIc0VwmDg773g/s200/PC210190.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAe41mn7DirBA2DhwFndoSCzFpxTC1KDLJo02LsPZVwVZFz7IL9Ni1qA_3R5Y1Ykz1kYdMkLZZxAuAjDXShrxFz7F_qR1QIxz9QYGjUGz5gtGB7U9S8eQ5sBiddYLlLngMplhmicaca3x/s1600/PC170070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAe41mn7DirBA2DhwFndoSCzFpxTC1KDLJo02LsPZVwVZFz7IL9Ni1qA_3R5Y1Ykz1kYdMkLZZxAuAjDXShrxFz7F_qR1QIxz9QYGjUGz5gtGB7U9S8eQ5sBiddYLlLngMplhmicaca3x/s200/PC170070.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papaya</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY2OV-DjvsSjsz_wXpkiwDt-GNN5TYNdjnAroATyiqk-t6gDscwHF9FRKyTOLGTaRl5ZETVVgXhXRwxuNbDJTtumrW7PJ308fyX-oMOHglWTXpT6Ppjq_r4r__iFdUBe3RcxQdi7Z4Zje/s1600/PC180098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY2OV-DjvsSjsz_wXpkiwDt-GNN5TYNdjnAroATyiqk-t6gDscwHF9FRKyTOLGTaRl5ZETVVgXhXRwxuNbDJTtumrW7PJ308fyX-oMOHglWTXpT6Ppjq_r4r__iFdUBe3RcxQdi7Z4Zje/s200/PC180098.JPG" width="200" /></a>After lunch we hiked to the village where the school and
other families were. We met one family living in a small shack. The mother
served us chichi (yucca leaves that the women chew and then let ferment-
actually pretty tasty) while the father explained how he wanted to start a kind
of zoo so that when illegal hunting leads to the endangerment of animals, he
will have enough to breed and keep the species alive. He had a wild hog that
made the ugliest sound I have ever heard in my life. On top of that, Dean
picked him up and the hog bit a nice little hole in Dean’s shoulder. After that
the man asked if we wanted to see his monkey. I went wide eyed when he brought
out the three-week old nocturnal monkey. Its eyes took up half its head and it
clung onto my fingers before it scrambled up to nest in my hair. Besides the
fact that having a monkey as a pet, especially an endangered species, is very
illegal, I thought the man’s intentions were good and that if anyone is going
to keep these animals, this family who has lived in the middle of the jungle
for generations is the most deserving. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnlW6INhK4UreS8qXHXYRYENr0ruTGswvBwT-_w9zdPt4Xn_l1ydHcH8Jo9M2g6l5gcwGE1VQChtYG_VvAAI5_7quoPfLRFp0cRPUp-bEQsWkKx4nDzscN1nq033Cy9t1Z5HVubcOtRWj/s1600/PC210281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnlW6INhK4UreS8qXHXYRYENr0ruTGswvBwT-_w9zdPt4Xn_l1ydHcH8Jo9M2g6l5gcwGE1VQChtYG_VvAAI5_7quoPfLRFp0cRPUp-bEQsWkKx4nDzscN1nq033Cy9t1Z5HVubcOtRWj/s200/PC210281.JPG" width="200" /></a>Day 6, December 21. The world didn’t end, but it sure did
rain a lot. We took a long hike today, seeing lots of butterflies, insects,
birds, and beautiful plants. We swung across ravines on tree vines and after we
returned we painted our faces with achiote and blew darts, threw spears, and
fought each other in the traditional Shuar fashion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp9vibx-ZhLDZBe68ZFHhMtV88dnr4FVWIvzT6et0uqg5IPtb1yS_-OfR5MYvhuvlrckLyXgt6UXH7hBY_oo_BrAXP-dhyphenhyphen7bLvi2XP13ebgXj4u-307_V5TvUVIOjXvIDSKEeSA5ZNvPE/s1600/PC220321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp9vibx-ZhLDZBe68ZFHhMtV88dnr4FVWIvzT6et0uqg5IPtb1yS_-OfR5MYvhuvlrckLyXgt6UXH7hBY_oo_BrAXP-dhyphenhyphen7bLvi2XP13ebgXj4u-307_V5TvUVIOjXvIDSKEeSA5ZNvPE/s200/PC220321.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBsH9FzHderx-1ZhbZEgZenmY6arP3HzfQZ8nHwum7uGca9H4MuDSPfrCz6LYqtgXMVdsPFDXKWG41W8QmKtu1d6YoVN2IxO9DlKs692UOSkI8n3FrLdHPTNoz-wyc7CSyw2n_5QRcDIf/s1600/PC210292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBsH9FzHderx-1ZhbZEgZenmY6arP3HzfQZ8nHwum7uGca9H4MuDSPfrCz6LYqtgXMVdsPFDXKWG41W8QmKtu1d6YoVN2IxO9DlKs692UOSkI8n3FrLdHPTNoz-wyc7CSyw2n_5QRcDIf/s200/PC210292.JPG" width="200" /></a>This morning we woke up early to pouring rain but luckily it
stopped around 6 am so we packed up quickly and started the hike with Doris and
Lisa (Jorge’s daughters) as our guides. The hike back was all uphill and half
an hour into the hike it started to rain so we continued the hike for four
hours in pouring rain and deep, slippery mud as we tried climbing up rocks with
streams falling over them. I was very anxious to get back to the city and after
we arrived at the road, we waited for the bus to Puyo and nine hours later I was
back at my apartment. I was home and safe, thankful for the opportunity but
even more grateful for a warm shower. </div>
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For more information about the Iirshim Project, please
visit: <a href="http://iirshim.99k.org/index.php?/general-information/">http://iirshim.99k.org/index.php?/general-information/</a> or send me an email at <a href="mailto:louisa13@uw.edu">louisa13@uw.edu</a>.</div>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-69119059963929500552012-11-29T18:19:00.000-08:002012-11-29T18:21:30.155-08:00Vamos a la playa!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaV8yUDXjvPjiPMAuh0gK0_QxNbjkkQSvJkDqIxlAvvxbHUsZ55gaWDSjzNgvQqmz5jDyYXS1tsSNNNGqqbuh5OqLNQDJkMhWcUVUg1HHrIfx5y-KG5drAJN2P0kW7J8kCyW6ZZ3hsaFZ/s1600/P1040233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaV8yUDXjvPjiPMAuh0gK0_QxNbjkkQSvJkDqIxlAvvxbHUsZ55gaWDSjzNgvQqmz5jDyYXS1tsSNNNGqqbuh5OqLNQDJkMhWcUVUg1HHrIfx5y-KG5drAJN2P0kW7J8kCyW6ZZ3hsaFZ/s320/P1040233.JPG" width="320" /></a>One a Thursday night a few weeks ago, I was sick of Quito and wanted to go somewhere relaxing, so I rallied two of my girlfriends to go with me to the beach the next day. We picked Canoa as our destination since November is the slowest month of the season and all we wanted to do was lay on the beach and not be bothered. We showed up at the bus station at 10 pm and loaded the bus for a pretty uncomfortable 7 hour ride. When we arrived at 6am the town was still asleep so we found a good-looking hostal and slept in the hammocks until someone woke up. We got a room and immediately headed out to the beach. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYnLn_DDg4j7ctn54H2HVoBvd_lhvKF-6NnwWbaDN_neTDUCCPR5FyvNJNaD6-V7tlc4PgCfatay5I-6TgUJD_-KhTXiZiFtT5DxXZDHmBRkc2Q8_nsHaRWIatz5es5CLLD-7Ap4s0qjn/s1600/P1040230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYnLn_DDg4j7ctn54H2HVoBvd_lhvKF-6NnwWbaDN_neTDUCCPR5FyvNJNaD6-V7tlc4PgCfatay5I-6TgUJD_-KhTXiZiFtT5DxXZDHmBRkc2Q8_nsHaRWIatz5es5CLLD-7Ap4s0qjn/s320/P1040230.JPG" width="320" /></a>Although it was cloudy in the morning, it cleared up in the afternoon to show some sun and we lay on the beach and read books all day. In our room was a 35 year old high school teacher from Oklahoma who told us all about his sabbatical that he was taking: surf during the day, party at night. Oh and he was doing some sort of research in his free time. We watched him surf for a little bit and headed back to the hostal to hang out. We met an Aussie who has been traveling throughout South America and a middle-aged Brit who came here to escape a nasty divorce. He was extremely friendly and talked our ears off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV5iW_gCRaPgjgvYDweY3e7JZcdaGyT1X5OZAbNEQua6D0lWb1c0bEnxSVwA8pchMhI1wScLJKQvSTBkslYKSPKFBYMH4vddkVV3C2udd7Yg6sTCEqrqTuvymLD3nshtjECXUtrUFz3RU/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV5iW_gCRaPgjgvYDweY3e7JZcdaGyT1X5OZAbNEQua6D0lWb1c0bEnxSVwA8pchMhI1wScLJKQvSTBkslYKSPKFBYMH4vddkVV3C2udd7Yg6sTCEqrqTuvymLD3nshtjECXUtrUFz3RU/s320/IMG_0483.JPG" width="240" /></a>Turns out my skin is extremely sensitive. Although I put 55spf on my body THREE times that day, I still got horribly burnt (picture below). So that evening everyone in the hostal ordered drinks and we were hanging out talking but I couldn't stop shaking from the cold. Everyone was in shorts and tank tops since it is a tropical beach but my burns were so bad that I was violently shaking and went to the room to sit down. I didn't quite make it to the bed before I vomited in the trash can and then fainted. I chugged a water and Gatorade and went to bed under three wool blankets (the woman at reception said they only had 3 for the entire hostal since it is so hot). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwrNKt9KdBN8STQKBgrcoxiMisIHeCzekPvdqTwtG03bNI3IzOHhhDYAQ7jVOEo7H254M-hknj5sDXZ827HFF0CArQlnNEM-eUM4aWauqTizgoiIUsiiAmi8F4sL8u9dE3E6A2hQ61UBd/s1600/P1040241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwrNKt9KdBN8STQKBgrcoxiMisIHeCzekPvdqTwtG03bNI3IzOHhhDYAQ7jVOEo7H254M-hknj5sDXZ827HFF0CArQlnNEM-eUM4aWauqTizgoiIUsiiAmi8F4sL8u9dE3E6A2hQ61UBd/s320/P1040241.JPG" width="320" /></a>The next day we rented an umbrella and sat under it and enjoyed the beach from the shade. We ate ceviche (traditional Ecuadorian could soup made from tomatoes and shrimp) and drank pina coladas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVrxqgBid7Tb3IjP8khZnz7dHg-EWjgIqsR8wxyKpscrrgxRF-OXDQepcATTbxvaUNJ_IBWV54aoMakWkYuV8RZLblfzYbtzS4OdaqpOBZyYm4N4UcpWieO8n0obc9Atxj60VDAVQbjn1/s1600/P1040287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVrxqgBid7Tb3IjP8khZnz7dHg-EWjgIqsR8wxyKpscrrgxRF-OXDQepcATTbxvaUNJ_IBWV54aoMakWkYuV8RZLblfzYbtzS4OdaqpOBZyYm4N4UcpWieO8n0obc9Atxj60VDAVQbjn1/s320/P1040287.JPG" width="320" /></a>After we had our fill of the beach we went back to the hostal and found a puppy that could fit in the palm of your hand. One of the woman who works at the hostal said she had found it in a river bank almost dead so she took it to the vet and now it seems like it's going to live. She named it Rio and when I picked it up it instantly snuggled into my jacket. I fell in love. The woman told me I could take it home with me if I wanted and I seriously debated adopting it for the next few hours until I decided that it would have a much better life here on the beach than in an apartment in a city. </div>
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That night at 10 pm we loaded the bus and I had a very uncomfortable ride back home with my burns all over my body. </div>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-43098529288335448592012-11-23T20:05:00.000-08:002012-11-25T19:10:55.555-08:00That's just the way it isTwo events happened today that made me understand (not necessarily appreciate) Ecuadorian culture more deeply. The first was in my History class when we started talking about racism. Our teacher asked the American students if we thought there was more racism here in Ecuador or back in the US. A girl said that even though there might be more in the US, it is much more obvious and open in Ecuador. I brought up the example of using words like <i>negro/negrito</i>, <i>chino</i>, or even<i> longo. </i>These three terms describe Afro-Ecuadorians, Asian-looking people, and Indigenous people. I said that using these words perpetuates the racism by making it "acceptable" to classify people by their race or what they look like. Before I finished my statement, some Ecuadorian students in the class protested loudly and said that it is in no way racist to use these terms because it is acceptable and not offensive. May I point out that these are white Ecuadorian students. The teacher then chimed in and said that if you are of a certain race, for example, Indigenous, it is acceptable to profile that person in Ecuador. I responded that even though it is acceptable and normal does not mean it is not racist and does not mean in any way that it is "correct." Needless to say, the teacher was offended by my comment and briskly ended class and was the first out the door.<br />
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The second event was extremely personal. I met a guy back in August who I am still very good friends with. We see each other two or three times a week but we don't usually go to each other's houses. Let me describe what he looks like: he is a tall, darker-skinned Ecuadorian with curly black hair and a goatee. I invited him to have Thanksgiving with my friends and I and so before dinner, he met me at my apartment. We went upstairs to get my stuff and we left for my friend's house. The next day, the woman I live with, Maritoni, said she needed to talk to me. She explained that one of the neighbor women upstairs had seen my friend and I come into the apartment and she didn't like how my friend looked. On that day he was wearing jeans and a nice jacket- just like any other Ecuadorian guy would wear. Maritoni had met my friend and defended him against the woman, but she couldn't get over how he had curly hair and a goatee. Now, I have brought a dozen friends home to my apartment. I'm sure this same woman has seen them all since she must sit at her window staring at the entrance to the building. Never once has she complained until I brought a lower-middle class Ecuadorian guy to my house. He is not allowed in the building because she judged him immediately on how he looked and didn't trust him with a small white girl like me. I am incredibly offended since it is so personal and I have never once met this woman. Maritoni explained that "that's how people are here" and how women here are extremely judgmental and racist.<br />
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Both these events happened on the same day and I have been angry at the woman upstairs and Ecuadorian culture in general for being so incredibly judgmental. Even going to my university, I feel like I have to dress very nicely and stylishly, otherwise the girls will give me dirty looks. I never gave a second thought about bringing my friend to my house. MY HOUSE. It is extremely humiliating when you have to explain to your friend why he can't come to your house anymore. Not because he was loud, not because he broke anything, not for any of the normal reasons to be banned from a building. He cannot come to my house simply because of the way he looks.<br />
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My understanding of Ecuadorian culture grew a lot today. And unfortunately it was not for the better.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-18303714669947496632012-11-23T07:22:00.000-08:002012-11-23T07:22:18.215-08:00Addicted to the UnknownThe most amazing thing about traveling isn't the new foods you try, the people you meet, or the mountains you climb. It's actually the risks you take to experience all of them. You become a different person, strap on your hiking boots, take rides from strangers, show up in an unknown city alone. Sometimes you will meet a middle-aged man from England trying to escape a nasty divorce during a tropical storm. Or sometimes you will hitch a ride on the back of a tractor. And after you settle in a place for a while, you will meet more people willing to drop everything to hear your story. Of course you can't remember every person, every conversation, but each one shapes you in a way you might never know. And then there are the people who change your life so deeply, so immediately, you can't quite remember how your mind worked before. Remember these people. Remember the Brit and the nine hour journey you took to arrive in that town. Remember the farmer who gave you a ride on his tractor and how you weren't quite sure how to get home. These are the memories you will think about in the middle of a cold, rainy day when you're back home. Somehow, being on your own in an unknown land puts a little risk into your life. This risk leads you to have an amazing, life-changing journey. But then again, this might not work for everyone. I am, afterall, addicted to the unknown.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-63244161663904234752012-11-10T12:01:00.000-08:002012-11-10T12:01:02.491-08:00Camino del Inca, Ingapirca, and Cuenca<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyK720ENnmpor3cv3nMg4cNGgYSlahxecbybqJ12u0X9dzRN19MZ-SADva9YmQJ3o00wKY3XpOIylJ-2rkZsqNct-U4M3O8LsPm-qOS3eSEVN4ksco3C2MTGIePeliMOryn0orBx2AaV3/s1600/P1040476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyK720ENnmpor3cv3nMg4cNGgYSlahxecbybqJ12u0X9dzRN19MZ-SADva9YmQJ3o00wKY3XpOIylJ-2rkZsqNct-U4M3O8LsPm-qOS3eSEVN4ksco3C2MTGIePeliMOryn0orBx2AaV3/s400/P1040476.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For fall break, I decided to go on the hike with my Andinismo class which was the Inca Trail, or Camino del Inca. No, we were not in Peru. The Inca Trail extends from the south of Colombia all the way down to Bolivia. I have hikes parts of the trail in Bolivia and Peru so I was excited to check this off my list! There were 17 of us hiking with some Ecuadorians and other students from the US. The hike was 3 days of hiking and 2 days traveling. We took a bus from Quito to Alausi and then camped at the start of the trail for the first night. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the trip, we all made plans for who was sharing tents. One of the Ecuadorian guys in our class said he had a 6 person tent so there were 6 of us that were going to sleep in that. On the bus to Riobamba, we found out he just didn't bring the tent. So we all squished into the other tents. Our camps didn't have electricity, water, or bathrooms. It was extremely cold- so cold my entire backpack and its contents froze the second night!! The first day of the hike was pretty short but the hardest. We climbed up a rocky stream for a good hour which felt like a stair master. After that we ascended some more and arrived in a small valley between two big mountains. We walked for a few more hours and arrived at our camp which was a flat part in the bottom of the valley. There were no trees, no big rocks, no shelter. It started raining as we arrived at camp so we set up our tents very quickly and dove into them and waited for the rain to stop. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hike was gorgeous- plenty of paramo ecosystem and lagoons after every turn. We mainly walked on the side of the mountains maintaining altitude the whole time. The sun was strong and while we were walking we were hot but once we stopped we had to pull out our fleece jackets and hats since it was so cold. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We reached an altitude of 4200 meters on the hike- yes there was snow. We didn't see cars, roads, or any signs of human activities until the last day when we ended in a village. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6l4J16iWsd2ex2nlq3kXznuZtWItnQPBto4A1K9MjdDQbZutRefyygrAmutwWBPr7JqsAUlskDiCMTaHv5-1sZrcs0vwfmgS0n0MocMQ7QEHVVspomIKwQV5cHwnhSOq8dBrX8n_oje-/s1600/P1040479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6l4J16iWsd2ex2nlq3kXznuZtWItnQPBto4A1K9MjdDQbZutRefyygrAmutwWBPr7JqsAUlskDiCMTaHv5-1sZrcs0vwfmgS0n0MocMQ7QEHVVspomIKwQV5cHwnhSOq8dBrX8n_oje-/s400/P1040479.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since we had to bring all our food, tents, and supplies, we had donkeys carry our backpacks for the first two days. At the end of the day we would pet them and ride them around. It's amazing how strong these animals are. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to bring all our own food so I resorted to squished bread and peanut butter and jelly or tuna and crackers. We also brought lots of alcohol- to warm up at night, of course!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XZkWvRwZs9xr4h_X4UrcMi7fonfbExev-ccr8HLBZslzaSnO65NFQRbHeL5GilaG40eTSdzKhTKO0zLIcM7hvnkRbb2cfO-KPvIOxYiNbqH-qnzN223JSrMjl525RyUMa3rRpUAD08wA/s1600/P1040494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XZkWvRwZs9xr4h_X4UrcMi7fonfbExev-ccr8HLBZslzaSnO65NFQRbHeL5GilaG40eTSdzKhTKO0zLIcM7hvnkRbb2cfO-KPvIOxYiNbqH-qnzN223JSrMjl525RyUMa3rRpUAD08wA/s400/P1040494.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the only time on the hike we had to be creative. The entire hike is a little flooded or very rocky so we were constantly jumping rock to rock or jumping over the mud. I felt like I was in a Mario game at one point. This river was too deep to walk through and there were no place with rocks to jump on. So we found a big piece of wood and scooted over since it was too narrow to walk across. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the hike! This is our whole group when we finished in a village on the third day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Inca Trail ends near the ruins of Ingapirca which are the most complete ruins in Ecuador. You can see the water systems, the sun and moon temples, and several palaces. The ruins are no where near as impressive as Machu Picchu and the stones are not cut as well, but it was really cool to see. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFeC0ZtOaNtWh9VCfMYcitSFDp-WftjYdMDjLg5zxbe0yU5B2V3lpt6OmiVlcztRR3uOiNU37npmuBzYKdL2TkrrfRcenPLXfzynFYkqfdGpotPNz6P6OvFXBbBkcEv2vFfdSPvLQvB_G/s1600/P1040634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFeC0ZtOaNtWh9VCfMYcitSFDp-WftjYdMDjLg5zxbe0yU5B2V3lpt6OmiVlcztRR3uOiNU37npmuBzYKdL2TkrrfRcenPLXfzynFYkqfdGpotPNz6P6OvFXBbBkcEv2vFfdSPvLQvB_G/s400/P1040634.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We arrived in Cuenca at night on the third day and took a bus quickly around the city. We were all exhausted and walked around a bit but then returned to our camp right outside the city and had a nice dinner and salsa danced the rest of the night. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMa-Fby6JHyMl5PXst5kKyn-ZLsljJFLMgZXbNfywgk5IQrAcrJV9vaDZyBQBOqubahyyWIB8jCnQNgTfUywrM2qmu-3dqKsDFtxZCOKqYeJTiWpc9YeI5620n-Lodr_47I1VPpoH5Ona/s1600/P1040687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMa-Fby6JHyMl5PXst5kKyn-ZLsljJFLMgZXbNfywgk5IQrAcrJV9vaDZyBQBOqubahyyWIB8jCnQNgTfUywrM2qmu-3dqKsDFtxZCOKqYeJTiWpc9YeI5620n-Lodr_47I1VPpoH5Ona/s400/P1040687.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next morning most of the group left but I decided to stay with a few people to take a night bus on Sunday. This is the main cathedral in Cuenca and is the biggest in Ecuador and one of the biggest in all of South America. The city is absolutely beautiful- it feels so European with the streets and architecture. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stood in the back of the cathedral for Sunday mass. It was packed to the gills and buzzed with a constant chatter of kids running around and tourists taking pictures. It is a pretty modern church- built in the late 1800s I believe. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were buying candied applies right outside the entrance when mass ended and everyone came out. Some people were wearing casual clothes, some Sunday best, but many people were wearing traditional indigenous dress. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a lot of beautiful graffiti in Cuenca. This is just an example on a staircase near the river. I love this city so much! Everyone was so nice to us and we found plenty of cute cafes and art galleries to hide in when it started pouring. All in all, the trip was extremely successful and I hope I might have the opportunity to return to the south next semester!</td></tr>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-16985572813707449192012-10-29T07:03:00.000-07:002012-10-29T07:03:23.022-07:00Kayaking in Tena<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqP4WkyVj6mZ25NctJ71d5yPphKWSiGjknShJrqi9kGR8uX2Ep5HikBOgN8RXflNuXhJdPXi5z1AviiP8ycbY4gVvPIMVuhWWS8F-70CSSZVRDGNIop3h9AeSaqiU1HC9U_D6zpv1epNP/s1600/PA270696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqP4WkyVj6mZ25NctJ71d5yPphKWSiGjknShJrqi9kGR8uX2Ep5HikBOgN8RXflNuXhJdPXi5z1AviiP8ycbY4gVvPIMVuhWWS8F-70CSSZVRDGNIop3h9AeSaqiU1HC9U_D6zpv1epNP/s320/PA270696.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local girls who enjoyed playing with our equipment.</td></tr>
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Here in Ecuador I have two great guy friends- Santiago and
Nicolas- who go to the Catholic university in Quito. Santiago loves kayaking so
this past weekend I agreed to go with them to the city of Tena which is
Southeast of Quito in the Amazon. We arrived in the town and immediately felt
the humidity and could see the contrast from the highlands climate. Santiago
talked my friend Sammy and I into going kayaking with him and Nico on a 3+
river. This means that in the US, a beginner kayaker would go on a 1 river, but
we decided we’d be fine on the 3+.<br />
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We drove out to our starting point up river from Tena and
were greeted by many local children who saw the burns on my legs and kept calling
me the burnt white girl. We loaded our equipment into the river and practiced
skim rolls which were much harder than they look. I couldn’t quite master it,
so Santiago gave our guide, Alejandro a concerned look and said that if I
flipped, just to pull my skirt and swim away. This didn’t exactly comfort me,
but I figured it couldn’t be that hard. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u3ZIvVvMVW-PGXElJtLKPvmF4vDwqECdiQOpAVeDiJdF_t3NE_nyQR8gEX7m9r5CkNl9RXcYZEVAYM2MmVqgIorJxPncYQAVR8SgTHGf_sX76BRTlc2pG0XAQ9kZY6qtJGPRRz0lGZjy/s1600/PA270714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u3ZIvVvMVW-PGXElJtLKPvmF4vDwqECdiQOpAVeDiJdF_t3NE_nyQR8gEX7m9r5CkNl9RXcYZEVAYM2MmVqgIorJxPncYQAVR8SgTHGf_sX76BRTlc2pG0XAQ9kZY6qtJGPRRz0lGZjy/s400/PA270714.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayaking along the river. The tall tree in the background is called a Sable and is over 100 years old- it is the only tree that was saved from the destruction of the oil companies in this region. </td></tr>
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We started out on the river and you could hear the first
rapid before you saw it. The roaring water made my stomach flip and I realized
how inexperienced I was. I could barely control the kayak in a current, even
worse in raging rapids. Nevertheless (not that I had a choice) I gripped my
paddle tight and tried avoiding the whirlpools. At the end of the rapid, I was
crying. I was shaking so badly because I had had no control over my kayak the
entire rapid. Luckily, my kayak was very large for me so that I basically
floated above the water. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsUwZHKJdZ6r_HcctV8Gr1535A5QT3jgh87qgHn4uacbdWti-1sYDq8Wwcf8rYF30LqT9BTPCLt5JWiR-RUYG7fvglLH5_tk2VXqMGtBzdg0yxyEUHY867ZjF6LQb67BVQWZEIc8r-Y3J/s1600/PA270732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsUwZHKJdZ6r_HcctV8Gr1535A5QT3jgh87qgHn4uacbdWti-1sYDq8Wwcf8rYF30LqT9BTPCLt5JWiR-RUYG7fvglLH5_tk2VXqMGtBzdg0yxyEUHY867ZjF6LQb67BVQWZEIc8r-Y3J/s400/PA270732.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're alive!</td></tr>
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I was mad at my friend Santiago for telling me I could
handle it and I was mad at our guide, Alejandro, for not paddling right next to
me. The second rapid was even worse- huge waves with big boulders added to the
mix. My whole body was shaking at this point but I decided to keep going. The
next few rapids came and I got better with controlling my movements. I learned
how to snap my hips to steer the boat and how to better avoid the trickier
waves. One of the biggest rapids came and I was on the right side of the river.
Alejandro yelled at me to get on the left to avoid a whirlpool, but I couldn’t
get over in time. I tried paddling straight through the giant wave, but the
current was too strong and flipped my kayak around. I rode the wave backwards and
somehow survived. After the rapid, a professional kayaker paddled up to me and
told me how awesome my trick had been back there. I nodded weakly and checked
to make sure my head was still attached to my body. </div>
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The rest of the trip was easy. I could handle the rapids and
they became weaker than at the beginning. We stopped at a beach to swim for a
while and I talked to Alejandro about the petroleum companies around the area
(blog post to come). Alejandro spoke Kichwa so we practiced a bit to his amazement
that I spoke and was knowledgeable about the Kichwa culture. We finished the
river and rode back to Tena where we met up with my friends, ate ceviche and
ice cream, and crashed in our hot, humid hostel. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the trip we went to go see the Monkeys in Misahualli. They weren't exactly friendly. </td></tr>
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Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-15883066663714282242012-10-14T09:58:00.002-07:002012-10-14T09:59:25.969-07:00Otavalo & CotacachiThe past two weekends I have gone to two cities- Otavalo and Cotacachi. The first weekend I went with 6 other girls and we planned to hike both days, but since it was raining the first day, we looked around the famous Otavalo market.<br />
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The market is amazing. There are hundreds of stands set up selling all sorts of things from hats to jewelry to daggers. The art is incredibly beautiful and the jewelry is unique and authentic. I walked up to one jewelry stand where the woman was selling Mayan calendar earrings. I looked at them and the woman, who was obviously not Indigenous, started speaking broken English to me. Now, I really hate it when Ecuadorians speak English to me. I think it is very disrespectful to assume that I don't speak a word of Spanish. I said no thanks to the woman and started walking away when I heard her ranting in Spanish about how Americans are so cheap and disrespect her work. So I turned around and went back to the table and explained to her that she had offered an Ecuadorian a pair of earrings for $8 and then turned to me and offered them to me for $22 in English. She was a little stunned that I had understood everything and finally agreed to sell them to me for a lower price.<br />
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There are other things, however, that I don't mind paying a little extra for. I met a man who had a booth filled with art- not just art he bought from the distributors, but art he painted himself. I really liked his work and talked to him for a little while about his life here. Every morning he sets up his stand and carries all his art to the plaza and on Sundays he travels to Quito to do the same thing. It is a hard life and I can't imagine he makes a decent living off of selling his art since there's not much of it.<br />
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On Sunday, we woke up early and took a bus to Cotacachi, a town close to Otavalo that is famous for their leather goods. However, we were there to hike around the Cuicocha lake which is a lake formed from an extinct volcano. The hike took four hours and for most of the hike we had amazing views of the lake and countryside. After, we went into town and bought a few leather goods and then headed back to Quito.<br />
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The second weekend, we took a bus up on Friday afternoon and met up with my friend's boyfriend and his friends. We went to one of their houses which is an old hollistic/meditation house with an amazing garden and many statues. We played music and then went on a hike to a waterfall after dark. The waterfall was straight from the movies- fireflies lit up the forest and the waterfall reflected the moon. The guys played traditional Andean music and we returned to the house where we salsa danced.<br />
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We woke up the next morning to one of the boys telling us he would give us a yoga lesson. Well, the yoga lesson lasted two hours and included an ancient story. It was cool, but the guys were giving us weird vibes so we all left and went into Otavalo for lunch and then headed back to Quito.<br />
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I love the feel of Otavalo because it is so Indigenous. All the women wear the traditional dress and I can strike up conversations in Kichwa with almost everyone in town. I really want to spend more time up there with a smaller group so that I can explore the non-touristy areas.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-19988860446977162982012-10-05T19:12:00.002-07:002012-10-05T19:12:48.310-07:00How to get 100% on a History PresentationOne of my classes at USFQ is Modern History of Latin American Republics. Our teacher, Carmen, is extremely intelligent. Unfortunately, she doesn't have much control of the class. The boys will be talking the entire time and make kissy faces at her and she just waves it off.<br />
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Today, my group had to give a presentation on the independence movement in Colombia. We were supposed to present in under 20 minutes but it took the full hour. I went first and took about 5 minutes, then my friend from the U.S. went and took another 5 minutes. Then my Ecuadorian friend went and talked about anything relevant to Colombia in the slightest. The teacher stopped him at one point and asked why he didn't talk about three of the most important battles. He choked a little and then said "I would like to take a moment to congratulate Katie- it's her birthday!" Everyone in the class sang and cheered for her and he continued on his speech- all while the teacher forgot about the battles. While the last girl was presenting, two of our group members were on their cell phones in front of the class.<br />
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Although we didn't cover the most important battles of the revolution and instead talked about current problems with FARC, we received a perfect grade. Apparently, long-winded talkers are appreciated here in Ecuador.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-37283187147234318042012-10-02T18:31:00.003-07:002012-10-02T18:31:45.943-07:00Riding the EcoviaHow many people can fit on the Ecovia? Fifteen more!<div>
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This is a common joke here in Quito about the Ecovia- one of the public transportation trolleys. It is very convenient, but it usually hot, smelly, and so crowded that you are held up by the people around you. The Ecovia costs $0.25 and you can ride from Rio Coca in North Quito an hour south. When you get on, if you're extremely lucky, you might find a pole to lean against. Otherwise, you have to reach up and grab the rail on the ceiling and hope no one gropes you in the process. Oftentimes your face will be inches away from the creepy man staring into your soul. Other times, you'll come into contact with the rapper who will serenade you in hopes of a dollar. </div>
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What bothers me most about the Ecovia, and all buses in Quito, is that NO ONE OPENS THE WINDOWS. Everyone is sitting in agony sweating up a storm and the simple answer is to open a window. But the slightest wind means that it is cold and people will bundle up in parkas and shut all the windows. By the end of each Ecovia ride, I trip out of the bus and take a huge breath of relatively fresh air. </div>
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Basically, I would rather ride a pink tricycle with a horn through the streets of Quito than ride the Ecovia. But since Quito seems to have a shortage of pink tricycles, Ecovia here I come!</div>
Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-17246473441321890502012-09-24T17:53:00.003-07:002012-09-24T17:54:05.844-07:00Mitad del Mundo/ Middle of the Earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mZeA6-xiyWu13B3BLcQABhg7cwAkxY7ykTJxL1GHz9DOe23L29MAak8rHRFe3akkAJoJ5VLTH3893NzyGyNBT0W8bU5EGkQd3Ojp_RSWQneVLcUPfPNkcH7G10M_hJSLEN2Rij_uVljD/s1600/P1040007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mZeA6-xiyWu13B3BLcQABhg7cwAkxY7ykTJxL1GHz9DOe23L29MAak8rHRFe3akkAJoJ5VLTH3893NzyGyNBT0W8bU5EGkQd3Ojp_RSWQneVLcUPfPNkcH7G10M_hJSLEN2Rij_uVljD/s320/P1040007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This weekend was very busy! After crashing from the hike on Saturday, Erin and I went to Mitad del Mundo which is where the equator passes through Ecuador (which means equator in Spanish). We took a bus about 30 minutes north of Quito and arrived at Ciudad Mitad del Mundo. This consisted of the big monument in the picture, a planetarium, a few exhibits, and lots of shops. We walked around, took pictures, and watched some dancing. We were there on the Equinox (September 23) so the sun was directly overhead at noon and there were no shadows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zcdP5rd9a9rqho43d5FXZKX-FlD7V7UbteAmcVzveaFbJhgttuyw6TJb_b3BcDbS7EOsguArpHNXPCWcdsUGn097cdSwQ4p3ZPZFKld-Skmc6WN2aeXUPEyNYZpMqBDF5e9ROlHP37TI/s1600/P1040022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zcdP5rd9a9rqho43d5FXZKX-FlD7V7UbteAmcVzveaFbJhgttuyw6TJb_b3BcDbS7EOsguArpHNXPCWcdsUGn097cdSwQ4p3ZPZFKld-Skmc6WN2aeXUPEyNYZpMqBDF5e9ROlHP37TI/s400/P1040022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Interestingly enough, the gigantic monument in the picture is actually not where the equator is. The real equator lies about 100 meters north. After Erin and I got enough of the touristy stuff, we headed down a sketchy unpaved road and found ourselves in an Incan paradise filled with cacti and sun god statues. We continued down a path and were ushered to sit on a bench by a young girl. We waited there and were introduced to a man who was going to give us a tour. We shrugged and went along with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGh6Iu9zbyWEOpCgwh-IyhLy_UuZHDkxqSJ8APlUH6LYDKgfLAh5Ne-0zKgGQmox0-QZXxivvIYHZOXhyAwd_FFAezB6lFksxrqDzNt9FKd7QOKCQWLUG2HZOOPmiwxifyPRDmPPDYuEwJ/s1600/P1040040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGh6Iu9zbyWEOpCgwh-IyhLy_UuZHDkxqSJ8APlUH6LYDKgfLAh5Ne-0zKgGQmox0-QZXxivvIYHZOXhyAwd_FFAezB6lFksxrqDzNt9FKd7QOKCQWLUG2HZOOPmiwxifyPRDmPPDYuEwJ/s400/P1040040.JPG" width="300" /></a>We were on a tour with a few other people. There was an older couple who were speaking a foreign language and when I recognized a few words, I asked if they were Dutch. The woman went slack jaw and stared as the husband informed me that they were in fact German. Oops. Anyways, the guide took us around and showed us boa constrictors, tarantulas, shrunken heads, and Shuar burial rituals. I was very impressed that they took advantage of the tourist attraction to educate the ignorant public about Indigenous cultures in Ecuador. After we toured several Indigenous exhibits, we landed on a faded red line that was the exact equator. The only sign was a dinky red sign telling us the latitude. There, we performed a few experiments. The first, we walked with our eyes closed along the equator. It was really cool how you felt a pull on both sides. I'm not sure if this was just a mind trick, but I really couldn't balance. The second experiment was trying to balance an egg on a nail. Unfortunately, my nail was crap so I did not receive a cool Egg Master certificate that the Germans did. The third experiment was placing a bucket of water in a sink directly on the line and watching the water drain directly down. Then we placed the sink 5 feet south and the water flushed clockwise and then when we took it 5 feet north, it flowed counter-clockwise. Of course, science claims that this is a huge myth, but what I saw was pretty dang cool.<br />
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We hung out after the tour a bit and jumped (literally) around the equator just to see the gravitational pull. After, we headed back on the long bus ride to Quito. I cannot explain how lucky I am to have these opportunities. I couldn't have chosen a more interesting and amazing place to study abroad and I am truly content here. I still have a ton to check off my "Ecuador List" but that will come throughout the year.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-8507179723614645362012-09-23T17:38:00.003-07:002012-09-23T17:38:41.705-07:00Guagua Pichincha & El Padre Encantado <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4i1xxXCSt3zGD_Y5a1XowB25IaakDO4rqfj-Xu8epj0n5Y7pHoCHI-HJvvortJb6rOfyeGoSc4UiOV_XXhU5zaNu84atc4Nn3syxEBGuNwamNJI37lyMiSSLT6SL8dqFuFmCvm1CXamG/s1600/P1030868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4i1xxXCSt3zGD_Y5a1XowB25IaakDO4rqfj-Xu8epj0n5Y7pHoCHI-HJvvortJb6rOfyeGoSc4UiOV_XXhU5zaNu84atc4Nn3syxEBGuNwamNJI37lyMiSSLT6SL8dqFuFmCvm1CXamG/s320/P1030868.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road to the trail head was so steep that we (well, the boys) <br />
had to push the truck part of the way. </td></tr>
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As I've mentioned before, I am in an Andinismo class (mountaineering). Every weekend there is a trip, but this weekend was the first time I could go on one. The hike was to Guagua Pichincha and El Padre Encantado, just west of Quito. Erin and I took a bus all the way to the south of Quito and then met up with our group which consisted of 11- 7 Ecuadorian guys and 4 American girls. Unfortunately, the night before the hike I went out with some friends and went to bed around 4:30... so I was pretty dehydrated and exhausted at the beginning of the hike. We took a very fast and bumpy ride to the trail head and began by walking through a gorgeous field of the paramo ecosystem. From there, we began the climb up Padre Encantado.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paramo ecosystem</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzRn43oLvXwvkFKQio9W99ndMdVgxlxAyv0ZGR3kEgOy4fePDl9K_c91cBE81o5R_fQ-xU0pHJW12DaqaTn4NQGCdA4VXXYf0w8P3uZMjBRrv4KWVmtB1L7-cOQAfWZOCz4jbfpVS8bqK/s1600/P1030886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzRn43oLvXwvkFKQio9W99ndMdVgxlxAyv0ZGR3kEgOy4fePDl9K_c91cBE81o5R_fQ-xU0pHJW12DaqaTn4NQGCdA4VXXYf0w8P3uZMjBRrv4KWVmtB1L7-cOQAfWZOCz4jbfpVS8bqK/s200/P1030886.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock climbing on Padre Encantado</td></tr>
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Most of the mountain was sandy so it was difficult to climb, combined with the altitude. Near the top there were a lot of volcanic rocks which we had to climb. When we arrived at the summit, we were in the middle of a cloud and everyone felt accomplished, but knowing we had an even taller mountain next. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWRZjmpg07ji-SLFVjfgi6YZhcV7LepQv7t0l9FljDbeXqe-36zNPrHK4IrdesUbFFL3w39N0RvJpPn8Vhriuh8U-_ekXtyba3Gri0gnzLJOj7iGl6lXUMCW8yLwGr7U60HUgAO1UVxg3/s1600/P1030931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWRZjmpg07ji-SLFVjfgi6YZhcV7LepQv7t0l9FljDbeXqe-36zNPrHK4IrdesUbFFL3w39N0RvJpPn8Vhriuh8U-_ekXtyba3Gri0gnzLJOj7iGl6lXUMCW8yLwGr7U60HUgAO1UVxg3/s320/P1030931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the summit of Guagua Pichincha</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sliding down the side. </td></tr>
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We jumped down the sand on the mountain and walked across a ridge to Guagua Pichincha, which is over 4,700 meters (almost 16,000 feet!). The first part of the climb was up a grassy hill to the camp where people can ride motor bikes to. We ate lunch and then started the second part of the climb which was incredible. We first hiked a sandy trail through the volcanic rocks up to a point with a big cross. We were in the middle of clouds again so it was a really pretty hike. Near the top of the mountain we had to rock climb again until we reached the summit. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin and I on Guagua Pichincha</td></tr>
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To get down, we decided to slide down the other side which was a steep, sandy hill. It was fun for the first few minutes but then it just got dangerous and people behind us accidentally kicked small boulders down the mountain that we had to dodge. Thankfully, no one got hurt and we hiked down through the meadow again, rode the truck to a restaurant where we ate humitas, and then bused back to our houses. It was an amazing experience and a hike well worth it. It was definitely one of the hardest hikes I have ever done since we were with big Ecuadorian guys who never stopped to rest. I pushed myself really hard and it paid off! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99oYozljqcc0z8W52HmYSN8Y19ZsGpxhyphenhyphenScrUFRd8XVEQBmAggHenMeeEXZwYLUmcLNfoa5Y_qVO_zGB3N9g9p2-lrUzYznUB8Ufo1KLg2eXsw46gMzdL5Nr5_JO9Npelyisjx35GHn3t/s1600/P1030907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99oYozljqcc0z8W52HmYSN8Y19ZsGpxhyphenhyphenScrUFRd8XVEQBmAggHenMeeEXZwYLUmcLNfoa5Y_qVO_zGB3N9g9p2-lrUzYznUB8Ufo1KLg2eXsw46gMzdL5Nr5_JO9Npelyisjx35GHn3t/s640/P1030907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing view climbing Guagua Pichincha</td></tr>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-53700721020609122752012-09-17T18:37:00.002-07:002012-09-17T18:40:39.932-07:00Baños otra vez!! <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week we went to B<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">años!! There were 6 of us in the group- two American girls, one Japanese girl who goes to school in D.C., and three Ecuadorian guys. We drove down and arrived Friday night, went rafting on Saturday, and drove back on Sunday to an amazing view of the mountains. Here are some pictures!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnPedGHUNc8in7kp-Q1v3SQfSpBfJK3vgCO56x2P39EKoF6urBGWgxm__HAKqbe7qs94WesvMfXY-VsB_15LLOqEGZlR8GIq1jyGp-HCSrs6NrB6TKgVspCYZGuVrMJjcHePHjFRnzEB0/s1600/P9150440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnPedGHUNc8in7kp-Q1v3SQfSpBfJK3vgCO56x2P39EKoF6urBGWgxm__HAKqbe7qs94WesvMfXY-VsB_15LLOqEGZlR8GIq1jyGp-HCSrs6NrB6TKgVspCYZGuVrMJjcHePHjFRnzEB0/s400/P9150440.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's our group! After going through the first rapid, we stopped at a waterfall. Our rafting trip was through GeoTours which was very professional and our guide was awesome! Besides rafting, we went out both nights and us girls got massages which were a little odd. It is such a cool town and we loved just walking around and taking pictures. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcfF0T1lQ_4EATPALqYOZ4IAS0DaNSepPdHmxQtGKG__A98LgpEro_1Wz6FWT6OBpApyr0mqRxe9LMB8u6vtX-LdMIQNEFO5kBUsNs7KCk-tztPzD6SjxemWsKORH-o4MlWyg8MsKHr8z/s1600/P9150444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcfF0T1lQ_4EATPALqYOZ4IAS0DaNSepPdHmxQtGKG__A98LgpEro_1Wz6FWT6OBpApyr0mqRxe9LMB8u6vtX-LdMIQNEFO5kBUsNs7KCk-tztPzD6SjxemWsKORH-o4MlWyg8MsKHr8z/s400/P9150444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After one of the class 4 rapids, I fell off. It was deep water so nothing bad happened but I did have to buy beers for everyone that night. Thankfully, Nicolas has a waterproof camera so we were able to take pictures during the whole trip. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MUB3xeELrXJlhbrajQRtbTAagYDCF9CjZAIdd8lML6jE5Dir_Cb9y2BxE5EtCgMJWl8sSVcBQGZNrgBp49dD5VdYh9dp4F9IUW5PZPa-eD1wGPPE7m4RqhTCslvQAEOrHLJACs0FlpCH/s1600/P9150454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MUB3xeELrXJlhbrajQRtbTAagYDCF9CjZAIdd8lML6jE5Dir_Cb9y2BxE5EtCgMJWl8sSVcBQGZNrgBp49dD5VdYh9dp4F9IUW5PZPa-eD1wGPPE7m4RqhTCslvQAEOrHLJACs0FlpCH/s400/P9150454.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a class 5 rapid that we had to walk around. Our boat would have flipped for sure. On the whole ride there were close to 15 rapids- a few 2s, mostly 3s, and maybe 5 4s. It was such a good river!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQDZ7uGmyLTq8GvQVoHuHrtr7QozdFqEO4GHI5gsZ87bLsMwCXvTJHZ0yz2P-DmtpM7Jgx5uucJKMJubWVBg7ge4vvq-gn739k7NuQoeNFooNQtqmQpgAg-8HnTFpDbqawr6j2BRj2uGI/s1600/P1030723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQDZ7uGmyLTq8GvQVoHuHrtr7QozdFqEO4GHI5gsZ87bLsMwCXvTJHZ0yz2P-DmtpM7Jgx5uucJKMJubWVBg7ge4vvq-gn739k7NuQoeNFooNQtqmQpgAg-8HnTFpDbqawr6j2BRj2uGI/s400/P1030723.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a view of Chimborazo y El Altar. Chimborazo is the closest point to the sun on Earth! Even though it's shorter than Everest, it starts at higher sea level, which makes it actually closer to the sun. During the whole car ride, we saw Tungurahua, El Altar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Las Ilinizas, y Cayambe. Even though we have beautiful mountains in Washington, they are nothing like these. The mountains here seem to pop out of nowhere and are incredibly spiritual. </td></tr>
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Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-25486781302266478692012-09-10T12:45:00.002-07:002012-09-10T12:48:05.907-07:00Fires in Quito<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXp6-zWXNxPGdFQokpYWAdmYxlq9eSBuqUoD4-o7P7Dk-BuBhuNxr8syWRpb9MSWzfJFi7T_gubY8wg20WoynDSh3KxPId1Z8O-2TPYquksz6G0-bf1OcdkHRpmG29VW2WgYvWPWtDjFo/s1600/P1030315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXp6-zWXNxPGdFQokpYWAdmYxlq9eSBuqUoD4-o7P7Dk-BuBhuNxr8syWRpb9MSWzfJFi7T_gubY8wg20WoynDSh3KxPId1Z8O-2TPYquksz6G0-bf1OcdkHRpmG29VW2WgYvWPWtDjFo/s320/P1030315.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The past week or two there have been fires all over the city. Many people think they are being started by arsonists, but it has been extremely dry lately so it's easy for grasses to catch on fire. There have been two fires about a block away from my house and helicopters had to carry water to put them out.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-34424832172966240632012-09-09T19:30:00.001-07:002012-09-10T12:48:34.875-07:00Pictures!Here are some random pictures from the trip so far! Enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTGsyDkW7XeMIWehIo5L51TX2Q_fYDWciWe51KCOPoR6IXnAEDPKQad0BzylU7Le5H9PHyeCt1SbuG0uIp268EyASinhqdK9E6rYWOSu2CK_aOLS1rxYUBbFEBF4oVHXKxtXUxxJjzjOw/s1600/P1030460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTGsyDkW7XeMIWehIo5L51TX2Q_fYDWciWe51KCOPoR6IXnAEDPKQad0BzylU7Le5H9PHyeCt1SbuG0uIp268EyASinhqdK9E6rYWOSu2CK_aOLS1rxYUBbFEBF4oVHXKxtXUxxJjzjOw/s640/P1030460.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am taking an Andinismo (mountaineering) class and so we practice repelling from the gym ceiling!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jrGhfZQnQunAlmdDbN3ui5F1yY3Uoo88aSoLtFORKkx4mLo1nMcovGDDFKOnOpDbQeDorpz7xJL8hhbbL2SSu_DToLq41XRYsVIq0nk21N9eY7KKeVhcJIxDjjAC8GWYxUxROvCDHwh3/s1600/P1030430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jrGhfZQnQunAlmdDbN3ui5F1yY3Uoo88aSoLtFORKkx4mLo1nMcovGDDFKOnOpDbQeDorpz7xJL8hhbbL2SSu_DToLq41XRYsVIq0nk21N9eY7KKeVhcJIxDjjAC8GWYxUxROvCDHwh3/s640/P1030430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the International Student welcome party, we played a giant game of flip cup- 3 tables.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7OnyVbCVyg4MlhIDZp7H5ajb4OWaHXwB2vnOHgFST5oA1SK6gNinKofqpRmA7FW6WsYMl5rCLAFh9iVq5wdfxROup_m3OwVpZndlc4s-1b-CTwlO0cuhcpX9IfkkN8X7GGdoHDRFXzuq/s1600/P1030589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7OnyVbCVyg4MlhIDZp7H5ajb4OWaHXwB2vnOHgFST5oA1SK6gNinKofqpRmA7FW6WsYMl5rCLAFh9iVq5wdfxROup_m3OwVpZndlc4s-1b-CTwlO0cuhcpX9IfkkN8X7GGdoHDRFXzuq/s640/P1030589.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view of Quito from the top of Pichincha. We took the Teleferico (ski lift type thing) up and then hiked a bit further. As you can see, there have been fires all over the city recently. Many of the locals think it is arson. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQJIlJSZ6oBdd6GsAAMuZa2b4QslKzAL215U93FfZd2ZfkwcgXp-Mz4EMJotDNfF_37g6YgRun68-VXlanFZ5fMcDznwVWPtyKCBdlyIyNES_2U4XLEsI0zSKAU5e7pyAGQOrfxxmOpC4/s1600/P1030623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQJIlJSZ6oBdd6GsAAMuZa2b4QslKzAL215U93FfZd2ZfkwcgXp-Mz4EMJotDNfF_37g6YgRun68-VXlanFZ5fMcDznwVWPtyKCBdlyIyNES_2U4XLEsI0zSKAU5e7pyAGQOrfxxmOpC4/s640/P1030623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of Pichincha, we just lay in the grass and looked at the city and mountains. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Narcissa, Marcelo, Pato, and David playing a game called Zapo. They NEVER got tired of this game and played constantly. It involves throwing big brass washers at holes in a piece of wood. Our kitchen is the building in the picture. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4umqoIwMC-qp9IsI8mx13__IQ5lfqALT7vVLQ8ai7bsHG2dqvVmUHxjCAgkQjX7NyRgNv1n0J0rCTo5V6b1DlJc6ymh_rMAinwslewUbI9aVc0egSq32p34vH8-zcxdy6x85hKkFiIQAt/s1600/P1020672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4umqoIwMC-qp9IsI8mx13__IQ5lfqALT7vVLQ8ai7bsHG2dqvVmUHxjCAgkQjX7NyRgNv1n0J0rCTo5V6b1DlJc6ymh_rMAinwslewUbI9aVc0egSq32p34vH8-zcxdy6x85hKkFiIQAt/s640/P1020672.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a few baby guinea pigs while I was there! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpC_46XP0IFZc-WgpmRuqoOeNusPKgFJClX0OpHVvhyphenhyphencTAV6-m6gCDt417ACpI__wrVzORs9pjpK9XWEMGFm3blafTPXHOBmIQI9y0PVnt63vCnAyQ9oybsL9nKjin4eom4lOZacfldJm/s1600/P1020704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpC_46XP0IFZc-WgpmRuqoOeNusPKgFJClX0OpHVvhyphenhyphencTAV6-m6gCDt417ACpI__wrVzORs9pjpK9XWEMGFm3blafTPXHOBmIQI9y0PVnt63vCnAyQ9oybsL9nKjin4eom4lOZacfldJm/s640/P1020704.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Sangay, the 1 year old oso de anteojos (sunglasses bear). He is extremely friendly but we can't touch him. He eats oatmeal and fruit- I'm not sure how he's growing so quickly on such a small diet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVUWzOp-SJDmfiYs_aFCLpUsNRFRttJFBpUIxG-beGRAaDOfbsZ30OpOacEe6_VQDqNhKDm5tjt_SCBwHXAFA4LNahPyOPXKPK5IwQcM9Oe7j-wNaFdbZuBmC9i4BvjW5q457Tn2AuCW8/s1600/P1020729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVUWzOp-SJDmfiYs_aFCLpUsNRFRttJFBpUIxG-beGRAaDOfbsZ30OpOacEe6_VQDqNhKDm5tjt_SCBwHXAFA4LNahPyOPXKPK5IwQcM9Oe7j-wNaFdbZuBmC9i4BvjW5q457Tn2AuCW8/s640/P1020729.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the only friendly horses. While the guys were changing the sprinklers, I would try and get over my fear of horses by petting this guy. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5wBXDnhFKBZ6wg98UGXIez5Vi-70UPK_nHjRutfuWbIHMuZweJiin_F6hny425_vu1zU_1yvfZFkEf8mTapG4vD6UBthMgOWxA6HYJU6E1GdxWJFE9DouWQME0S-o8_u7oKJHpnTJxwU/s1600/P1030191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5wBXDnhFKBZ6wg98UGXIez5Vi-70UPK_nHjRutfuWbIHMuZweJiin_F6hny425_vu1zU_1yvfZFkEf8mTapG4vD6UBthMgOWxA6HYJU6E1GdxWJFE9DouWQME0S-o8_u7oKJHpnTJxwU/s640/P1030191.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last weekend on the farm, the three of us went camping up the mountain where there is a little cabin. No water, electricity, nothing. We hiked around during the day but what was really scary was when Muneca (in the picture) got stuck in a big thorn bush at night about a kilometer from our camp. We thought she was being eaten by a puma so we ran out with sticks and light and tried finding her in the forest. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8gciS6Bt_YclTIpOw8u_ejM6xSxOF5MphY28YtriPC40L03ih83i1nVFtNxuFLTxdFtyQH_B3SMr4WKIZTwCUwJOs5yDwMjmZcdZmlgZA76Higi2tQXg8vx620C3zvrZXNLYo3QI5UVI/s1600/P1030244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8gciS6Bt_YclTIpOw8u_ejM6xSxOF5MphY28YtriPC40L03ih83i1nVFtNxuFLTxdFtyQH_B3SMr4WKIZTwCUwJOs5yDwMjmZcdZmlgZA76Higi2tQXg8vx620C3zvrZXNLYo3QI5UVI/s640/P1030244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On one of the last days, Marcelo let me ride one of the horses bareback. It was so calm!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3aEcruxLw_Fsk029rpiXOkn99EqEpa-T7BskUId_MUaSznmlNuM5zaOSO-27KiJFwheGAZf4Btgwy0osEuNI4kC7UcNWbiQvYCYqF-XnV8IEQR9Z_qN1jfCTkkH1H0unST7ozdS60het/s1600/P1030273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3aEcruxLw_Fsk029rpiXOkn99EqEpa-T7BskUId_MUaSznmlNuM5zaOSO-27KiJFwheGAZf4Btgwy0osEuNI4kC7UcNWbiQvYCYqF-XnV8IEQR9Z_qN1jfCTkkH1H0unST7ozdS60het/s640/P1030273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite goat, which I called Maldito (little fucker- loosely translated). He would run away from the pack and just didn't care if I tried herding him in a different direction. All the goats had unique personalities. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCseSigRvLGze97NaqHgQxPZLB4DmZ7tC3sHAOe4ygGyioHL1cwovqvsQUm__FfPQHdi_kIV3_wpNKIYLVIHHQbHu1VBKlN1PXWGw0v2CS9FgGmGv_wBFEzYqEHZLe24rW42OJ-VtjFlMh/s1600/P1030280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCseSigRvLGze97NaqHgQxPZLB4DmZ7tC3sHAOe4ygGyioHL1cwovqvsQUm__FfPQHdi_kIV3_wpNKIYLVIHHQbHu1VBKlN1PXWGw0v2CS9FgGmGv_wBFEzYqEHZLe24rW42OJ-VtjFlMh/s640/P1030280.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a view of the mountain, Cotopaxi, where the farm was located. I feel such a strong connection to this mountain since I woke up to it, worked underneath it, and lay in the grass in the evenings and gazed at it's glaciers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF9MaFPajZtLUfTVwU3vl8CGC-CcuelSxO4-fAmLeiT8PW_e_nbvJqfD6MbQ6RRbRNaOeKTxHrClQRh4-sjFbPwWF2XfiPZ-P8A4Q4TkKHmzVus3-9uDJgrLKh129lW_nBVHcUQm9Jvgh/s1600/P1030302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF9MaFPajZtLUfTVwU3vl8CGC-CcuelSxO4-fAmLeiT8PW_e_nbvJqfD6MbQ6RRbRNaOeKTxHrClQRh4-sjFbPwWF2XfiPZ-P8A4Q4TkKHmzVus3-9uDJgrLKh129lW_nBVHcUQm9Jvgh/s640/P1030302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Muñeca, the queen of the farm. She ended up sleeping on my pillow next to me every night. Recently, she was bitten very badly by an unknown animal so I'm hoping that she is able to recover. </td></tr>
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<br />Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-25023654349411359012012-09-08T07:42:00.003-07:002012-09-10T12:47:58.663-07:00How to get your purse stolen in QuitoLast night, my friend's purse disappeared. I say disappeared because we still have no idea how it was stolen. Anyways, my friend Erin and I went to a bar with three Ecuadorian guys that we had been out with a few times before. The bar wasn't crowded at all- in fact we were the only group in that section of the bar. Erin put her purse on her side and I was talking to her so I had full view of the purse the entire time. We were there for an hour or two and Erin went to the bathroom and left her purse on the bench next to me. I talked to one of my friends and both of us were two feet from the purse. I am a very aware person especially in situations like this and I can say for sure that I did not see anyone even come close to our table. When Erin came back from the bathroom, she freaked out because her purse was gone. That's how fast it happens.<br />
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The sad part is, two waiters and the bar owner came over to see what had happened and started yelling at the guys we were with and saying that they had stolen the purse. This is ridiculous because they are our friends and we were talking to them the entire time. I yelled back at the bar owner and told him it was either the waiters or the group next to us. The purse of course didn't show up and so I took Erin home and attempted to get into her apartment without keys. I felt so bad for her. Getting your purse stolen is an awful, gut dropping feeling and since last night, I am a bit scared to go out with a purse. I always have it over my shoulder or looped through my arm, but as last night showed, it happens in a split second.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-2845772096037872312012-09-05T15:41:00.003-07:002012-09-10T12:47:43.098-07:00Hiking Quilotoa<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvRVMvsb-WMgG54bdbS7lQbh-AkZr_ihJ9skvLNDP4GPf1bSVHIAEEwvDbZs1_QKHpKVmIKht3Yli1UQE5xXAkDbb60OhckA468GMfsKYZ7iBWI3SnYZo8EkiALcd18cKjkTpbcFLpanG/s1600/P1030030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvRVMvsb-WMgG54bdbS7lQbh-AkZr_ihJ9skvLNDP4GPf1bSVHIAEEwvDbZs1_QKHpKVmIKht3Yli1UQE5xXAkDbb60OhckA468GMfsKYZ7iBWI3SnYZo8EkiALcd18cKjkTpbcFLpanG/s320/P1030030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our situation on the bus ride</td></tr>
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This weekend we were feeling more adventurous and headed out to Quilotoa- a lagoon that, according to legend, has no bottom. We arrived in Latacunga and caught a bus last minute to the city of Quilotoa. Maddy and Taryn sat behind the drive and I sat on the engine hood. The men in the doorway felt more than comfortable pressing their squishy butts against my legs and I kept trying to adjust my position on the hot engine hood. About five minutes into the ride, the bus stopped at a police checkpoint and the driver turned to his assistants in the door and said "What do I do? What do I do!" I thought that was weird, but we got through the checkpoint and five minutes after that the bus stopped and the driver switched with one of the men in the doorway. He quickly showed the man where the brake was, how to open the door, and which gear the clutch usually got stuck on. Maddy, Taryn and I stared wide-eyed at this situation and sat there frozen, contemplating if we should get off the bus or not. We decided to stay and after a while, I asked the first driver why he couldn't finish the trip. He looked at me like I was crazy and said that he had had five beers before the trip- how could he possibly drive? I nodded and just went along with the strange situation I had gotten myself into.<br />
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After driving over the icy mountain pass, the bus stopped in the outskirts of the town Zimbahua. All the passengers were confused and I asked the bus driver what happened. He shrugged and said they ran out of gas. How they run out of gas on a trip they take three times a day is a mystery to me. The three of us grabbed our backpacks and made the trek into the town center where we found a decent hostel with hard pillows and not-quite-cold showers.<br />
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The next morning we ate a breakfast of chicken and beets and grabbed a camioneta to Quilotoa. We found a hostel on the edge of the crater. We packed up ready for the big hike and headed out in the cold wind. The lagoon is absolutely amazing with the jagged sides and the turquoise water. We hiked down the steep path to the water- where we thought the hike started. We got to the bottom and asked a guide where the trail started. He gave us a weird look and told us the hike was around the top which meant another hour hiking straight uphill. Oops. Once at the top, we realized we didn't have enough time for the hike so we hung out at the hostel.<br />
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We woke up really early again the next morning and headed out. The hike was gorgeous but pretty difficult. Many times we were inches from the edge with a strong wind blowing us around. When we finished six hours later, we ate some chicken kabobs and met a couple who offered to drive us all the way to Latacunga. This weekend was a nice change of pace from the farm and I loved the amazing scenery. I completely recommend this hike to anyone going to Ecuador!!Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542708902432790004.post-35749549637330852832012-09-04T15:13:00.001-07:002012-09-04T15:14:43.876-07:00Personal Space in Ecuador cont. For example: I was riding the bus today and although it was pretty crowded, there was enough room for people to stand comfortably. I was standing towards the back of the bus and at one stop, about five people got on and a woman decided it was appropriate to press her entire body up against me. I was backed up against a seat and there was nothing I could do to avoid feeling every inch of her body and having my nose about an inch from hers.<br />
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This happens in different situations on just about every bus ride. Also, when you are standing in line at the grocery store or anywhere else, the person in back of you will be breathing over your shoulder, guaranteed. Sometimes I pretend to trip over myself just to give them a little bump backwards. Not that this lack of personal space is bad, I just prefer not breathing other people's air.Louisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297257777821237294noreply@blogger.com0