GGs using their Spanish during the historical scavenger hunt.
Hola Familia!
We had our first full day on site, recharged after sleep and we headed to Roma Santa, our food provider for desayuno, courtesy of Mama Isabel. We ate scrambled eggs, empanadas de queso, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Afterward, we returned to our home here in Riobamba– Tren Dorado– for the first of our program seminar series. We learned about Ecuadorian culture and history, and reviewed safety policies and procedures for when we venture into town. Immediately after, we split into groups for a scavenger hunt competition that highlighted some of the major historical sites of the city center. As the Glimpsers explored the city (with an adult chaperone of course), they put their Spanish skills to use and embraced their sense of adventure by talking to locals to find answers to the questions prepared by the Program Coordinators.
Through
the scavenger hunt, the students were able to think about the question of the day, “What has been the importance of Riobamba throughout Ecuador’s history? How does history shape people’s identities?” We reconvened in Plaza de Roja and had a friendly but competitive group showdown. In the end, we were all winners because we all engaged fully and pushed through insecurities while simultaneously learning about our home for the next two weeks.
We returned to Roma Santa for an amazing lunch of camarones, arroz, yuca, y platanos. Mama Isabel prepared an extra special surprise with the help of Jerry and Ana, and served helado for dessert! The students are forming a heartwarming relationship with Mama Isabel and her son Nelson. After they finished eating, some students played card games together in the dining room while others stepped outside into the courtyard to play foosball or basketball with Nelson.
We returned to Tren Dorado for the seminar on English Tutoring. Students were assigned groups and started lesson planning for the first English Tutoring classes on Monday.
The birthday boy with his GG family
At dinner, the students put together a special surprise celebration for our only Glimpser who will be celebrating a birthday here in Ecuador, Ben. Mama Isabel provided two yummy homemade cakes and students purchased balloons, poppers, a hat and a card for the occasion. It was so amazing to see the strong community the students have built in such a short amount of time, and Ben shared how humbled and honored he felt by the outpouring of love during our nightly meeting.
During the nightly meeting, we passed the torch to our first students Lideres del
Dia, Clifford and Victor. They facilitated a great warm up discussion to prepare us for tomorrow’s theme: Deconstructing Poverty. We were blown away by their thoughtful questions and the Glimpsers’ profound responses. Our Program Coordinator Ana challenged us to reconsider our perceptions and the traditional definition of poverty. We are confident that tomorrow will be an impactful day.
After the meeting, we had some free time during which we were able to catch the third and fourth quarters of the 
Warriors’ historic sweep on the only operational television in the entire hotel. We were able to accommodate all the students who wanted to root for the Dubs around a laptop-sized screen and cheered when they were crowned “Campeones de la NBA 2018!”
We appreciate all the comments left on the blog and the Glimpsers feel incredibly connected to all of you back home when we read them as a group. Please keep the love coming! They are excited to read your special messages of encouragement, but are even more excited to hopefully hear your voices when they have the opportunity to call home on Sunday during their Free Day.
Tomorrow you’ll hear from the first student Leader’s of the Day when they take over the blog, stay tuned and GO WARRIORS!!!
Big Love,
The GGL Squad (Marylin, Jeanne, and Cyndi)
We were eagerly waiting for your blog today. So glad you watched the game. Seems like you had a busy day 🙂 Explore this new world!!!
First of all Happy Birthday Ben, the celebration looks awesome. Thanks to Mama Isabel and Nelson for the yummy homemade cakes and their warm hospitality. I’m so happy to know that all the GG members got to watch the championship game, go Warriors!! Shreysi, i’m Happy that you are bonding with friends and using your Spanish skills with the locals there. Tell us the entire scavenger hunt experience when you come back. We had an eventful day here too, we went to our dental appointment and then We went to Aunty Sarika’s house in the evening to watch warriors game together. Tomorrow Shrey has his water polo game. Need to get up early. Anyway, I can’t wait to learn about your tutoring lessons tomorrow and i’m eagerly waiting to hear your voice on Sunday!!! Lot of hugs and kisses- mom
Hi Nancy. The yellow heart is still there so dw.
To Nancy:
Stay safe and away from the bugs! ??
♥️ sinteayah
Dear all,
These posts (and pictures) are fantastic and they are becoming a very important event of our days here in California. Thanks for describing so nicely the flow of the day in Riobamba. I would like to be there to discuss with you “deconstructing poverty” and the recent history of Latin America but I will be happy to watch some old Inti Illimani and Quilapayun videos on You Tube!
Luisa, how come you already found the best hornado in town? Yesterday the Warriors won easily in Cleveland, they are campeones again and tuesday there will be the parade in Oakland. Hazel is very bored without you….
Many kisses from me and mamma!
What an incredibly fun day! It’s amazing how many things you all can do in one day! We are so glad that you are all getting to experience the history and culture together. Zachary, we are so happy to see your smiling face. Hope you are staying warm!
Hi all! My previous message may not have submitted, so entry #2! We are so happy to see the pictures and hear about all of the things that you are doing in one day. Zachary, we love you, miss you and can’t wait to see more! Do good things and make good choices. Love you!
shreysi – can’t wait to hear all about the scavenger hunt and good luck on your English tutoring! I think I’m even starting to miss your terrible jokes, I love you
So glad to hear you all arrived safely and are off and running. Have a glorious experience.
Courtenay Tessler, Davis Sr High
HI Kevin. It looks like the trip is going well and you all are learning a lot. Hope everyone sleeps well. Rachel and i cleaned out the garage today. Fun! We saved a few things for you to go through. Love Mom
Hola Niños!
Super glad you all arrived safe. Currently, as you all know the Warriors won! #godubs It was such an easy win. But, hope you all are having an awesome time. Post lots of pictures. Experience everything Ecuador had to offer.
Hi Nancy! Hope you made some new friends and is safe from mosquitoes! The food and activities sounds great and fun. Hope you had a fun day today! We all miss you a lot everyday!
-Mommy and T
Hey Ben,
So happy you got to watch the DUBS take the win! Now I don’t have to keep it a secret until you get back. I miss you but I can see you’re having an amazing time.
~Sydney
Wow – this day sounds even more amazing than the first really good day! Thank you for the great posts! So happy to see everyone looking good and smiling! Skyler – hope you are having fun! We love you and are proud of you for embracing this adventure! Can’t wait to talk to you on Sunday! ❤️
Thank you for posting the pictures! It is good to see the kids. Yes, the Warriors won, and Oakland is preparing for the festivities and parade. In local news, El Cerrito High School’s graduation was today. Richmond Auditorium was completely full, with people still waiting to get in 10 minutes after the ceremony started! I just came from a celebratory dinner at Consol, Eudardo, Alan, Abril’s house. They say to practice a lot of Spanish. Es muy importante para la furtura! XOX, Mom
Hola Alberto,
Hope you have a good time and stay healthy. The hornado you found looks so yummy. Remember to socialize.
Brian
Thank you all GGLs for another long and colorful report of a RB1A day. I can’t wait to read the first LDD blogs.
Hi Albert,
Brian wants to ask you about your blood donation so far (to the mosquitos LOL). Mommy worries about your sleep and contact lenses. I am sorry for not picking up the phone on Wednesday when you first called. I can’t wait to hear your voice again tomorrow. By the way, was the 4 years of Spanish helpful in leading you to the best hornado in town? I asked Brian to write to you in Spanish and he gave me his typical look 😉 Oh, this morning he swam 96 laps in the 30-min lap-a-thon; are you proud of him?
We all miss you.
B, mom & dad
Great blog and pictures! Can’t wait to read tomorrow’s blog.
Hey Bao Hoa,
How are you doing over there? Are you having fun? I have so many yummy cakes at home, but no one to share it with T.T so far, I got 5 cakes. Mom and dad been asking about you so I just show your pictures to them. We misses you a lot. It feels so weird not seeing your face for a couple days and no one to bother me when I get home from work. Anyway, I found a new Korean restaurant in Fremont that is so good. I’ll take you there when you come back. Ok stay safe and keep yourself warm. XOXO
Big sis