Hola a todos! My name is Ella Satterwhite and I am a rising senior at Sequoia High School in Redwood City California.
Our morning started off bright and early at 6:00 am. After I sufficiently woke everybody up with my more than loud knocking, we headed over to Santa Roma where we enjoyed eggs with cilantro and yucca, papaya, and watermelon for breakfast. After breakfast, we headed back to our hotel where we delivered our C.A.P. presentation to some of the administrators from Escuela Martiniano Guerrero Freire. We were very grateful to our native Spanish speakers who were able to deliver the presentation in Spanish. After some feedback from the administrators, we got a good idea of what exactly we will be doing in terms of our mural and garden, and look forward to starting the project.
Around 9:30 am we drove up to Cacha Pucaratambo, where we got to take part in the indigenous Puruhá festival, Inti Raymi. Inti Raymi always takes place on the 21st of June and is a festival honoring the sun god, Inti. The communities that participate give thanks to Inti for all of their blessings and offer themselves to Inti and nature. Once we arrived at the beautiful Cacha Pucaratanbo, atop a mountain overlooking the city of Riobamaba, we headed over to a court where the Inti Raymi festival was taking place. The Puruhá people had laid rose petals around the court along with fruit and other offerings for Inti. Music accompanied the festival as Puruhá speakers thanked everyone for coming. Myself, along with a few other glimpsers were lucky enough to be invited to the inner circle where the ceremony took place. I was touched by the ceremony and how much the Puruhá people were grateful to Inti and all of nature. After music, dancing, and offerings to Inti, we had our lunch where we got to try an Ecuadorian delicacy, Guinea Pig.
In the early evening back at the hotel, we were privileged with meeting a Puruhá speaker, Micaela Lema. Micaela was the former Miss Riobamba and is now the only woman on a city council….so basically she’s famous! Micaela taught us a little bit about the indigenous groups in Ecuador as well as some sayings in the Puruhá tongue, Kichwa. She was incredibly inspiring and multiple of us went to get her autograph afterward.
After a long day, all of us were grateful for the stories, experiences, and new perspectives from the indigenous groups of Ecuador. Until tomorrow, hasta la vista!
P.S. I Miss you lots Mom, Dad, and Ava – sending hugs:)
What an AWESOME day! Thanks so much for this great recap and all of the pictures. It is so much fun reading these every night and everyone looks like they are having so much fun. Excited to hear more about your CAP. Miss you Will 🙂
What a busy, interesting, and fun-packed day! Ella, thank you for the detailed description of your day! And the pictures, keep those coming, they are fantastic. You guys are really getting a first-hand experience of the Ecuadorian culture! We truly admire all of you adventurous eaters who tried the guinea pig! Eden, we are looking forward to hearing what you liked better – llama or guinea pig? Love and miss you!! Mom and Dad
Ella — such interesting and moving events you participated in on Indigenous Worldviews Day. Dad, Ava and I are living vicariously through you and love seeing your smiling face. I know you are taking it all in so fully. Upon your return, we will be so excited to learn more about your insights of the Ecuadorian cultures. Talk about expanding and broadening your world view! You are one fortunate young lady and I know you are appreciative of all you are getting to experience in Ecuador. We love you and miss you. Enjoy your incredible journey. Warm hugs, gentle kisses, and happy thoughts we send to you. Love, mom, dad and Ava.
Oh my! I celebrated Inti Raymi in Peru about 25 years ago! How COOOOOOOL! I remember going to that spot to learn from a shaman about indigenous religion when I was Ecuador with GG. I love all the Ecuadorian swag students have purchased…the bags are great!
I am dying to know which ones of you tried the guinea pig! I’m definitely not brave enough.
My heart is so full when I see those mountains and see the smiles on your faces.
BIG LOVE!
The mountaintop views are spectacular! Glad you learned a lot and met the indigenous community. Elizabeth, I look forward to hearing more about your adventures. Don’t forget to bring back a lot of souvenirs! Love you, Mom
What an inspiring day. How fitting to honor Inti during summer solstice. Happy summer indeed!
Today (Thursday) marks a week since your departure from the states. I’m so impressed with each of you glimpser, brave makers! You all have seen, learned and experienced so much in such a short time. Keep exploring and take advantage of the opportunity to learn more! We look forward to reading more about your adventures.
Looks like a wonderful time. Thank you so much for sharing.
hello to our Lola whom looks as if this day was filled with so many wonderful activities. Hiking up into the mountains looks glorious, so lush and green and you can almost touch the clouds. The music, the dancing the food (except the Pig) all looks like a good time was had by all. The costumes and clothing are so colorful. Maybe Nana can get an Ecuadorian bag. They look just beautiful. Oh, and we are so happy you were able to take a Llama for a walk. Your day looks so busy with special events, I cannot wait to go to sleep from exhaustion. Until manana!!!!!!!!!!
Love and everything else. Nans and Pop. Sdml. Sleep tight
Thanks Ella for the detailed post! (and to those who took these amazing photos)
I can’t believe it’s been a week since you guys left the States. The days seem so rich in experiences and there’s still a half(ish) week left. Wishing the best for the CAP and can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
Emily, Mom and Dad wants you to know that they’re still missing you greatly <3
Aidan – super curious 🧐 how did it taste like chicken? It must be delicious 😋
We miss you!
Love the photos, can wait for more! We Miss you! Mom, Dad & Brayden
Such a busy day! Full of fun, excitment and challenge. Incredible experience!!
Thank you Ella for the recap and in-depth reflection. All glimpsers, proud of you!!
Just wonder who had tasted the Guinea pig ><
Katie, proud of you, love you 🙂
For some reason I couldn’t comment on the next post for leader of the day Aidan for the CAP 1st day. Your team did a great job – thank you for helping the school children have better access to beautiful environments to grow into.