Ama la Vida

My last month has been absolutely incredible.  After returning from my internship on the organic farm, I had a quick last week in Ecuador, which included the formal end of my semester and some 21^st birthday celebrations.  Soon after, my friend Josh and I were off to Cuzco, Peru. 

Machu Picchu

Salkantay Mountain

In Cuzco, I did the Salkantay Trek, where I hiked for four days through the Andes Mountain Chain and it culminated with our climb up to Machu Picchu.  The hiking was absolutely incredible and the views were stunning.  We hiked through massive snowcapped mountains and also through lush tropical rainforest.  One day, we even climbed up to 4600m and I was very appreciative for the help that living in Quito for the last five months gave me to acclimate to the altitude.  On our fourth and final day, we woke up around 3:30 am to start climbing up Machu Picchu mountain.  We made it to the ruins just as the sun was rising and it was absolutely incredible.  We also continued our hike and summited to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, which was about a two-hour hike up that was completely vertical. 

Summiting

Josh and me with our faithful companions

After returning to Cuzco, we explored the city and celebrated Corpus Cristi, a Roman Catholic holiday consisting of a massive procession of saints and virgins from the city’s numerous churches.  There were parades throughout the city and also tons of food on the streets.  Cuy, guinea pig, is the most typically eaten food for this festival and while I opted out of eating it, there were probably at least 5000 cuys barbequed on the street.      

sand boarding in Ica

After a great few days in Cuzco exploring, visiting more Incan ruins, and letting our bodies recuperate, I headed off to other parts of Peru.  First, I visited Lima and all of the historical sites in the city. I next visited Ica, a desert town in the middle of Peru where I went dune buggying and sand boarding!  It was just like snowboarding or sledding in the snow, only there was a slight temperature difference!

The dunes

That was only the beginning of my traveling adventures because I then left Peru and met my sister, Elana, in Bogota, Colombia! I was surprised to see two other Minnesota natives (Tara and Sami) there too! Throughout the next week we explored Bogota, went salsa dancing, swam in the beach in Cartegena, watched Colombia destroy USA in soccer, hiked in the cloud forest of Salento, and drank the best Colombian coffee.  Colombia is an extremely beautiful country and it was so fun to travel with my sister there.  

Cartegena Beach

Cuicocha

We next made our way back to Ecuador so I could show Elana where I lived for the last five months.  We stayed with my host family for a couple of nights and even celebrated my host brother David’s First Communion.  We went to the church for the ceremony and there was also a giant party at our house that followed.  My host family introduced Elana and me to everyone as their ‘intercambio hijas’ (exchange daughters).  

In Ecuador, we also visited downtown Quito, hiked around a giant glacier lake, which might give Lake Calhoun a run for its money, and went to numerous mercados.  We had a great time traveling together and making people guess who they thought was older J and I cannot wait for future travel adventures. 

It is hard to believe that my time in Ecuador and South America is coming to a close.  Tomorrow night, I leave to go back home to the States, after living in this amazing country for over five months. 

My amazing host family

I absolutely loved living with my host family and we shared many laughs, stories, and especially great food. They were so worried that I would not get enough protein as a vegetarian that one time they actually made me four veggie burgers along with the rest of an entire meal!

Ecuador’s national slogan Ama la Vida, meaning to love life, nicely sums up the mentality of the entire country and also what I learned and experienced during my time here. While in Ecuador, I performed research in the Amazon Rainforest, swam with sea turtles in Galapagos, hiked through cloud forests, learned how to make organic chocolate, saw how a country responds and comes together after a disaster, learned to navigate the very confusing bus system, and met so many amazing people. The people of Ecuador are sincere, caring, and kind and it is a country that has so much natural beauty to offer.  I definitely 'Ama-ed mi vida' in Ecuador and learned to appreciate and love everyday the people and places that surrounded me.  So, ama la vida and enjoy everyday, and if you get the chance definitely come visit Ecuador. 

Until my next adventures,

Chau y un abrazo