This post features student writing.

Hola! It’s Erica. On Saturday morning, the group started off the day by doing our community service work in the community. Brook Lyn and I worked on the mural. We painted a really nice sun and moon design. The others continued to lay bricks for the extension of the cheese factory. We’ve been making a lot of progress in the community!

About an hour later, we drove to Otavalo to check into our hacienda. Once we were settled, we ate pizza for lunch and discussed our scavenger hunt. We split up into two groups. Our assignments included learning the Ecuadorian national anthem, purchasing an unfamiliar fruit, taking a photo of three churches, and taking a photo with the locals as well. Once we completed the Amazing Race, the group got frozen yogurt where we could choose five toppings. After we went for yogurt, the group went to Parque Condor to see the bird show. The weather was a little overcast and rainy but the show was very interesting to watch. The rest of the day consisted of taking hot showers at the hacienda, and getting ready for dinner at Mi Otavalito.

— Erica