The last trip. The last time I may see them again. However, I refuse to think that way. We will see each other again, someday.
I departed from Chone on Friday the 17th and made my way to Guayaquil where I met up with all the other exchange students, excited for the trip! We checked into the hotel, went to eat lunch, and spent the afternoon walking around the city. At 6, we had to be ready to go to the District Conference and the flag presentation. Two girls gave a lovely and funny speech for the Rotarians, which I found nicely explained the year. The next day, I woke up and went to give my speech--but this time, JUST for the Rotarians, there were no exchange students there. They went to a garden where I was shipped after finishing my speech. The link to the video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUVBaB7FgVQ.
From there, we headed up to Cajas--the coldest place in Ecuador. I was freezing with leggings below my dress pants, a jacket and sweatshirt followed by a scarf. You know what that means Momma? Yeah, no air conditioning will be allowed on the car ride home from the airport. Just open windows! And then we made the rest of our journey into the city of Cuenca. We went to a church where we had the ability to see all of Cuenca. It was gorgeous! In the hostal we stayed at, we did a talent show, and had no hot water. I was frozen cold. However, we only stayed there for a short time and I fell in love with such a clean and well ordered city!
From there, we made our way to Riobamba, yet another beautiful city, where we spent the night in a beautiful hotel. Earlier that day, we had the ability to go buy very cheap silver--and what they were selling was gorgeous!
From there, we went to spend a little time in Baños--but only in the city. I was really hoping to see the "baños" there! They say they are beautiful!
From there, we went to Puyo to eat lunch and go see some beautiful waterfalls. However, at that altitude, I was DYING while sitting, nonetheless while climbing a steep mountain!
From there we went by Cotocachi where they sell leather. It was a very good price!
However, we only spent a few hours there before heading to Quito! There, we went to a Volcano and really high up the mountain where we could see the entire city! Then, that afternoon, we went to the Mitad del Mundo, where we spent time taking pictures and enjoying being in two hemispheres at once. But, did you know that where the line is currently drawn is not the actual middle of the world? They are currently moving the line a few km away so it will be in place.
From there we ate lunch in an indigenous town outside of Ibarra where llama was served. I ate a little bit, and then... I hate to say it, I kissed a llama. I am a bad person because I ate what I kissed. Then, we went to Ibarra, where we put up a fight when the men and woman were separated in different hotels! The next day, we were reunited to go on a walk around a lake. It was beautiful, but I was excited to get back to the hotel for dinner and a dance party with everyone together. We also signed flags--yet another memory from our year.
I have had a good year with the exchange students, and am so happy to say that I still have just under 2 months left. My next adventure: being "teacher."
