Marie Rodriguez, 17
Oakland High School, Oakland California
Riobamba, Ecuador
Beautiful
The sun that rises behind me as I head to the airport
Beautiful
Are the strangers that I start to learn the names of
Beautiful
Are the clouds that I am rising above on the first flight of my life
Beautiful
Are the different Historic buildings throughout the city
Beautiful
Are the small fruit stands with towers of fruit on the side of the street
Beautiful
Are the children who smile up at me and give me the tightest hugs
Beautiful
The laughter of my group mates as we get to know each other
Beautiful
Is the thick rainforest and waterfalls of Ecuador
Beautiful
Is the spiritual ceremony of the Puruhá people
Beautiful
Are the rolling green fields of fava beans we are helping to tend to for the day
Beautiful
The smile on the faces of my students as they learn a new word
Beautiful
The various joyous dances of Ecuador
Beautiful
The desire to learn a new language so I can understand more
Beautiful
The sight of Chimborazo the ice capped volcano from our hostel
Beautiful
The tears that roll from my face as we start to say our goodbyes
Beautiful
The setting sun as we cross the ocean
Beautiful
Is the beginning of a new chapter as I figure out how I will take this experience back home
