Sorry for the delay in posting blog, but with the thunderstorms internet wasn’t functioning; alas enjoy!

¡Buenas tardes desde Riobama!

Our second day in Ecuador started really early as we left our hostel from Quito at 6:20 AM.  The whole delegation boarded the bus, and we began our 4 hour journey to our home away from home, Riobamba. Although many of us were tired, and slept on the bus, the drive had many picturesque breath taking views.

Once we arrived to our hotel, Tren Dorado we had our welcome/orientation seminar and were assigned our rooms. I think I speak for everyone when I say we were impressed at our accommodations. As the students got situated into their rooms, the adults had their first half of their adult leadership meeting.

We then proceeded to walk to Roma Santa which will be our food provider for our duration of time here in Ecuador and had lunch. The food was AMAZING, the atmosphere was welcoming and Isabel our cook is fantastic. After we finished our lunch we had a group energizer where we acted out some helpful trip savvy tips; just what we need as we began our Culture & safety orientation and our History mental warm up. Once we had the logistics, and our scavenger city worksheet we began our city tour. It was a great experience walking through the hustling and bustling streets of Riobamba, witnessing not only the historical sites of the city, but also observing the interaction of the people on the streets. Throughout the tour we learned a lot of history about what enriches the city of Riobamba and preserving the indigenous traditions, but can also see the Spanish influence in their architecture.

Once we ended our city tour at the post office–which originally was a bank before it went bankrupt, we had a surprise for all the walking we did, we ended getting Ice Cream. While we chilled to enjoy our ice cream and catch our breath students signed up for what day they are going to be student leader of the day. Once that was all sorted out, we headed back to our hotel and prepped for dinner back at Roma Santa. It was an entertaining dinner as we had a few glimpsers provide us with some entertainment…a dance party. It truly was unexpected, yet great to see the delegation coming together.

After dinner we made our trek, back to the hotel we had our first nightly meeting and debriefed about our day. Once our nightly meeting was over, we had our first self reflection seminar and thereafter had some free time, and most of us were wondering how the Golden State Warriors were doing? But at at end of the night glad to hear that the WARRIORS WON!

Well from all of us here in Riobamba, until next time Buenas Noches.