A once in a Lifetime Adventure

Well, I have three days left here and I must say this was a incredible, uncomfortable, and life-altering adventure. I left behind my family, job & studies to embark on an experience of farming, teaching, learning spanish and ultimately stepping out of my comfort zone to do incredible activities.

Its unreal that 3 weeks ago I was adjusting to Ecuador. I was at different schools each day, attempting to communicate with children with no spanish language experience. Even though I could not speak with them, we communicated through smiles, frown, and a little bit of hand signs. Actually I learned more from them, then they learned from me. They taught me patience... along with colors and classroom supply names lol.

Farming was fun & rewarding. Its so important to the people of Ecuador. Most people live off of what they grow, by selling & eating the food. It is hard work. I have never willingly participated in manuel labor like that. But when I saw the fruits of my labor I felt a since of pride. And it wasn´t because I was feeding others, but I too ate the food that I helped to create. I felt apart of the culture.

Learning spanish was probably the hardest part about this trip. At first I just was not getting it. I was always mixing German (which I studies for 6 years) and Spanish. I would get easily annoyed in my classes.... I even walked out one time because of my lack of understanding and lack of interest in learning the language. It was so discouraging but I could not give up because of my need of social skills to communicate with the Ecuadorians. I moved past my discouragement and realized that learning a language is difficult, especially when your have class 5 hours a day, 4 times a week. Now that I am done with the class I can understand so much of the language. Speaking is difficult but at least I can somewhat communicate with my host family and the other people I encounter.

My favorite parts of coming to Ecuador was experience all this place has to offer. I saw the beautiful sights of Quito and had dinner at the most famous area in Quito. I travelled to the coast and viewed the sun set on the Pacific. I shopped in the largest tourist market and bought great items for my family and cool instruments for me :). I climbed Cotopaxi.. thee hardest thing I´ve ever done... IN MY LIFE. Cotopaxi is the second tallest volcano in Ecuador. I went to Mindo Cloud forest and went to Mindo Cloud forest and went tubing town down a freezing river, zip lined very very high in the air (I have video to prove it) and attened a large fiesta and danced the night away. I also went to a very important soccer game for the semi-finals. It was Amazing! All of these things were AMAZING! I would never willingly do any of these things. I don´t regret doing any of these activities. I laughed, cried (Cotopaxi), was terrified and annoyed (with misqitos) at times but I do not regret not one second of this experience.

So now I have one day left in my village, then I more back to (Quito.) It´s bittersweet. I loved my time here... learning from my host family, spend time group