Reports from Ecuador

FYI: Given the unreliable internet situation, Lila and I have decided to split up blogging responsibilities so that our entries do not overlap.  To read about our experience in its entirety, visit ecuador.blogs.rice.edu.  Thanks for reading!

We took yet another day-trip on Saturday to Otavalo, a town about 2 hours north of Quito. On the way, we passed the Equator and a large sign welcoming us to “La Mitad del Mundo.” It was so cool that we were able to be in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time! And once we were in Otavalo, there was non-stop shopping. Otavalo is essentially a massive outdoor market where locals sell their handicrafts. We were accompanied by Marta, Maria Alicia’s clever and savvy mother who showed us Americanas a thing or two about bargaining with Ecuadorians. Lila and I spent the day haggling for our souvenirs and finished it off with another traditional Ecuadorian-style meal, which included the inescapable Ají, along with moté, queso and llapingachos.

The sickness has struck.

Unfortunately, after our wonderful trip to Otavalo, I became very ill. Maria Alicia called a doctor to the house to make sure it was nothing very serious. Fortunately, it was simply due to the drastic and sudden change in my diet; the doctor gave me medicine and the order to rest so my body could adjust. I stayed at home in bed on Sunday and Monday to give my body time to recover and returned to the office on Tuesday to help Lila finish up the hand-washing and recycling posters. Lila also brought her Sally Centrifuge in order to demonstrate it for everyone here in the office, including Maria Alicia and Marisol. On Thursday, we will be leaving Quito and heading out for Planchaloma. We are excited to finally see the community and clinic there and to get to work with the Backpacks and Sally.

At our desks in the Fundacion office.