Today we started off bright and early from Quito, Ecuador to head to our next stop in the Cotopaxi province, where we would get to see the active volcano, Cotopaxi. We loaded up onto the bus at 8:30
to drive a little over an hour to the national park. On the way we stopped at several scenic overlooks to get pictures of the landscape, but we had a couple of awesome surprises! Cotopaxi almost
always has some sort of cloud cover obscuring the top half, but today it was mostly clear and we got some awesome pictures! The better surprise was when our guide insisted we pull over to take
pictures of another volcano, miles away in another province but still visable. It was giving off smoke, and in the middle of a minor erruption. Nothing very dangerous, but enough for locals and
tourists alike to pull onto the side of the road and take pictures. Luis said that you know something special is happening when you see native Ecuadorians taking pictures too.
In the Cotopaxi National Park we got a hiking tour around a lake called Limpiapungo, which means clear or clean door. Mr. Sheffield, our tour director Luis, and myself translated for the local
guides who took us around the trail and told us about the ecosystems and wildlife located in the area of Cotopaxi. After the tour we had a bagged lunch in a rest area of the park, and
there was a snack shop that offered some local foods, including coca tea. Ask your student if they tried
this local hot drink! We then headed on to where we would be staying the night... with one more stop planned. In a small restaurant on the way to Rio Bamba, students had the
opportunity to try the Ecuadorian delicacy Cuyi, better known in English as Guinea Pig. Every student tried a bite, and the concensus was it tasted like chicken.
When we arrived at our hotel on the outskirts of Rio Bamba, we split up into groups to explore the little town that we were assured was extremely safe. This was an awesome opportunity for
students to get a glimpse into some real lives of real people in Ecuador. One group ended up playing an impromptu game of soccer, while another group bought coke in glass bottles from a local
store. Some students were even invited to play a game of EcuaVolei, the Ecudorian version of Volleyball which has only 3 players per team, a higher net, and a harder heavier ball. A couple of
girls struck up a conversation with a woman who was transporting greens in a wheel barrow. Her name was Irma, and she invited some students back to see her house. Hesistant, Mr. Thornton and
myself went with the students and Irma showed us her Guinea pigs, her rabbits, and her black Guinea pigs. When we left to go back to the hotel for dinner, she gave each of us an avocado as a
gift. She was a wonderful example of the kind of hospitality you can find in the countries of Central and South America. Dinner was a meal of tomato soup, beef, and fresh tomatos and beats
followed by sweetbread for dessert. We followed up dinner with a meeting and team building activities. Students are all tired and ready for bed and an early start tomorrow, when we'll be
visiting a community who raises llamas.
Meghan Blake
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