We are here!

Just got into Syracuse! What a great trip it has been! All photos of the trip will be posted. More info to follow

We're in the states!

Yay! Everyone is super excited to be here at 530am. Time to catch our flight to DC at 730am!

Last day!

Today we took our city tour. We visited Gota Del Leche and each classroom had a performance for us. They sang, danced, and told jokes. The kids will be the part we will all miss most. They brought us more joy than we could ever give them. After Gota, we went to la Compania which was jaw-droppingly beautiful and which is where CMT originally started. We walked to the first center for lunch in la Marin and then walked to the Basilica where we were able to climb to the top clock tower and overlook the city. It is sad to say, but we are all packed and ready to leave this wonderful place. We can't believe this day has come so soon, it feels like we just got here yesterday. We will miss everyone and everything here. We have all seen and experienced more than others have in their lifetime and I think all of us have become more aware of the real issues in this world. We cannot wait to be home with our friends and family. Hasta lavista Sudamerica!

Second day of shadowing

Today we all had a different experience since we were all spread out between the year long volunteers. I would have had each group write a section again but it's so late and everyone is starting to get ready for bed. Once everyone was done shadowing, Caitlin took us to this beautiful restaurant called Cafe Mosacia which overlooks Quito. We all had way too much to eat and had a wonderful last night of going out before we leave tomorrow night!

Teleferico and Mitad del Mundo

Today we all met outside the kitchen at 8am to get taxi rides to teleferico. We took a gondola up to the top do we could see the whole city of Quito. We were lucky to have clear skies. Most of is were aching from all the walking in Mindo over the weekend so some of us stayed at the overlook while some of the group hiked higher up. Roberto and Mike Moore went horseback riding at the top but there weren't enough horses for everyone to ride. After teleferico we went to Mitad del Mundo to see the equator. This was absolutely jaw-dropping. We were all so excited to be at the center of the world. The sun and heat was killer but worth every second! We can now all say we have been in the northern and Southern Hemisphere at the same time! Crazy stuff. Shelby and Roberto were able to balance the egg on the nail and earned their certificates. We all got our passports stamped saying the we have been to the center of the world. We learned so much today and had a great day! 

Lastly, the end of the day was very bittersweet because our 15th member of our Le Moyne group left to go home. Many tears were shed as we said goodbye(not really but they were definitely building up as we read your thank you card out loud). You were a great addition to our group Austin. We are happy to call you one of our own. Thank you so much for putting up with us and joining in our activities with great enthusiasm and care. We will miss you! Until Dolphy Day.....

Lazy day

Today we traveled back to Quito from Mindo and arrived back in Quito around 1pm. Everyone was exhausted but half of us decided to go to the Guayasamin museum. Guayasamin was famous for his paintings and the museum is in the house he lived in for 20 years in Ecuador. Orlando was very well informed and was practically our tour guide throughout the whole museum. After the museum we all relaxed and hung out for the rest of the night.

Mindo

Today was awesome! We hiked 8 miles today to a waterfall and most of us went to a cocoa and coffee farm. The day was fantastic! It was definitely a break from yesterday's emotions. We'll post pictures soon!