In FAITH We Go: Paradise.

11/21/12
I didn't journal much about Apatug or Cotapaxi a) because I was sick and b) because Matt did mostly everything for these trips. I will say, visiting the mountain villages of Ecuador, I saw some of the most beautiful land I've ever seen. This was essentially part of Matt's work with Map International, as they took us to their project spots and he incorporated the locations onto the GPS that he is going to use to do web development for them. Pretty great opportunity for him and luckily for Carrie and I, a super easy ticket to see some amazing places! The mountain people were exactly what I imagined in my mind...tiny little brown people with red cheeks, wearing lots of traditional, colorful clothing. The women either had a baby on their back, or a massive load of some kind of agricultural goods, three times their size. We did get to go to a little day care with teeny tiny mountain babies, all wearing adorable little beanies and showing off for our camera. We helped serve them their 2 course lunch of soup and then a bowl of rice and veggies, which they gobbled up. So cute. I was honestly a bit surprised that in such a gorgeous seemingly pure mountain village, they would have water issues, given such close access to freshly melted snow water. But the water systems are very old now, and essentially not doing their job, so on the way down the mountain, it picks up diseases and parasites from the damaged pipes themselves as well as all of the animals who live along the way.

On our own, For One Another and another partner organization, Martha Estrella Foundation, we also visited four schools in Machachi. We delivered water filters to a few different classrooms and taught the sweet students how to take clean water home to their families. I was disturbed to learn that the government's way of providing clean water to them previously was by providing chlorine water....yuck. Needless to say, our clean water solution tasted delicious to them. Yay!

Mountain babies!

Apatug

Carrot farmers

Talking to a local farmer, a man working with Map specifically on children's health

Town of Cotapaxi

11/22/2012
En route to Galapagos Islands, first stop, Isla Santa Cruz. Most amusing thing about the trip over is when we arrive, we hear an announcement on our plane,
"Hello passengers. Please remain seated while our crew sprays the cabins with insecticides." This was followed with something along the lines of, "Don't worry, it shouldn't poison you." We were so baffled by this....I guess this is what it's like to travel to a preserve??

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/23/12 to 11/25/12
We are staying at Semilla Verde Lodge, a BEAUTIFUL B&B in the highlands, just under a 10 minute cab ride into the main town. The price tag of our stay hurts a little bit, but we are considering this one week of our adventure our time to splurge. I mean, if you are going to the Galapagos, especially after 3 weeks of volunteer work, you might as well just go big. We are justifying this by stuffing our faces with the delicious breakfast they provide us, and then holding out on spending any more money until dinner time. It's working quite well. I am so happy to say that my legs are sore from the tons of walking we've been doing! YAY to feel my muscles again! Joy.

On the 22nd, we went to the Charles Darwin Research Station and saw the most massive tortoises ever, as well as some crazy iguanas. When you look at these tortugas, you can't help but just feel amazed that you are pretty much looking at a dinosaur....they are so crazy looking!! And then of course we saw tons of baby tortugas...too cute. I just have to write about the "Gringo" tourist (this term is used so casually, but it's still hilarious to us) who asked her tour guide about the baby tortoises, "Do they ever jump the fence??" Matt and I stared at the 10 foot high fence surrounding the babies and resisted the urge to run up to her and give her a gentle little slap in the face. We settled for laughing to ourselves. But seriously.

Just as the sun started to shine down on us, we headed for a nice long walk to Tortuga Bay. Having seen some incredible beaches in California and the Mediterranean, this one still takes the cake, by far. It is just incredible. Pure white, untouched sand, velvety to the touch.....clear blue water....no vendors, not even a life guard. A few people ever now and again, iguanas, pelicans....and just pure beauty. We saw a small shark the second we stepped foot in the water. It was amazing!! This was my "I have arrived" moment. Can't wait to go back!