Hola! Today was indigenous worldview day, so we got to experience a journey through indigenous life. Throughout the day, we kept in mind our question of the day which discussed the importance of maintaining culture and how this can create a better world.
To start we had another delicious breakfast at Feroz. Then we hopped on a bus over to Tagma San Jose, where we met with our guide Carlos Rea and his two daughters. Carlos lives in the community of Tagma San Jose, which is a rural indigenous community that focuses primarily on agriculture. Carlos is a very nice man whose speaks very clear Spanish, which enabled many of us to understand his commentary and knowledge. On the walk we took through his community, he taught us about various plants and crops as well as how they are used both medicinally and traditionally by his people.
One of the plants that Carlos showed us was called Ortiga which is a stinging nettle. He explained how in his culture they use it as a cleansing ritual for people who committed wrongs in the community. This is done by tapping the nettle on the person which was demonstrated to us by one of our leaders, Steph (no Stephs were harmed).
Then we finished our walk and were able to participate in a spiritual ceremony, paying homage to Pachamama (Mother Earth in the indigenous language). Just as the ceremony began it started to rain heavily. Carlos explained to us that this was fortuitous, because the crops would grow more. Then we went inside for lunch and the rain promptly stopped. We were treated to an amazing lunch by Carlos’s wife, America and Rocio. We presented our hosts with gifts after the meal was over.
After we returned from this excursion we were blessed with a glorious three hours of free time. Some people took to go out with the Global Glimpse leaders and explore the neighborhood near our hotel. Others played spirited card games or took this time to bond more with our fellow Glimpsers.
We really want to appreciate and give “Big Love” to Carlos and his community for letting us experience their culture and welcoming us into their home. We also want to personally thank all the other Glimpsers who helped to make our jobs as leaders of the day easier. And finally, “Big Love” to all of our families and loved ones back home who are following our journey.
Through this amazing experience, we were able to see how our question of the day applies to everyday indigenous life, as well as our everyday lives. Some of these ideas were discussed in our nightly meeting including how being of one culture doesn’t require giving up another culture and as Carlos commented the world and its cultures have no borders and we are all hermanos y hermanas.
Thank you Carlos, for all you shared with our Global Glimpsers. Your message is so true! ☺️
I hope everyone is having a great time and feeling well. I love seeing the posts each night
Hey Brandon!! I just got home yesterday. It was a long flight but I honesty miss Guaranda so much. Enjoy your time cause it passes by so fast. See you when you get back:) and cuidado with the altitude. I got sick lol
Hey Brandon!!! I just got home yesterday. It was a long flight but i honestly miss Guaranda so much! Enjoy your time cause it passes by so fast. See you when you come back:) cuidado con el altitude. I got sick lol
Sounds like a great day!
Sounds like an awesome day. Glad to hear no Steph’s we harmed.
@MHL – hope you are having fun. Love you. Can you get smsall gifts for people who donated to your fund?
Excellent summary of another amazing day! Viva el lider del dia! “The world and it’s cultures have no borders!” Very well said Carlos!
“Big Love” back at you! I’m excited to hear more about the spiritual ceremony. Will you be going to the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve? Apparently they have herds of wild vicuña there.
Hello Kaia and Jake,
Great job in covering the day’s activities and sharing the little cultural insights. Our thanks as well to Carlos and his family for their warm hospitality.
Wow, such beautiful imagery from your writings and photos. Wish I could be there! I love how the term “Pachamama” means Mother Earth. I’ll have to use that in my teaching. Shout out to Nick and Zach – hope you’re having a grand adventure!
Sounds like it was a great experience. Thank you for the great over view of your day. We are enjoying the trip by way of your words and pictures.
Glad to know that you are having a wonderful experience.
alex
hope you are enjoying everything so far & tell Samai I said hi if you get to tutor her !
Thank you for sharing your appreciation of a new culture with us! You make us feel like we are there with you. Love hearing about your thoughts, questions, fun, friends, and food! Love to all!
(Thinking of you every day, Kaia! — ??Grandma)
Beautiful! Sounds like another amazing day! Wish we could all be on this journey with you, thank goodness for the blog so we get to follow along. ❤️