This post features student writing. After an amazing time in Iltaqui, we arrived at a beautiful hacienda near Cotopaxi National Park. We were greeted with much needed hot drinks (it was snowing!) and settled in for the night next to a fire. We spent the…

This post features student writing. Our last day in Iltaqui ended with a goodbye celebration! We all participated in a traditional dance, speeches were given, gifts were exchanged, and a lot of food was eaten. All the girls dressed up in Iltaquian clothing and the…

This post features student writing. We started our day at a wood carving village, where we explored, ate good desserts, and enjoyed checking out various wooden sculptures. It was cool to see the intricate detail put into each piece of wood. Afterward, we ate lunch…

This post features student writing. Today we experienced a traditional spiritual cleanse at the house of a local shaman. We learned about medicinal plants and the rituals the locals perform for special occasions. At the end we were each cleansed, which involved reciting Quechuan phrases,…

This post features student writing. We began our day at the daycare, where we completed the painting project that we started last week. We painted an alpaca, fruit, and more! Once we completed the painting, many of us worked on our independent projects. We made…

This post was written by students Elif and Jaime. Today started early with sunrise yoga — we exercised outside and looked at the mountains. After yoga, we made a French toast breakfast with syrup. We needed a hearty meal for our four-hour hike around la…

This post was written by students Brendan and Sophie. Today was a big day for independent projects. I, Sophie, completed my independent project with Jack and Samantha. We hosted a basketball and soccer camp for the kids in the village, and also started a game…

This post was written by students, Max and Noa, about the group’s time in Otavalo. After dropping off our stuff at our hostel in Otavalo, we set out for a hike to a waterfall and then to a condor park. The waterfall was beautiful. We…

This post was written by students Avi and Jack. Today was a fun-filled, yet physically exhausting experience. We woke up bright and early to cheesy empanadas, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Then we got started on our community service for the day. I, Jack, did not…

This post was written by students Samantha and Allie S. and includes photography by Allie S. Week 2 started after a good, filling breakfast, when we headed to work, sweating under the hot sun. Some of us mixed cement, while others played with the adorable kids…