Paige Oswald – “On this day, we got a market tour where they showed us some of the typical foods and fruits they purchase to eat and cook with. Then we went to Quito and got to learn about the history of the town and how the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was cool to see and learn about the benefits of being a UNESCO site. When I went to Guatemala, I went to Antigua, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both cities were once ruled by Spain until independence was gained. I am happy that I did the program because I did not know that much about Ecuador before this. I also got to practice my listening of Spanish since I am trying to learn Spanish better. I can see myself going to Ecuador in real life in the future!”
Sophia Raimondi – “In this Zoom meeting, I was genuinely intrigued by the sights that were shown. Just even the view of the market and being able to see the similarities from our streets/markets versus theirs. Their markets/ stores along the town seemed more open to the public, in the aspect that the doors were all open and people could easily walk in our properly view from the street. Markets/ stores in towns near me appear to be more closed off in comparison to Ecuador. Our stores located in towns normally have window stages set up, but the doors remain closed, and in order to truly view the store’s products, you must step inside and look around.”
John Indjeian – “Saturday was a nice closure on the tour, although I kind of wish it had gone on longer, since the city streets and markets were quite fascinating. A shame about the market mishap with limited filming, but I was able to enjoy seeing produce shops and some of the inner city stuff (I wish we could have seen the inside of the cathedral; I bet it’s pretty in there). What stuck with me was the story Patricio was talking about, the Statesman who was murdered with an axe in front of the government building. I guess every place has its wild stories. Overall, it was a fun experience, and I got to know more about Ecuador, giving it a familiar face that I can recognize now.”
Jaden Garret – “In our last session, we took a trip through the market of Ibarra city. It was amazing to see some of the merchandise shopkeepers were selling, including traditional foods, clothing, and other products. I learned that in Ecuador, they have the same currency as the United States. The market is a central part of the city where the community gathers to do business with one another. Additionally, we learned about the variety of foods being sold there, including a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. I’m glad we got to experience a little taste of market life. After our trip through Ibarra, we traveled to the capital city of Quito. It is fascinating to learn that it is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world. Furthermore, we learned more about the old as well as the new city. We had amazing views of the city and saw some sites dating from the time of the Spanish colonization. The colonial architecture was impressive. We also learned that Quito has been continuously inhabited for 5,000 years and experienced a blend of different peoples and cultures. Quito was also one of the most important cities in the Spanish colonies. It was interesting to learn about the cultural and religious history and diversity of the country. One other thing I learned was that the first revolution in South America occurred in Quito. This revolution inspired other Latin American revolutions throughout the 19th century. Additionally, Quito has one of the largest historic preservations on the South American continent. I appreciate this effort to preserve the history and culture of Quito as I believe it is important in order to understand cultural identity and heritage.”
Megan Damico – “The Ibarra market was interesting. The vibe of the city was so different they are being up on top of the mountain. I enjoyed the walk around the market. The fruit looks so fresh. The size of their avocado is so different then ours here. It’s interesting how are tour guide only goes every eight days. Then we went to old Quito is the capital of the country. The sky is extremely clear in Quito. The place for the important people is really nice. The banner about God never dies stood out.”