Question of the day: What do you still need to do on this trip to leave feeling proud?
Quote of the day: “It’s what you do in your free time that will set you free – or enslave you” – Jarod Kintz
Today we had our second free day and our last English Tutoring class. 🙁 Although our free day was a bit busy and stressful, everyone still had a good time. Our main priority for today was to get our supplies for our CAP Project, such as fencing, barbed wire, and nails. Faith took over by controlling the spending, and we ended up being under budget and having money to donate to the locals to put up extra barbed wire fencing! After purchasing the supplies we needed, we continued our free day and did some shopping.
Last day of English tutoring!
Preparing for the day.
This was the first time we were allowed to explore the beautiful city of Guaranda on our own. We went out in several groups of four or more people to finish off our shopping. We went to the bakery, several gift shops, and of course the internet cafe. Free time started at 11:30 am, and we were back at the hostel by 1:45 pm to head to lunch.
We love Ana!
For the second half of the day, we had English tutoring and unfortunately it was our last time teaching before our celebration tomorrow. Personally, my students were really sad and couldn’t believe it was our last time teaching them. I took a final picture of my students on my camera and polaroid.
The polaroid!
They really loved looking at the pictures and even wanted to take a picture with me and my teaching partner Jalynn. They even gave us some big, tight hugs on their way out, and it really touched my heart and made me realize that I had an impact on these students. My student Samay’s dad was even our tour guide for Chimborazo, and she was so excited to have seen me and Jalynn the day before.
We ended the day with dinner at La Estancia and then had our nightly meeting. To answer the question of the day, everyone expressed that they were excited to start the Community Action Project tomorrow and said that it’s definitely going to make them feel like they did something special and helpful here in Ecuador. Most of our days here in Guaranda have been exploring, besides the adobe brick making day, so everyone is very excited and prepared to really make a change here and leave knowing they did something great to help the community.
Wish us luck tomorrow!
Adelina
Good luck with your CAP project. Sounds like a lot of work but well worth it! Tay, love the new poncho – looks great!!
Love you Tay and keep up the hard work Glimpsers!
Anahi and Alexis we are proud of you guys. Love u baby cant wait to see you.
Great post! I am sad for you to be ending your teaching. You don’t realize it, but your teaching has made a bigger impact that your barbed wire will. Not only the lessons, but your friendship will be something that the students will carry in their hearts and share for the rest of their lives, just like you will. You should be very proud!
Taylor, why are you showing us your shoes? I am sure there is a good story.
Good luck everyone tomorrow on your project
Samantha says she has tried several times to comment, but it never seems to post. Any ideas what she might be doing wrong?
Will someone please blog about the night sky. — and, yes, I’m going to say it, Journal!
Sounds like a full agenda. I am excited to hear about what the CAP project is about. Sleep well for this next journey! Glimpsers keeping the spirit!! Taylor, so good to chat quickly today! Much Love, Auntie DiDi.
Hey Faith, Great job on all the work you’re doing over there! I can’t wait to hear the details. We miss you!
Wonderful you guys were able to have some free time!! Also really glad you were able to feel the gratification of making an impact in the lives of others through your teaching experience there. I’m sure you will feel more of the same working on the fence. Keep up the good work! Enjoy! Love you Carson!!!
Alexis,
Happy to hear from you yesterday you made my day?.
Looks like everyone is gonna be pretty busy with CAP Project. Good luck!! Can’t wait to hear how everything turn out.
Good morning Zoe,
The week is getting shorter for all of you and I am sure you will be start missing already to be there. Enjoy your last few days. We are waiting for you here. Enjoy!!!
I love you and miss you very much!!!
Hi Taylor: I love seeing your smiling face, and reading about what all of you are doing. This whole experience has been so exciting and rewarding. I myself have learned so much. Miss you Taylor. Love Grandma
Hi adelina,
Miss you
-zoe
Sounds like everyone had a great time exploring the city during their free time yesterday and is ready to start the CAP project. Can’t wait to see when it is completed! Hearing about your relationships with your students really shows the impact you all have had on the community already and it will be even bigger once your project is complete. So proud of all the Glimpsers!! Tay, thank you so much for the email yesterday, I love hearing from you!! ❤️ I know dad and Aunt Di were so happy to hear your voice yesterday (even though you couldn’t hear them). And even though you dreamt we got a new puppy for you and you have a name all picked out – sorry to say we didn’t get a puppy, but Bailey misses you and can’t wait to jump all over you on Saturday! Love you!
Good luck GG-ers on your CAP project today. Sounds like an exhausting task that could leave you all a little cut up from the barbwire. But, how rewarding to do something for others in need. Carter- It was so great to hear your voice yesterday and that you are having a great time. Sorry the connection was so bad. I can’t wait to see you on Saturday, your presence has been greatly missed here. But so glad the you had the opportunity to gave a little bit of yourself to the people of Ecuador. Can’t wait to hear how the tutoring with your limited Spanish skills. I love and miss you, Mom
Can’t wait to hear about your CAP project. As others have posted, I’m sure you are starting to miss Guaranda already. Hard to believe you are starting to wind down seems like you just arrived.
Had a great visit with Grandpa. Will and are are in airport waiting for return flight back to Chicago. He says “hi” in between his bites of Potbelly.
All our love,
Mom and Will
Dear Jake,
You look Awesome and see you on Saturday!!!! Hugs and Kisses to you and enjoy the rest of your trip!!!! Miss you and love you soon!!!!!!! Love you and enjoy your day!!!!
Love,
Mom
Hello Global Glimpsers! Kristine’s Mom here. The volcano and biomes blog was quite interesting. I hope you were all warm enough. We can’t wait to see all of those pictures that you have been taking. Yes Kristine??? And taking pictures of the group and Ecuadorian helpers and their families. Yes?? Tutoring must have been very special, it would have been one of my favorite encounters. We can’t wait to see you on Saturday. Also, you can call us anytime you need to. Would love to hear from you. I have my cell phone with me at all times – Sending you and your group big friendly hugs. And as for you -huge air kisses. Because as I have always said, you can never get enough kisses from your Mama. Miss you to the moon and back.
Miss you Faith! Can’t wait to see the CAP get started, and I’m wondering if you cried when saying bye to the kids because I did. I hope you enjoy the rest, Love you.
Adelina, you’re so cute! I’m sure the kids will miss you and your group. Good luck building tomorrow and enjoy.
Love, tia
Wishing you guys the best as you start your CAP project.
Hi Zarmani
Love Grandmommie
Hi Zoe!
I hope youre having an awesome time. got a face tattoo. Mom isnt a fan. aaand I’m getting ready to move. I love youuuuu! Layla does too <3 she sleeps on your bed now.
JK about the tattoo..
muah!
Adelina,
I’m so proud of you! I can’t wait to hear about your CAP project and to see all the pictures you’ve been taking. Enjoy your last few days, take it all in. Can’t wait to see you!
Love, Mommy
Adelina I know it’s only been a few days but you looks so grown, I’m so happy that your out there helping out and you guys are making a big impact on the people of Ecuador. We’re so proud of you, and we miss you…
Ady!
I’m so proud of you. Teaching is very fulfilling and humbling. You will realize the impact you’ve made and know that those students have also impacted your life.
You will forever remember those hugs and those smiles. You have made a difference and changed those kids in ways you can’t even imagine.
Keep up the good work and continue to give from the heart.
Love you!
Lois-
P.S. glad you had the opportunity to go shopping and exploring. What fun.