Week 4 Ecuador recap: Sometimes things don't go as planned

I hope you're enjoying reading about my adventures, and even if you're losing interest, I'm still thoroughly delighted to type out my experiences. I feel as though this blog is just as much for me as it is for you. And here we go...  For the past ten days or so, the plans I've made haven't always turned out like I thought, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. I've been in Ambato and Riobamba with a couple short trips to other places like: Baños, Guano, Chimborazo, and Alausí.

Making the most of Ambato and Baños

In Ambato I stayed with my lovely friend Cristina. She's an incredible woman who enjoys travel probably more than any one else I know. We were able to have quite a few good conversations about life, love, work, and India (Cristina got back from India about 3 months ago). I had a great time being with her and her family.

Parque Provincial de La Familia 

Father's day morning. Cristina took me to this park overlooking the city. One of my favorite things to do is walk around green areas, enjoy the fresh air, and soak in unhurried time outside. Cris and I took some fun pictures, checked out the awesome view of Ambato below, and savored some moments walking around the park. 

Chimborazo: 1st attempt didn't go so well... 

Around 50 minutes away from Ambato lies Chimborazo. At an elevation of 20, 561 feet (6, 267 meters) it is the highest mountain in the Americas. It used to be a volcano, but it is no longer active, and sweet Cristina wanted me to see this amazing mountain. Unfortunately, the day we were able to travel was a gray, rainy, cold, and cloudy. 

The drive up was wonderfully curvy and followed right along the river which was pretty great. We kept climbing in elevation little by little, and the plant life slowly changed from lush green areas with fields of harvested plants to dryer lands with some shrubs here and there. As we traveled along, it continued to be cloudy and foggy. Eventually we started seeing wild Alpacas. I couldn't stop taking pictures. They were so wonderful to watch! At the same time, Cris and her uncle (who drove us) kept pointing to an area in the distance where I should have been able to see Chimborazo. Finally we entered the "gate" to Chimborazo and there was nothing to be seen. The entire area was cloud covered. We took a picture anyways, and I can still say that was my first time to see Alpacas! 

A completely cloud-covered Chimborazo

Alpacas made it worth it!!

Jen and Juan Carlos 

One of the tough things about staying only a few days in a city is that I don't always get to see everyone I know who lives there. Fortunately, Jen and Juan Carlos, who also live in Ambato, were able to spare some time to grab brunch with me. I hadn't realized how dedicated Jen is and how many puns Juan Carlos has up his sleeve. He kept cracking me up! It was a short time together, but still a memory we made together!

Ready to jump in the warm waters

Can you find me?

Aguas Termales in Baños

Baños is also not far from Ambato and it's a place of frequent visits from Cristina. She loves it there and it wasn't hard to see why. We were only able to stay there for one night (at a hostal for 7.50 a piece) and one morning, so we filled up our time as much as we could! The town is called Baños because of the hot springs; so of course, we spent an hour relaxing in the naturally warm waters of one pool. By far the coolest part of this pool was the waterfall only feet away. 

El Columpio del Fin del Mundo: Not exactly what I had pictured...

"The swing at the end of the world" also known as "the swing at the tree house" or just "the swing" in Baños is famous world wide.  I couldn't go to Baños and not go on this swing. It would be WRONG. Knowing this, Cristina and I headed up the winding road to see this swing, but just like with Chimborazo it was a gray, wet, dreary day. And also like Chimborazo, as I sat on the swing I could not see anything but gray misty clouds covering the mountainside. Cristina and I still had fun, and it's absolutely one of those "total failure" memories that make you smile afterwards. We both decided that this is the perfect excuse to come back another day, and I hope to do just that.

Riobamba and all the fun I had when we traveled elsewhere 

When I mentioned to different friends that I would be visiting Riobamba, most were somewhat confused and asked questions like, "what are you going to do there?" It's not exactly known for tourism or exciting attractions. But my dear friend Jenniffer lives in Riobamba, so it was a non-negotiable city to visit. Like me, Jenniffer is a single Christian language teacher so there are plenty of ways we relate to each other. We have pretty different personalities, but that doesn't matter- we're sisters in Christ, and it was great to spend some time with her!

An Ecuadorian Wedding 

Jenniffer lives in the church that she serves. The downstairs holds all the services while the upstairs has rooms and the terrace has a kitchen. This week I also lived in La Iglesia Vision de Dios building. A special part of living here was that I got to experience Daniel and Rosita´s wedding that happened on Saturday.  Two people I had never met before welcomed me into their wedding without question. I watched as they put up decorations, listened to the sermon preached, participated in all the songs during the ceremony, ate delicious food (so much food!!!), was given a seat at the wedding party table, and the father of the groom gave me one of the wedding cake toppers to remember them by.  I felt out of place, but they didn´t see it that way. This is what being in the family of God looks like! Talk about blessed!

The amazing wedding cake!! 

Guano: Cholas and el Péndulo 

I'm that small person in blue!

After service on Sunday morning, Cecelia (another Godly woman who lives in the church with Jenniffer) drove Jenniffer and me to Guano. This town is about 40 minutes or so from Riobamba and draws in the tourists. Guano is known for its cholas and leather. I did not end up buying anything leather, but I did get to eat cholas. Cholas are a kind of sweet bread. Inside the bread bun is this caramel, brown sugar, and sweetened fruit that melts in your mouth. It's a challenge to eat just one. After grabbing lunch and some cholas, Cecelia suggested we walk up to this lookout area where you can see all of Guano. I was game. After walking up many flights of stairs and checking out a couple really neat rock formations (an Indian head and a fish), I looked over and there was this intense swing which hung over the cliff's edge. The pendulum was calling my name. I paid a small fee and leapt off the edge! It was an awesome adrenaline rush. Jenniffer called me crazy after, but I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Chimborazo: 2nd attempt- "We did it!!! Wait.. We're not done???"  

Like the pendulum in Guano, some days I wake up and have no idea what is going to happen when we get to where we are going. On Monday afternoon, another old Go Teacher friend who also lives in Riobamba- Jaime Silva- decided that I could not continue my travels without another trip to Chimborazo. He took Jenniffer and me to see Chimborazo mountain. Unlike my first attempt to see Chimborazo, Monday was a bright sunny day. We had the perfect conditions to actually see the mountain. As we drove closer, I assumed we would stop at the gate like last time, stand in awe, and then return home. Jaime had something else in mind.

We past through the gates and there Chimborazo stood- tall and snow capped, but we didn't stop. Jaime kept driving up this windy, dirty and bumpy road. We reached a cabin-like building and got out. Once again I was thinking: Wow! This is amazing! So after a few minutes we'll head back right? Then Jaime says, "Ok vamos!" and he begins walking up this path toward the mountain. I was pretty excited to hike up, but also wished I had known that was the plan all along. At that elevation, breathing can prove difficult, so Jenniffer and I needed to rest every 30 steps or so. Jaime, although he was the heaviest of the three of us, had walked up Chimborazo many times before so he was used to it. Eventually we made it to a second cabin-like building, and once again I thought we were done. We made it!! The view at 5000 meters or 16404 feet was spectacular!! We were higher than most of the clouds, and I was pleased with our effort. However, once again Jaime was like "alright so let's keep going." We only went about 100 meters higher before the sun was beginning to set and we needed to walk back down. Thanks Jaime for pushing us and for creating a lasting memory for all of us! After everything, we decided that after I get accustomed to exercising at high altitudes, we'll go back and tackle hiking all the way to the top!

Alausí: El tren del nariz del diablo 

My last full day in Riobamba, Jenniffer and I decided to take a bus to Alausì so we could take a legitimate train around the mountains to an area called: The Nose of the Devil. I was incredibly happy to have Jenniffer with me. The train wound down and up the mountain side with great views of a river below. Once we reached "The Nose," we were greated with a show of wonderful dancers dressed in traditional garb moving to the folkloric music. We even joined them dancing after a while.

The most special part of this trip for me was when Jenniffer and I dipped our
hands into the crystal clear water of the river. We were determined to touch the river. So, while other visitors were grabbing coffee and lunch at a nearby bar, we explored the land to find a path down to the river. It was awesome! I was reminded of the little adventures I would have with my mom and my brother when we were younger. I´m sure they would have loved it there with me! My whole family would have liked the experience.

So there you have it: the last ten days of my adventure.

In about 1 hour, I will be grabbing a bus to Guayaquil. It´s supposed to be more dangerous there, so I would love prayers for my safety and protection. My friend Andres will be looking out for me and I trust him. I am also changing climates completely. Riobamba is probably the coldest city that I´ve visited so far. At night I slept with 5 blankets covering me, and that´s not an exageration. Guayaquil, on the other hand, is humid and hot. Some say it´s hotter than Esmeraldas. Please pray for a quick transition and a positive attitude no matter how many bug bites I get or how much I sweat.

Thanks again for reading this and supporting me prayerfully. I have about 2 weeks left in my journey, and then the job search begins. I´ll do my best to keep you updated!

11 more things I'm learning about Ecuador

It's day 25 in Ecuador for me!! I've visited 8 cities now (not counting those cities I passed by on bus), and I have about 5 more to go. I'm picking up on how things work here in Ecuador little by little. Here's 11 more things I'm learning about Ecuador!!! 11 because I'm feeling rebellious- deal with it. :)

1. Food Fact 1: Eat less and less as the day goes on  

Disclaimer: Not every Ecuadorian eats exactly the same way so know that I'm speaking in general about this one.

Typical lunch

Ecuadorian Tortilla for a Snack

In my opinion, Ecuadorians have got this food thing figured out!! Most start off the day with a medium to large breakfast between 6 and 8 a.m. (A medium meal would be an almost full plate and large would be a full plate almost overflowing with food.) Around 10 or 11 a.m some "toman un cafecito." It's time for some coffee or maybe a cappuccino and an empanada, tortilla, or a piece of fresh bread.  This is just right because lunch isn't served until 1:30, 2 or sometimes even 3. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Almost every day of my 25 days here in Ecuador, I have barely finished lunch because it's always so much food. Then around 4 or 5 in the day, it's time for a small snack. Something like a smoothie, ice cream cone, or crackers will do. Lastly between 6 and 8:30 the day is wrapped up with coffee and another piece of bread or a couple empanadas.  

Now, on weekends, I've gone out with friends where we ate a big meal at a nice restaurant in the evening, but we usually walked around or went dancing after. 

This is an incredibly logical set up of meals throughout the day!

Sopa con espinacas y queso

2. Food Fact 2: Soup and rice anyone?? 

Another common occurrence with food in Ecuador is that they love their soup and rice! Almost every lunch includes soup before the main course, and it is not at all dependent on the weather. In Esmeraldas, we had soup for lunch. I was already sweating before the steaming hot bowl was passed to me. It doesn't matter- soup is healthy so soup is eaten. Sometimes I'm full from the soup before we even begin the main course which of course always has rice. Sometimes half the plate is rice! The food here is truly delicious and fresh, but these are two things I will probably eat less of on my own when I cook for myself.

3. Leggings= perfectly acceptable 

In general, I feel as though leggings are not completely acceptable in the States. I can wear leggings if I have a long shirt or a dress over them, but in Ecuador it's a different story. Here leggings are just another kind of pants, and I'm a fan of that. They are incredibly comfortable, and I look good in them! hahaha

4. Street and bus vendors= sometimes awesome & sometimes annoying  

As I've taken the bus more and more- I've started to expect vendors to jump on and sell their goods. They usually pitch their sell for a few minutes then make their way up and down the aisle. Sometimes it's annoying because I'm not all that interested in hearing their speech. In those times, I can play the "clueless gringa" card and act like I don't understand what they are asking. Other times, it's proven nice. If I'm a little hungry, I'll buy some peanuts or if I'm thirsty, I'll buy bottled water.

Some of the most interesting "sells" I've experienced are musicians. They'll jump up on the bus or walk into the restaurant and begin to play, sing, or sometimes rap. After a song or two, they will wave a hand in front of you asking you to pay them for their performance. So far I have not been moved to thank them for their interruption. I suppose some day if I meet someone truly talented, I might give them a dollar or two.  

5. Water service: Use it while you have it! 

Some places in Ecuador do not have consistent running water. So those who live there, save water for the days when they won't have running water. They keep big big jugs available and fill them with water from the faucet or even rain water sometimes. Again I'm impressed by the ingenuity of it all. I took a cup shower one day and it was refreshing!

6. Centers of town are like long strip malls 

The best way I can explain city centers here in Ecuador is to compare them to strip malls in the U.S. If I need something and I may not know of a specific shop to go to, I can just walk around a few city blocks and I'll find what I need. There are tons of one room stores here- stores with clothes, office supplies, furniture, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, ice-cream, hair salons, pretty much anything you need or want. It's wonderful to me.

7.  Bills versus Cards

Before coming here, I switched credit cards to a card that doesn't charge international fees. This is still useful for getting money out of an ATM for example, but other than that- I have not used my credit card once. They use cash here not cards. And sometimes it's even difficult to break a 20. Small store owners might lose your business just because they can't give you change if you only have a 20. I ended up buying a "monedero" for every day use.

8. Backpacks in stores

In many bigger stores with more rooms or a wider space: backpacks are not allowed. In those stores, there is usually a guard. He or she will require your backpack to be handed over and kept in a locker while you shop. Sometimes a ticket or token is given until all the purchases have been made. This is an incredibly smart way to prevent theft!

9. Laundry: Do it at least 2 days early 

There are 3 ways to get laundry done here in Ecuador. 1. Take it to a laundry service who will wash and dry it for you for a fair price. 2. Wash laundry in a machine and set it out to dry. 3. Wash laundry by hand and set it out to dry. I have yet to meet anyone who has a dryer. So far I've done #2 and #3 at my friend's houses. This means that clothes are set out on clothes' lines, and it usually takes 2 or sometimes 3 days to dry completely. The reason it might take more time to dry is because it frequently rains here. Praise God I haven't gone without clean clothes. Now I know to wash it little by little so I have dry clothes in time.

10. Can I get some yummy fruity juice please? 

Colada Morada Deliciosa

I love love love the juice here in Ecuador! About once or twice a day juice is served. At one of my friend's houses, we went into her small backyard, picked a babaco fruit from the tree, pealed it, sliced it up, put it in the blender with water and sugar and wallah: sweet refreshing juice!! Not only is the juice amazing- they have fruits here in Ecuador that do not exist in the U.S. Some of them are: Babaco, Guanabana (I love saying this fruit), Naranjilla, Tomate del arbol, and probably a few more than I'm not thinking of right now. Thank you God for fruit!

11. The key to the latin curvy booty

This one is just for fun! If you haven't noticed, many Latinas have great curves. After these days of being here in Ecuador, I think I've figured out some reasons behind their amazing curves. Yes yes genes are a part of it, but there are other factors. 1. Jeans can do a lot to help. There are certain jeans here that don't have pockets in the rear with certain dyes that really show off the curves in the right spot. 2. Los tacones: many are not afraid of heels that give greater shape to their legs. 3. Most importantly...the key to the curve.... THE STAIRS. There are stairs in almost every building here in Ecuador. Walking up and down the stairs is the secret people!!! That's how they have these amazing curves!!! You better believe I'm going to work on it! 

Well, I hope that made you smile. If you're curious about any part of my trip or things I'm learning here, just post a comment, and I'll respond! 

Much love, 

Melody 

Week 3 recap: Making more memories!

These weeks are just flying by! It's surprising how much a person can do in one day when you don't have to work and your friends plan your days for you. :)

My third week in Ecuador,  I visited Esmeraldas and Quito (one more time) before beginning my journey south.

The Journey to Esmeraldas

Last Sunday, I traveled from Quito (a high altitude, somewhat chilly, somewhat sunny, big city) to Esmeraldas (a hot humid coastal city) by bus. It was about a 6 hour ride, but this time I was with my friend Xiomara. It was nice to have someone else to travel with. A lot of people sleep on these kinds of buses, including Xiomara, but with the changing temperatures, the consistent jerking, and most of all- the anticipation of seeing a new place, I still haven't been able to truly fall asleep.

About an hour away from the city of Esmeraldas, I felt the humidity and temperature change. Looking out the window I began to see worlds of green. Huge green tropical plants passed by. It looked almost like jungle. Beautiful and warm.

Once we arrived, the sweating began. The drastic change in temperature was a lot for me. Each night in Esmeraldas I slept in a t-shirt and shorts without any sheets, and each morning I woke up sweating. This is truly the only thing I struggled with in Esmeraldas, and by the last day I was getting used to it. Of course it was 100% worth it to spend time with Xiomix.

Things I did in Esmeraldas:

Teaching 

Xiomara and her director invited me to join them in teaching a few classes. It was fun to plan lessons with Xiomara and meet university students who care about English and some others who are going to be English teachers very soon. Even though I've only been teaching for 2 years, it was pretty great to reflect and share some of my experiences with future teachers. 

Walking on the "board walk" and Salchipapas

My second night in Esmeraldas, Xiomara took me and her wonderful son Alex to the Esmeraldas beach. It was already dark so we walked around this sidewalk area looking out at the waves. The breeze from the ocean was refreshing. 

The same night we ate the most amazing thing. Salchipapas. Salchipapas is a wonderfully crafted bowl of everything required for a heart attack: fried sausages, french fries, a creamy white mystery sauce, and a few other ingredients I didn't quite recognize. It was by far the best thing I've eaten in Ecuador, and I almost passed it up until Xiomara convinced me to seize the moment. Thanks girl! 

Playa Atacames

The afternoon I walked on the beach with my sweet friend was the most wonderful, peaceful, and tranquil experience. In all my planning for Ecuador, this was a moment that exceeded all my hopes. We talked, but we also enjoyed moments in silence enjoying the feeling of the water rushing over our feet. Also, because we went on a weekday afternoon the beach was basically ours. This made it even more special. As a girl from Kansas- so far from any beach- it was an amazing time.  I would go back in a heartbeat!

Hanging with Alex 

I fell in love with Xiomara's son. We played together and he often explained new things to me about Esmeraldas.  He's very sharp, bright, kind and talented. Alex can also rap like nobody's business. I definitely improved my listening skills hanging with him. He has a great future ahead of him. I hope I get to see him again soon.

The Journey Back to Quito

Only after a few days that flew by in Esmeraldas, it was time to head back to Quito. My bus ride back began hectically. Xiomara's family took me to the bus station and I just missed the bus by seconds. The next bus wouldn't leave until about 4 hours later. We talked to the "ticket master" who told us she would call the driver. Xiomara's dad explained what his truck looked liked, and the driver was informed that we would be chasing the bus until it would stop for me. I was actually afraid for my life for a few minutes as we quickly took short cuts through the city to catch up to the bus. Xiomara's dad was determined. When we finally did catch up, there wasn't a good spot for the bus to stop so we drove in front of the bus for a good 15 minutes until it would stop for me. That was such a sweet thing that her family did for me. The scene when I got on the bus and turned around to say goodbye and thank you was just like out of a movie. We made it to the bus; I was relieved and grateful at the same time. 

The bus was pretty full so I grabbed a seat next to an older gentleman, and I made a new friend. Gabriel and I started talking. His birthday was the very next day and he told me he was turning 86. For a good hour or more, he shared stories about how he used to play drums in a folklorico band, and how he still loves music. Of course this came up because of my name. We even sang a few songs together to the amusement of some of the other passengers I'm sure. It was nice to have someone to chat with. There's always so much to learn from elder people and I enjoy hearing their stories. God bless Gabriel. 

Last things I did in Quito 

On Wednesday, I traveled back to Quito to visit my friend Esther for a few days. It never ceases to amaze me that my friends- no matter how busy their lives are- they make time for me. Esther works in a public high school with many many students, but she still planned activities for me to do with her. She's truly a sweetheart.

The high school where Esther works!! 

Hanging out with Andrea

My first night back in Quito, Esther was waiting for me at the train station with her friend Andrea. Since Andrea had free time while Esther was working, we got to know each other. She's a 21 year old who also shares a love for travel. I hope we'll hang out again- maybe do a little traveling together.

Historic Churches in Quito 

One thing I hadn't done in Quito yet was see some of the historic churches in the oldest area of the city. So of course, Andrea took me to see some of them. A lot of these Catholic churches have been converted into museums, and you have to pay to enter them. As I mentioned earlier, museums aren't as interesting to me as other activities, but we did enter one church. It truly was outstanding and ornate. The gold and the paintings were exquisite. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take pictures inside.

One of my favorite things about the museum was that the inside garden had parrots. They were incredibly entertaining. One would copy Andrea and I. It responded to her "hola" and mimicked our laughs. The inner child in me loved this so much!

Batidos: Oh those smoothies!!! 

After checking out the churches, we were a little hungry so we stopped by this cafe. (By the way cafes are seriously the best here in Ecuador!) Andrea and I shared a fruit salad and smoothies. They were delicious!

La Ronda: Giving it another try 

If you read my first week recap blog, you know that I prefer La Plaza Foch, but this go around La Ronda was somewhat better. Less people stared, and we weren't trying to find a place to dance. (I think that was the main disappointment the first time I went to La Ronda.) We were just enjoying our time together and seeking a place to eat and listen to live music. It was different because of our purpose in going to La Ronda. Esther, Andrea, and I enjoyed a lovely dinner, we tried legitimate chocolates made from the cacao plant here in Ecuador, and listened to live music at a bar.

Rest: Travelling can wipe you out!!  

One of the important things I did in Quito at Esther's house was rest. I slept in, took frequent naps, and went to bed early most days. It was like all of sudden, all of the social interactions, the days full of fun activities, and all of the bus trips here and there caught up to me and I needed to sleep. I needed to have quiet time to myself. Praise the Lord I could do just that. 

Today I came from Ambato to Riobamba. I'm staying with my friend Jenniffer at her church. She literally lives at this church. The upstairs has rooms and the terrace has a kitchen. It's pretty cool! Pray that this week here in Riobamba will be refreshing to my soul. It's easy to be distracted from God's purpose and I'm hopeful this week will recenter me. I also want to be a blessing to Jenniffer and other believers here at Iglesia Vision. 

Thanks for reading this and I really appreciate your encouragement prayers and support.

 

Otavalo, Ibarra, and Quito: 9 more experiences in Ecuador

Week two in Ecuador was even busier than week one! I visited four places this last week: Peguche, Otavalo, Ibarra, and another area of Quito.

A few things I did Otavalo and Peguche:

The view within Rosita's house.

I went to Peguche to visit my friend Rosita. She is indigenous and incredible! She speaks three languages: Kichwa, Spanish, and English. Even though during the week she takes care of her two kids while she also works as a teacher with two jobs, she invited me to stay with her. It was my pleasure to stay with her two days.  

Plaza de Ponchos

Peguche is a small town just outside of Otavalo. Since most activities and stores are in Otavalo, Rosita brings her kids there every afternoon. I, of course, went with her. The most well-known area of Otavalo is La Plaza de Ponchos. It's an area of tents with all kinds of art work and amazing souvenirs to buy from the indigenous people. I didn't buy much this time since I don't want much more to carry around in my suitcase, but I plan to return at least one more time.

La Cascada de Peguche: The waterfall

My favorite place in Peguche is the waterfall. There is a tourist entrance which is easy to enter and has a covered path to the waterfall, but Since Rosita is from Peguche, she showed me the more natural route. The route the indigenous take. It was somewhat challenging, a little bit dangerous, but incredibly more special and fun. The hike up to the waterfall was filled with sights of the river and lush green areas along with some muddy places too. I definitely did not have the right shoes on! With each turn of the path the anticipation grew until we finally arrived and the waterfall was breathtaking.

El mercado Santa Clara

I finally got to cook a meal! The afternoon I arrived in Peguche, Rosita told me about this nice surprise. Adriana, an American who had moved to Peguche with Peace Corps, works with Rosita and she was going to show me around town during the afternoon since Rosita needed to go to work. Adriana and I were asked to prepare an American dinner for Rosita and her kids. At el mercado de Santa Clara we gathered all the necessary ingredients. That night we made a gourmet macaroni, bacon, and cheese meal. For a side we added sauteed vegetables. It was delicious and fun to be able to do something for Rosita.      

An "American" meal for Rosita and her kids. 

A few things I did in Ibarra:  

In Ibarra I spent most of my time with two friends: Hamilton and Pablo. Hamilton has been my friend for a while now. (Just to make it clear for those who are curious: No. Hamilton and I are not dating, nor did we date when he was in Kansas. I only consider him a good friend.) Pablo surprised me in Ibarra. I didn't feel like I knew Pablo all that well when he was in Kansas, but after spending time with him in Ibarra, I have a lot of respect for him. He was a total gentleman to me, really looked out for my safety, and sought ways to show me a good time.  

Mis panas: Hamilton and Pablo

Freaky Monkey Restaurante

The very first thing I did in Ibarra was eat at the freaky monkey restaurant while watching the Ecuador team play Peru. In case you don't know: the American Cup is going on right now. I'm really getting into the spirit of the games! The restaurant had a cool vibe about it; everyone inside was jazzed about the game, and I had a good time.

Yahuarcocha: A clear blue lake with views of mountain tops: could it get any better? 

La Laguna de  Yahuarcocha

My first morning in Ibarra, Pablo took me around town. Not far from the university where Pablo works is a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains. My family would love it there! It's a completely green area where people were out riding their bikes, jogging, or fishing. One of the first things I noticed about Ibarra is how many cyclists there are. Who wouldn't want to exercise around that area? The air is fresh and the sights are beautiful.   

El Chachimbiro

As soon as Pablo knew I was coming to Ibarra, he told me that we had to go to Chachimbiro. About an hour's drive away from Ibarra, Chachimbiro is a natural pool in the mountains where the water is warm because of a nearby volcano. Of course I said "let's do it!" The area had many pools but only two were full enough to get in. One pool had warm water while another felt more like the temperature of a jacuzzi. The pools are filled by run off water from the volcanic mountain. In the "jacuzzi" pool there was a fountain with water pouring into the pool. The water was so hot I could only stand it for a minute or so. What an amazing experience!

A few more experiences back in Quito

Quito is such a big city that each area I visit has a little different vibe. This time in Quito, I was staying with my friend Paulina. With her, sometimes it seems as though Pauli is the American and I am the Ecuadorian because of our temperaments and preferences. We are pretty different, but that's what makes our friendship so great! We joked about this a lot during my days with her.

El Teleférico

50 years from now if I am to return again to Quito Ecuador, I would experience el Teleférico again. It's basically a cable car that takes you up a high mountain nearby Quito where you can see a view of the city like none other. There are even things to do at the top- more hiking if you wish, and a few cafes to check out. Next time, I would bring gum because of the atmospheric pressure. It's also good to be somewhat in shape for this experience since there is less oxygen in the air as you rise up the mountain. I loved this experience and I'm really happy I got to share it with Paulina!  

Maricela y Familia

One person I really wanted to meet up with, but wasn't sure I could was my friend Maricela. She works three jobs and is a wife and a mom. It made me extremely happy that she would spend her only free time with me. I got about 5 hours to chat with her, see her house, and meet her family. Oh the joy that filled my soul to be with her again.  

La Salsoteca Lavoe: dancing the night away  
My first weekend in Quito I went to a discoteca to dance with friends. A discoteca has mostly tecno and reggaeton music. It resembled most dance clubs you would see in the States. Whatever kind of music is playing: I love to dance. It was so much fun! My second weekend, I went with Paulina to La Salsoteca Lavoe and we met up with my friend Xiomara there. This place had mostly salsa music and a few bachata songs. It was incredible! I enjoyed watching just as much as I did dancing. I´m very grateful that Paulina took me there because it´s not exactly her scene, but she went with me anyway because she knew how much I wanted to go.  There´s no question that I´ll lose weight if I keep going out dancing each weekend!

Those are just some highlights from week 2 here in Ecuador. There were even more small experiences that filled my heart with joy to be here. As I reflect upon this week, I just keep thinking about how friendship is this amazing gift that we often take for granted. It's amazing to be cared about and to care in return. That's what makes this journey such a blessing. More than the sights and the experiences- I'm grateful for the people who have shared their time with me.

Paulina's mom taught me how to dress as the indigenous do! 

Coming up: A recap of my time this week: Esmeraldas and Quito once more before my journey south begins!