Nearing the end of our trip, we finally had the last chance to take on another exploration of the city Riobamba. After our stay in Ecuador, I could truly say that what we learned throughout this trip was immeasurable. As usual, we started our day with breakfast at the hostel, followed by a program seminar in which we were given time to reflect on the memories we formed throughout the past few weeks in a letter written to our donors. Afterward, we had lunch at the usual spot, Nativa, and proceeded to exploring the city.
However, today was special because it featured our program coordinator’s 17 year-old brother, Darío, who helped us greatly in recommending which snacks to buy. Special thanks to Diego for bringing his little brother along with us on our journey around the city to the supermarket which featured the amazing local chocolates and coffee from the regions of Ecuador. During the span of 30 minutes, we were able to see another side of Ecuador, the industrialized side. It is amazing how globalization works, as I stumbled across imported nutella and chocolate from Germany. After a long process of evaluation as to which products to buy, we finally decided to walk to the park. Although we split up and went our separate ways afterward, everyone in this delegation was able to embark on an adventure throughout the city. One group decided to go call their family, another to souvenir shops, and I stayed with Diego’s group to go to a cafe.
At the café with Diego, our in-country staff, I noticed that he had a surprise for our delegation at dinner time. Oblivious to what it was, I did not really bother insisting him on spilling the beans. To my surprise, Diego fulfilled my wish by allowing our delegation to meet the second delegation of Riobamba. Earlier this week, I had told him that I wanted him to arrange for us to meet the second delegation, as many of my close friends are currently in that delegation. However, Diego told me that our schedules did not overlap and that it was impossible for us to meet up. While walking towards the restaurant that would serve us dinner, my eyes landed on a group of around twenty people wearing colorful ponchos, only to find out that it was the second delegation. Big love to Diego for making today so much more meaningful for us and allowing us to meet up and have dinner together. During our meeting with the second delegation, we were able to learn about the experiences that both our delegations have had on this trip, only to find the many differences between our trips despite our similar destination. However, I can say one thing is that I love my delegation and would not trade them for anyone else, as the times that we were together are special and belonged only to us.
Today was truly a very fun day and would like to give special thanks again to Diego for giving us this awesome opportunity to explore the city and meet new people. (THANK YOU DIEGO!!!) Playing freeze tag and basketball along with the second delegation was a blast, and although it was a short amount of time, I can truly say that I am glad to have met all of them.
Good to hear you’re all having a great time! Make your last few days in Ecuador count and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s blog. brandy would it kill you to call at least once? sigh smh
Hi Mari, I can’t believe it’s already been two weeks. I hope that this trip was all that you hoped it would be, but it sounds like it was even more than you could have imagined. I’m so glad you got this opportunity. Enjoy your last days in Ecuador.
I hope you got your brother an alpaca hat. Love you lots. Mom
This was a wonderful trip full of adventure, culture and new friends. I couldn’t ask for more as a parent. Lauren, we love you so much and can’t wait to see you.
Hi Bekah!
I wanted to thank you for the Father’s Day card 🙂
I’m so proud to be your dad!
Finish strong!
I love you always ❤️
Dad
I love the last picture. You all look so happy and are having fun. Cammy, if you get a chance to call try 925-548-8196. I’d love to hear your voice!!!!!!! Enjoy your last couple days! Love and miss you!
The lead picture walking on the tracks, kind of symbolizes the journey you’ve been on…going to a very different place high in the mountains and worlds away from home, experiencing the truths about this place, its people and, naturally, compared and contrasted them to your own.
Certainly, from your writings, it was an emotional journey as well. The sense of concern for the well-being of others is a switch that’s been turned on and it can be shocking to experience the sudden questioning of some of the values you’ve been raised with to date.
Don’t feel guilty for what you have and where you come from. Believe in your heart that your parents are on the right track. Their goals remain the same, it’s just that you have an added dimension. They’ve raised you to be the special, literate and caring young people you are. They sent you on this journey by chance or purpose and you’ve gained a valuable glimpse of a totally different but real world, one in which you are the privileged class.
As you struggle through college and careers remember the daily struggles and hardships of the indigenous people you met.
As you seek your places in society remember the community values of the rural Ecuadorian social structure and the value it represents to the peoples survival.
With your successes in life, remember the life sustaining success of a good harvest on the indigenous farm.
Use the lessons you’ve gained today to motivate yourselves to seek the highest level you can attain in life… and then give back to humanity.
Future doctors will find the cure. Lawyers will defend the rights. Biologists will sustain the earth. Engineers will advance the world making it accessible to all. People of the Arts will open hearts and minds.
Whatever your chosen professions, remember today’s lessons and you will find a way to benefit mankind long after Dona Charito and Dona Victoria are gone.
HI Mamita – I think John & Nelly have summarized it pretty well there! I hope this journey to Ecuador has served a purpose in enriching your life and that you will carry all you learned in this trip to Ecuador to make you wiser, a better person and increase your knowledge. Knowledge is power and we never stop learning! I’m so glad this opportunity was provided and that this journey in your life you can look back later in life and feel happy you did it! This is just the beginning of many more amazing journey in your life! And please don’t forget everything good comes from God and never forget all your family values and where you come from. love you te amo your BF Mom like your little brother JP says 🙂
Time flies… two weeks are coming to an end without our notice❤️ Hope that ??悠悠 have lots of wonderful memories that last for a life time?
Mom n Dad