Hi everyone! Our names are Tanveer, Kat, and Shireen, and we were the leaders of the day today!
Today was Live Like A Local Day and experiencing the workload of the “average” Ecuadorian was a truly eye-opening experience. We traveled about an hour from Guaranda down to the community of San Juan de Llullundongo. Going into this enlightening process, our group was given a question to be upheld throughout the day: “What does happiness mean to you?” Although provided with many challenges throughout the day, the group was always able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, whether that be the beautiful smile on the workers’ faces when the bricks came out perfect or the excitement of perfectly consisted mud after the group constantly was found falling in it. As Steph said, “ Embrace the experience and don’t be afraid to get a little dirty!”
Starting off the day with breakfast on the go, we were excited to participate in a minga, a communal work gathering. Once we arrived, we were introduced to Angel, our project leader for the day. He showed us how to shovel dirt and pour water to formulate a mud mixture to be packed into molds for the adobe bricks. Although the beating sun, altitude, and hard labor took a toll on our motivation to complete the task, we were able to come together as a family to make the community of San Juan de Llullundongo proud. At the end of the work session, we were able to construct approximately 140 adobe blocks. Through our combined efforts with the previous delegation, we produced enough bricks to build one half of their projected design.
Through beating the dry earth, to dancing in the mud, and to filling in the adobe molds we were able to exhibit courage, compassion, and commitment. Courage: this came from all of the glimpsers keeping an open mind and being willing to get their hands and feet dirty in the hot sun. Compassion: through listening to Angel’s words of wisdom and being there for one and other when the day got hotter and the mud got heavier. Commitment: coming from the group’s effort as a whole to strive for the greatest amount of success and happiness. These three components embodied the group’s work ethic and experience today.
The reflection process after unleashed the ideal of transformation engaged in the group. We realized that poverty and happiness really had no connection. The human mentality of connecting the rich with eternal happiness and success and the assumption that poverty causes sadness and depression was demolished in the eyes of the glimpsers today. We found ourselves concurring into unison that the privileged lifestyle we live is being taken for granted. The abundance of water, exasperating number of technological advances and populated areas are no comparison to the experience, confined by happiness, we dealt with today in Llullundongo.
Click here for a video of breaking up the clumps of dirt.
Click here for a video of the final step of the adobe making.
alex,
jannaya and i missed you will we were thinking about taking cute pics on 4th of july 🙁 hope you are enjoying the trip so far , the rest flies by. can’t wait to talk about it all with you right as you get back. have funnnnn ! <3
Congratulations everyone on “Living like a Local” today.. it was great to see the short video clips at the end and good job on completing all those bricks 140 is a bunch! How many do the locals complete each day? it was great to see you Nicko in the video, even if you were only “delegating” I hope you are having a great experience! cant wait to hear about it all in one week when you return!!
Thank you so much for the daily rundown! We appreciate it!
Lots of love!
Carleton, Lucy, Raja, Ahso and Timber
Thanks for the very well written article. Great job! Hoping that tomorrow will be another great day. Have fun!
I am so blown away and excited about your experiences! A huge thanks to your leaders on this trip!!! It sounds like our amazing young adults are having the time of their lives and it couldn’t happen without each of you. Thank you.
Looks like some truly enduring labor! 140 bricks! A hard days work deserves a free day of fun and relaxation! Thank you leaders for another insightful summary! Powerful 3 C’s kind of day!
Yay! Videos! Thank you!
This one made my eyes tear up. So grateful for my granddaughter and others having this experience of minga at their age. “Poverty and happiness really have no connection.” I’m still trying to learn that. And bravo for your hard work in the sun!
And now I want to learn Kichwa!
I’m pretty sure they need to start a Grandma Glimpse program…
Yay! We finally get to see our kid in action (after days of her being camera shy… and we KNOW she’s not camera shy)! And it sounds like she knows what she’s doing :). Awesome work, everyone! Looks like it was one heck of a work day!
1. Couldn’t agree more with Steph. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves, and get a bit dirty to live the moment, and cherish the experience.
2. Loved the paraphrasing of the three C’s.
3. Video links! I did not expect them but so enjoyed getting a “glimpse” of you in action.
This was “minga” at it’s best. Seems that individually and as a group, by day’s end, you all had your answers. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! Very cool. Sounds like an intense day. Looking forward to the phone call today! I love you Mia!
Love you tons -Mia
Hi GU2B 🙂
My name is vi. I’m a memeber of GU2A Which was the previous delegation (just before you guys). I see that you guys have worked very hard and are experiencing new and exciting things. My only tip for you is to not forget to have fun and make LOTS of new friends because I met some of the most amazing, inspiring and supportive people ever on my trip. I became closer to my delegation (in 2 weeks) than most of the friends I’ve known for years. Also, be nice to Mom, dad and the hotel people (they’re VERY nice)!! GU2A will be watching you!!
Ps: Mom and dad, We miss you SO much ??
Hey Joani, it’s the guy from elementary school that u hooked up with your best friend. We miss u lots, especially Richard but that’s a story for another day. I’m glad that all of the hyperactive energy stored in your dragon-dancing thighs are going to good work, those bricks don’t look as hard as your thighs. xoxoxo -Yo Boi Tree Stain
Hi Joani, you egg
Looks like you’re having a LOT of FUN on your trip playing with bricks and mud1!111 On my RB2A trip for Live Like a Local, I carried rocks lollol. FYI smol bean, isn’t so smol anymore, and my other kittens is for some reason, into kpop. Yah.
Anyways, Richard has been missing you a lot and has been making weird vlogs for every day that you are on the trip on Twitter xd. Richard has been sleeping in as always and probably is the reason why he has been missing your calls on free days, but feel free to call me anytime bby girl. <3
Have fun, don't die
Nancy
P.S. get me some more gay alapaca/llama keychains thx
WoAh! Sounds like you guys had a jam packed or mud packed day!
Call me on your free dayyyy. Josephine! We miss you. Have funn
P.s
RB2A is stalking this blog
P.s.s
AP scores are out. Good luck!
I start my day each morning in Seattle with a cup of coffee and reading your blog. Your days are long and filled with activities but a wonderful time I am sure is enjoyed by all. What a fantastic experience with the making of many memories and new friends. Maralie we miss you. Have fun and we can’t wait to hear your story.
Holy bricks Batman- 140 bricks sore I’m sure! Good job you guys!!! You need p.b. And pineapple sams for shuuuure! Very proud moment for all of us.