"Even being back from our journey for almost a month now I still get overwhelmed when people ask me ‘so how was Ecuador?' There is just so much to say, that a quick passing conversation would not due the trip justice, what so ever. Normally I start with describing how scared I was zip lining through the Amazon canopy, but how quickly that fear subsided when flying through the clouds. You also never forget the time you see your first tarantula just hanging out on a hiking trail (you also probably will never scream so loud in your life).
Ecuador was amazing, a huge city smack dab in the middle of the beautiful Andes Mountains. The people were unlike any other I have encountered.. Even though many had close to nothing, they were some of the most happy and enthusiastic I had ever met. Even being on the plane flying into Quito, the Ecuadorian couple I sat next to were so interested in my life, and even though we couldn't understand each other we made a connection that kicked off one of many made in those two weeks. The reflections that we had each night were also very meaningful and as a group I felt they really brought us together. Before going on the trip I knew close to nothing about the people I was traveling with, but now whenever I see a fellow traveler I can't help but get excited to chat and catch up on post-Equa life. One of many memorable parts of the trip was bonding with the children that were a part of the Working Boys Center. They all had such a zest for life and were so outgoing. It was a really humbling experience to go to their homes and help fix them up. I fee you are never truly grateful with what you have until you realize that not everyone may have running water or electricity for that matter.
I have to say my favorite parts of the trip were a tie between going to mass at noon or hearing the kids sing their song about colors (in English). The kids are just so darn cute; hearing a bunch of them sing about the color blue in their Ecuadorian accents is just a heart breaker. I can honestly say that Ecuador was one of the most fun and eye opening experiences in my life and I hope to one day return to the city in the mountains."
Read more about Alternative Breaks at Le Moyne from: :
Lacey Eames ’12 – Ecuador Lizzie Molloy ’12- Kenya Justin Sullivan ’12 - New Orleans Pablo Rios- Nazareth Farm