Hello friends and family!
Perhaps the smoothest day yet, Day 8 of our magnificent journey through the Ecuadorian lifestyle, culture, and especially food on this day, has been both eye-opening and relaxing. Our Líderes del Día (Leaders of the Day), Kai Brown and Ben Serverian, woke up everybody to the familiar and popular tone of the song Gold Digger, by Kanye West. Organized and ready for the day, the glimpsers took off on yet another immersion into Ecuadorian society. But not before we enjoyed a hearty breakfast, consisting of American classics such as bacon, fried eggs, French toast, and yogurt parfait. Following this absolute obliteration of delicious food, we took the bus to Utopia, a non-profit, organization that encourages healthy and organic product distribution. Leading by example, pushing the national government to promote true and accurate details regarding the contents of the food available for purchase in the cities, following their success in establishing a system of nutritional facts on each food label sold to the public.
To get into detail about the activities that were presented to us at Utopia, first the glimpsers were divided into three groups based on their Global Glimpsd leader and assigned to one of the three stations with a corresponding Utopia leader. One of the stations was centralized around the idea that eating food is an experience that involves all of the five senses. The leader of that station wanted us to realize that the process of consuming food is similar to art or music because it is a beautiful process that should be appreciated. To get this point across, the leader had us try to use three of our senses to determine a specific food product: smell by sniffing multiple covered foods/herbs, touch by reaching our hands into a black mystery box, and taste by giving us various liquids to try to identify, some of which included coffee, an apple instant tea, and MSG water. Moving onto the next station, the leader there explained how in Ecuador there is a plate sectioned off into three different categories, similar to the food pyramid we have in America, although these categories were stuff that: provides us with energy, build us up, and protect us. The final station was a table with various “junk food” products and a scale, where the leader showed us how much sugar is in different products, and the harmful affects you have on your body when you choose to consume these products. After the activities at Utopia, we had lunch at Roma Santa that consisted of a chicken soup, shrimp ceviche, rice, corn, and beets.
After another delicious meal from our generous and delightful cook, Senora Isabela, we rushed back to the hotel in order to prepare our pitches to the directors of Carlos Garbay, a school created to provide education and a healthy lifestyle to disabled and disadvantaged children, as well as the recipient of our CAP, or Community Action Project. A hectic hour of furious preparation, including digging up old clothes or borrowing from friends in order to remain “business casual” despite not having our laundry back quite yet, ensued, however everything came together beautifully. A fantastic presentation, Will Fitch opened it up with confident and powerful words to explain the details of our project, followed by thorough analysis of the plan, from Kevin Schultz and Louis Bolta, as well as excellent financial expectations and layouts from Luisa Taverna and Skyler Spears. After dealing with several clarification questions from our panel, the glimpsers concluded with a successful plan, ready to be carried out with the initial purchases coming tomorrow.
Following the CAP presentation, many of the glimpsers returned to Colegio Nazareno for more English tutoring. While it took a decent amount of time for students to actually show up, the classes were well-taught and fun, as many games and recess activities brought smiles and joy to both Ecuadorian students and glimpsers alike. While this occurred, David and Skyler traveled around Riobamba with our wonderful Program Coordinator, Ana, exploring the options for the supplies, such as paint and garden tools, to purchase tomorrow. Because they worked so well together and were so efficient, Ana had plenty of time to show them the spectacular house of Simón Bolívar, an important historical figure in the history and development, as well as the independence movements in the early nineteenth century of Ecuador. To close up the night on a familiar note, Roma Santa provided us with a meal containing steak, potatoes, broccoli and carrots. Next, the glimpsers jumped into a political discussion that consisted of a melting pot of many intriguing and thought-provoking ideas that our Congressmen should open up their ears to. Lastly, I cannot forget to mention the speed, super speed, and all around card playing epidemic that was jumpstarted by the legend, the one and only, Naomi Nguyen. All in all, it was another wonderful day in the country of Ecuador, surrounded by the beautiful scenery and way or life, surviving another day without our phones and onto the next adventure! That adventure being a Free Day with our new Líderes del Día (Leaders of the Day) Bryn Goedde-Matthews and Bao Hoa Pham, this opens up our first opportunity to explore the city on our own (to agreed upon locations) (in groups of four) (staying within the city) (only traveling on foot) (we’ll be fine). To all of our friends and family reading this at home, we have only love and gratitude to express, and are taking every opportunity we get to grow as individuals and as a family.
Buenas noches, Kai and Ben
Hi Kai, wow what a jam packed day you all had! Sounds like you are well on your way to a full recovery and hopefully you are now able to enjoy all the delicious food you are being served.
Aiden had his first game today for the Burlingame Tournament – they lost like 18-4, oh well, hopefully they will do better tomorrow.
Enjoy your free day tomorrow exploring the city. Be safe, hopefully we can speak to you if you get the chance. We miss you but are proud of you and thankful you are experiencing and creating such wonderful memories for yourself!
Love Mom, Dad, Kayla and Aiden
Today sounded like a really productive day. I liked the activities you explored at Utopia. By now all the glimpsers must have become an expert at various card games. Shreysi, when you come back, teach us all the fun tips and tricks. I’ll be waiting to hear from you tomorrow. Dad would be in flight coming back home when you’d call. He would be able to chat though. Stay together when you explore the city! You are half way done, next Thursday you’ll be home, yay!!!! Love- Mom and Dad.
I look forward to reading about your trip every day. I feel like I am experiencing in this journey with you all. You all have been very thorough in describing your everyday adventures.
Guys- try to enjoy the group project. Remind yourselves that it will be a tremendous life long contribution and blessing to the people you are serving.
CONGRATS BAO HOA!!!! 🙂 On being one of the new LDDs hehehe!!! Looks like today was a pretty fun day for you bb!!!! Glad that everything went smoothly <3 anyways i miss you lots & hope the rest of your trip is exciting for ya!!!
Hey Kai. Good to see your back on your feet. Sounds like a fun trip. Good experiences. The food sounds pretty awesome. Aiden’s team got creamed by San Mateo yesterday. Aiden played third base and a few balls got by him. He also had some lousy throws to first base. He wasn’t feeling it. Too many video games all day. Kayla’s cool. I built her a shelf but it fell apart. I’ll have to go over there and put some band aids on. Finally got Gung’s car from Jeff. Try to write down your experiences and reflections. Might not be your thing but it’d be great to look upon it years from now.
Take care.
Love and Aloha. DMKA.
So glad to hear that you are having fun Micheal! Can`t wait to pick you up at SFO on Saturday 6/16! I hope that you enjoyed the IHOB food I sent you! To update you on what´s been happening en los Estados Unidos, the Cavs won and a meteor hit Wyoming.
On the home front, Kathleen went to her friend Lucy´s birthday party and had an amazing time! Johnny´s cricket team lost their championship game yesterday. I will be traveling to the country of Maine to experience their ethnic cuisine and culture. Maybe I will meet local superstar Larry the Lobster!
Hope you are having fun,
-Mom
Heyyy dingaling! I’m sorry I haven’t been consistent with commenting but I do check out the blog everyday! I hope you’re having fun with your new friends and that you take a lot of pictures! I saved the picture with you and the llama by the way you’re so cuuute lol… I’m simpin real hard because you’re not here hahahaha. Your peanut M&M loves and misses you!
Q: ¿Qué le dijo un techo a otro techo?
A: Te-echo de menos.
Sounds like another great day! Thank you for these detailed accounts of the day. They are so fun to read! Hope everyone’s English lessons are going good and good luck with the CAP project! Skyler – love that you did the financials with Luisa! Dad thinks there must have been T4 involved for you to do financials 🙂 Dad also said to give a sports update to everyone in case you are not getting news. Here you go: Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the first game of the WC, Giants are 5-5 and the A’s are 4-6 over the last 10, US Open Golf championship started today. So happy you are doing good and having fun! Keep embracing every opportunity to learn and try new things! Lots of hugs and kisses!
Love Mom, Dad and Austin ❤️
Hi Bao Hoa!!!!! I miss you so much!!!! I hope you’re doing well and also having fun. Stay safe and enjoy your time there. I’m super proud of you.
I posted a comment on the blog of the other riobamba group (6/9) ….sorry
Another amazing day for you all! Great pictures and super important business plan meeting; hope you can maintain this interaction with the Carlos Garbay school also after coming back home. I am curious to know your opinion on bolivarism, even now an important political idea in latin america.
Luisa, greetings from Stockholm. Any time left to watch world cup? Tomorrow (friday) there is Egypt vs Uruguay and Saturday Peru vs Denmark!
Kisses
shreysi and luisa- hello! cant wait to hear all about your English teaching and the CAP project. I miss you both loads and literally love seeing the pictures, you both look so happy!
Shreysi and friends,
Everyday when I read your blog, it amazes me more than the previous day. Your GG coordinators have planned it all so well that it’s just a dream come true for me. I should have been some sort of volunteer on this, may be just a food tester 😉 Absolutely love what you are doing and I do see you in picture above! Curious to hear how your laundry experience was and may be you would take that up when you get home??? We miss you and love you! Best for tomorrow!
Want an interesting time you all are having. Soak it in…..
Kevin it was lovely talking to you on the phone today. This time, I was ready for the call! Interestingly, after we hung up your sister came running down the hall and wanted to talk to you too. Maybe next time. She misses you, but is enjoying using the car whenever she wants.
Looking forward to more stories from Ecuador.
love, Mom
Hi Albert,
According to the weather forecast, rain will be coming and stay for a couple days. Have your rain coat ready.
We can’t believe that it has been more than a week since you left. The daily blogs really help us visualize your adventures there but we can’t wait to hear more about them from you (and your camera).
MDB
Hi Nancy! Today, especially, sounded really good with all the food you’re having and learning about! Danny is expecting a present from you when you come back so get ideas during the trip! He has a whole list and one of them consisted of school supplies for his birthday gift! Haha. He wrote down that he wants blue sunglasses if you can get him one there. I’m surprised you haven’t broke down without your phone yet! I bet all your friends miss you and speaking of that, the whole family misses you lots! Take part in more pictures so I can see you more! Stay safe.
-Mommy and T ❤️
Hey Clarisse!! I hope you’re having a fun time! I miss you soo much :(( I’m sorry I haven’t been commenting recently but just know you’re missed over here and that I’ll be commenting a lot :)) Well Stay Safe and See ya soon Best fren!! :DD