On Wednesday of this week, a few other teachers and I took a 3 day, 2 night field trip with 44 of our 6th graders up to the Ecuadorian paramo (ecosystem), where we stayed at a camp that was 3,818 meters (12,526 feet) and hiked up to 4,100 meters (13,451 feet). Surrounded by volcanoes, we could even see into Colombia.
We also stopped and visited the small town of Maravilla, which was settled by Afro-Ecuadorians. They shared their history, pottery, and dances, while their children played with our students in the street. (The story goes that a slave ship traveling to Brazil crashed, and the surviving slaves made their way to Esmaraldas (northern Ecuadorian beach) and settled there. Though there is still quite a bit of prejudice today towards Black Ecuadorians, they are considered a valid part of the society and respected for their culture).
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| On the bus |
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| With indigenous girls |
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| Handmade Otavalan Tapestries |
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| Otavalan Weaver |
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| Sugar Cane Farm |
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| Sugar Cane Hacienda |
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| Making the "panela" sugar from sugar cane |
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| Guinea Pigs, ripe for the cooking ("Cui) |
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| Milking the cows |
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| Maravilla |
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| Maravilla - the flirting begins |
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| Culture lessons |
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| Handmade pottery |
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| Cabins at Polylepis Lodge |
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| Higher view of Polylepis Lodge |
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| Mud!!! |
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| Muddy boots |
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| Milk at the cheese factory |
