Happy Birthday Dad, I love you.

Amy xxx

Otavallo

Yesterday we went downstairs for breakfast which was eggs and bread, with a variation of spreads. Beija got the star for looking after me while I was sick and everyone went for a quick stroll around the markets. We then went to the markets where we all got to practice our bartering skills with the people who ran the stalls. Some were more willing to lower the prices than others! We all got given 5 dollars to spend on lunch. Most of us went to the same restaurant we went to yesterday but others found new ones which were apparently very good. At 3 we went on a small  walk to a waterfall and we all saw an alpaca. We then found out we had enough money to get the bus back so we wouldn't have to walk.......it was a bit cramped. We then went to a restaurant to have a lot of food as we are very hungry. Maddy had 5 plates of food and I managed to get most of the table up to start dancing to the pan flutes 2 men were playing. We then went back to the hotel for sleep.
Love Caitlyn x

Papallacta to Otavallo

After a huge buffet (where I may or may not have had 3 portions of food and used up all of the kitchenware), we left the hot springs and got a 2 hour private bus to the Equator. We took many pictures and even visited the 'Fake Equator Museum' - which was a toilet explaining lots of fake Equator stories. From there we arrived at the Santa Fe Hostel, went out for a quick bite to eat, and were allowed to roam the markets for souvenirs and most importantly...blankets. Dinner was at a local restaurant where many of us got a bit frightened by the back light flickering and young children running around screaming. We all went to bed very happy because in the morning there was the prospect of clean clothes.
Love, Maddy Xx

Thank you

Thank you for your comments......the girls are appreciating your feedback....we are reading them at dinner each night ......internet permitting.
Can't believe we're in our fnal week! Looking forward to our next two service projects and exploring our surroundings.
Jooles

White water rafting

After breakfast we set off for a day of rafting. Once we arrived by mini van we were given the safety talk and some were given wetsuits incase we all got too cold. We were in three boats for the whole day. Going through the rapids was great fun, most of us took turns sitting on the front of the boats which allows us to feel the sensation of flying through the air. One group got temporary stuck on a rock we stopped of for lunch and enjoyed burritos and tasty chocolate cake. In the evening we said goodbye to the family. It was a very bitter sweet moment. We have them some spare tee shirts and one that we all signed. Then we had to make sure that we were all packed for our next adventure.
- Cecily

Time in the jungle completed

Day1: After a long 3 hour journey into the jungle we eventually reached the Home stay. The leaders chose our rooms for us and we began to settle in. In one of our rooms there was a house guest ready and waiting for us by the name of Russell. Russell was our resident Tarantula who had to be moved due to his poisionous nature. After we had all settled in we started on our waterfall walk ,which wasn't really a walk. We climbed all the way in wellies and got soaked. With a lot of cheering on from each other and Delfine, Eddie and Carlos we made it up and down safely without any injuries. With lots of love from Cairenn who is safe and well xx

Day 2: This was our first day at the school we were volunteering in. We split into 3 teams to clean the kitchen, dining room and toilets. I was in Team Toilet which made a lot of good progress! I the afternoon we walked up to a point with beautiful view of the river, learnt our roll call numbers in Kichwa and tried mud face masks decorated with leaves. Love Eve xx

Day 3: Overnight we had a huge amount of rain but that didn't dampen our spirirts! After a hearty breakfast, Caro selected one person from each team to go into Tena and buy paint and cleaning supplies for the school. The rest of us headed off to the school and split ourselves into two teams, those cleaning and re-painting the main classroom and those organising and cleaning the toy room. Surprisingly, I volunteered for bug patrol and managed to get out 2 cockroaches and 2 spiders! After we had finished tidying for the day, we walked back to the Homestay where Delfine gave us a tour of the local plants, including those used for suicide, musical instruments and plates for the kitchen. Overall it was a very productive day and we all slept well.

All my love, Maddy Xx

Day 4: After a rude awakening from the rosters in the morning, we set off to begin painting the school. After a long and fulfilling day painting (including Lucy dropping a whole can of paint on the bathroom floor), we had a delicious lunch at the school. We then set off together to go to the Laguna pools which were just what we needed after a hot walk and there were even little natural waterfall slides. After a short break afterwards for ice cream, we set off back to the homestay in the back off a taxi truck! We then did a quiz together back at the house, which featured a lot more than just quiz questions! Finally, we wrapped up in our mosquito nets for a well deserved rest!

Love Megan :) x

Day 5:we awoke in the jungle again to the rather musical roosters,after a wondiful breakfast we walked the half an hour to the school for the final time. We finished the painting with a blue bathroom and kitchen and a red dining room (and a few painty people). After a spillage of bleach by none other than myself and the consequential soaking we finished. We sat at the desks while Cecily re-pained the letters on the walls and waited for the locals to arrive. When they did we showed the the donations and renavations to much thanks, we left well satisfied with our efforts. That afternoon we had a cultural expirance including:roasting,de-shelling,and grinding the cacao beans to create a chocolate fondue; blowing darts at a target with a blow gun; learning about kichua culture and celebrating the wedding of Jess and Cecily. Finally we when to bed for a much needed rest! Love Lucy xx

Rio Verde, Banos

We are now in Banos, we got here by a public coach which took three hours! First we explored the town and had lunch, after Carlos took us on a "little" hike (it took 3 hours to get up and back down again with a 60 degree incline!!!) But the view was amazing all throughout. Both lunch and dinner were amazing and the culture here is fascinating. The second day in Banos was kicked off with a buffet of food including fruit and pink rice crispsies. We took a private minibus with our driver, Osso. He took us along the scenic route which included views of all the mountains and waterfalls. We took a cable across a canyon which many found terrifying but everyone gave it a go. After that we were taken to a waterfall and got VERY close, so many of us became drenched! After that we went to a place which many call "the swing off the edge of the world" again everyone tried it and had so much fun even though it was scary. We then came back to Banos town and got a tour of the fruit and veg market and a tour around the church. We are about to head off to dinner.
The next week we will be in the jungle with no internet so don't expect any blog at all. We will be back in contact as soon as we can. Everyone is having an amazing time :)
(Update on missing luggage: it is now FINALLY in Quito!)

Amy and Ashleigh :) xxxx