Our second day in Guaranda, Ecuador started off with (yet again) a brilliant breakfast from our favorite family restaurant, La Estancia. Immediately afterwards, our small party of 22 took a bus up a very bumpy but scenic hill to Tagma San José. There we met one of our three special guests for the day, Carlos Rea and his enthusiastic daughter Samay.
Carlos and his daughter then took us on an educating tour of the Tagma San Jose mountains where their family resides and flourishes off a completely self-sufficient lifestyle. On the tour, our speakers showed us a variety of flora and fauna both native and foreign to the region, such as a particularly intriguing tree that leaked a milky glue-like substance from its branches and leaves.
After arriving at a quaint accommodation, we were led to by Carlos, us Glimpsers had the honor and privilege to participate in an ancient ritual which honored nature and life existence. The ritual itself consisted of a circle of maíz (corn) kernels with a cross made from similar ingredients in the middle. The ritual required everyone to stand in a circle holding hands while simultaneously sending positivity to everyone’s respective family and Mother Earth. This segment was followed by an individual aspect where one person at a time would place a fruit (that we bought the day before at the local market) in the circle with a small thought of gratitude.
Carlos and his family then treated us to a homegrown sample of maíz, tomatoes, and beans – all which tasted extremely fresh and delicioso. After a quick game of volleyball – and a swift rescue of the ball from tumbling off a cliff by our Program Coordinator, Joshua, we were ready to make our way to the restaurant La Guilena.
The food and conversations at La Guilena were filled with meaning and warmth, leaving everyone inside with a stomach full of food and a heart full of rising feelings. We knew we were going to be participating in a water activity at La Guilena; we did not however, expect to wage a full on water war. The water fight ended dramatically with our entire group plotting a coup against one of our other Program Coordinators, Alex, and soaking him head to toe in a tub (not bucket) full of water.
Our fieldtrip came full circle with a festive celebration led by the actual Taita (master of ceremonies) of the Carnival in Ecuador. The Taita had on a bright red poncho and held the “torch” passed on to him by previous Taitas. The singing and dancing accompanied by a warm coffee (after a wet fight) and anticipation of the homely traditional treats, such as quimbolitos, prepared by the Glimpsers (consisting of a corn dough filled with either cheese or brown sugar and wrapped in corn leaves) was enough to create a comforting environment and satisfying end to Culture Day.
You guys had a fun and learning day, very good!; Maya, extrañaste el cafe frio?!, o te supo mejor el calientito despues del remojon?!????
Maya, I really hope you are having fun and that you are enjoying the food, we do miss you so take care.
Lots of walkinga and hiking. The ritual sounds so wonderful. The water game must have been fun. All in all sounds like you guys had a very interesting day.
Mayita espero que la estés pasando súper bien
Te quiero ?
What a fantastic day! It sounds like you all are sharing many wonderful experiences and are really bonding as a group. I love reading these blog posts!
Thanks for sharing, glimpsers! We’re all back here eager to read every word! Good food, interesting culture it sounds like. What is the experience where you are sleeping for the night? What do most people in Guaranda do in an average day? How do they think? What ideas do they have about what it must be like to live in the U.S.? Keep soaking it all in!
Such an AMAZING learning experience!
Yvee, looks like you’re having a great time. Brings me so much comfort. I miss you baby girl ❤️
Love, Mom
Hey Glimpsers!
My name’s Layla, this year’s GG intern in the Bay Area. I did Global Glimpse in 2016 and traveled to Constanza, Dominican Republic. However, I had such an incredible experience with GG that I wanted to keep doing something like it, and ended up deciding to take a gap year after graduation, and just got back from living in Ecuador for 7.5 months helping in a local school’s English department and living with a host family! I lived in the northern part of the Sierra in Ibarra, just a couple hours north of Quito, and never got the chance to visit Guaranda, but I can just imagine how much fun you’re all having with GG and in Ecuador. I loved reading this blog post (thanks LDDs, Richa and Akshay!). It took me back to when I was still in Ecuador and celebrated my first carvanal. I had it crazy. Wood shavings, paint, egg, foam—everything—in my hair, on my clothes, in my ears, haha. Anyways, I look forward to re-living my GG trip and Ecuador vicariously through your blogs. I hope you’re enjoying the breath-taking views of nature and volcanoes, the new local food, and experiencing the beautiful culture of Ecuador. Also, make sure to try some granadillas while you’re there. They’re a little slimy, but they’re new favorite fruit and I’m seriously missing them right now. Love seeing the Spanish, by the way. ¡Buen trabajo! Nos vemos, Layla
Great to hear nice story and pictures look so beautiful.
Sounds like you are learning so much while having so much fun!! Can’t wait to hear how you are enjoying the food, Makena? We had tacos last night for Father’s Day but I’m sure your food was MUCH better! Love hearing about all of your adventures – hope you are using your Spanish! xoxo, mom
Maya, que bueno que estas aprendiendo a trabajar para que cuadno llegues a la casa la limpies tu :p