Well, not wooly, so much. But definitely wild and wet.
We hit the road at 8:15 in the vans we´d arranged to have come pick us up at the hotel, which took us the whooooole length of Quito to the north and deposited us where the buses to Mindo pass by. We waited for ten minutes or so, and then one came up. I asked if they had room, since there were 14 of us. He seemed to do math in his head, and then said, quite certain, ¨´Yes, there´s room.¨ I felt confident he was fibbing. But when we all clambered aboard, it was true - there were exactly 14 seats.
Two dollars per person was the fare. The ride was spectacular as far as scenery, and extremely educational in terms of what the average Ecuadorian does when he or she travels. It sounds like a stereotpye, but we actually had a man holding a chicken on our bus for the entire ride to Mindo. At one point the bus was absolutely jammed with people, but we always had our seats - and then it was over, and we were in Mindo.
Near Mindo, I should say. We had to pay 50 cents each for a couple of trucks and a car to take us the 7 kilometers into town. Checked in at the hotel, turned the students loose for lunch in the town )400 yards long, restaurants lining each side of the street), and then they convened by the pool while I figured out the options for the day.
We hooked up with Luis, a guide recommended by the hotel, who took us on a hike to a waterfall. It was a heck of a hike, too - at the crest of the mountain (steep, well-worn paths through majestic forests), Ms Gernat decided to head back in a truck offered by Luis. It was driven by a friend of his, whose engine he´d heard in the distance and whom he´d called on his cell phone to ask him if he could take her back to town. Which he did, in the oldest pickup truck imaginable. But he delivered her safe and sound to the town, and we found her reading on the deck with her feet up on the rail when we got back. So she was fine.
The rest of us hiked the rest of the way to the waterfall, and the studetnts swam in the water and took in the sights. They love love LOVED the hike, and Luis, who was kind, informative, insightful, and funny. And who doesn´t speak English, which is a plus in my book. Before we even got through with the hike they were asking if we could have Luis lead us again tomorrow. I agreed whole-heartedly.
Then he took us tubing. It was different from tubing I had done in the US. Tubing there is floating down the river and splashing in the water with your lazy hand. This was white water rafting in a huge snowflake of inner tubes. And it was raining by then, so we were a bit cold, but everyone was game for it, so off we went.
Life jackets and helmets for all, two guides for each raft, water no more than 4 feet deep. But lots and lots of crests and waves. Everyone who went had a great time, and also realized that that probably wouldn´t have been allowed in the US. I felt safe the whole time, but I wouldn´t repeat it. That was the consensus among the students, too - they´re ever so glad they did it, but dont see a need to repeat it.
Safe and sound and tired at the hotel by 6:00, and we split up for supper. (As we had at lunch - the town is so small that as long as no one was alone, I told them they could eat wherever they liked.) And now we´re settling our sore and tired bodies in for a long sleep in the rain.
The rain held off all day, until 5:00 or so, when we were about to start tubing. It is raining gently now, in this jungle town thats filled with mud streets, ATVs, and tour guides looking for work. Luis is taking us out again tomorrow, but not bird watching, since that he recommended starting at 6:30. I didnt need to consult the students on that one - I knew instinctively that that would have bene a very unpopular announcement. I have a feel for these things - it´s all those years in the classroom. They give you a feel.
I have steered clear of many, many details the students will want to tell you on their own - it´s a tough balance to find, between letting you knnow how it went but not giving away all the good parts. Ill keep looking for that magic balance.
There are phones in town. If the students don´t call you, it isn´t because they can´t.
Hasta manana!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Best Day Ever
That, dear readers, is a direct quote from a certain Ms Eder.
When we returned from the morning - midday jaunt, the groups that had not been under my supervision had tales of conquest and adventure that had my eyes spinning. They were so excited they couldnt contain themselves. I mean, the ones who went with me were OK, they had enjoyed themselves, but they werent in rapture like the other groups. I wont give away too much here so they can tell you themselves, but there was a scavenger hunt of sorts, where students could get points for doing things like learning to play 40, the local card game, or meeting certain sorts of people, finding certain sorts of food...They outdid themselves and had a fantastic time.
We had 30 minutes of down time, and then I took them up to the Museo San Francisco, and left them to take the tour while I scouted out the specific location of the theater where we wanted to see a play tonight. Found it, returned, both in the torrential rain. But all in all the rain lasted about an hour and a half, maybe two, and the rest of the day we were dry.
The students (and particularly the chaperones) liked the tour, and we then opted for another hour and a half or so of scavenger hunting before meeting back at the hotel at 5:00 to prepare for our evening´s outing, and the day´s travel tomorrow to Mindo.
Supper at a local restaurant, onto the trolley for a few stops, and then in to see ¨Tirenle Tierra¨. Again, I wont give too much away, but the students were very moved and effected, and Ms Getzen, who does not speak Spanish, said it was possibly the most amazing experience she´s ever had in theater. I agree - I was flabbergasted. A great outing.
Back on the trolley, a walk on the plaza to find ice fream, de-briefing before travel tomorrow, and hopefully soon to bed. We are all footsore and full of things to digest, food-wise and intellectually. Great day.
Hasta manana, from Mindo!
When we returned from the morning - midday jaunt, the groups that had not been under my supervision had tales of conquest and adventure that had my eyes spinning. They were so excited they couldnt contain themselves. I mean, the ones who went with me were OK, they had enjoyed themselves, but they werent in rapture like the other groups. I wont give away too much here so they can tell you themselves, but there was a scavenger hunt of sorts, where students could get points for doing things like learning to play 40, the local card game, or meeting certain sorts of people, finding certain sorts of food...They outdid themselves and had a fantastic time.
We had 30 minutes of down time, and then I took them up to the Museo San Francisco, and left them to take the tour while I scouted out the specific location of the theater where we wanted to see a play tonight. Found it, returned, both in the torrential rain. But all in all the rain lasted about an hour and a half, maybe two, and the rest of the day we were dry.
The students (and particularly the chaperones) liked the tour, and we then opted for another hour and a half or so of scavenger hunting before meeting back at the hotel at 5:00 to prepare for our evening´s outing, and the day´s travel tomorrow to Mindo.
Supper at a local restaurant, onto the trolley for a few stops, and then in to see ¨Tirenle Tierra¨. Again, I wont give too much away, but the students were very moved and effected, and Ms Getzen, who does not speak Spanish, said it was possibly the most amazing experience she´s ever had in theater. I agree - I was flabbergasted. A great outing.
Back on the trolley, a walk on the plaza to find ice fream, de-briefing before travel tomorrow, and hopefully soon to bed. We are all footsore and full of things to digest, food-wise and intellectually. Great day.
Hasta manana, from Mindo!
Late Morning Hijinks
OK, dont get used to this level of regularity in the blog. But I am currently seated in an Internet cafe, so what the heck, why not update you? We got up (those who reported, reported sleeping well) and had breakfast (eggs, a roll, coffee, and guava juice) at teh hotel, and were assembled for the day of adventuring at 10:00. We broke into three groups and turned ourselves loose on the city with five goals:
Buy a map of Quito.
Acquire a map of the trolley system.
Call home.
Write an email home.
Eat lunch.
We are then meeting back at the hotel at 1:00.
In our little group of four, we are all but finished - the only required activity left is to eat lunch. I suspect the girls in my group (Megan, Hannah, Jen) will be content to sit at the computers a while...
I am hoping for menestra for lunch.
Hasta pronto!
Buy a map of Quito.
Acquire a map of the trolley system.
Call home.
Write an email home.
Eat lunch.
We are then meeting back at the hotel at 1:00.
In our little group of four, we are all but finished - the only required activity left is to eat lunch. I suspect the girls in my group (Megan, Hannah, Jen) will be content to sit at the computers a while...
I am hoping for menestra for lunch.
Hasta pronto!
Friday, February 15, 2008
ARRIVED SAFE!!!
Wow, what a long day of travel - but without a hitch anywhere. We had to scurry along pretty quickly in Atlanta to make our connection, but the luggage made it and so did we. (Our fight from La Guardia took off late for...I don´t remember why.) The train that takes you from Gates A to Gates E in Atlanta is SUPER fast. And the flight to Quito took off a mere 15 minutes late, and we arrived safe and sound about 9:45. Immeidately hired two vans to take us to the hotel, where the students were all very pleased with the accommodations. I was hungry, and volunteered to take anyone who wanted to go out to forage for food (it was 11:30 at that point). Shyam wanted to go, as did Matt. And Matt, and Laurie. And Hannah. Megan, too. And Emily. And the other Emily. And Sarah. And Jen. And Kaitlan. So, everybody, I guess.
We found a restaurant (thanks to students asking policemen directions) where there was live music 10:00 to 12:00, though it was too crowded inside to fit. We had to sit in the courtyard and listen from there. Lots of good observations were made by the students, about clothing, mannerisms, the demeanor of the people, traffic...Good stuff all around.
Great frst day, off to bed. All is well! Look for emails and phone calls from the wee ones tomorrow!
We found a restaurant (thanks to students asking policemen directions) where there was live music 10:00 to 12:00, though it was too crowded inside to fit. We had to sit in the courtyard and listen from there. Lots of good observations were made by the students, about clothing, mannerisms, the demeanor of the people, traffic...Good stuff all around.
Great frst day, off to bed. All is well! Look for emails and phone calls from the wee ones tomorrow!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Itinerary
Here it is - the latest incarnation of our itinerary! Things may change, but basically, these are the highlights in the order in which we hope to do them:
Feb. 15, Friday: Meet in parking lot at LMMHS at 5:00. Check of carry-on bags by chaperones. Board Dufour bus for New York – La Guardia. Travel to Quito; arrival at 9:45 PM. Van transportation from airport to Hotel San Francisco de Quito; check-in, late supper in chicken restaurant downstairs from hotel, and to bed.
Feb. 16, Saturday:
Morning: Breakfast at hotel with the newspaper; post-breakfast review of the top stories for the country and the city. Orientation; map distribution; review of tips for street safety. Walking tour of immediate environs: Plaza de la Independencia, ATMs, drug stores, grocery store, trolley stops., Terminal Terrestre. Purchase bus fare to Mindo for travel the next day.
Noon: Lunch at restaurants around the Plaza San Francisco.
Afternoon: Tour of San Francisco – oldest religious complex in the New world.
Supper: Local restaurants around Plaza de la Independencia, or near theater venue.
Evening: Dramatic performance – one of these three: La Vida Vale V; El método Gronholm; Tírenle tierra.
Before bed: Pack for 2 days in Mindo.
Feb. 17, Sunday: Morning: Breakfast at the hotel with newspapers and news review. Taxis to Terminal Terrestre in the north for trip to Mindo. Arrive around noon.
Lunch: Restaurant in Mindo.
Afternoon: Bird watching tour / bicycle rental / tubing, depending on weather and availability.
Evening: Swimming, hiking; local food and entertainment.
Feb. 18, Monday: Breakfast at the hotel; newspaper breakdown and de-briefing. Morning: Guided bicycle or kayak tour, followed by lunch in town. Afternoon: bicycle or kayak tour. Supper and evening hiking; return to hotel rooms.
Feb. 19, Tuesday: Breakfast at the hotel, followed by earliest possible return to Quito, arriving Quito probably mid-afternoon.
Late afternoon: Rest from the trip.
Supper: Local restaurants.
Evening: Ecuadorian movie production – “Cuando me toque a mi”.
Feb. 20, Wednesday:
Morning: Breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Trolley trip to Mercado Santa María. “Strange Fruits and Foods Scavenger Hunt”. Meet at entrance at 11:30 for walk to nearby park, where we will sample all the new foods.
Noon: Lunch of discovered foods, supplemented with restaurants near the Mercado.
Afternoon: Trolley to Parque Carolina in the wealthy north of Quito. Students break into groups of three or four to stroll in the park and interview Quiteños on current events. Extra points assigned to anyone who participates in a game of soccer or Ecuavoli. Meet back at point of departure; take public transportation to mall in the north of Quito.
Supper: Food court in mall in the north of Quito.
Evening: Jacchiga, 90-person Ecuadorian traditional dance performance. ($25)
Feb. 21. Thursday:
Morning: Early breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Trolley to the north of the city; taxis from there to the departure point for cable car ride to the top of Pichincha. Ride to the top, take in the view and the change in climate. As always: BRING JACKETS!
Noon: Lunch at restaurant atop Pichincha, followed by return to the bottom. Ride back to hotel in transportation provided to tourists at the entrance to the cable cars.
Afternoon (late): Parque El Ejido in the central part of the city. Repeat interview process with park-goers there; compare them to interview results from Carolina.
Supper: Cebiche (shrimp-tomatoes-onions, served cold; Ecuadorian / Caribbean specialty) and other seafood at local restaurant.
Evening: Theatrical / musical performance, depending on mood and ticket availability.
Feb. 22. Friday:
Morning: Breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Mass at local cathedral; debriefing afterward re. the message of the sermon. Walking architectural comparison of several local churches.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurants.
Afternoon: Tour of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador.
Supper: Local restaurants.
Evening: Dance lessons at Quito dance studio. Return to hotel by trolley or taxi, and to bed.
Feb. 23, Saturday:
Morning: Breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Last-minute shopping and photography in colonial Quito.
Noon: Local restaurants.
Afternoon: Last-minute packing and souvenir shopping, followed by vans to airport.
Supper: Airport cafeteria.
Evening: Check-in and flight to USA; arrival in NYC, 9:00 AM, Sunday, Feb 24th, and in Lenox at 1:30 PM.
Feb. 15, Friday: Meet in parking lot at LMMHS at 5:00. Check of carry-on bags by chaperones. Board Dufour bus for New York – La Guardia. Travel to Quito; arrival at 9:45 PM. Van transportation from airport to Hotel San Francisco de Quito; check-in, late supper in chicken restaurant downstairs from hotel, and to bed.
Feb. 16, Saturday:
Morning: Breakfast at hotel with the newspaper; post-breakfast review of the top stories for the country and the city. Orientation; map distribution; review of tips for street safety. Walking tour of immediate environs: Plaza de la Independencia, ATMs, drug stores, grocery store, trolley stops., Terminal Terrestre. Purchase bus fare to Mindo for travel the next day.
Noon: Lunch at restaurants around the Plaza San Francisco.
Afternoon: Tour of San Francisco – oldest religious complex in the New world.
Supper: Local restaurants around Plaza de la Independencia, or near theater venue.
Evening: Dramatic performance – one of these three: La Vida Vale V; El método Gronholm; Tírenle tierra.
Before bed: Pack for 2 days in Mindo.
Feb. 17, Sunday: Morning: Breakfast at the hotel with newspapers and news review. Taxis to Terminal Terrestre in the north for trip to Mindo. Arrive around noon.
Lunch: Restaurant in Mindo.
Afternoon: Bird watching tour / bicycle rental / tubing, depending on weather and availability.
Evening: Swimming, hiking; local food and entertainment.
Feb. 18, Monday: Breakfast at the hotel; newspaper breakdown and de-briefing. Morning: Guided bicycle or kayak tour, followed by lunch in town. Afternoon: bicycle or kayak tour. Supper and evening hiking; return to hotel rooms.
Feb. 19, Tuesday: Breakfast at the hotel, followed by earliest possible return to Quito, arriving Quito probably mid-afternoon.
Late afternoon: Rest from the trip.
Supper: Local restaurants.
Evening: Ecuadorian movie production – “Cuando me toque a mi”.
Feb. 20, Wednesday:
Morning: Breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Trolley trip to Mercado Santa María. “Strange Fruits and Foods Scavenger Hunt”. Meet at entrance at 11:30 for walk to nearby park, where we will sample all the new foods.
Noon: Lunch of discovered foods, supplemented with restaurants near the Mercado.
Afternoon: Trolley to Parque Carolina in the wealthy north of Quito. Students break into groups of three or four to stroll in the park and interview Quiteños on current events. Extra points assigned to anyone who participates in a game of soccer or Ecuavoli. Meet back at point of departure; take public transportation to mall in the north of Quito.
Supper: Food court in mall in the north of Quito.
Evening: Jacchiga, 90-person Ecuadorian traditional dance performance. ($25)
Feb. 21. Thursday:
Morning: Early breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Trolley to the north of the city; taxis from there to the departure point for cable car ride to the top of Pichincha. Ride to the top, take in the view and the change in climate. As always: BRING JACKETS!
Noon: Lunch at restaurant atop Pichincha, followed by return to the bottom. Ride back to hotel in transportation provided to tourists at the entrance to the cable cars.
Afternoon (late): Parque El Ejido in the central part of the city. Repeat interview process with park-goers there; compare them to interview results from Carolina.
Supper: Cebiche (shrimp-tomatoes-onions, served cold; Ecuadorian / Caribbean specialty) and other seafood at local restaurant.
Evening: Theatrical / musical performance, depending on mood and ticket availability.
Feb. 22. Friday:
Morning: Breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Mass at local cathedral; debriefing afterward re. the message of the sermon. Walking architectural comparison of several local churches.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurants.
Afternoon: Tour of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador.
Supper: Local restaurants.
Evening: Dance lessons at Quito dance studio. Return to hotel by trolley or taxi, and to bed.
Feb. 23, Saturday:
Morning: Breakfast, newspapers at hotel; news review in large group. Last-minute shopping and photography in colonial Quito.
Noon: Local restaurants.
Afternoon: Last-minute packing and souvenir shopping, followed by vans to airport.
Supper: Airport cafeteria.
Evening: Check-in and flight to USA; arrival in NYC, 9:00 AM, Sunday, Feb 24th, and in Lenox at 1:30 PM.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Baggage And Such
Just a couple of reminders as we head into high packing season:
Students are allowed one checked bag, and one carry-on. There are some restrictions as to what can be carried in a carry-on, and rather than list them all here, I'll post this LINK to the rules at About.com.
Travel clothing should be comfortable. Only at the very end of the day will we be seen by any Ecuadorians, and it will be in a context where it would be very difficult to offend them. Don't worry about the norms for Quito clothing on Friday - dress for comfort. (If I could go in my pajamas, I would.)
And remember: BE AT LMMHS AT 5:00 AM FRIDAY!!!! The Dufour bus leaves at 5:30, and we'll need some time to look your carry-ons over and to load up the bus.
That's all for now! Stay tuned!
Students are allowed one checked bag, and one carry-on. There are some restrictions as to what can be carried in a carry-on, and rather than list them all here, I'll post this LINK to the rules at About.com.
Travel clothing should be comfortable. Only at the very end of the day will we be seen by any Ecuadorians, and it will be in a context where it would be very difficult to offend them. Don't worry about the norms for Quito clothing on Friday - dress for comfort. (If I could go in my pajamas, I would.)
And remember: BE AT LMMHS AT 5:00 AM FRIDAY!!!! The Dufour bus leaves at 5:30, and we'll need some time to look your carry-ons over and to load up the bus.
That's all for now! Stay tuned!
Flight and Contact Information
Here's the flight information for each of our flights, to and from Ecuador (flight numbers in bold):
LaGuardia to Atlanta:
1 DL 515L 15FEB5 LGAATL HK14 1200P 329P RS
Atlanta to Quito:
2 DL 195L 15FEB5 ATLUIO HK14 430P 945P RS
Quito to Atlanta:
3 DL 195Q 23FEB6 UIOATL HK14 1040P 555A¥1 RS
Atlanta to Quito:
4 DL 504Q 24FEB7 ATLLGA HK14 745A 955A RS
Regarding contact with us in Ecuador, I will be in contact through the public phone access points in-country. These are private companies that charge a very reasonable per-minute rate for both domestic and international calls. These small businesses are reliable and exceedingly common - there are two within a block of our hotel in Quito. Students will also have ample free time and opportunity to use these extremely reliable and affordable businesses for calling home.
I will personally call my wife, Janneke van de Stadt, every day, often twice, to check in. This will serve as an easy way to get a message to a student - if a parent leaves a message with Janneke that the student (or I) should call, we will get the message abe be able to respond quickly.
Our home phone number:
413-458-1985.
I will not have a cell phone with me. Students are not prohibited from bringing their cell phones; however, they may or may not work in Quito, and if they do, the calls are sure to be extremely expensive. The students will have daily access to the Internet through the use of Internet cafes; therefore, email will be an excellent way of keeping in non-emergency touch. And, of course, I will be updating the blog daily as well. Emails to me also will be read daily.
LaGuardia to Atlanta:
1 DL 515L 15FEB5 LGAATL HK14 1200P 329P RS
Atlanta to Quito:
2 DL 195L 15FEB5 ATLUIO HK14 430P 945P RS
Quito to Atlanta:
3 DL 195Q 23FEB6 UIOATL HK14 1040P 555A¥1 RS
Atlanta to Quito:
4 DL 504Q 24FEB7 ATLLGA HK14 745A 955A RS
Regarding contact with us in Ecuador, I will be in contact through the public phone access points in-country. These are private companies that charge a very reasonable per-minute rate for both domestic and international calls. These small businesses are reliable and exceedingly common - there are two within a block of our hotel in Quito. Students will also have ample free time and opportunity to use these extremely reliable and affordable businesses for calling home.
I will personally call my wife, Janneke van de Stadt, every day, often twice, to check in. This will serve as an easy way to get a message to a student - if a parent leaves a message with Janneke that the student (or I) should call, we will get the message abe be able to respond quickly.
Our home phone number:
413-458-1985.
I will not have a cell phone with me. Students are not prohibited from bringing their cell phones; however, they may or may not work in Quito, and if they do, the calls are sure to be extremely expensive. The students will have daily access to the Internet through the use of Internet cafes; therefore, email will be an excellent way of keeping in non-emergency touch. And, of course, I will be updating the blog daily as well. Emails to me also will be read daily.
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