Michelle and I have been kept very busyyyy, it feels like we just arrived (first blog post from Ecuador) but at the same time it feels like we have been here for months! It is so crazy that we just met at NCCWSL 2014 a few months ago, and now we are traveling internationally together and sharing experiences and knowledge to others, here in Ecuador. It is so cool to see a mix of cultures. What we have to offer is just one piece. The awesome part is seeing how the people we work with want to use and implement the skills we have to offer!
Here I am leading photography workshops, and Michelle is also working on translating a written piece for Agua Viva and on a women's empowerment project. Aside from that, I have been waking up for 5am runs with a local running group. I have also been going to the market and waking around the downtown area with Michelle. Living here with a family, I am also learning a lot of life lessons. So really, I am growing in a way that is so much more than opening my eyes to culture, but I am maturing, pushing myself physically to reach new heights, and am opening my mind to new cultures while learning some problems/challenges that accompany this.
Below are photos from when I went to hike a bit on the dormant volcano Chimborazo. It i actually the highest peak in the world when measured from the Earth's core to the peak. We didn't make it too far because it was very cloudy and could no longer see the path, but we did get a bit of a hike in. I also ran after lamas... they ran away from me though. :p On the drive back down, we stopped in a little mountainside town. It was so cold, and the houses barely have insulation, let alone heat. I don't know how I would do it, but when you are in a situation, you just have to adapt and move forward to survive.
Never think that you are too old to explore, or too young to be curious and seek adventure.
Lots of kisses... and pimples on the right side of my face from all of them,
Christine
P.S. Thank you AAUW Buffalo Branch, Brave Life, and Sigma Alpha Pi for funding my travels to Ecuador so I can work with Agua Viva! :)
Wonderful pictures: I am envious of your experiences! Chimborazo looks beautiful. :)
ReplyDeletex Yasmine
happy new year Chrisatine ahhh such a passionate person. really.. you inspire me so much =). new post on my blog. did a shout out on you too =) http://anotsosecretlife2011.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteChristine... this is an amazing thing you are doing... wow ... I would have loved to have this opportunity... who knows what the future holds xox
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment on my blog... I will definitely follow you... I hope you have a lovely year ♡
I'm following you on GFC and Bloglovin... have a lovely day ♡
ReplyDeleteGreat post and beautiful photos. Hope your new year is going fantastic!
ReplyDelete<3
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