10,000 ft

The first field trip here in Ecuador was an incredible experience.

It started with fifteen of us in a bus that we finally had room to breathe in opposed to the small van we take everyday to shift. We drove...and drove...I stared out the windows for two hours completely entertained. It is beautiful here. As we got deeper and deeper into the country side the poverty and the way of life of the Ecuadorians changed. I was completely shocked. I felt like I was in an issue of Nation Geographic or something. I have only seen poverty and people like this in them, as if they were in some other world. Now I am in theirs and it is so strange. There were houses made from mud with clothes lines stringed from poles with clothes hanging on them. Houses made out of tin and whatever they could find to create shelter. Men, women, AND children in the fields working on the steep mountain slopes...definately not the ideal setting for a child.

This lady we saw and talked to walks up a huge hill everyday, her house is at the bottom. She carries a sack of potatoes on her back. She looked as if she were 4 ft tall. Also, she is 107 years old. Wow.

They amazed me.

Women and children washing clothes in the river, it is a weird feeling to actually witness that. They seem happy. Such a simple way of living and totally different problems than I will ever have to face. They will never face mine. Which is probably a blessing to them. Humility is something these people must possess, how could they not? I thought a lot on this drive. I cannot believe I am here. I have always thought and dreamed about it but now that it is reality it doesn´t seem real. Knowing from far off, in my comfortable home, that people like this existed now has become reality and I am experiencing it. It is real.

They are beautiful people, just by watching them I learn so much.

So, as you can tell, my drive to Inga Perca was great.

Inga Perca. So fascinating. We had a guided tour by a young Ecuadorian man who spoke pretty good English and smelled of Abercrombie cologne. He was patient with us, we are such tourists. "American girls take so many pictures," he said to me. He wasn´t kidding.

The face in the rock..¿See it?

We were at 10,000 ft today.

To give you an idea of how steep the Andes Mountains are, an hour and a half drive will bring you to the beach. 10,000 feet to sea level in that short amount of time blows my mind.

The day was chilly but would change every twenty minutes, I took my jacket on and off many times today.

Typical Ecuador weather for you.

The ruins were beautiful and I loved every minute of the experience. I bought a post card, two bracelets, a dream catcher, and a pair of earings all for $4.50. I love this country can I just tell you!

On our way home from the ruins we stopped at a HUGE church built literally into the face of the mountain, which was literally a giant rock. We climbed and climbed to the top and finally reached the peak of the mountain. Looking out over two cities, one on each side. Took some more pictures and finished our trip on such a great note!

Today was beautiful, a nice break from a 50 hour week.

Can´t wait to get back to work.