What do we do for adventure? TRAINING!

We've returned from our Tech Trip! I'm a cad and didn't bring my camera along, but as other volunteers post photos, I shall appropriate them here, to give a little idea of where we were staying and what we saw.

Monday, the Youth and Families program went to a small town on the outskirts of Quito called Lloa (pronounced Yo-a), where we were divided into groups and led classes of kids in various activities for about 45 minutes. It didn't quite work out for my group, as our class was running very, very late, but since all three of us were sick, we didn't mind having a shorter class. We spiraled out of there, got back to the center, got paid (YES - paid. Let's just say that 1 month is netting me a little less than a week would in the States), were reminded about having extra work to do, and then ran home to pack.

The next morning, we met up in Tumbaco and then split the group: Community Health headed to some towns in the south, and Youth & Families headed north. I was amused and delighted by the fact that a bunch of us started hugging one another goodbye... we were one day shy of only having known each other for three weeks.

After a couple of hours on various buses, we arrived in the small city of Otavalo. This area is primarily inhabited by indigenous folk, and houses one of the most famous street markets in Ecuador. I shall return as soon as I'm able to souvenir shop!

Note: Not my photo - the internet provides.

While in town, we visited two local clinics - the first one concentrates on fusing both modern and traditional medicine, while the second almost exclusively deals with modern therapies.
At the first clinic, we were delighted by having one of our volunteers examined using a ceremony involving an egg (apparently she has a lot of mal aire, or 'bad air'), and another was examined by guinea pig. The latter involves using and later killing a live guinea pig, to see what may be wrong on the inside of the individual being examined. Long story short, we watched as my fellow volunteer Alex had a rodent rubbed all up and down him, and then as the same rodent was killed, skinned, and gutted. It really was a treat to watch both ceremonies, as they're traditionally only performed between the examiner and the patient - we were allowed to take pictures as well! Unless I get very ill and am in a very rural area, chances are I shan't be seeing either ceremony again.
After visiting the clinics, we grabbed lunch (I had the best BBQ burger of my LIFE... you heard me), and then headed split into two groups for easier-gringo-management. My group went out to El Chota, a rural dry valley that is primarily inhabited by Afro-Ecuadoreans. The people we stayed with were lovely and lively, and it was a fun day-and-a-half. Lively dancing in the evening (look up 'Bomba'), interviewing locals and heading to our next destination on Wednesday.
The couple of hours of driving through the mountains to Ibarra were absolutely spectacular - I will certainly post pictures here, once they are available. Several of the views were just unreal, they were such a spectacular array of colour and scenery.

After checking into our expensive hotel ($19 per night is apparently outrageous here), we spent some time bonding and crashed. Our work the next day consisted of them assigning each of us an organization, giving us a map, and telling us to get there and back within two-ish hours. Granted, most locations were within walking distance, and anyone with iffy Spanish skills had an admin go with them, but still... I went to the Red Cross, and chatted with/interviewed a couple of the directors about their programs for about an hour. I've wanted to work with that organization for years, so it was neat being able to see a regional office outside of the USA. Apparently it didn't go so shabbily, as I walked out of there with a tentative 'if PeaceCorps doesn't work out..' job offer, as well as the number of one of the guys I'd be chatting with.
Thereafter, I found a delightful little coffee shop, and then we all reunited to get lunch and do a scavenger hunt. Dinner was wine, PizzaHut, and a lovely couple of hours getting to know 4 of my co-volunteers - I really am working with the coolest people.

The next morning, SJ and I went back to the little coffee shop from the day before, and spoiled ourselves with good coffee and cake for breakfast - the ladies remembered me and were sweet as could be - I shall visit them again if I return to Ibarra.

After presentations and some drama, we were all reunited (well, Y&F was) and piled back into buses to Quito, where we were set loose to find our way home. I haven't talked to everyone, but I assume that the majority of PVTs are back where they should be... if not, we'll find out on Monday!

I enjoyed being able to see more of Ecuador - I like where we are, but it was just so nice to see more of a spectacularly beautiful and friendly country. My wanderlust is back after this week, making me antsy about waiting a couple more weeks before being able to go on our second Tech Trip. We've got a lot going on in the meantime, but I'm still looking forward to being able to visit the coast - let's get some hot, muggy, humid weather back in my life!