This post features student writing.
¡Hola familias y amigos!
Last week, we spent two days in Mindo, a city not far from Las Tolas, and did a few excursions around the city. On our first day, we went ziplining through the Ecuadorian canopies, headed into town and did some shopping, then visited a small chocolate factory where we learned how to make our own rich and pure chocolate. We stayed the night in Mindo and did a small bonding exercise with our group. The next morning, we went on a small hike to a waterfall and took in the great views. We had lunch at a small restaurant in Mindo, then drove out to go tubing down a fast-moving river. Once we made it through and dried ourselves off, we went back to our cabanas to rest, then departed for our small home in Las Tolas.
On Saturday, the Putney Crew arrived at Otavalo for a day of shopping, bargaining, and donning fuzzy llama hats. We used our powerful command of Spanish to keep prices down and navigate the market. After another sleepy bus ride back to Las Tolas, we had an early night to rest up before our homestays. We were all eager to meet our host families and see what our new homes would be like!
During the first few days of our homestays, we spent our mornings clearing paths through the forest, planting coffee trees, and relocating wheelbarrrow after wheelbarrow of seedlings. Each day after el almuerzo, we’re free to work on our independent projects, which include conducting interviews, painting murals, and making much needed soccer nets. In the evening, our crew comes together to play soccer, eat ice cream, and gossip with the locals.
Our Top 10 Pastimes:
10. Swatting at MothBats (moths the size of bats)
9. Playing guitar with Renee
8. Walking up hills
7. Rejecting marriage proposals
6. Petting newborn puppies (Penguino, Chocolate, and Mocha)
5. Gossiping with Pilar
4. Playing fútbol
3. GATITO (tiniest kitten ever)
2. Cuddle Puddles
1. Empanadas
Hasta luego,
Eamon, Culton, and Shelby
(We hope to post photos of students with their host families soon! – Lucia y Bretton)