A Day in the Life...in Quito Ecuador!

Today we woke up early in order to arrive at school by 7 am for the daily all school assembly. We then went to the computer lab and spent some time "revisiting our youth" at the lowerschool playground.

Around 9:45 we ventured out to downtown Loja where we visited a local museum featuring an Afro-Ecuadorian exhibit. Afterwards, we did some shopping fpollwed by a visit to a local park where we has a quick snack and returned to the Colegio Iberoamericano. We're now ready to spend the weekend with our host families and very excited that there's a party for the exchange students tonight. We'll be back to blog on Monday.

Arrival in Loja

Today, we had to wake up at 3:30 AM in order to check out by 4:15. We left the hotel at 4:35 to go to the airport. Our flight was at 6:00 AM. It was a short flight -- only about 45 minutes. When we arrived, the media was waiting to do a live interview. Kenji was the brave one and became the star of the morning news. He spoke in Spanish with the interviewer. Then we had a bus ride to a hotel where we ate breakfast. We had fruit, bread, and eggs -- and some really good, weird juice. Then, we went to the school. As soon as we got there, lots of little kids came to meet us. They were so cute! They all asked our names and attempted to help us with our extremely heavy luggage. We went up on stage and the head of school introduced us to the entire school. Trevor spoke in Spanish to the entire school. They welcomed us and then introduced us to our hosts. We hung out with our hosts for a while during their break. A giant siren goes off to signal the next class. While they were in class, we hung out together in our base room. We'll leave school with our hosts at 1:45 to go to their houses. We've already heard of a huge party tomorrow. We're all excited. Tomorrow, we're going on a walking tour of the city. We're all tired, but having fun.

Nia and Katelyn

Christine Yazdani and Rachel McNeill- May 27th 2009

Visiting the Native Market and the Train Ride to Salinas

Today we went on a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to a native market in Otavalo. There we saw lots of alpaca scarves, hand made clothes, jewelery, hats, fruit, and much more. We shopped, shopped, and shopped from the 50+ vendors. It was a good experience seeing the people make the items by hand and improving our spanish speaking capabilities. After buying the local goods we got on the bus again and went to Ibarra where we got on a train.
-Christine Yazdani

The train went through the town and then through the countryside. The train went over a rickety, old bridge over a valley. When we got to the other side the train stopped and we got out for snacks. We were allowed to walk on the bridge if we dared. It was pretty scary because it was it was a long fall if we slipped... but some people walked on it anyways. I (Rachel) went a little ways, but Evan was the first on it and went almost halfway across. Aimee decided to pose on one leg while on the bridge, and it was scary just watching her. Also, Senor Alvelo went on the bridge for the first time in 3 years of taking that tour. We were so proud! We even filmed this momentous occasion, so you can have fun watching it (when it gets added because we don't have time right now... but they're hilarious, trust me). After the very scary bridge the train continued. The scenery was GORGEOUS. The mountains and valleys were really cool. We saw lots of different crops including sugar cane. There were also some cows and two cowboys. The train ride ended in a little town called Salinas.
-Rachel McNeill

When we first arrived in the village, Salinas, we were welcomed with traditional lemonaide. Then we walked through the town to the resturant were we ate lunch. When we arrived outside of the resturant the native children played a little concert for us. Then we proceeded inside and were served our lunch which consisted of soup, chicken, beef or trout, and papya. While we were eating the native girls came in and performed a traditional dance for us. After we were done eating we went on the bus for 3 hours to return to the hotel. And that concluded our very busy day!
-Christine Yazdani

Rachel's shoutout: Hi Mom, Dad, Auntie, Peter, Gumby

Nia and Rachel; I now question their sanity.

On the train!

Our train that took us from Ibarra to Salinas

Tablecloths for sale in market

Group after we crossed this bridge on the train.

Market in Otovalo, crocheted hats for $3!

Irrigation workers next to a sugar cane field

Drummer for the group that played for us before lunch in Salinas

Children in Salinas where we had lunch after the train ride

Quito: Day One

26 May, 2009

By: Kenji and Nick

Howdy Y'all!!! All of us CA kids are doing pretty swell down here in Quito. Our first day in the second highest capital city in South America was superb! Since we got in late last night, we got a late start, which was much appreciated. At 10 o'clock Quito time, the 20 kids and 2 chaperones went onto a tour bus and we were off. On the way to our first stop, our tour guide, Odette, told us interesting facts, such as the real name of Quito is San Francisco de Quito. She also pointed out landmarks like the monument for Abe Lincoln, as well as Queen Isabella's monument. Finally, we arrived at Itchimba Cultural Center, nicknamed the Crystal Palace. The Palace, a miniture version of the one erected in the U. K, sat ontop of a mountain, providing one with breth taking views. Our next visit was to a chirch in the gothic style. We briefly toured the church and then continued on our tour of Colonial Quito. After being dropped off at the edge of old Quito, we started to tour Quito on foot. After a brief stop at the former house of Simon Bolivar, we continued onto the Iglesia de la compania de Jesus (the church for the society of Jesus). We, unfortunately were not able to take pictures of the Baroquienthemed church, but everything from the "salamaucau" columns to the ceiling covered in 24 carrot gold flakes was an overwhelming sight. After we returned to the hotel at 2, we were awarded with 2 to 1/2 hours of freetime. We went with some other people to a little family ran restaurant right next to the gotel: Que Rica! Afterwards, we took a stroll on the park where a ceartain red-haired colleague decided to try a BMX dirt course which provided us with a lot of laughter. We then handed off towards a shopping mall for dinner and well, shopping. A popular product of Ecuador is a hand woven straw sun hat. Now, we have 2 hours of free time, though we are restricted to the confines of the hotel. While some prepare for our trip to Otavlo... I am going swimming. Ciao, stay tuned for more updates.

Day 1 From Raleigh to Atlanta to Quito

Yesterday morning a group of twenty Cary Academy students met at the new addition to the Raleigh Durham airport, anxious to begin their journey to the foreign country of Ecuador! After a smidgden of waiting we boarded the first Delta aircraft that took us from our hometown of Raleigh NC to Atlanta GA. We arrived in Atlanta around 3 pm and explored the unfamiliar area. Some of us passed the three hour layover playing cards, others explored the airport, and some shooped and ate food. After a 19 minute delay, we left Atlanta for Quito, Ecuador. The flight was long with some turbulence. When we finally landed, I guess its safe to say we were relieved. They made us wear masks as we exited the plane and entered the airport. Customs were confusing and we had to turn in several forms and we even had to stand infront of a thermal camera. Finally, we made it to the hotel, The Dann Carlton. We were dazzled by its sparkly floor and even though it was midnight, all of us were bursting with excitement of what was to come the next day.

Aimee and Bretty

More pictures to come...

Buenas Tardes de Ecuador!

We have arrived safely! We got in late last night because of a delay out of Atlanta. The students will post there blogs soon, and we will be posting photos soon as well. We have had a pretty laid back day today, but tomorrow should be a really full day!

Kim

Welcome to Our 2009 Ecuador Exchange Blog!

Welcome to the 2009 Ecuador exchange blog. On Monday May 25 twenty Cary Academy students and two adult chaperones will depart on our 16 day exchange trip to Ecuador, South America. Technology permitting, students will be posting here our day to day experiences.
We are looking forward to having a wonderful and memorable trip.