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