Community Member Accompanies School Group to Ecuador

Other than three Caribbean cruises complete with numerous shore excursions in Spanish-speaking countries (that know a lot of English), and several days spent in northern Mexico 35 years ago while in college, this was my first experience being in and living in a foreign country, and interacting with the citizens of that country in their native language (as much as possible). I want to travel more and enjoy such experiences more, and this opportunity included three aspects important to me - at least a sense of more safety (group travel, with a leader fluent in the language and who has done this many times), full immersion into the culture and language, and activities that included visits to both cultural sites and ecological sites. This was such a positive experience and it has only increased my desire for more!

My view of the world has changed in the sense that it seems to get smaller the more I travel outside of my country. These places are accessible, I just need to make it a higher priority to go! Most citizens of the USA take a lot for granted, and I imagine have expectations when they travel abroad that they will have everything they need as if they are home. I expected less than at home, but was not sure how that would play out once in Ecuador. What ended up standing out for me was 1) not flushing toilet paper, 2) not being able to drink the tap water, 3) many do not have clothes dryers, and 4) many do not have hot water at the bathroom or kitchen sinks. To some degree, I definitely feel spoiled.

I prepared as best I could for the language by using the Duolingo app on my phone – I probably averaged 1 – 1-1/2 hours every day, seven days a week (missing literally only a few days over the course of about six months). Knowing that the context of this trip was going with a college student group, I expected things to be done a bit differently than if I were with just my family or another group. Increased attention to safety, more rules to follow, the focus being on a learning and full immersion experience, the destination likely being at a standard of living below ours… I expected all of that.

Living in Quito, combined with living in a much smaller town the second half, gave us perspectives on both the big city and the more rural lifestyles in a foreign country – that is an important consideration to getting as full of an experience as possible. Living in Quito with a host family (as opposed to staying in a hotel, which was an option for I and my wife), while initially somewhat stressful, was something I wanted to force ourselves to do to gain that added experience, and I would definitely do that again. As the country’s capital, I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about its history and to visit some of its cultural sites.

Spanish language instruction was a highlight for me. This perhaps would not be a highlight of a ‘vacation’ for most people, but I feel ‘held back’ by not knowing Spanish at all, and I looked forward to learning some Spanish, and I plan to continue to learn more in one form or another. Another aspect of the program that I appreciated was having all the reservations, planning, and itinerary done for me. Experiencing both the city life and rural living was a highlight as well.

Touring the cultural sites in Quito’s ‘Old Town’ and the half day on the ocean beach were my favorites. My least favorite activity was Agua Blanco (I would have spent the whole day at the beach!). Note on visiting the cultural sites in Old Town – I suggest staying in Old Town and going inside more of the sites, and skip the site further away (the huge statue, I don’t remember its name); at our first stop in Old Town all we could do was get off the bus, take pics, then get on the bus and go to the next place. Also, a note on the service project – I know plans changed (probably multiple times), but explain in as much detail as possible what we are going to be doing once we get off the bus and the plans are finalized; I started cleaning and painting tires that I safely (and correctly) assumed would be for a play area, but after lunch we started sanding and painting bed headboards and I wasn’t sure why until I saw them also going over to the play area as part of an obstacle course.

It has been over two months since we returned home from this trip, and I still practice Spanish daily with Duolingo. I may take a Spanish course at the college this fall. The college is going to Peru next year, and we are interested in that trip!!