Today was our first free day! We used this opportunity to fully explore the city and relax. We started our day by waking up at 8:00am, eating a delicious breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, toast, cereal, and various fruits at 9:00am. After breakfast, we split into two groups to tour the city of Riobamba! Both groups went to the internet café to call home. Although we had some sentimental moments at the phone booth, the group still managed to have a fun day. Some of us went to Plaza Roja, buying ponchos and crêpes. Others, went to several camera stores and the Riobamba Train Museum. After going to the Train Museum, they came back to the hotel and had a jam session featuring Mamma Mia and The Lion King. Afterwards, we met up at the hotel to go to lunch at Roma Santa.
For lunch, we had white rice, chicken and fish, salad, yuca fries, and platanos. After lunch, many of the students decided to stay in the hotel to relax and socialize with each other. Some people got their hair done at the local hair salon. Then at 4:30pm, we separated into our English Tutoring groups to create lesson plans for the following week. We then had dinner at Roma Santa.
For dinner, we had spaghetti with a beef meat sauce, parmesan cheese, salad, and a wonderful selection of teas. Dinner was especially delicious, with extra love from Isabella and Nelson! We came back to the hotel and concluded our day with our daily nightly meeting, that included a lot of big love.
Shout Outs:
Dear Mom and Dad and Adhyr and Roby (and Nala),
Hey guys! I talked to you today but I just wanted to say hi again. Sorry for waking you up Adhyr and sorry that I couldn’t talk longer. But I love y’all! Don’t miss me too much!
-Akida Joseph
Hi Mom and Dad,
I’m having a lot of fun in Riobamba! I have learned a lot from the people here! See you soon!
-Tenzin
That’s great news.
Looks like a great culinary tour !
Happy to see everyone enjoying the trip their own way.
Looking forward to the next post!
Hello,
Asma & everyone!
Aww your first free day sounds like fun.
I’m glad you all enjoyed your day. Can’t wait to hear how the lessons are going.
Habib says hi & he misses you!
Love,
Jenny
Hi Akida we enjoyed talking with you today. You know that your big brother wanted to hear your voice as well, so that’s OK. Sounds like you are having fun. Be safe, have some yucca fries for me.
Love you! Miss you.
it was wonderful to hear your voice today! we miss you. keep warm; layers.
love,
the watsons
Hi everyone… super happy that you are all having an amazing time and experience. Love the blogs and especially the pictures.
To my baby girl Anais, so sorry you didn’t get to speak to either of us. I was on a plane so out of reach. You are missed dearly by all. And more than proud that you have the courage to be out there embracing all the beautiful things life has to offer. Hopefully I will hear your voice soon. Continue to enjoy yourself. Mami loves you muchisimo. God bless you all!
John & Chrissy, if another opportunity comes up that the kids can call us. Would it be possible to gives us a heads up here the night before so we can be more attentive to our phones? Especially since most parents work during the day. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Joelle, Chris, and Mia…I hope you guys are learning so much, enjoying yourselves, and making so many new friends in Ecuador! I can’t wait to get back to SOF and hear all about your trip.
Big love to you all and your delegation and your GGLs and PCs 🙂
~Ms. Thole
Hello Sierra and everyone,
It’s just amazing to read the blogs and hear of the awesome experiences you are all having.
Continue to enjoy and embrace the experience!
Sending love to everyone
The Edwards Family