Hi all! It’s been another full day here in Guaranda, filled with lots of exploring and fun! We woke up at 7 am for another delicious breakfast at La Estancia. We had pan (bread), yogurt, fruits, and eggs. We were well fed!
Next our PCs led us through a really fun city tour of Guaranda. The buildings were so colorful and beautiful. Highlights of the city tour definitely included the food market. There was such a variety of different fruits and vegetables many of us had never seen before.
After our fun city tour we went to La Guilena for lunch. La Guilena is a farm nestled in the mountains run by Maria and her family. They were so welcoming and kind! Our lunch consisted of foods that are traditionally served for the Carnaval festival. We had fried pork, empanadas, platanos, corn, popcorn, and salad. Plus a really delicious juice called chicha (herbs and sugar cane juice). We were stuffed! After lunch, we met Miguel who led us through the history of Ecuador. Many of us hadn’t realized that Ecuador had a dictator only 30 years ago! After Miguel’s talk, Maria taught us all about Carnaval. Carnaval was traditionally a celebration of the harvest, and later merged with Roman Catholic traditions. She then told us we were going to celebrate carnaval! But first, we had to make our masks. There are a lot of artists on this delegation, but a stand out for sure was Skylar with his interesting take on color mixing and using glue as paint (Kieran helped out).
While the masks dried, Maria took us on a tour of her farm. She showed us many native plants, a pretty river that flows through the property, the biggest pig anyone had ever seen, horses, chickens, and much more!
When we came back it was time for the celebration. We put on our masks and Maria put flour on our faces. Then the fun ensued as everyone tried to pour a bucket of water on each other. By the time all was said and done, everyone was drenched but smiling ear to ear.
We had another wonderful meal at La Estancia before our nightly meeting where I passed the torch to our next Lider Del Día (LDD – Leader of the Day), Asha!! Asha is already doing a great job as LDD!
Keep the comments coming!
BIG LOVE, Emily L
Wow! What a great day you all had, jam packed with lots of fun and interesting experiences! Love the photos of all of your beautiful smiling faces. (Ariana, I guess that hat I didn’t want you to take is coming in handy!!!) You must all be very tired and I hope you all sleep well so you can fully enjoy tomorrow. I also hope you are enjoying and appreciating life without your cell phones. Being able to interact with those around us fully and without the interference of social media makes life experiences more meaningful and enriching. Hugs, Ariana’s Mom
Sounds like another wonderful day!
Ellery: If you can, or as much as possible, please avoid eating pork. We included that in your dietary restrictions in pre-trip form submitted to Global Glimpse; based on religion of your father/family. Hopefully the empanadas were pork-free and good – I bet Auntie Jenny will love to hear how the Ecuadorian empanadas are different or similar to her family’s version from Argentina.
Love you lots – Bob misses you lots too.
💜 Mom
Kieran! You went to a farm and did art and saw a giant pig?! did you have goats follow you around? did a cow bully you? mmmm empanadas sounds delicious. Dada and I keep trying to spot you in the pics like a where’s waldo. Good that you got to share your artistic tendencies with Skyler 😉 Tell Emily her note was great and thanks! ttyl, m&d
Dearest Asha,
wow, great to see the pictures, the vibrant colors, and the mouth watering entrees…
Have a fantastic time…
Best wishes,
Dad Mom Ravi and quirky Sparky
Asha – this looks like an amazing day – so eventful, colorful and full of local immersive experience. The fun and laughter in the photographs is contagious. All the food sounds yummilicious – specially the sugarcane juice with herbs.
Ravi spent time in Berkeley today. Dad and I had office work and p2p leg day. Not easy to walk up the stairs now 😆 We also took sparky for a walk.
Many congrats on becoming the LDD. So looking forward to your post tomorrow. Can’t wait. Big hugs and lots of love ❤️
Kalei nice pic! You’re lucky to be celebrating carnival in June. Thought that was normally February in Rio. Hope you’re enjoying time without iPhone technoference. Miss you. Love Dad
Looks like you had a great day learning about the culture and community! Lindsey, all is well here and we love you!❤️
Wow! Thanks for keeping us updated on the trip and sharing the pictures of the group. It’s wonderful to see the smiling faces and hear about your adventures. Wishing you all the best and hugs to Simone.
Wow! I’m so happy for you sister (Crystal Yanez) it looks like you are having the time of your life! I can’t wait to hear all the stories!😍 We all love you & miss you.
-Much love Jeanette Yanez-Flores💓
The masks look really fun to make and wear and I hope you are having a great time exploring Ecuador. From what I can see in the background, the scenery at the farm looks beautiful. See you soon Ariana!
Love,
Jonah Abu-Ghazaleh
love the pic Kalei:) Looks like you are having a blast. Sounds like the meals there are yummy. These updates are great . xo Mama
Your breakfast and lunch sounds delicious-popcorn yay! Good pic of you Lindsey sniffing the plants! Enjoy whatever comes next.
Lindsey’s grandparents
EP & Glimpsers. Looks like you all are having such an amazing time and learning about local customs. It’s so beautiful there. Can’t wait to hear more details – it’s just wonderful that you are all there. Enjoy and look forward to hearing about your world views.
Nice! I am sure you are all having a great time with the tour, activities & food fest.
We miss you Josh!
Hi everyone !
I hope everyone is having an amazing experience , it’s so awesome to experience a culture different from your own.
Ariana have a great time what an awesome experience . Heidi 😉
Josue you’re having a good time !! That makes me happy, you are knowing other cultures and foods, enjoy and smile with that beautiful smile that characterizes you, I miss you very much, everyone miss you Samuel, Esther, and dad and I mom, greetings grandma sends Angela and kisses, you take care of yourself and enjoy, tia Esperanza sends hugs and you have a good time.😘😘😘😘😙😙😙
Hi Lucy,
Your big smile holding your mask reminds me of how much you loved doing crafts at Camp Cayuga! It looks like things are going great so far… I love checking the blog to see if there are new posts. Love you. Hi Emily!
Ola everyone!! Looks like you all are having a blast!! Lucinda ( mama) we all miss you, knowing your in good hand makes me happy ! 143 💕 mom , dad and Cisco and 5 bros and sister 🤪
So proud of you Lucinda your going an amazing thing proud of all of you and you inspire me to do more be safe love you little sis ❤️ can’t wait to see you to tell me all about it!!!
Miss you lots Emily!
Hi Kalei – I love you so much and so proud of what you are doing! This is an amazing experience and will open your eyes to a whole different world. I am always thinking of you and missing you so much xoxo Mama
Lucinda (smiley) D
I’m sooooo proud of you. Looks like you’re having a great time! Stay safe and have a great time. We miss you at home but I’m happier seeing you doing something positive. Not that you don’t do positive things. 🙋🏻❤️🙏🏼🤪 I mean you’re doing something different.
Making masks and getting wet. Sounds fun.
Glad you are enjoying your trip Skyler! Dad
Hola!!
Vilma espero te estés divirtiendo mucho te quiero tu mamá !!