I’m grateful for the places I visited that wouldn’t have made my 2017 wanderlist, the people I met on the literal and figurative road, and the unforgettable experiences that this year brought.
Tag Archives: Ecuador
6 Memorable Travel Firsts
You know those memories that stick with you? The ones where you don’t need photos to recall the moments because they were so profound? Sometimes, of course, memories fade, but some seem like they’ll last forever – like these events that make up my memorable travel firsts. Amsterdam, Fall 2001 -The first time I was stranded atContinue reading “6 Memorable Travel Firsts”
24.5 hours in Otavalo, Ecuador
You know those places that make you want to elope or quit your job? Those cities where you find yourself thinking “I wish I had one more day”? Yeah, Ecuador is filled with them. On our travels, we met a few people who had either visited once and returned to live in the country orContinue reading “24.5 hours in Otavalo, Ecuador”
A Shopaholic’s Guide to Artisanal Markets in Ecuador
…or anywhere else. I can’t count how many times I bought an item from an artisan on the street or in an outdoor market in different cities in Ecuador. I’m not new to artisanal markets, but my trips here in Ecuador were definitely more successful and kind to my pocket because of a few tipsContinue reading “A Shopaholic’s Guide to Artisanal Markets in Ecuador”
A Hard Goodbye
Sunday, July 9, 2017 The Ecuador Journals: #7 Final Part “No, I haven’t tried quimbolito, but I want to,” I said to C in Spanish. “You haven’t tried it because you haven’t come to my house”, she replied in more fluent Spanish. What followed was an invitation to her house which we regretfully turned downContinue reading “A Hard Goodbye”
A Forest of Clouds
Another week, another part of this country ticked off a list I never had. If you had told me in May that I’d get to see this much of Ecuador, I would have asked you where the time would come from. Between our often busy weekly schedules and my graduate research project, I didn’t expectContinue reading “A Forest of Clouds”
Clear Blue Skies
Sunday, June 25, 2017 The Ecuador Journals #6 On some mornings, very rarely, the skies up here in the mountains are an almost crystal clear shade of blue. On days like this, if you’re in the right spot, you can see the peaks of mountains and snow-capped volcanoes. But every day isn’t like this; onContinue reading “Clear Blue Skies”
Have you been to Baños?
“Conociste a Baños?” “Have you been to/ visited Baños?” For the past few weeks, my answer to this question had been no. In response to this, I would often receive a reply saying I had to visit Baños. Now, I know why. From hiking up Ilaló mountain to spending a relaxing weekend at the beachContinue reading “Have you been to Baños?”
La Vida Ecuatoriana
The Ecuador Journals #5 Monday, June 19, 2017 L & C had invited friends over to their home for pizza, drinks, and dessert. As we ate, I tried to follow along with the conversation that eventually became so rapid and filled with novel words that I struggled a bit. Before I could translate a phraseContinue reading “La Vida Ecuatoriana”
Ecuador: The Country of Love
Sunday, June 11, 2017 The Ecuador Journals #4 I had just hit my toe on a rock while trying to say hello to some kids on the street. Note to Self: Look where you’re going. As I sat at the bus stop trying to stop the bleeding, an older man walked up to me findContinue reading “Ecuador: The Country of Love”