27 mayo 2009

What a fun day! We had an early start again (much to our chagrin), but it was well worth it. After a couple hours, we arrived to the rain forest area northwest of Quito called Mindo. We had to get off the bus and board camionetas just to get back to "the canopy". There, we enjoyed a course of 13 ziplines, which were scary at first for some and really fun for all by the end. Even Sondra got into doing the tricks, like Superman and the Mariposa. For those, we got to zip along with the support of a guide, so we could basically be flying along upside-down or just like Superman. As we went, we got to enjoy the beautiful view of the lush mountains beneath.
Then, we went on a hike to see several cascadas, which were also muy lindas. For a while, part of the group went off on its own, but we all ended up together soon enough. Then we really climbed into the falls. In that process, some may have become more mojados than what they wanted, but nobody ended up with hypothermia in the heat. All that hiking and heat reminded many of us of girls´ camp days, so of course we started singing those songs, too. Plus we were able to keep enjoying the great views. It was another reminder of the love of our Savior to create such an amazing world for us and a fun way to terminar our great adventures in Ecuador.

Otovalo...Bensonian Style

We spent another day in the lush sea of green! We met up with the Benson Institute, and they took us to visit families involved in their programs. They help families become self-sufficient by raising livestock and farming. First the family grows enough for their own family, then for food storage, and finally for the bishop's store house or for the community. Pretty sweet, eh?
It was fun to actually be in the homes of the people. One woman we met with was a 89 year old Midwife, who had been practicing since she was 20yrs old. She said she could tell if the baby was a boy or girl by feeling the shape of its head. Apparently Cilantro tea speeds up labor and a licorice-like herb helps with bleeding. We even practiced her squatting birthing position. She gave us some infertility advice, such as positions, timing, etc - so... if you have any questions regarding pregnancy, birth, or getting pregnant, you may want to give her a call. She seemed to know everything!
The culture is so rich up here! I feel like they really practice their traditions. The men keep their hair long and wear brown hats. The women wear beautiful white lace tops, embroidered with designs, gold necklaces, and long dark skirts.
We checked out a beautiful lake, which was picturesque and breath-taking! The lake was inside the crater of a 3,000yr old volcano. We all looked fabulous in our orange life-vests as we took a boat ride around the lake.
We took a long ride to Quito, and arrived safe and sound! Look out Quito! Here we come!

Nearing the End...

It was our last real clinical day for us here in Guayaquil! We did our last school's health screenings in the community, some interviews with postpartum moms, and some dietary recalls with 6th graders. THAT was funny. A few of us went into the classroom to give them instructions on the dietary recalls. After we gathered them, one girl handed us her notebook for us to write down our names. Then, a flood of 6th graders (like 30 or 40) started throwing their notebooks in front of our faces for us to sign them. Absolutely INSANE! Sarah somehow got them to all sit in their seats before we left (they didn't know where their teacher was), and then I was about to take a picture of them before I walked out when they started CHARGING the door. We had to kind of run away...haha....funny kids!

We also toured the University of Guayaquil's nursing school today. We got to meet with a lot of their students and talk to their director. Turns out, some things are just universal with nursing: Mosby's for example...plenty of those in their library!

Then tonight we sang at a fireside at a chapel for investigators. The missionaries sang a few songs, and we sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and "I Need Thee Every Hour." We've been able to do a lot with the stakes here, so it's been nice to see a few familiar faces in the church!

El 17 de Mayo

This was our last Sunday in Guayaquil. Que lastima. We have really grown to love the people in the ward we have been attending for the last 3 weeks. Jacob gave an excellent talk during Sacrament and we all participated in the special musical number. We sang "La Oracion del Profeta" and apparently did a good job because they asked us to sing at a missionary fireside this Thursday. Later in the afternoon, several of us went down to the Malecon for dinner. We also went on a little walk through a park which some of us refer to as "the jungle." Ecuador is a beautiful place and I will miss it when we leave....so many different and exciting kinds of plants,flowers, fruits, foods, and people. What an adventure.

Week 3: Still working hard!

This is our last week of clinical in Ecuador, meaning those of us who have waited all this time finally get to go out into the community to get a "real" taste of this country and others get to see the Ecuadorian Hospitals from an up close and personal point of view. From what I have heard from the hospital clinicals today eyes have been opened and many emotions were experienced. As for the community, a few of us went out to the furthest subcentro, surviving the very bumpy and treacherous ride, to teach the people waiting at the clinic there and to check some blood pressures and blood sugars. The rest of the group screened more children, making them cry as they had to poke them for blood...that is really not a fun job! But I thought it might be kind of interesting for those of you not here to see what the inside of a school looks like out in the community.

We also had the delightful opportunity to go and see their "mechanical soy milk cow" that they hope to utilize to make what the name implies...soy milk. I think we all had different expectations of this "cow" before seeing it. Here, Jacob demonstrates his love for soy milk and his eagerness to try some!

We also actually had quite a scary experience. So, if it has not been mentioned before, it is best to know that driving here is NOT like driving in the US. There really aren't many regulations, and people just drive, but are usually pretty good at it. Well, we were all jam-packed in the back the the Land Rover ambulance that takes us out and picks us up at community and we were all riding back. Well, we were cruising down this dirt road that appeared to be free and clear of all traffic when we all of a sudden came to an abrupt halt, I mean to say the driver SLAMMED on the breaks. Apparently a little girl ran out into the street from the left side and thanks to the driver's excellent abilities he was able to miss her by inches. It not only scared him to death, but also the rest of us...but luckily no one was hurt! This is a picture of us being frightened.

So, for an afternoon activity a few of us decided to see a movie. Some of the more "mature" people went to see Angels and Demons, and the rest of us were more in the mood to act a little younger than we really are…so we opted for 17 Again, featuring none other than Zac Efron!!! Let’s just say it was well worth our $3 to giggle and whistle at the young man…a break definitely fun and well deserved!!!

Salinas- 09 Mayo 2009

Our first day out at the beach. Two hours to paradise. Our best friends Luis and Susanna drove us out to the sea where we tasted salt and sand and had a great day of relajar. Short and sweet.

Items on the unwritten agenda included: water bottle toss followed by frisbee toss (thanks Kristy Sue for bringing it along and Sarah for your amazing catching skills), swimming out to the buoy (great workout for those of us not so accustomed to ocean water), soaking up the sun, and a beautiful boat tour which Shelly was able to capture on film. Thanks for sharing your talents.

The time that wasn't spent on all the above was sold to vendors bartering down prices for jewelry and refusing all other sales. I believe Tricia won the prize for most diverse selection of aretes.

Lunch/dinner was served up at a beautiful restaurant gracias a la Junta. First time most of us felt safe eating vegetables from the buffet. Chocolate cake and coco ice cream also were some of the favorites.

As we arrived home we rushed in the showers
to show up a half hour later clean and pretty as we waited to leave for the health fair. The fair went smoothly with Kristy Sue and Allie running the show. RCP, la presion, la azucar de sangre, y muchas charlas. A great time for creating relationships and teaching health. Busy day- but vale la pena.

Sun, Sand and Salt

With another busy week behind us, we set off early this morning for Playas, a very appropriate name for the town on the shore. Before heading to the beach, though, we set off in small boats to find and swim with the dolphins. After going a long way, we finally saw them! No swimming actually happened at that point, but we did see the delfines race the larger boats, surface close to us, and even do some gymnastics. So despite some of our doubts, it turned out to be a fun and interesting activity.
Hungry for the beach and food, we went to the Hostal Bellavista ("beautiful view") and were very satisfied. (Even the non-fish-lovers enjoyed the scrumptious sea bass.) Then, without waiting 30 minutes, we hit the waves. For the remainder of the day, we played, swam, barely avoided being pull far out to sea, lost possessions to the ocean, bought new treasures from passing vendors, traced messages in the sand, chased the frisbee, and enjoyed soaking up the sun.