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THURSDAY 6/27 - Homeward bound! We leave the house at 3:00 am for the airport! It has been great! Thanks for following along with us! - Barb, Michaela, Helen, Jonathan, Brittani, Elizabeth, Lincoln, Joanne and Nicole.
(Due to weather delays in Miami and restrictions on the working hours of flight crews, the group had to stay in Chicago overnight, and did not actually reach Minnesota until Friday morning - but all arrived safe and sound!)
WEDNESDAY 6/26 - We will return to Otavalo for more sight seeing and a final day as tourists. Barb will try to connect with a family she met 23 years ago when visiting Otavalo as a student.
TUESDAY 6/25 - We met back in the park at 8:30 am to discuss our experiences with families. This was an eye-opening experience for most of us. The homes we stayed in varied. Many had only one large room that served as sleeping and living quarters. They shared the best of what they had with us. Plumbing may have been present, or may have been outside. Many of us were served in the only "glass" glass in the house. We will need to talk to you about this experience as it had meaning for us all. We especially felt connected to the women and children of the village. We boarded the bus and spent several hours at "Tinga" a warm mineral bath/pool. The weather was sunny (as it has been daily here) and pleasant. We ate our picnic lunch there (bread, cheese, avocados, fruit and "cola") before coming back to Cumbaya.
Tonight we will meet another friend of Sr. Joan (Juana) and have coffee with snacks at her house. Then we will attend a meeting of the CEB's (Sr. Joan's Base Community work here).
MONDAY 6/24 - We spent the morning tidying up the house, doing laundry, changing the last of the traveler's checks etc. We are only able to change checks at the bank, no stores take them here. It is a LONG experience. We had a chance to browse the local grocery store for some edible items to bring home. They have vanilla and coffee that is grown and processed here. There are also some good candies and cookies that may be finding their way home. We also visited the local health center. They have minimal resources or money. Basically, here emergency or "necessary" care is provided for $.25 per visit. They are lacking in medical supplies. Most people here do not have money to pay the added cost for medicines, bandages etc. We are coming home with a list of things they could use if we are able to contribute. For lunch we ate out at a restaurant (our last time perhaps), many of us had tortillas (made with mashed potatoes and cheese, not what you might expect) or llapingachos (similar to tortillas, but with eggs). In the afternoon we went to visit the home of Estrella, a personal friend of Sr. Joan (the woman who received the typewriter). We were able to see the local festival celebrating the feast day of St. John the Baptist. (They celebrate dressed as clowns, dancing in the street, and drinking chicha). At 5:45 PM, we were picked up by a couple from Lumbisi in a pick-up. We (10 of us and the couple who own the truck), along with two large computer boxes, the wheelchair and our luggage for the night traveled by truck about 20 minutes to the town of Lumbisi. There we were treated to a town meeting/festival. We presented them with a wheelchair (brought by Joanne and Lincoln) and a computer (+ a laptop) that Joanne checked and installed for them. We were VERY grateful to have her expertise, as there was no one present in the community who had much computer experience. As a group, we presented the "Queen" of Lumbisi with our intent to help purchase a play set for the central plaza of Lumbisi (the park we cleaned earlier in our trip). The total expected cost will be $200. We decided to put the $100 donated by our church as well as $50 of our money toward this play set. They will fundraise the remainder of the money and Sr. Joan will go with them to purchase it when they are ready (she will keep the $150 until then). Later there was dancing in the street and we met our "host families" for the evening.
SUNDAY 6/23 - We marched in a parade today! There were many traditional dancers (school age), bands and floats. As far as we could tell we were the only gringos. :) It was fun. We marched with an "Avon" sign and a Minnesota Flag. The kids bought some candy to throw during the parade. At the end of the parade we presented the flag to Gustavo Valdez (the "mayor" of the city of Cumbaya). Joanne spent much of the day getting the computers ready to be delivered.
We are HEALTHY and having a wonderful time. A few are getting ready to be back with our families again (homesick...), special attention is given as needed...
SATURDAY 6/22 - The youth worked in another Minga, this time in the central park in Cumbaya. This situation was a little different. There are no garbage cans in the park so as we were cleaning, there was more garbage being thrown in the park. This may be a project we take on with some of the money we brought: purchase a couple of garbage cans for the park. We will ask about this. The adults cleaned the Center where we are staying, and worked on getting the computers ready for distributing (Joanne). In the afternoon, we were able to watch a "dance festival" here. It was scheduled for 2pm, but the electricity was off, so everyone waited until about 3:15 when the power resumed. There were groups of school children (~ 20-25 per group) from different schools who were dressed in traditional costumes and performed traditional dances from different areas. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, what we were told is that only the children who come from families with enough money to purchase the costumes needed are able to participate.
On Sunday there will be a parade for the festivas patronales. We will participate in the parade carrying the Minnesota Flag and dressed in the colors of Ecuador (blue, red and yellow) as best we can.
P.S. We are all still healthy and having a great experience. - Barb
FRIDAY 6/21- On Friday, we got to commune with the starkly beautiful geography of Ecuador. We took a trip to Cotopaxi National Park. Words cannot even pretend to do this natural wonder justice. During the 2+ hour ride to the volcano Cotopaxi, we could see the peak during the entire drive. Pulse rates increased and people grew increasingly vocal as Cotopaxi inched closer and closer to our little van. When we got to the park, we continued our drive up....up...up... Cotopaxi is the tallest active volcano in the world. All around the base of the mountain/volcano, there were huge expanses of pristine prairie (we could only imagine the now lost splendor of the Midwest). Wild horses grazed and played in the fields.
When we got to the point where we were to begin our ascent on foot, we were greeted with a wind that could only be compared to those of Antarctica. We battled the wind for a LONG time, inching up the volcano. We had to hold hands, huddle behind rocks to rest from the wind, and drink piping hot cinnamon tea as we attempted to continue our trek up. After a long and tiring tribute to the human spirit, we turned back before reaching the Refuge building, which was our goal. The winds were simply too strong. An Ecuadorian friend of ours deemed continuing the trip to be dangerous, due to conditions. It was a wonderful experience, we ate heartily upon reaching the bottom of the volcano. Our ride home was littered with surprises: fallen trees (uprooted by the wind), herds of sheep and stubborn donkeys. When we got back to the house, we all went to bed early and slept for hours...
THURSDAY 6/20 - On Thursday we took a very interesting tour of houses of Quito. The houses we saw were built with money loaned from a foundation very similar to Habitat for Humanity. In all, we saw four houses, which were situated in some of the poorest neighborhoods of Quito. They were humble dwellings, but upon consideration of the surroundings, one could easily see that these houses were some of the only structures that could offer a dignified environment for human occupation. It was interesting to find out that the poorest neighborhood we visited was located right next to the absolutely richest neighborhood in the city. We were accompanied on our tour by the architect, Gustavo, who donated his services to the project. All the houses were built with volunteer labor. It was an amazing time!
After the tour, we arrived to the CEB's office to be surprised with yet another "welcome" party put on by representatives of various neighborhoods in Quito. We were showered with gifts, songs, hugs, laughter, and LOTS OF FOOD! It was a beautiful and memorable time. A few of the families that were at the party turned out to be our host families for the evening. When we left to "go home", the three older adults were whisked away to a quiet evening and a quiet dinner (note: the key word is "quiet"). The rest of us went on to a pizza party and salsa dancing extravaganza at the house of one of the community families. A GREAT time was had by all!
WEDNESDAY 6/19 - We got up early (5:30 am) today to eat a quick breakfast and catch the bus for Lumbisi. Part of the trip was on the back of a truck (with bench seats). This is an alternative to a bus for routes that are not frequently traveled or where bus service is not regular. We worked from 8:00 to noon in the community "parque" (park). We swept, picked up garbage and painted the curbs along the walkways. The reigning "queen" of Lumbisi and her mother worked along with us. As the day went on, others from the community joined us. We were invited for lunch to the home one of the townspeople. The first course was chicken soup with chicken feet. (I'm sure you will hear more about this from the teens.) We were invited to spend the night with families there next Monday (and we will).
TUESDAY 6/18 - We will have a quiet day around Cumbaya. We have been invited to a home in the community for dinner tonight. Following dinner, Nicole will treat the family and their friends to another fire dance! We are all healthy (we are popping the Peptol Bismol) and learning a lot here. People are so friendly and welcoming.
MONDAY 6/17 - We traveled to the Colonial part of Quito. It is beautiful! The city is built on the side of the mountains. The streets are narrow (many streets are one way with no room for two cars to meet or pass), buildings come right up to the street with about 2 feet for a small sidewalk. We walked through the famous Jesuit church and several others here. Many of these churches date back to the 1500's. We climbed the hill to the "Panecillo" - an Inca monument. This hill is also where the "Winged Virgin of Quito" was built. This monument was dedicated to save the city of Quito from political corruption. In the evening we learned from Sr. (Hermana) Joan about her mission in South America of building base communities in the church neighborhoods. She and Father Tom have been working in this ministry for ~ 30 years.
SUNDAY 6/16 - We took the bus to visit the "Mitad del Mundo" (equatorial line) today. The pictures show the monument there (with the group posing) as well as two traditionally dressed indigenous women in the market stands that were located around the equator. We toured a museum there that displayed indigenous dress and customs of different regions of the country of Ecuador. Most of these traditions are currently practiced here and vary greatly from one region to another. We sampled "Cuy" at a restaurant by the equator (guinea pig). It tasted like chicken, seasoned with chili powder and cumin. We were able to purchase some typical indigenous clothing a woman would wear in this area for our display.
We attended Church service in the Catholic church in Cumbaya. The church is 423 years old (and is where the group cleaned and spruced up Friday). Following the mass, Nicole (Barb's daughter) performed a dance using fire for the local people. It was well received.
SATURDAY 6/15 - We got up early (everyone was tired yet) and set off for the market in Otavalo. The day was short, the artists and crafts unbelievable. The prices were so low, and bargaining was the custom. We all learned to bargain and had fun buying items to bring back home.
(Photos of Liz, Michaela and Brittani doing the laundry, and Jonathan and Lincoln with a llama, were also sent.)
Saturday evening we joined in the coronation of the Queen of Cumbaya. It was a wonderful celebration with dancing and musicians. It lasted from 8pm to midnight. WE WERE HAPPY TO MEET OUR BEDS AGAIN THIS NIGHT!
FRIDAY 6/14 - We walked around the village of Cumbaya. In the afternoon we worked in the church cleaning and arranging flowers (Elizabeth) for their upcoming celebration of First Communion and Confirmation. In the evening we had a "bienvenidos," a welcoming party at the center. We were welcomed in style. There was a 10-person brass band and a group of clowns from one of the "barrios" (local neighborhoods) for entertainment. We danced in the street in front of the Mission Center. There were more than 100 people from the community as well as the "Junta Parroquial" (the mayor) who joined the party. We gave the gifts we brought this night.
THURSDAY 6/13 - We arrived safely in Quito at 8:30 Thursday evening. After waiting for the arrivals from North Carolina (Joanne and Lincoln), we loaded all the boxes in ONE van (11 people and many boxes) and traveled to Cumbaya. We were tired from the long day, and happy to meet our beds that night.
* * * ...and now the travels begin! * * *
June 10: We will be joined in Quito by the following people who will be part of our experience while we are there:
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June 8: We don't know where to begin to thank everyone in the Parish for all the support you have given to make this trip happen. Thank you to everyone who donated sheets, baby clothing, supplies, boxes, lap-top computers, packing materials, your time or your support of the fundraising activities we engaged in. We appreciate your very generous support in helping create this opportunity that we hope will be the start of an ongoing relationship between our church communities. Please check in on our progress, we will try to update with e-mail and photos every couple of days. We look forward to sharing our experiences with you when we return. Keep us in prayer for a safe and meaningful trip!
Brittani, Elizabeth, Helen, Jonathan, Michaela, Barb - 6/5/02
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June 13-27, our group of six people will be journeying to Cumbaya, Ecuador to spend 2 weeks with a Franciscan Mission Center there. The purpose of our trip is: "To learn about and appreciate the beauty of the country, culture and religion of the people of Ecuador. To understand what struggles and challenges families in Ecuador face in obtaining adequate food, clothing and shelter. To learn what we as citizens of the United States and fellow Catholics can do to live our lives in a way to honor and support them (social justice) as well as specific things we can do to help." We will be spending our time in a small mountain community near Quito (the capital city) of Ecuador. We will meet with the Base Church Communities in Cumbaya and with the Town Council. We will attempt to form a relationship between our church and their community that can be ongoing. We will attend Mass, visit historical churches, spend 2 days with families in the community, visit a national shrine to the Blessed Virgin, work in two different community "mingas", (equivalent to old-fashioned barn-raisings), attend a local festival, attend a Saturday "market" and visit the equator. We are hoping to learn what life is like for people in Ecuador, how the people are like us and how they are different. We hope this will inspire us to live our lives simply, serving others as we are able. We are working on our Spanish skills. Feel free to ask any one of us about our trip. We are EXCITED about the opportunity and would like to discuss it with you.
Cumbaya is a mountain community that was founded 468 years ago. It is located in the Andean mountains, at an elevation of about 8,000 ft. The community has an ancient church that was built 432 years ago. The community has a population of ~ 20,000 people. Some people work in nearby Quito and have vacation homes in Cumbaya. Many people live in poverty. There is a division between those people who "have" resources and those who have little. We will be spending our time with those people who have little. There is a note in the bulletin about some items the community could use. If you are able to donate any of the needed items, we will transport them.
WHAT DOES THE WELL- DRESSED PERSON WEAR IN ECUADOR?
There are a couple of things to remember when traveling, one is that we do not want to stand out as "tourists". Dressing appropriately is one way to show respect for the culture of the people of Ecuador. This means: no skirts above the knees and no shorts. Any pants, Capri pants or skirts below the knee will be acceptable. For tops: please do not wear sleeveless or spaghetti strap tops. Short sleeves will be fine. Recommended clothing to bring: *No flashy jewelry (nothing expensive). *Closed-toe shoes that are comfortable for walking as well as another pair of shoes that are more dressy or fun. *Rainwear (poncho or umbrella) *Sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket (windbreaker). *Light weight, wash n' wear shirts. *Light weight skirts and/or pants. *Underwear, socks. *Swimsuit (one piece). *Save space for a sweater--you will probably want to buy one there. *Bandana or sun hat *Sun glasses *Sleeping clothes. *Accessories/Toiletries: bring what you normally use: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, soap, deodorant, Rx medications. Travel sizes are great! *High SPF sunscreen. *Luggage: Ideally everything will fit in one piece of luggage. You will need to carry your own luggage, so try to keep it in a duffel size bag or carry on size luggage.
TIDBITS (Taken from the Lonely Planet Guide to Ecuador) :
Greetings are important to Ecuadorians, especially in the highlands. Even strangers conducting business will, at a minimum say "Buenos dias, como esta"? Before launching into whatever they are doing. Women kiss one another on the cheek in greeting and farewell. Ecuadorians are used to less personal space. Noise seems part of the way of life. Radios and TVs are turned on early in the morning and late at night. If you don't like noise, you might consider bringing ear plugs for the night. Spitting is common, however belching or burping in public is considered the absolute height of bad manners.
Begging is a fact of life in Ecuador. This is especially true on Sundays or holidays. Those days it is permissible to give, at other times it is better to give to an organization that would help children, rather than to continue this way of life.
QUOTE from Roseanne (The St. Cloud Mission Office) To get the most of your trip, "Have an open mind, be flexible and be humble..."
How is your Spanish (culture)? (We prepared to know the people there)
There is still time to do some cultural preparation. Roseanne, from the Mission Office in St. Cloud suggested the following 6 items as essential for travel: Flexibility, open mindedness (we are different, not better) and humility. The remaining three essentials are: tissues, a head covering and water bottle.
There are a few other tidbits she recommended we be aware of: Watch how people greet each other and do the same. Be aware of personal space (theirs is likely different than ours), no pointing. Ask before taking photographs. Learn a few phrases before leaving. If you need a list, ask someone who knows Latin American Spanish (or ask Barb and a list could be gotten from Sr. Joan).
There are some great Spanish language videos available at the library. Listening to spoken Spanish is a great way to get yourself ready making the best of your Spanish once we are in Ecuador.
Some safety tips. When traveling anywhere, it is good to be aware of potential for pick pockets. Wear a document bag that you can put your passport and valuable paper money/traveler's checks in. Keep this under your clothing and NEVER access it in public. Do not put a camera around your neck. Keep attentive to your possessions.
Read the "People and Places" book. Keep a journal about what your expectations of the trip are. Most of all, have fun! May '02
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