Hi everyone!
Sorry we were unable to post last night; we did not get to our hotel until 2 am! So after 5 hours of sleep, it was time to get moving again. We had stayed in a hotel with a great rooftop view of Quito.
View from hotel in Quito
had breakfast on the road since the drive to Riobamba was 4 hours. We are all exhausted. But despite being exhausted, we still had a great day today! Once we checked in and settled down, we played some get-to-know you games and then had a yummy lunch. We had chicken with papas fritas, delicious fruit juice, and chocolate pudding for dessert. After lunch we learned about the history of our hostel, La Primavera. It has served as a site for community activism of the indigenous and local peoples here in Riobamba for over 50 years (and the building itself is over 100 years old)! After that, it was time to learn some new dance moves! We were introduced to some native dancers and they taught us their traditional dances. We learned four different dances and we even got to wear some traditional attire. We have to say, we were all very impressed with the students moves!
Traditional Dance
Learning new dance moves and having fun!
Next, students learned how to be an awesome Leader of the Day (Leader Del Dia), and we went over some rules and expectations on how to make the most of their experience here. During free time, bonding was clearly there from playing games such as ultimate frisbee to soccer to cards. We are getting such good energy and participation from this group that we know the rest of the trip will be amazing!
We plan on reading the comments to this blog post to students so please please comment! It will mean the world to them.
We are looking forward to another awesome day tomorrow exploring the city and learning how to cook traditional foods. So now we pass the torch to our first Leaders Del Dia- Jared and Rashad!
BIG LOVE! Emily, Marie, and Tayson
MARIA MOS!!! I’m so glad you arrived safely :’)) have so much fun!! real fam misses you already <3
Miss you my daughter Maria Lance Ralye Lopez , love yah , take care always & God bless …
Awww! I am so happy to hear about you, and very glad you make it safe at Quito, and now at Rio Bamba, please! Say hi to my daughter Nickole Barron from all of us, we missing her allready, but we are so happy she is having a great time. Have a great time everyone! ?♀️
What a terrific Ecuadorian experience to dance and dine all together in Riobamba! Make the most of your time there and look forward reading more about your journey!
#kerbohana #diggysayshi
I am just as excited as all the kids are to know about what they’ve been up. I am very happy about their having this experience. It will make them better persons and leaders for tomorrow. I wish you all the best!
Wow so busy!! Truly the trip of a lifetime! We are all following the blog so that we won’t miss out. Can’t wait for more stories.
xoo Karima
Wonderful to hear that today was an educational and fun day! Appreciate the pictures! Enjoy your time there E!
Looks like you’ve hit the ground running! No better way to connect than food and dance. Everyone looks engaged and happy, despite the long haul and lack of sleep. Enjoy –
Thank you Emily, Marie and Tayson for accompanying them all safely to Riobamba. The photos are lovely. It looks like the weather is cooperating too. We are all so excited for your great adventure, the learning and the friendships.
You will hear from us as much as you post. We are eager to hear from you all.
Enjoy, especially Debbie Z!
M
What a wonderful first day! Pilar, great dance moves.
❤️ Mom
Hello Tavelers,
We are parents to Bryanna and as parents we are relieved to hear that you have made it to your destinations safely. The hotel view was a great view indeed. The traditional photos you have shared were great an insight for us to experience from afar. A picture can say a thousand words. I look forward to the next post and we await anxiously. Enjoy the next adventure. Thank you for sharing!
PS. Bryanna we miss and love ya!
Mr. & Mrs. Arias
Everyone looks so happy!
Glad you all made it safe. Looks like everyone had a fun and productive day! Can’t wait to read more about the coming adventures!
You all look like you’re having such a good time! Love and miss you Pilar! That skirt is so fitting!!!
Hi Emi! Sounds like you’re starting your experience on a positive note! Journal journal! Love from Hawaii!
Awesome pics. Hope everyone is having fun. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to embrace new cultures and experiences when traveling.
Also wanted to HI to Angelina Young from Dad. Keep up the blog. Love to see more.
Hi everyone! Glad to know that you all made it there safe. Kudos to the coordinators who shared these pictures. It really made us parents feel good seeing their son/daughter having fun while learning another culture.
Regards to my son Jared and good job for being one of the first leaders of the day. Learn and absorb as much as you can. This opportunity only comes once in a while. Have fun and stay safe. We miss you and love you so much. God bless.
We hope this experience will help them to take very good decisions in their future. Have fun?
Greetings!
Glad to hear from all of you that you made it safe. Enjoy all of your time there!
Best Wishes!
Hello GGls and Group: Happy to know that after long day flying and lacking of sleep, you had such a fun 1st day at Riobamba! Beautiful view of Quito, thank you for sharing!! You all look cute with your traditional attires…. Son (Adrian), you look cute with your sombrero on, love you all, take care.
Hola felicidades a todos.
Julio te vimos en las fotos y nos ha dado mucho gusto. Este tiempo de aprendizaje es maravilloso. Aprovecha al máximo y da lo mejor de ti.
Gracias a ustedes los coordinadores por todo este tiempo dedicado a nuestros hijos.
Pictures look awesome!
Have fun.
Happy to hear you all made it safely!! Enjoy this experience to the fullest!!! Love you Bailey!
Such a great first report. Joseph and all your fellow travelers, enjoy exploring and learning about this new corner of the world. I love how well travelled your generation will be…as I am sure this will inspire many of you to study a semester or year abroad when you are in college. Your parents want you to, so we can come visit! You will NEVER regret any opportunity to see another part of the globe. Joseph, Benjamin said his stuff looks great in your room that he took over after you left…ha! Enjoy, MAHEJOBE
Wow looks amazing. Thanks for keeping us updated. It’s a bit of an adjustment not bring able to text with your kid everyday. Can’t wait to here more
What a wonderful experience for you all. Looking forward to hearing more stories and seeing more pictures. This is such an amazing opportunity for you to learn about a different culture. Enjoy! Love you Bailey Boo, have fun and stay safe!
Hello Everyone!
I am glad everyone arrived safely and had a filling first day! I pray for everyone’s safety and safe travels. I hope you all learn lots! I miss you sis!!! (Sister of Maria Lance Lopez)
-Love always
Ateh Roan
Hi pia. Is that you dancing? Maybe you can incorporate some of that experience when you get back from ecuador in your dance class. Be safe.
Your family