We're Back

What a wonderful adventure! We have all arrived home safely with many stories to tell about our trip to Ecuador. We hope to share some of them with those of you who have been following this blog soon.

Our last two days of the trip were filled with exploration and adventure as we toured the Museums under the fundacion - Yaku Museum of water and MIC - Museum of Interactive Science. We were fortunate to have enthusiastic tour guides that engaged us throughout their exhibits and answered our questions about the setup and purpose within each area. The highlight of Yaku were the slides and tunnels that we went through which taught us about the journey that water takes to get from the mountains to the houses in Quito. At MIC, we looked around their children's area of the Museum and experienced a staged tremor, just like an earthquake. We also viewed an incredible life-like model of Quito with light and sound that showed where certain buildings and areas of the city were located - very cool!


Saturday was a beautiful day - clear skies and amazing weather so that we could actually see a snow capped volcano! We spent the day at the Museum of the City for the opening of the exhibit - From the Adirondacks to the Middle of the World. It was an incredible reception with warm greetings from the Ambassador, members of the Embassy, Museum personnel and staff as well as the Ecuadorian students and parents. We felt so welcomed by all of the people and they put up a great exhibition of the children's art. They also provided delectable snacks and a collection of traditional children's games in their outdoor courtyard area. It was an amazing day, one that won't be forgotten.

On our flight back to the USA, I asked the students to write what they learned from the Ecuadorian students, this is what they shared:

I learned that the Ecuadorian students were as nervous of us as we were of them. We didn't know if we would be able to communicate or if they would like us, and I feel like they felt the same ways about us. But once we both got over our nervousness and they got over theirs we all had a lot in common, and we became friends.  - Isabella

The Ecuadorian students enjoyed talking with us! When we were talking on the bus to Tulipe (the archaelogical site) they really helped us work on our Spanish. The Ecuadorians also taught me about acceptance. Whenever we were with them they always acted as though they we were all the same, and they didn't care that we didn't speak great Spanish, they still wanted to walk with us arm in arm.  
- Tara

I learned that the Ecuadorian students listen to the same type of music (Justin Beiber, Eminem/Rihanna) and that they like meeting new people and have a lot of questions. It is interesting.    -Jenifer