Literally. Our heads were in the clouds when we reached the 4800 meter mark on Cotopaxi. It felt like a dream. The dream started when we were picked up the van of German tourists. Actually, it probably began when we were walking to the volocano and a little kid ran out from his school with a werewolf mask and chased us down the road. Of course, we pretended to be scared and took off running in front of him!We were amazed by the sight of Cotopaxi when the van let us out at the foot of the volcano. The snow capped mountain was partially hidden by the clouds. Katie, Heather, three of the germans, their tour guide and myself began the hike up the sandy path. It was long and exhuasting. It zig-zagged across the volocano and everytime we reached a turn I would think that it would be the end...and it was not. It was also freezing! I wore 
capris, a tshirt and my fleece. At one time I thought my ears were actually falling off. Katie and I wondered about frostbite, but we brushed that idea off with the fact that the german´s tour guide would have told us if he thought we would get frostbite.
However, we made it. At 4800 meters we could touch the snow and we were surrounded by clouds. A worker told us that the snow on Cotopaxi was from November. That should tell you how chilly it was up there. We entered the climber´s lodge and had a snack that gave us energy to quickly run back down the volcano. We were greeted by the rest of the germans and we piled back into the van.
Our next stop was a beautiful hacienda that showed off Incan ruins within its structure. The hacienda is now a hotel and it costs somewhere around $350 a night to stay there. While it was beautiful and feeding the llamas was quite exciting, we decided to head back to Belmont. So we said goodbye to our new german friends and hopped on a bus back to Quito.
The next day, as if we were not exhausted enough from volcano climbing, we headed back to Nicolas Aguilera Escuela to teach. We arrived at eight fifteen. Once again, Katie taught physical education and Heather and I taught English. I felt like I accomplished more English teaching this time than our previous visit. It can be frustrating because the classes are huge and the skill levels vary so much from class to class. I taught six English classes and one time I went straight from a seventh grade class to kindergarden. Talk about an adjustment...especially since we never know which class we are going to next. But it is worth it because if we teach them anything (English, skills for a new sport) or give them motivation or inspiration to better themselves...I will be happy. And it does not hurt that they are adorable. I almost fell down in one class because they were all hugging my legs so hard.
Today (Wednesday) we went to the ´hot springs.´ It was called Cununyacu piscina. We loved being able to relax, but the high point of the outing was Jonathan. Jonathan is our hostal owner´s eight year old son who was allowed to come with us today...and miss school. He was pretty excited and so were we. Daniel, our French photographer friend from the hostal came as well. We swam and lounged around in the sun for several hours. It was an adventure and now we are all a little tired.
capris, a tshirt and my fleece. At one time I thought my ears were actually falling off. Katie and I wondered about frostbite, but we brushed that idea off with the fact that the german´s tour guide would have told us if he thought we would get frostbite. However, we made it. At 4800 meters we could touch the snow and we were surrounded by clouds. A worker told us that the snow on Cotopaxi was from November. That should tell you how chilly it was up there. We entered the climber´s lodge and had a snack that gave us energy to quickly run back down the volcano. We were greeted by the rest of the germans and we piled back into the van.
Our next stop was a beautiful hacienda that showed off Incan ruins within its structure. The hacienda is now a hotel and it costs somewhere around $350 a night to stay there. While it was beautiful and feeding the llamas was quite exciting, we decided to head back to Belmont. So we said goodbye to our new german friends and hopped on a bus back to Quito.
The next day, as if we were not exhausted enough from volcano climbing, we headed back to Nicolas Aguilera Escuela to teach. We arrived at eight fifteen. Once again, Katie taught physical education and Heather and I taught English. I felt like I accomplished more English teaching this time than our previous visit. It can be frustrating because the classes are huge and the skill levels vary so much from class to class. I taught six English classes and one time I went straight from a seventh grade class to kindergarden. Talk about an adjustment...especially since we never know which class we are going to next. But it is worth it because if we teach them anything (English, skills for a new sport) or give them motivation or inspiration to better themselves...I will be happy. And it does not hurt that they are adorable. I almost fell down in one class because they were all hugging my legs so hard.
Today (Wednesday) we went to the ´hot springs.´ It was called Cununyacu piscina. We loved being able to relax, but the high point of the outing was Jonathan. Jonathan is our hostal owner´s eight year old son who was allowed to come with us today...and miss school. He was pretty excited and so were we. Daniel, our French photographer friend from the hostal came as well. We swam and lounged around in the sun for several hours. It was an adventure and now we are all a little tired.
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1 comment:
Your stories sound wonderful! They make me a little crazy as a mother of one of you (getting locked in the basilica and jumping on a truck for a ride), but surely are once in a lifetime experiences. It's great to get the perspective from each of the three of you, too. It sounds as if the people you're meeting would be a good story in themselves.
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