We woke up around 7:30 to get ready for breakfast at 8. We had a choice between yogurt and granola or eggs. The eggs have become less popular by this time. We then got dressed in clothes that we didn't mind getting dirty, and walked across the street from the hostal to the botanical gardens. Rodrigo, the owner of the hostal, explained to us that we would be planting as many trees as we could in the hour and a half time we had available. It wasn't long before we developed a system. Some people were bringing in the trees to be planted, others were cutting the plastic containers that the trees were temporarily held in, and others were digging and filling in holes. There was, however, one special job held by Vivian. She was "The Pooper Scooper". She walked around the area looking for horse poop and shoveled it into the holes we were digging for trees. We ended up planting 57 trees within the hour and a half time.
We went to get cleaned up and began loading the bus. We were given a few minutes to look around Rodrigo's store. Everything inside was hand made by him or the other workers of the hostal.
After leaving Hostal Urbina, we were off to Banos. It was roughly an hour and a half drive. We arrived at our next stop unloaded our bags and went to lunch. Our lunch was similar to buffet style, but everything was on the table. So, it took about 20 minutes for them to have everything ready. While we were waiting, David and Javier took Michael, Mindy, Nicole, Chelsea, Shelli, Vivian and I to look for a place to have our laundry done. We found a place on the same street as our hostal and it was very inexpensive. We went back and had lunch with the rest of the group. We passed around rice, lamb stew, chicken, steamed vegetables, and pasta salad until we were all full... or all of the food was gone. For dessert, we were served helado de mora ( raspberry ice cream) It was all very good.
We were dismissed after lunch. This was our time to wander around Banos and buy souvenirs or just look around the shops. We were told to stay in at least groups of two and be back at the hostal by 6p.m. Michael Ann and I walked around bargaining with the shop owners for gifts we thought our family members and friends would like. We were also went to look for me a bathing suit, but we didn't have any luck with that. We walked the streets of Banos for about 3 hourse before we went back to get our laundry and head to the hostal.
We all got dressed in our bathing suits and followed Javier around the corner to the Hot Springs. The springs ran into 2 pools- hot and really hot. Most of us went to the really hot one only to turn and walk to the other. There was no joking when we were told really hot. Some of the others stayed in, but Nicole and I left and joined the Demerath family. The pools were very relaxing. After about 30 or 40 Minutes, Mindy, Nicole, Michael Ann, Chris, Derek, and Gabe headed back to the hostal to get dressed for dinner. The others followed soon after.
We went to a restaurant towards the center of town. We were given the choice of steak or chicken both in mushroom sauce. I got the chicken, which was very juicy and delicious. We were given crepes de chocolate (chocolate crepes) for dessert. There was a soccer game on in the restaurant-Ecuador Vs Mexico. A few of us left there and went to cabinas to make phone calls back the the U.S.- only 8 cents per minute. As we were leaving, there were several lines of cars going down the streets honking and cheering for the Ecuador soccer team.
After calling home, I went with the group I was with back to the hostal to get ready for bed.
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 6th, WHITE WATER RAFTING
Today was probably the highlight of the trip for most people. Early at 7:30 am we left the jungle lodge and drove to Tena, a city 20 min away from the lodge. We had breakfast in Tena and met our two guides for the rafting tour, Gino and George, as well as a girl from Australia who wanted to join us for the rafting. In two pick up trucks we left Tena to drive upstream the Rio Jatunyacu, which means "big river" in Kichua (the local language). After 45 min we stoppped and our guides unloaded the rafts and gave us our equipment, which consisted of helmets, paddles, life vests and a wet suit shirt. We had two rafts with eight people in each including a guide and a safety kayaker.
Gino was the guide in my raft and he taught us the different commands - forward, backward, sit on one side, and attack the other raft! We also learned how to float on the river in a safe position. The water looked really clean and was refreshing. As soon as we hit the first rapid everyone was thrown around in the raft and in the second rapid lightweight Chelsea was washed away. It was a lot of fun and everyone eventually fell into the river.
After about an hour and a half and a short break we had a longer stop. While lunch was prepared we played some games on the beach to warm up. We had to run as fast as we could, we crawled through the sand (and ate some), and we formed an enormous human knot that had to be untied. Then lunch was served by our guides. We had Ecaduadorian style burritos, fresh pineapple, watermelon and cookies.
Back on the river it got serious. We passed intense rapids and people fell out left and right. At one point our raft flipped. The safety kayaker always made sure we got our paddles back and helped people until they could get back into the raft. Measured on the "International Scale of River Difficulty" the part of the Rio Jatunyacu we were rafting on was classified as 3 out of 6, where 6 is impossible to raft on. Our raft went more difficult ways, so we did at least 3 and 1/2...
On passages without rapids our guide Gino made sure with his games that we all got into the water. When we got to the final stopping point everyone was sad it was over, but everyone had a smile on their face because it had been so much fun.
Of course our main focus during the rafting had been on how the Inkas managed to use the river as a means of transportation. I felt very sorry that they didn't have the fancy rafts we do now; they really missed out on a lot of fun;)
Gino was the guide in my raft and he taught us the different commands - forward, backward, sit on one side, and attack the other raft! We also learned how to float on the river in a safe position. The water looked really clean and was refreshing. As soon as we hit the first rapid everyone was thrown around in the raft and in the second rapid lightweight Chelsea was washed away. It was a lot of fun and everyone eventually fell into the river.
After about an hour and a half and a short break we had a longer stop. While lunch was prepared we played some games on the beach to warm up. We had to run as fast as we could, we crawled through the sand (and ate some), and we formed an enormous human knot that had to be untied. Then lunch was served by our guides. We had Ecaduadorian style burritos, fresh pineapple, watermelon and cookies.
Back on the river it got serious. We passed intense rapids and people fell out left and right. At one point our raft flipped. The safety kayaker always made sure we got our paddles back and helped people until they could get back into the raft. Measured on the "International Scale of River Difficulty" the part of the Rio Jatunyacu we were rafting on was classified as 3 out of 6, where 6 is impossible to raft on. Our raft went more difficult ways, so we did at least 3 and 1/2...
On passages without rapids our guide Gino made sure with his games that we all got into the water. When we got to the final stopping point everyone was sad it was over, but everyone had a smile on their face because it had been so much fun.
Of course our main focus during the rafting had been on how the Inkas managed to use the river as a means of transportation. I felt very sorry that they didn't have the fancy rafts we do now; they really missed out on a lot of fun;)
June 1, 2008
At around 10:00 last night the hostel turned off the power to conserve energy.
We all woke around 7:00 for an 8:00 breakfast of eggs, fruit, granola, pineapple juice and tea.
We then drove to Cotopaxi which has a refuge at a height of 4,800 meters.We climbed Cotopaxi bottom to top in about 2.5 hours. The climb was extremely rough and I still don't know how we did it. The weather of the whole climb was extremely cold and extremely windy. I could not feel my hands, feet or face the whole way. With the strong wind, you could not even stand straight up or else you would be blown backwards. Another reason the climb was so difficult was that every step I took forward, I would sink backwards in the ash a couple of centimeters. Also, my steps were very small: I went heel to toe the whole way as I climbed. I had to focus very hard on keeping my breathing and climbing constant ant or else I would not have made it to the top. Every time I glanced up, the refuge did not seem to be getting any closer. Just when I couldn't climb another step, we made it to the top. We took a picture and about a 15 minute break. The trip all the way down the mountain took only 40 minutes. WE "skied" down most of the way in the very loose ash and snow, pushing ourselves froward with our alternating back leg. I felt like a speed skater. WE were skidding about a yard each for step. I still can't believe we did it. Only 7 out of our groups of 16 made it up the mountain and I am so proud of all of us. (PS. That was 10 times harder than climbing the glacier!)
We also did a 6 mile hike through the hills to see some Inca ruins. We got to see the fortress they strategically built in between all the mountains. The Incas were one of the successful people when it came to use of land and running an empire. Our guide shared the history of the location with the groups.
- Nicole Turner-
Sunday, June 8, 2008
May 30, 2208 (Friday)
Today started out with some eggs, like most days so far. Today we would be heading up to the glacier that we would be climbing. We got together our warm clothes and met the guides out front. We all loaded up on the truck to head out long journey up a mountain. The terrain changed as we went higher and higher, from trees and brush, to shorter trees and brush to bushes to rocks and snow, and then finally to snow only with some bigger rocks seen in the distance. As we traveled through the tiny farm towns that were clinging to the mountain side we saw a minga, which is where people in the community get together and harvest crops, or as in this case, move pips to another location. Several of us helped move the incredibly heavy pipe to where the rest were. The people still had a lot more pipes to move, but we had to be on our way to the glacier. The bus could not make it all the way up the mountain, so we all had to load up in jeeps to take us the rest of the way up the mountain.
When we finally arrived to the lodge, we went up and put all of our warm socks, gloves, jackets, long underwear, etc. We met the guides that would be taking us on our glacier climbing experience. Then we got our gear: boots, ice axes, harnesses, etc. Then we hiked over rocks and dirt (which used to be glacier, but due to global warming was not longer ice). Finally ending up at the glacier we learned how to walk with our clampons in the snow and ice. We learned how to go up and down and side ways, and of course, how to fall. Then we went and had a snack and got our ice axes. Several people got sick from the altitude change and had to take is a bit slower, others, got to experience ropes and such. Mindy and I climbed to a beautiful ice cave using our clampons and our ice axes. It was beautiful. It was a very tough climb, but so rewarding to finally make it.
Then we went back, had lunch with the guides, turned our equipment in, and loaded up the jeeps and headed back down the mountain. As we headed down the mountain the people that were feeling under the weather began to feel better as the altitude got lower. We met the bus and said, good-bye to the guides and went the rest of the way down back to our hotel.
-Michael Anne-
When we finally arrived to the lodge, we went up and put all of our warm socks, gloves, jackets, long underwear, etc. We met the guides that would be taking us on our glacier climbing experience. Then we got our gear: boots, ice axes, harnesses, etc. Then we hiked over rocks and dirt (which used to be glacier, but due to global warming was not longer ice). Finally ending up at the glacier we learned how to walk with our clampons in the snow and ice. We learned how to go up and down and side ways, and of course, how to fall. Then we went and had a snack and got our ice axes. Several people got sick from the altitude change and had to take is a bit slower, others, got to experience ropes and such. Mindy and I climbed to a beautiful ice cave using our clampons and our ice axes. It was beautiful. It was a very tough climb, but so rewarding to finally make it.
Then we went back, had lunch with the guides, turned our equipment in, and loaded up the jeeps and headed back down the mountain. As we headed down the mountain the people that were feeling under the weather began to feel better as the altitude got lower. We met the bus and said, good-bye to the guides and went the rest of the way down back to our hotel.
-Michael Anne-
Saturday, June 7, 2008
June 2nd, 2008 (Monday)
Today, I woke up in our Hostal Urbina to take a shower before my roommate Shellie. I gather my things and got undress to learn that the water nor electricity worked. I checked the faucet and the light but nothing comes on. I get dress to go find out if they just turned it off and when it might be turned back on. I find out that the electricity and water is out all over town including the Hostal. So I decided to shower-bath with my brown water bottle that I had filled up from the night before from the sink. I put in my iodine tablets but the water seemed a little bit scary to drink but was at least clean. One of my roommates, Michael Anne, let me borrow her wet wipes and a bottle of water because two of the girls were able to take a bath the night before. I washed my hair, body and shaved with two wet wipes and a bottle and half of water. The rest we used to brush our teeth with.
We ate breakfast without electricity and then we packed up and headed to Urbina. The place that we are staying at is an old train station. But before we get there, we stopped on the way at a local market in Latatunga to buy fruit and school supplies to give to the local community. Michale Anne bought two soccer balls, Kristen bought soccer balls too and I had help from Derek to pick out a basketball for the community. Between the eleven of us students and two professors, we ended up raising over $140. We bought enough for this community and for the one in the jungle that we were headed to after this stop.
When we arrived at Urbina, something happened and they could not feed us lunch. So, we headed to the nearest town for lunch to eat pizza at !Uno Momento Pizza! While we waited on our food, we roamed around the city, Rio Bamba. I walked with Senora and then we meet up with the other wanderers. After eating, we headed back. On the way back, we saw the peak of Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador. Also, we saw an active volcano that was erupting ash (Tungurahua).
As we arrive back to Urbina we meet with the owner, Rodrigo. He talked about the history and showed us around the Hostal. We took pictures with the llamas, played with the guinea pigs and learned all of the vegetation that they had and their crafts. After that we loaded up and headed down the street to visit the local community. There we meet the kids to give them the toys, school supplies and fruits. We arrived there and they came out and we introduced ourselves. We got out the soccer balls and started to play with them. We went in the church once we had played for a while and meet the leader of the community to tell him why we were here. We passed out everything and they loved it even the parents. The children ate the food right then and there. The women came around to us and thanked us personally. Seeing this happen moved me completely even to the point of tears several times throughout this event. One lady even brought us a liter of coke, two blocks of cheese and lima beans to thank us for what we have done. This community has so little but are yet so courteous. We ended up eating the cheese with our dinner and lima beans as part of our breakfast the next day. While inside the church, I went and got my basketball from the bus and brought it in. One little boy really took to it. He had a white puma cap on and had to be like 7 or 8 years old. He did pretty well with it, maybe he will be the next Mugsey Bogus according to Derek and myself.
We all definitely wanted to stay and help. It broke my heart but I am glad that we could help them in some way. Those people touched us all. Their warming smiles, eyes, hand shakes and hugs will be with me always.
We ate breakfast without electricity and then we packed up and headed to Urbina. The place that we are staying at is an old train station. But before we get there, we stopped on the way at a local market in Latatunga to buy fruit and school supplies to give to the local community. Michale Anne bought two soccer balls, Kristen bought soccer balls too and I had help from Derek to pick out a basketball for the community. Between the eleven of us students and two professors, we ended up raising over $140. We bought enough for this community and for the one in the jungle that we were headed to after this stop.
When we arrived at Urbina, something happened and they could not feed us lunch. So, we headed to the nearest town for lunch to eat pizza at !Uno Momento Pizza! While we waited on our food, we roamed around the city, Rio Bamba. I walked with Senora and then we meet up with the other wanderers. After eating, we headed back. On the way back, we saw the peak of Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador. Also, we saw an active volcano that was erupting ash (Tungurahua).
As we arrive back to Urbina we meet with the owner, Rodrigo. He talked about the history and showed us around the Hostal. We took pictures with the llamas, played with the guinea pigs and learned all of the vegetation that they had and their crafts. After that we loaded up and headed down the street to visit the local community. There we meet the kids to give them the toys, school supplies and fruits. We arrived there and they came out and we introduced ourselves. We got out the soccer balls and started to play with them. We went in the church once we had played for a while and meet the leader of the community to tell him why we were here. We passed out everything and they loved it even the parents. The children ate the food right then and there. The women came around to us and thanked us personally. Seeing this happen moved me completely even to the point of tears several times throughout this event. One lady even brought us a liter of coke, two blocks of cheese and lima beans to thank us for what we have done. This community has so little but are yet so courteous. We ended up eating the cheese with our dinner and lima beans as part of our breakfast the next day. While inside the church, I went and got my basketball from the bus and brought it in. One little boy really took to it. He had a white puma cap on and had to be like 7 or 8 years old. He did pretty well with it, maybe he will be the next Mugsey Bogus according to Derek and myself.
We all definitely wanted to stay and help. It broke my heart but I am glad that we could help them in some way. Those people touched us all. Their warming smiles, eyes, hand shakes and hugs will be with me always.
- Mindy McKoin-
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Saturday, May 31st, Caymbe National Park
Today, we woke up around 7. We had breakfast at Hacienda Gauchala at 8 am. Some of us had eggs, while others had granola and yogurt. Overall the breakfast was good! After breakfast we loaded up the bus with all our bags. Then Javier told us we were going to met the owner of Hacienda Gauchala. The owner was Gabriella Bonitaz. Gabriella told us about the history of the Hacienda and what is going on today with the hacienda.
Hacienda Gauchala is the oldest hacienda in Ecuador. The hacienda was built in the 1580´s. There is a ton of history within the hacienda. The PreInca people were known as Camibe Caiki. The Incas traveled up through the South to take over the area. It took the Incas 17 years to conquer these people. The Incas only stayed for 30 years, before they were conquered by the Spainards. The Spainards built temples over the prexsisting structures. The Spainards made all the people work at the hacienda for no money. The people received a small amount of land to grow crops, however there was no other stipen for their work.
The hacienda today looks mostly the same as it did in the 1600´s. With minor changes in paint, and materials of the walls and ceilings. Today, most of the structures are made of wood, however back in the day the wood was very expensive. They used straw instead of wood. The condtions today are very luxurious, compared to the 1600´s. The French wrote frequently about the really bad conditions especially in the Obrahi, or church.
Throughout the years the hacienda has had many owners. However around 1892, the first person from Gabriella´s family bought the hacienda. Today, UCLA and Columbia University archelogists are doing research within the hacienda and local area. After much research they have decided this year to excavate under the original church and walls. Gabriella is very excited for this research.
After the tour of the hacienda we drove in the bus for about 30 minutes. Then we arrived at the middle of the world. The spot that we stopped at was located on the equator. There was a giant sun dial carved into the ground. Along with a large tower with a mirror to cast shadows. At this location we met with Gabriella´s husband Cristobal. He has a degree in Business Administration. However he gave a short speach about how the sun dial worked. He used a smaller model to help explain it. Because of the Earth´s tilt at 23 degrees, Louisiana will never have the sun directly overhead. However, on two days out of the year, Ecuador does. Those days are March 21st and September 23rd. The days are referred to as the Equinox. The Equinox is when the sun is directly overhead. The Sun Dial represents the world. We were located in the middle of the world for two reasons. One we were standing on the Equator. But also because we were on the highest point on the equator. The highest elevation from the center of the world is Chimborso, located in Ecuador. Although the talk with Cristobal was alittle confusing it was very interesting. I think all of us really enjoyed taking pictures on and near the equator.
After many pictures, we loaded back into the bus for another hour drive. Our next stop was San Luis shopping mall. This is the first place that looks like the United States. Many of the stores were the same as back home. This was a very short stop for lunch. Although this may disappoint some of you most of us ate Pizza Hut for lunch. I have to admit that it tasted just like home. Don´t be too upset as this was our first meal from a typical United States resteraunt.
After a very quick lunch we piled back into the bus for about a 2 hour drive. The drive was very scenic. We saw many mountains, rivers, and waterfalls that were beautiful. We drove into Caymbe National Park. This is one of the most scenic places we have stayed. Our lodge is located on the top of a hill with views of many volcanoes and mountains including Cotopaxi. We all really enjoy it.
Once we unpacked the bus, we buddled up with warm clothes and went down to ride horses. Javier and the others helped us all up onto the horses and off we went. The ride was beautiful and so much fun. Many of our horses did a slow gallop and trotted most of the time. This is for many of us our favorite activity of the day. We saw wild horses and llamas. Although it was very cold, we all had a great time. After riding for two hours we had a nice dinner and snuggled up in bed. Overall, it was a very good day, we learned alot and had fun!
Hacienda Gauchala is the oldest hacienda in Ecuador. The hacienda was built in the 1580´s. There is a ton of history within the hacienda. The PreInca people were known as Camibe Caiki. The Incas traveled up through the South to take over the area. It took the Incas 17 years to conquer these people. The Incas only stayed for 30 years, before they were conquered by the Spainards. The Spainards built temples over the prexsisting structures. The Spainards made all the people work at the hacienda for no money. The people received a small amount of land to grow crops, however there was no other stipen for their work.
The hacienda today looks mostly the same as it did in the 1600´s. With minor changes in paint, and materials of the walls and ceilings. Today, most of the structures are made of wood, however back in the day the wood was very expensive. They used straw instead of wood. The condtions today are very luxurious, compared to the 1600´s. The French wrote frequently about the really bad conditions especially in the Obrahi, or church.
Throughout the years the hacienda has had many owners. However around 1892, the first person from Gabriella´s family bought the hacienda. Today, UCLA and Columbia University archelogists are doing research within the hacienda and local area. After much research they have decided this year to excavate under the original church and walls. Gabriella is very excited for this research.
After the tour of the hacienda we drove in the bus for about 30 minutes. Then we arrived at the middle of the world. The spot that we stopped at was located on the equator. There was a giant sun dial carved into the ground. Along with a large tower with a mirror to cast shadows. At this location we met with Gabriella´s husband Cristobal. He has a degree in Business Administration. However he gave a short speach about how the sun dial worked. He used a smaller model to help explain it. Because of the Earth´s tilt at 23 degrees, Louisiana will never have the sun directly overhead. However, on two days out of the year, Ecuador does. Those days are March 21st and September 23rd. The days are referred to as the Equinox. The Equinox is when the sun is directly overhead. The Sun Dial represents the world. We were located in the middle of the world for two reasons. One we were standing on the Equator. But also because we were on the highest point on the equator. The highest elevation from the center of the world is Chimborso, located in Ecuador. Although the talk with Cristobal was alittle confusing it was very interesting. I think all of us really enjoyed taking pictures on and near the equator.
After many pictures, we loaded back into the bus for another hour drive. Our next stop was San Luis shopping mall. This is the first place that looks like the United States. Many of the stores were the same as back home. This was a very short stop for lunch. Although this may disappoint some of you most of us ate Pizza Hut for lunch. I have to admit that it tasted just like home. Don´t be too upset as this was our first meal from a typical United States resteraunt.
After a very quick lunch we piled back into the bus for about a 2 hour drive. The drive was very scenic. We saw many mountains, rivers, and waterfalls that were beautiful. We drove into Caymbe National Park. This is one of the most scenic places we have stayed. Our lodge is located on the top of a hill with views of many volcanoes and mountains including Cotopaxi. We all really enjoy it.
Once we unpacked the bus, we buddled up with warm clothes and went down to ride horses. Javier and the others helped us all up onto the horses and off we went. The ride was beautiful and so much fun. Many of our horses did a slow gallop and trotted most of the time. This is for many of us our favorite activity of the day. We saw wild horses and llamas. Although it was very cold, we all had a great time. After riding for two hours we had a nice dinner and snuggled up in bed. Overall, it was a very good day, we learned alot and had fun!
Wednesday, May 28. Otavalo
Last night was the last night we stayed in Quito. After meeting our tour guide Javier, we picked Senora up from her sister´s house, which was very nice. We drove to Otavalo and visited the open air market. There were so many Ecuadorians with small tables and tarps in case of rain. Products included clothes, artwork, jewelry, and kids´ toys. Prices were extremely cheap, and most costs were negotiable. Teamwork seemed important in the market. If one seller needed change, he or she would get it from another seller, and many would help each other out with selling goods. We ate at a nice restaurant near the market.
After leaving the market, we drove to Cotacachi mountain. There was a crater lake there, and the view from the lodge was awesome. Before dark, we all went on about a 1-hour hike. It rained so everybody got soaked. For dinner, we ate trout, french fries, rice, veggies, and soup. It is tradition here to eat popcorn in the soup. We were also served some sort of cinammon, apple cider. It was served hot and tasted very good. We then called it a night. Tomorrow, the plan is to drive to Cayambe.
After leaving the market, we drove to Cotacachi mountain. There was a crater lake there, and the view from the lodge was awesome. Before dark, we all went on about a 1-hour hike. It rained so everybody got soaked. For dinner, we ate trout, french fries, rice, veggies, and soup. It is tradition here to eat popcorn in the soup. We were also served some sort of cinammon, apple cider. It was served hot and tasted very good. We then called it a night. Tomorrow, the plan is to drive to Cayambe.
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