Written by Jasmin & Haljazir
On our next day of service work, we were divided into three groups. One group was assigned to painting a communal dining area while another had to clean the weeds in a cemetery. Shout-out to Rachel who kept the painting group jamming with the music and speaker she brought<3. Then the last group helped load and unload cinder blocks to aid a family who lost their home in a recent flood. The following day, the group did an intensive 3 hour hike.Â
Our destination leading to a water bank where we planted trees to ensure the water did not dry out for the local town. The following day we got the fruits of our labor on a fun adventurous day at Campo Colibri. There the group participated in three fun activities. While one group went through a three way ziplining course, the other group did a big swing with a crazy view of a valley beneath them. You could probably hear the screams of Olga and Elaisa from miles away.
Afterwards we headed into apuella to see how the coffee from Pete’s farm and surrounding farms apart of the Cafe Intag collective process and sell their coffee to different places internationally. We had the opportunity to try the freshly produced coffee and one of our amazing leaders, Matt, bought us cinnamon bread to accompany the sweet taste of coffee. Then we headed to a town a little outside of Apuella to a restaurant and hot springs. The view of the river while we ate our food was later accompanied by the relaxing feeling of being in the hot springs. While there, we talked to the local teenagers and enjoyed the sun before heading back to Pucara for a farewell party. In the midst of excitement, the group participated in games with our host families and other locals. Jasmin won musical chairs, Andrew won an egg running contest, and Daniel won a water bottle race. Kassy even danced with the local women and successfully balanced a water bottle on her head through the entire performance! Our fun came to an end with the group singing Fireworks by Katy Perry in the pouring rain.
On our last day in Pucara we went into apuella to see a parade hosted by the local schools in the area. While in town, we received a task given by one of our leaders Ryan, to use $6 to buy something and find out how it’s produced. We were able to get a variety of things like papaya, mandarins, empandas and marshmallows. Two hours later, we drove to junin where we learned about the negative affect mining has had and how locals combatted the mining company invasions in the past and present day. Our second day in junin, we went on a hike where we saw three different waterfalls. One waterfall named, Cascada Gemelas, were twin waterfalls except one looks destroyed because a mining company, that previously had access to the forest, damaged it.
After leaving Junin, we took a stop to Quito to see Mitad del mundo (middle of the world) before arriving at our Cool Artistic hotel called Mamallacta in Papayacta. The Group was able to enjoy hot showers before having this bomb lasagna for dinner. But to let off some steam from the past three weeks, the leaders took us to a local Hot Spring which gave the group a chance to grow closer together. After a few hours, some of us group members were hungry and our amazing leaders got us BBQ Wings and French fries. Unfortunately, our stay at this hotel was cut short but we readily and excitedly headed to the Amazon where we are now. We arrived to the Arajuno lodge right on the river banks of the Arajuno river. On our second day here, we planted trees in the forest while getting the opportunity to go tubbing in the Arajuno river. We are so excited to see what happens the next few days since it’s our last week in Ecuador!
What have been the top highlights this week?Â
Kassy: Getting the chance to immerse myself in Ecuadorian culture by dancing Bomba with my host family
Haljazir: Campo Colibri was a highlight for me was because I never went on a zipline and the big swing gave me a chance to get over my fear of heights
Charles: Mamallacta was my favourite because it gave me inspiration for my future house and it was very comfortable.Â
What is something you or the group is challenged by this week?:
The most challenging part of this week is the constant movement and travelling that we have been doing. Though it’s tiring, the bus rides give us chances to connect and sing songs together. The 1hr+ bus rides have felt a bit draining but the destination has always been worth it.
What do we have to look forward to?Â
For the next few days we will be staying in the Amazon and then transitioning to white water rafting for two days!
Olga: I’m looking forward to traveling to Quito since we never got to visit it fully.
Charlie: I’m excited to see you guys after this trip and connect with you guys further as the trip comes to a close.
Owen and Amira: I’m looking forward to whitewater rafting since I have never done it before and it’ll be a new experience.
