solfly asked: How the heck has your Mom never seen the movie "Clerks"
I’ve never seen the movie Clerks…
stevie57 asked: I read that days and nights at the equator are the same duration year around. So when does the sun go down?
….idk like 6? 7? Why is this so important, you’ve asked me this like 3 times.
We just watched half of our group leave for the airport on a big bus. None of us have any idea if or when we will see each other again. It’s strange that we’ve only known each other for a month, but I feel as though I’ve known them for years. We always talked about this day, and how hard it would be to split up, but I don’t think any of us realized that it would actually happen. Up until today they were just words, it was a story that we told each other as entertainment, a failed attempt to desensitize each other from an emotional situation that no one really wanted to face. Unsurprisingly, we all laughed and yelled and made fun of each other during most of the goodbyes, but by the time the bus was pulling away Sarah was crying and I felt sad eating Mack’s left over pesto ravioli without her there. It was like she left a little part of her for us to remember her by. I pitifully shoved the pasta in my mouth using my fingers (I couldn’t find a fork in the hotel lobby) while whining to Amanda about how sad I was. Amanda laughed heartily at me but then also became sad because Mackenzie was not around to make fun of me with her. This made me whine more. (Mom, you would have hated this situation. The whining was out of control). Meanwhile, Sarah was still teary-eyed, I was too busy getting pesto all over my face to form coherent sentences, and everyone was hungover and trying not to pass out. I’m sure the hotel staff were very pleased when their guests came into the lobby to our sorry scene. We were also pretty sad that we were not able to see the English off. Rosie, James, and Nicole’s flight left much earlier today, and they were gone by the time the rest of us were getting up for breakfast.
Now it’s just the remaining survivors. Our flight departs Quito at 8.40pm and we arrive in Lima at 9.50ishpm. Tonight we stay in Lima and tomorrow we continue on to Cuzco. It’s so strange that I only have 8 days left. A week ago that thought was so unfathomable. Anyway, our bus is to pick us up for the airport at 5, and it’s 4.25, so I should head out.
stevie57 asked: Did you go to the Saturday market in Otovalo? It sounds quite interesting and they're known for their textiles - ponchos and blankets. Also, did you haggle to get a good price on the hammock? If need be, don't hesitate to buy another bag/duffle so you can bring things home. Go ahead and pay the airline extra luggage charge - just put it on the credit card. I don't want you to miss out on getting anything you might want due to luggage restriction. Just don't bring home a cow!
Hahah ok sounds good. Yes we did go to the andean market in otovalo, but we went on wednesday so it wasn’t super crowded, which actually was really nice because it wasn’t super stressful. I did haggle and heckle and i got some pretttty cool stuff, like my hammock! No i just have to figure out where to hang it up.
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Well, the time has come to say our goodbyes and leave this wonderful country. It has truly been an amazing experience exploring Ecuador, but it’s time to depart and head to Peru! Two countries in one summer! I’m definitely exhausted from our last few nights of end-of-trip celebrations and also from the last 4 weeks, but I can’t wait for Peru, and I hope it’s as awesome as I’ve been imagining.
stevie57 asked: Hope you can fit it in your luggage for the trip home. You need to save room for all the gifts you're bringing me...
I bought a small duffle bag…
We heckled at Otovalo today and I am now the proud owner of a beautifully handmade Ecuadorian hammock. Yes, I am a responsible souvenir buyer, and yes, you are jealous. Endless comfort in Eugene, here I come!
stevie57 asked: Watch the liquids! Have you been to the equador yet? When do you leave for Peru? Miss you much...
Well, tongiht is our fairwell dinner and fairwell party, so I’ll watch the liquids starting tomorrow. We went to the equator line today! It wasn’t as cool as I thought it was going to be (kind of like the spanish arch or something) but it the information that the lady told us was pretty interesting. The whole clearing that we were in had the geometric map of Earth layed out in stone mosaic on the ground, and there was a high platform on one side where you could look at it from above, so that was cool. I think it would be interesting to go there at night and see all of the different stars and things from both the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere at once. We leave for Lima tomorrow!!! Tonight is our very last night in the great country of Ecuador, and the last night together as a group. Out of the 15 of us, only 7 are continuing on to Peru, so tonight and tomorrow will be pretty emotionally stressful for everyone, I’m sure. I miss you too and I get to see you in about a week! It seemed so far away!
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I had too many liquids last night. Now I’m exhausted, and it’s 8.00 in the morning and we have to go to Otovalo and heckle with people and buy things from them. Sure sign of a good day.
michaelafrances asked: I feel like I should know you because you have been to so many of the same places in Ecuador as me. I went for 3 weeks in June/July, and I am STILL trying to cope with being home. I loved every single inch of Ecuador, from the jungle to the andes. It hit something really deep inside me, and pretty much all I have thought about since I came back is Ecuador. I absolutely loved reading your blog posts about your trip, they made me really happy.
Glad I can tug the heartstrings of a fellow traveler! I’ve been here for a little over a month now, and it’s unbelievable how quickly the time has passed. When I left home it seemed like a month and a half would seem like forever, but it feels surreal realizing that I only have a couple of weeks left in this phenomenal country. I’m really thankful that this program found me. It’s the perfect balance of volunteering and exploring in a foreign country. And I couldn’t have asked for a better group. We all got so close so fast, and now someone always gets upset whenever anyone starts talking about our time here coming to an end. I realize how cliche this is, but this trip really has been a life-changing experience. Just like you said, it really got to the core of me (the people, the culture, the cities, the countrysides) and I think it has made me re-evaluate my life. I’m glad you enjoy the posts!
stevie57 asked: Forgot to ask, Was anything stolen from you?
Luckily, no, nothing was stolen from me, although a couple of my friends had money stolen. I could definitely tell someone had gone through my backpack though. I’m very surprised that everything was still there because I could tell they found my money, and my camera was in there. But I think they were only after cash, and apparently $10 bucks wasn’t worth it to them, because that’s all I had to begin with, so that’s good. Carlos was really embarrassed and very upset for the rest of the day. I guess nothing like that has happened before the whole time he’s been working for ISV.
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