Hi family and friends! It’s the Program Coordinators Stephanie and Camilo writing to say that the GU2C Crew arrived safely and happily to Guaranda today. The adventure started with an early departure from our hotel in Quito. At 7:30am, we boarded our bus to Guaranda with peanut butter and pineapple jelly sandwiches in hand. The morning sun shone bright in Quito, signaling a beautiful day for travel. And a beautiful day it was. Our bus descended from the mountains into the green valleys surrounding Quito and five hours later we began to ascend as we passed by the great Volcano Chimborazo – the snow-capped, majestic mountain that overlooks Guaranda. Stay tuned because we will soon have another adventure in Chimborazo!
We arrived to Guaranda around one in the afternoon and had a brief but loving welcome by the hotel owner – Paul – and his wife – Paulina. Today, the Glimpsers also met their lunch provider – Vicente – during our lunch at his restaurant ‘Feroz’ [fierce in English]. We ate lunch “Ecuadorian style” – soup, second course, and juice. Chicken soup and steak with rice and mashed potatoes sent everyone into protein and carb overloads, but it was much needed after the long journey from Quito. There was no time to nap or fall into food comas, though, because immediately after lunch we went to the museum – La Guitarra – with our stellar transportation provider, Andrea.
Fun times on Andrea’s bus!
At La Guitarra, the Glimpsers learned that Guaranda is known for Carnaval. Carnaval takes place 40 days before Easter and it’s a time for Guarandeños and Ecuadorians alike to enjoy the sinfully good pleasures of life; Carnaval is also the festival of falling in love and coming together as a community. The Glimpsers learned about the traditions of Carnaval: the music, food, instruments, talcum powder, perfumed water, and water balloons. The best part was putting their learning into practice. Together with Taita Carnaval Indigena and his merry band of Carnavaleros, the Glimpsers played Carnaval on the roof of the museum. Dancing to music with talcum powder flying in the air and a beautiful backdrop of Guaranda below. It was a marvelous sight. From the Carnaval celebration, we learned how love, community, and celebration are at the heart of Guarandeño culture. Not very different from what is at the heart of Glimpser culture.
Glimpsers with Taita Carnaval and the Carnavaleros
The evening activities started with dinner at our other exceptional food provider – Criss. Cristina, the main chef and owner, served us chicken with rice, french fries, and a salad. And, as is customary in Ecuador, she offered the Glimpsers a ‘tecito’ [a little tea] to help with digestion and warm them up before bedtime. The evening ended with our first nightly meeting, and the torch was passed to our Global Glimpse Leaders who will be the leaders for tomorrow. All in all, everyone ended the day exhausted but excited for the adventures still to come.
GU2C looking beautiful in the Guaranda sun
Hi CJ, fellow Glimpsers and Leaders! Glad you arrived safe and are settling in. Sounds like you had a wonderful first day. Glad to see blue skies and many smiles! I hope this trip will be a great adventure for everyone with lasting memories and friendships! Thank you Stephanie and Camilo for posting pictures and posting the blog. We look forward to future updates.
CJ- we miss you! Sending you big hugs!
xoxo- mom, dad, jam, ab and buster
Hi Oliver and all the Glimpsers! What a fantastic start to the trip! It sounds amazing. Miss you here at home but love seeing what a great adventure you are having.
Love, Mom
Carnaval sounds very cool. We’re so excited that you got experience this while you’re there! We hope you’re taking lots of pictures Adam. We don’t see you holding your camera… (even 4000 miles away, your mother can still nag you. xoxo.)
And thank you to whoever took these pictures for the blog. Nice and big with lots of happy faces. We can really get a feel for where you are! So far the weather looks great.
hey, Scarlett I’m hopefully going to the rink soon p.s. darian sending your streaks suck he’s acting so weird about them. hopefully, you’re eating well don’t get sick on the TRIP if you do it’s a big bummer 🙁 have fun on the trip HEHE and WHATEVER YOU DO DON’T MISS AMERICAN FOOD HEHE OKAY BYE!!!!!!!
Thanks so much Stephanie and Camilo for sharing the day and great photos with us. We love seeing our kids! Can’t wait to hear about tomorrow’s adventures in Guaranda. Have a good evening everyone. (Hi Quinn!!)
Hey Amie! Wow you eat better than us back home. I hope you’re having a good time! Must be nice to be off your phone so you can finally take everything in! I’m jealous you’re getting to learn about Carnaval! Sounds dope. Also, I think Helena’s the only one doing your streaks but issok. Obviously this is Sarena writing, but Angelika says hiii and she misses you and that she hopes you’re doing ok and making a lot of friends! Hope the Polaroid is being put to good use! I’m expecting a lot of pictures (even with the old camera). Dad’s excited for you to come home. I feel like it’s been 2 weeks already, but it’s only been like 2 days… Take care of yourself! Mom and dad send their love 🙂
Nice to see everyone having so much fun. Thank you so much for sharing pictures.. I love you Jocelyn..
yoooo betsy! It’s Monica and we really miss you out here. Starburst is winning Spirit Week! I hope you’re having fun out there. Be safe! remember your cream for your rash… we don’t want it to spread!!