My first 10 days by lisa

At last I get time to write. My first couple days were spent in a haze of oh my golly what did I do. I was so disappointed. It was freaking cold. I found myself wearing everything I owned including my long john. Who would have expected going to the equator would be cold 55 degrees in Quito. I kept thinking that when we got to the farm on the coast it would be warmer. Well it is a little, today at the beach I swam and actually am wearing shorts. Had a couple great rides on the boogie board too. But many days I am wearing my fleece coat.
Quito is a world hertiage city and beautiful. The old town area has Gothic Church and appears very European. I will try to post a picture of one of the many beautiful churchs. When the Spanish arrived they tried to errect churches everywhere to override the local religion.
On our second day we went to the Mital del Mundo. The middle of the earth. There was a beautiful museum with great interactive exhibits. We got to straddle the equator, feel the imbalance one experiences on the equator, watch water going different directions depending on wether you were in the northern or southern hemishere, directly on the equator it doesn't swirl it just goes straight down. My favorite were blowing the dart blow gun and watching the family do it. Treava was our best shooter. Too much force and look out. They also showed us a river creature that when men urinate in the river it attaches in their penis whith barb like attachments. Scared all the men half to death. They showed us the process of shrinking skulls and more.
We are now at the sustainable organic farm. Again we have all struggled with letting go of expectations and trying to find the gifts in this experience. The housing is Bamboo cabanas with grass roofs. For the first week we got the semiscreened house but have now been moved to the substandard. Once you get over the flying bugs and all it is beaUTIRUL. iT IS PERCHED ON A HILL OVERLOOKING THE CREEK THAT WHEN IT IS WARM ENOUGH WE BATH IN. Oops pushed the wrong button and got bold. sorry. The farm has horses, lots of pigs, chicken, gueinne pigs, dogs and cats, cows and donkeys.
We all are finding it kind of funny that we are paying money to work our fannies off on the farm. We started teaching in the schools last week. The kids are different here. They are exposed to tourist and western ways more so we see some behavior problems. They also love to play, yet aren't as eager to learn. I think it has to do with so many different foriegner coming through the school.
The motto of the farm is feed the soil not the plant. They focus on Permaculture which focuses on sustainability and feeding the soil. Last week we learned alot about the insects and the soil. They make Humanure from their composting toilets. They named off the chain of which manures are best. Humanure is at the low end, then horse, cow, pig,dog, cat, chicken and the highest nutrient rich being guiena pigs. Fascinating.
We also learned why it is so important that the rainforest not be cut down for farming. There is very little soil coverage and the soil is very poor. The whole rainforest ecosytem is based upon heat humidity and rapid decompositon of the plant matter in the forest to feed the plants of the rainforest.
This weekend we are in a small town on the coast called Canoa. As the girls said the food at Rio Muchacha is good at first but then it all starts to seem the same. how fortunate us Americans are to have so many daily choses available to us. The girls have eaten their way through the weekend. Pizza, pancakes, papa fritas and lots of water. We will take some food and water back with us to help as especially for treava she is constanly hunger. We are only given our 3 meals a day. Well I need to go buy food. Take care
Also please comment back. I know many of you said you read it last year. It is much more motivating when folks are interacting. Just remember I believe everyone can view your comments. Lisa