60 St. Augustine CHS students and 10 teachers landed in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, at 12:30 am on March 8, 2019. Excitement rushed through our veins, overpowering our tiredness, as we stepped foot on a new continent. With open minds and willing hearts, we were ready to help out and learn about a new culture.
Our first stop was the middle of the earth, the Equator! The sun was brightly shining down on us as we learned about the strange events that happen on this imaginary line. From the demonstration of the Coriolis Effect and balancing an egg on a nail, to the Shuar people’s history. Strangely enough, it was also very difficult to close your eyes and walk in a straight line where the two hemispheres met.
The day proceeded with an adventure to the Andean Cloud Forest, located in the Yunguilla Reserve. As we drove up the winding roads from Quito to Yunguilla, a blanket of clouds concealed the lush, green, mountainous landscape. Upon arrival, we ate a delicious meal cooked with the organic foods grown from their garden just outside. We explored the cloud forest, witnessed the processing of fresh jam and cheese, and learnt about the making of natural fibre paper. Along the winding path, a swing hanging from a tree on a steep slope offered a thrilling and exhilarating ride for students and even teachers to try out. The view from the mountain was breathtaking as we walked through a cloud the entire time.
On the third day, we arrived at the Me to We organization’s Minga Lodge. The lodge is located on the banks of the Rio Napo, a tributary of the Amazon River. The name “Minga’” means “the coming together of people for the greater good”. With a “minga” mindset, students worked together to help empower local communities and learn about the daily lives of the people living there.
To start off the Me to We project, students travelled to a local village across the river and were introduced to a community project based around the five Me to We pillars – Education, Health, Food, Water, and Opportunity. The day was spent touring a school and visiting a local farmer. We got to hear his amazing story of courage and perseverance, even having the chance to help out with his daily task of collecting water from the Napo River using buckets and bamboo sticks. Back at the Minga Lodge, students participated in team building activities which brought everyone together as we got to make new friends and learn more about each other. Later at night, students went on a night hike in a forest connected to the lodge. Despite the mud, we enjoyed the hike and saw many new species of insects and plants. At the end of hike, we arrived at a lookout point and sat down on log benches, looking up at the starry sky and listening to the sounds of nature. It was absolutely breathtaking to be surrounded by nature, seeing the vast universe above and hearing the sounds of many insects in the forest. It was an experience the students will never forget.
After that amazing day, students had the chance to actually help out in the Los Rios community the following day. Everyone was working on something, including the teachers! Whether it was collecting rocks from the river, or digging and sorting, or laying concrete down, we all worked together to contribute to the construction of a new two-story school building and school kitchen within the Los Rios community. Everyone was left feeling like they’ve made an impact and it was something that would never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, our time at Minga Lodge came to an end and we had to say goodbye to the wonderful people there. We made our journey to Baños de Agua Santa, a city near the Amazon Basin. After a good night’s rest, we started off the day by learning traditional dances, it definitely woke us up. We had the chance to learn more about the different regions in Ecuador and learn the traditional dances done in these areas. This activity got everyone moving and created some really special memories.
Next stop was the Thanos Waterfall where we hiked down a steep hill to be greeted by the fresh waterfall mist and air. The hike down took almost no time and after 15 minutes of uneven grounds, we saw the waterfall in all its beauty. The water crashing down over the cliff and the sound of the falling water was an unbelievable experience. We were so close to the falls that our hair was soaked and our clothes were wet by the time we were ready to hike back up. This leg of the trip really brought the group together as we made new friends and took pictures with each other while we were in such a scenic and breathtaking place.
Once we got back from the waterfall, we headed to the Santuario Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa church, a famous Basilica in Baños. The interior of the church was beautiful with all the different artwork and intricate details put into the architecture. The church allowed us to take in where we were and reflect on our trip so far. Students we able to enter a room filled with burning candles and even light one themselves. Just through the church was a courtyard leading to different areas of prayer and even a small museum on the history of the church.
With some free time left, we were able to roam around the town in small groups. Some people purchased food, some walked around the area we were in and there was even a nearby park. The park was full of kids on the play structures and playing soccer; it felt so different and nice to be within the community of people who live in Baños. That short time we had by ourselves was refreshing and really made the trip feel real and wholesome. After the jam-packed and amazing day, we were heading back to Quito where we would spend the remainder of our trip.
St. Augustine’s last day in Ecuador was spent with a day-trip to Otavalo, a town in the Andean highlands. Students learned about a group of young people from the town that travelled the world, sharing their beautiful culture with everyone. We had the chance to listen to a live performance by a woman and hear the beautiful Quechua language. Afterwards, students arrived at the local market where they had the chance to buy souvenirs and locally made items. From stylish patterned pants, to cozy wool ponchos, to beautiful jewelry, everyone had a wonderful time there. As we left with our purchases, we visited a restaurant/museum where we had lunch. After the delicious meal, we listened to music played with handmade local instruments and learned more about the traditions of the people there. It was beautiful to hear and put everyone in awe. Our last day was well spent and we were sad to leave this amazing country.
60 St. Augustine CHS students and 10 teachers had the unforgettable experience of visiting Ecuador this past March break. We had the chance to learn about the culture, experience it for ourselves, and even participated in a Me to We initiative. The 8 days spent in a foreign country was amazing and we got to learn so much about the culture and ourselves. We all have a new special connection with each other.
By Jennifer Luk, Delilah Samson & Sophia Xavier Lee
Titan Times 