Our trip began meeting at the Detroit Metro airport.

 

Our first flight was delayed by an hour or so, but it just took some time away from the layover we had in Atlanta.

 

We all boarded a small jet plane that contained two rows of two people, probably 60-80 ppl. 

 

We had the best stewardess. When she was serving beverages I asked if she had ice tea or if I could just pour the hot tea over a cup of ice. She said "I can, Ill hook you up, but is there something else you'd like." I changed my mind about the tea and just ordered juice, but ten minutes later she came back with my hot tea and cup of ice. I thought she was the best stewardess I have ever had.

 

When we were unloading the plane she made an announcement thanking all the military personnel that were on the plane heading overseas to go fight for us. She also said "God Bless, We will be praying for you!" I thought that was very awesome. The next flight was from Atlanta, Georgia to Quito.

Before we arrived to our hotel in Quito, I was a little nervous. I soon realized there wasn't much to be worried about. We each had our own separate rooms, which seemed just as good quality if not better then most in the United States. We also had access to the computer/net, so we sent our parents emails letting them know we arrived and were  safe.

I was really hungry so I decided to use the little Spanish I knew to ask the host if they had any food. I was acknowledged with a weird smirk and a long explanation, not anything familiar or expected.

 

 I asked Fr. Chris to help me and I found out the host was confused because it was ten at night and I was asking for lunch. The host went into the closed kitchen and made me a warm ham and cheese sandwich. It was so great and I saw the first sign of how hospitable the Ecuador people are.

I slept so well that night after the long plane ride. That morning we all gathered in the lobby and were served a warm breakfast of toast, eggs, native fruit juice, and coffee or tea. After breakfast we headed to the fourth floor to share our presentations about Ecuador and have morning prayer.

We met up with Pedro, and Yasmina. We all piled onto the tour bus to experience a 4 hour ride to Riobamba. Along the way there were many different/new sites. I couldn't believe how awesome the views were. I saw valleys containing an abundant array of colorful buildings, mostly houses. I saw mountains all around us containing similar houses only more dispersed.

After a few hours we stopped at Hotel Rumpamea de las Rosas. It was an old Hacienda turned into hotel/restaurant.

 

I thought I ordered something new and exotic but when I received the mixed brochette, I learned it was a chicken and beef shish kabob. It was very good nonetheless. After lunch we wandered around the outside of the hotel and witnessed the beauty of their gardens.

 

They had a cactus garden where the cacti stood probably 8 or more feet. It was very awesome to stand amongst them. We made our way thru the rest of the property to discover the life size chess board, ping pong table, stables with cows and horses, a tennis court, an obstacle course, and much more. After playing for awhile it was back on the bus to finish our ride to Riobamba.

When we arrived to the Agricultural center (our temporary home for the next week) in Riobamba, I was mesmerized by their garden. It was full of fun plants and trees bearing fruit and flowers.

 

I shared a room that night with Sandy and Laura. It kinda felt like we were in Snow White. There were 5 beds in a row with a big bathroom at the end of the room. Seeing all the beds lined up made us think of that movie. After picking out our bed and placing our bags, we met in a classroom to greet the leaders from the Archdiocese of Riobamba.

 

We discussed our purpose and hopes for this trip and they returned their hopes for our visit. They seemed very pleased to meet us and to be working with us in the week ahead. After the meeting we all sat down in the ´¨cocina´¨and had a wonderful meal of chicken, broccoli, potato and rice soup, mandarin oranges, as well as the all time favorite; native fruit juice.

 

Dinner ended and we all returned to our comfy rooms to take a hot shower and sleep.