Hola from Riobamba!
Today, we glimpsers were presented with an unique challenge- we had to spend the day living like a local, using no more than a single dollar. From the moment ‘Lights Out’ was called the night before, we did not have access to electricity in our hostel. It’s surprisingly hard to get dressed at 5:30 in the morning without an illuminating source of light!
We left Riobamba at 6:30, travelling to a beautiful farm in a small town, Guamote. As a part of the experience, we were not allowed to use our cameras for the entire day (which was extremely difficult, because the route we took was so scenic). The road to Guamote was stunning, surrounded by emerald green hills, tiny streams, and rolling fog.
The farm we visited is owned by Cesar, a humble and ever smiling farmer. Once we reached our destination, we got a tour of the farm and were able to meet a baby calf (only 8 days old), pigs, cuy (guinea pigs, which some of us were lucky enough to hold), along with Cesar and his family.
At this time, the group split up, some of us cooking, others planting peas, and yet another group harvesting corn. I took on the role of a ‘chef’ along with three other glimpsers and our leader Amanda. Together, we shelled fava beans and shucked corn, encountering quite a few beetles and worms in the corn husks.
The group that planted peas worked with Cesar and expressed admiration at the wonderful stories he told and at his never ending patience. Even when the glimpsers were struggling to create holes in the soil and to drop exactly five seeds into the dirt, he continued to encourage them and teach them. And that’s why they returned to the main farm three hours later, barefoot, muddy, but with glowing smiles and laughter.
Harvesting corn became an amazing memory for the other group. They started off thinking it would be easy, but the glimpsers quickly realized that it was a strenuous task, especially carrying sacks of corn up a small hill. However, they found motivation within themselves, singing songs as a group and bringing back beautiful dried corn in vivid hues of pink, orange, red, and black.
Everyone arrived at the main farm for lunch. While we sat together in a circle, sipping quinoa with milk, it began to rain. The perfection of the moment is almost indescribable. Every face was bright and genuinely happy, our hearts as warm as the drinks we held, and no one seemed to mind the gloomy clouds or rain. I’m sure many of us entered Living Like a Local Day expecting demanding and uncomfortable situations, but I know we all left it truly moved and inspired.
During our nightly meeting, we share ‘roses of the day’, moments that we cherish, and every single glimpser chose one from the farm. This experience truly changed the way we thought, allowing us to discover that we could extract happiness whenever and wherever we wanted to.
The night before we began to live like locals, we were presented with a quote, “At least once in your life you will need a doctor, a lawyer, and architect, but every day, 3 times a day, you will need a farmer.” It’s incredible realizing how ignorant most of us are about how much love and effort goes behind the food that we consume every day. After visiting Cesar’s farm, the group understood what it truly means to be humble, happy, successful, and how much work farming really is. We gained a new appreciation for generosity, watching the family happily share what they had with us, and seeing how truly excited they were to have us with them. Cesar revolves his farm around his family; he doesn’t farm for himself or for profit. He truly cares about his farm, and even though his organic methods of growing have garnered him attention, he pays no attention to it. Cesar surrounds himself with his passion and his family, two things that make him seem like the happiest man in the world. And after being touched by his sentiments and love today, I can surely say that we glimpsers walked out of the farm genuinely happy too.
Shout Outs:
“Today we worked in the field. I harvested corn. It was an inspirational experience, because working in the field showed me how much work farmers go through and how we take food for granted in the U.S. I can’t wait to tell you more about the experience!”- Abbie
“Hello everybody!”- Christian
“Hiiiiii! I might meet the mayor tomorrow! And I harvested corn today with two cute kittens! (We named them Nala and Charlie). I love you all and I’ll talk to you soon!”- Laynie
“I am so grateful for our in country staff, who arranged our schedule so we can watch the Mexico vs. Ecuador game tomorrow. So excited and can’t wait to see this game! Still haven’t received any info from that conference, but I’ll make sure to tell you guys when I can, Mom & Dad.” – Emanuel
“To Alondra: And I miss taking you out ): You were right about the dehydration thing… I wasn’t very good about drinking water yesterday! But I’ll be working on that because I don’t want to get sick. I love you!
To my family: I had an amazing time working in the fields today. The dirt was like powder snow, and I loved the simple action of digging holes, tossing seeds in, and kicking dirt over it. Love you all!” – Arjun
hey jumpy: warms the cockles of my heart that you do a shout out every day. i really appreciate it. we got banganapalli mangoes last week. meh!!! not the same without you. i guess all the time that you spend in the garden “helping me” has helped you in Rio Bamba.
Sandhya, thank you for your beautiful post detailing your work today. What an exceptional experience and it seems like y’all truly meditated on each aspect of what it means to run a farm, plant the crops, harvest the crops, and tend to the livestock. Sounds like working with your bodies opened up new understandings for all of you. Very powerful.
Arjun, glad to hear you had a positive experience working in the fields. Wondering how your ankle is doing. Hope it’s healing and that you’re feeling better.
Aunt Joy was sad to miss you today. We filled her in on all your exploits. She sends her love. As do I,
Amma
Hi Helena! I’m sure Nala and Charlie were a big help harvesting that corn 😉 I was so moved reading the blog. Such valuable life lessons were had today. It is a true testament of the grit and determination of all the locals, who do this day after day, year after year…finding pride and joy in their labor.
<3 <3 <3
Mom
Thanks for leaving me a shout out Arjun! Good. Drink a ton of water. I’m sure planting was fun 🙂 did you get to hold a guinea pig? guess what I did today?! Synchronized swimming as a staff bonding thing it was so fun I can’t wait to show you how to do it! Enjoy watching the Mexico vs Ecuador game! Miss you.
Hi everyone! So I just left about 5 other comments… I’ve been traveling myself and had some catching up to do. I am so very pleased to hear of your time today at the farm. Thank you for the detailed description, Sandhya, as I read I could picture all of you gathered for lunch with the rain falling. I especially appreciate your statement about discovering that you could extract happiness wherever and whenever you wanted to. That made me stop and think for quite a while. Very well put…You should think about a T-shirt line or something. But seriously, you all have captured so many deep truths and understandings in your short time there. I feel privileged that I will get to benefit personally from the wisdom gained by at least four of you. Arianna, Christian, Jenifer, and Katushka- love yall so much!
Hi Champ and Glimpsers !! Sandhya nice post, very detailing, I was moved reading your blog, almost felt like I was there. Every day is a new experience for you guys. Champ a quien le vas a ir en el partido? Mexico o Ecuador?. Manana toco y te dedicare una cancion, ya que siempre pienso en ti. Sigue aprendiendo de esta experiencia . quien es Baba Kanush?
Hi Erica & Maddie!
Hope you both enjoyed your day on the farm! I would have loved to see all the livestock! Sounds like there was a lot to learn and see. Take pictures (assuming you get to use them again 😉 )
Love you!
Mimi
Seems like an experience you will always remember. Keep up the good work 😡
I meant 🙂
Love the quote. So True. Sounds like such a memorable day.
Thank you, all, for your beautifully written and detailed blogs. I feel like I am living part of this excursion vicariously with you (or at least I feel like I have some understanding of what my daughter and the rest of you are experiencing). I love how these experiences are opening your perspectives on the world and how you are highlighting so many positive attributes in what you experience (well, maybe with the exception of the taste of guinea pig). Thank you, Abbie, for your daily shout outs. So great to “touch base” with you every day. Continue to soak it all in and live it all up, as you have been doing.
Nice post Sandhya! Sounded like a day packed of fun, happiness, excitement and inspiration!
Hello Marcus! Which group were you in? Cooking, planting peas or hatvesting corns? How did it feel like spending one dollar a day? It sounds almost impossible,right? But you’ve witnessed that some people in a different corner of the world do live humbly, yet happily. You don’t have to be rich to be happy! I know this amazing experience will never leave you.(:
I’m getting better with walking each day.Yeah! We miss you so much. Grandpa said hi. Looking forward to your call and daily greetings. Be safe and enjoy your days there!
Love you so!
Mom & Dad
What a beautiful day and wonderfully written blog!
Love this experience. Now that you are experienced in budget conscious living, I am sure you’ll be cool with this $1 living here in San Jose 🙂
By the way, it is a YES from Nordstroms!!!
Love from Ein and the rest of us.
Sandhya, Have fun !!!
Maddie and Erica,
What a wonderful day you two had! I just love reading the blogs and knowing that this is a life changing adventure.
Love,
Mama Anne
p.s. Bobby says Ecuador pretty well now!
Hello christian hope your doing great can’t wait till you get back so you can tell me with every little detail about your experiences you are greatly missed love you mijo be safe see you soon and hello to all your fellow glimpsers