We’ve been waking up super early for English tutoring, and today we got to sleep in. While we miss our kids, it was a nice change. That 30 minutes really meant a lot.
We got extra sleep because today we were going to visit an important place in the Ecuadorian Cosmo Vision, Chimborazo. Chimborazo is called Taita Chimborazo, which means the father of white ice. Chimborazo is also the closest point to the sun on earth!
It was really really windy there. At the top, we felt like we got slapped a bunch of times by little rocks because the wind kept blowing sand and pebbles into us. It was also hard to breathe because of the altitude, but we still had a lot of fun. People were always checking in, helping, and laughing with each other. Even people who struggled didn’t complain at all because it was so much fun. Getting to share this new experience with everyone made it fun.
On our hike, we saw a bunch of new animals like the Ecuadorian Hillstar Hummingbird (or Oreotrochilus Chimborazo). We also saw Vecuñas, which are relatives of llamas and alpacas. On the trail, we also saw native plants including the paper tree, chuquiraguas, an orange flower that hummingbirds drink from, and orejas de conejo (rabbit ears). The trail followed a small river, which was formed by the water coming from the Chimborazo.
We also saw traditional houses made of adobe and straw along the route.
Bryanna: I’ve never seen anything like this in my hometown. We talked about how I really liked the trail and the nature was really natural and didn’t seem forced. It was perfect the way it was. I now want to go hiking back in California. A few of us are planning on a reunion hike to Mission Peak.
Lunchtime was our favorite part. We stopped by the rio and just chilled and enjoyed nature with Chimborazo behind us in the background. The sound of the river was a new relaxing white noise that none of us had ever heard before.
We took a bunch of pictures and bonded—especially on the bus ride back.
After some rest, a few people went to the hardware store to purchase supplies for tomorrow’s CAP project. We’re very excited to work back at El Molino because we can give back. Being in Ecuador, we’ve been able to enjoy the nature, culture, food, and people of Ecuador. And now we finally get to give back. We hope we can give back a fraction of what we’ve gotten.
Today was also our special friend Rashad’s birthday! We sang to him Happy Birthday at every moment possible—including at breakfast. This was, of course, after we had already thrown a bunch of Happy Birthday balloons into his room at 6am. We also let him DJ on the bus ride. At dinner, we surprised him with a birthday cake.
Overall, today was very unique day where we got to feel close to the earth and away from the city life. We pass on the leader torch to Nickole, Ophelia, and Maria!
Bryanna: “Can you tell my mom [that] I’m sick……I miss you mom and faby ..specially faby duh! And I miss Nala and Mickey and Lagunita and even the fat fish haha AND mom can u screen shot this and send it to my father “TO Dad te extraño muchisimo y Como no tengo mi telefono yo ha estado jugando futbol todo los Dias asi que ya soy professional y vamos a ver quien es el pro” And mom tell Tuto Nina And Audrey I miss them okok bye mom im sick so when I get back can you love me super more than the usual lots of love that we usually share okok bye. Fobz can’t wait to get back and have tons of laughs and love cuz we are so hilarious and I miss our conversations. ok LOVE YOU GUYS BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pilar: “Hey Mom, Dad and Heidi I miss you so much and I hope that you’re having a good time back home or in Barbados. Also hi Shai! I miss you a lot, and I hope that work is going well. Please set up your voicemail so I can call you. (Mom if you see this text her to tell her :-)). I’ll try to call as soon as I can. And whoever is picking me up from the airport please get me a medium iced caramel coffee with cream from Dunkin’. That would be great thank you.
Eric: If you are reading this then it is too late. (Join French Club at Mt Eden, meetings every other Wednesdays at A9)
Hey Kate! It’s good to see you having so much fun in such a beautiful place. I hope you took a lot of pictures because I want to see them when you come back. It was so good to hear from you today and we all hope to hear from you again very soon. It’s so beautiful and you sure are one lucky duck being able to go! See you soon! (Also mumbles has been very depressed since you’ve left so she misses you a lot too.)
Which one are you pia?
Hey Rashad,
I can’t believe you actually hiked that. Now you have no excuse not to hike mission peak with me when you get back. Happy birthday my love. I can’t wait to celebrate with you in a couple of days. I’m sorry that I missed your call today, but it was senior portraits day. I have a picture keychain waiting for you 😉
I miss you loads. Things aren’t the same without you here. But I know you’re having a lot of fun & doing important work & i’m super proud of you.
Call me again if you get the chance. I love you. See you soon.
Mel
Oooh! I’m so happy that today was a great day for all of you guys, we enjoy watching all pics from you, I am saving to my phone all this pics ? Happy birthday Rashad!! I was waiting to see you hiking at the chimborazo. And I’m so glad that all of you miss home and family allready, We miss you too Nickole, and we are waiting to hear all the adventures you are having there after you get home. I am so excited to see you tomorrow been leader of the day. XOXO Mom, Dad and sisters ?
Hey Maria! I miss you so much, and so do the rest of us (Real Fam). We keep on forgetting you’re in Ecuador lol. I’m so glad that you joined Global Glimpse and were able to experience what I did. Have fun and babe I’ll be mad at you if you didnt eat guinea pig. Imy and i know you wont stay cold because you have my jacket 😉 see you soon babe :)))
That day trip looks pretty incredible! Such beautiful scenery & blue skies, I am sure you all slept well after that trek :). So Joseph… glad I forced you to pack the fleece hat and gloves?!! Love the faces on those baby vecunas, they look like really annoyed llamas. On Sunday Benjamin takes off for his Mountain bike camp, so he’ll be in the mountains soon too. I might hike to Long Lake with Brody after I drop him off. So great seeing that pic of you kid 🙂
DEBBIEEE!! The hike pictures look so cool! Sounds like you had a ton of fun, I’m very jealous. Love the hat too btw.
But also, today was Outside Lands Day 1 and I just thought you should know that Billie Eilish killed it!! She hurt her foot a few days ago and still did her whole performance with a boot on…a Louis Vuitton boot at that. Honestly such a cool, talented, 16 year old. I took a video of My Boy for you and thought of you when she sang it:)
I heard you called Mom and Dad today, I wish I was there:( Sorry if my comments are getting annoying or something, but it’s cuz I miss you so much!!!
Sounds like today was a good bonding time! Looked cold up there! E-we’ll be helping at Obon. Aunty L and Uncle S will be there but A will be working (yes, got a job at American Eagle!). See you soon! Enjoy the last leg of your trip!
Alright I set it up miss you so much sweet girl you look great in that poncho! I hope you’re having a wonderful time Ecuador looks amazing love you -Shai
Hola,
The wonder of nature glimpsers, you are lucky to be there. This unique experience will always live in your hearts. Keep up the great work! Feliz cumpleanos rashad! Thank you leaders of the day!
Best,
The images of Chimborazo are amazing. What a wonderful experience for all of you! Soak it in kids and embed those images in your brains. The bonds you’re creating and the exposure you’re getting last a lifetime. Bailey, it was so good to hear your voice today, albeit for just 60 seconds! Everyone back home misses you dearly and looks forward to sharing in this experience with you through your stories and pictures that make their way back home. Until then, live it up, laugh, embrace it all and have fun! Love you, Dad –
Wow! What a spectacular mountain that is. Joseph, we enjoyed the write-up and photos very much. You look great in the pic.
Thanasis & Kate
Loved reading about your “day off”. Hiking in that beautiful landscape must have been amazing.
Pilar, thank you for your message. You look so happy! I’m back from my trip. Miss you and love you! -Mom
Hey Val it’s lily again, I suck at keeping up to date but I did some college stuff and been SHISHTER STRESSED but I hope you’re doing well and I hope I’m sending these messages right cuz if I’m not imma look like booboo the fool anyways love you and miss you – love shishter lily :))
Vacunas!!! So beautiful up there…this really is an experience you will have forever…Missing you beyond…can’t wait to hear everything…any textile action?? Love you Raphaella!!! xoMeme
Jena, we’re following you daily and missing you as much as you’re enjoying this fabulous adventure – and wishing we’d had one like it. So live it, love it, to the hilt.
Love,
Grama and Pops
What a beautiful part of the world! The rocks and snow-capped mountains look amazing! E-, where are you in the group photo? Can’t figure out which one is you!!!
Uncle Scott, James, and Tony along with Aunty Lauren, Jane, and Teri were at Obon tonight. Beautiful day in the low 90s became a chilled evening around the 70s. Got to dance to the Pokemon dance. Unfortunately, no Ei Ja Na Ka this year.
Love, Dad, Mom, and R.
Hi Debbie. That is so cool for you and the rest to go up the peak of Chimborazo. I can tell that it must be really cold as you’re all wrapped up. l’m sorry I missed your calls. I happened to be in meetings when you tried calling. I was actually waiting the other day because the blogs said that that will also be a free day. I wasn’t expecting your call yesterday. But at least you got to talk to Mom and she said you’re fine even though you cried at the end. Anyway, make the most of the remaining days in Ecuador. This is a very unique and special experience for you and I hope you don’t forget the places you visited, the friends you made and the things you learned. Do you get to use your camera? I miss you! I love you!
Love, love, love the view! Belated Happy Birthday Rashad!
Debbie, this must be a really super fun experience to treasure and remember. I miss our treks and we should plan one soon after you get home.
I hope you are staying strong and healthy.
I know am a bit behind with notes but we never miss a post!
Take care and do great work! Love, Mom
That like looks amazing and beautiful. What an experience! Fantastic photos. Miss you Abby! So glad we disn’t miss your call this time. Anticipating the next day’s adventure!
love to see a glimpse of my daughter Maria Lance Ralye Lopez , take care my dear .. miss you much …
Hello Travelers,
The more I read about your travels the more I would like to experience Ecuador myself. You are a great group and seem to really bond.
Bryanna: I sent to your Dad and to Fobz! ? You are sick? My poor baby … hope you get better soon. Love ya lots! We have been sending you texts so when you get your phone you can catch up!
Viajadores- Esperamos nuevas noticias sobre sus aventuras. Adios!