Ecuador 2008

In June 27-July 24 of 2008 I went to Ecuador through International Student Volunteers. I went with a group of about 35 college students from around the world, but mainly the U.S. and Canada. For the first two weeks, I was in a small town with about 7 other students. We taught the local children English and helped the elderly with their household chores.

Teaching the children is why I really wanted to go on this trip. It was hard to get photos of the towns people mainly because they didn't really want to be photographed and there is also some religious belief that cameras are bad. I did take some pictures of the children because they loved us being there and didn't care about the cameras. They were the best part of the whole trip. Even after we left the country they were the most memorable part of the whole trip.

The last two weeks we all met up as a big group and toured the country. It sounds nice but it was very intense. We climbed a dormant volcano, I jumped off a bridge and we did hiking in the muddy, humid jungle. The ending was nice when we learned how to surf and we just relaxed in a little surfer town called Montanita.

Overall, the experience was very nice. I learned a lot about Ecuador and I loved seeing the people. The South Americans. One of me. I wish someday I could go back. I would love to go to Argentina or Venezuela one day. My ultimate goal is to return to my birthplace near Bogota, Colombia. For now, though, I am happy seeing other parts of our beautiful earth.

Clearing a stream in the backyard of an elder

Inside the Hostal we stayed at for 14 days

Surrounding hills of El Chaupi, a local and his horse guard a gate to trails on the hills

Riding around the town square of El Chaupi

The Hostal we stayed at in El Chaupi


A lagoon about 2 hours away from El Chaupi


The horse I rode to get back up from hiking down the lagoon


The girls of our group. There was only me and one other guy.

A local's home in El Chaupi


A dog and cat together in someone's yard. I think they are pets