After a couple of normal days of class, we made our way through the mountains to the northwest region of the Pichincha province where we explored the amazing cloud forest. We are bringing last weeks’ historical context with us as we transition this week into a current day ecology/sustainability learning focus. Of course we did throw in some pure fun and relaxation time too!
Photo taken by Erica Our coordinator Klever is part owner of a small coffee operation just outside of the mountain town of Nanegalito. Wednesday morning we stopped by the farm on our way to Mindo. Klever’s business partner Mario was in town visiting from Virginia, he was gracious enough to gave us a “seed to cup” tour! Mario describing the maturing coffee plants and the process of harvest.Growing, Harvesting, Processing, Drying, Roasting, Brewing, Drinking!Finally what we have all been waiting for! As fresh as it gets!
Klever is in the background with the blue jacket.Wednesday afternoon we invited Brian Krohnke to join us for a talk in Mindo. Brian has been working on reforestation efforts here in the Mindo cloud forest region for over 25 years. Brian’s talk focused on the challenges of climate change, carbon credit markets, calculating carbon sequestration and the research and ongoing work his organization is doing.
Brian’s organization:
https://mindocloudforest.org/restoration-and-silviculture-program/Thursday morning we met up with a community development project called the CHACRA. We collaborated with their volunteers on a reforestation/work day for the town. It’s a small way we can help and make an impact, it also provided good opportunity for discussion as we think about our own carbon cost of being here in Ecuador as a group. Richard and JacksonGood ole dirty hands photo! We were able to plant 200 trees with volunteers from the municipal government of Mindo.Linda (German volunteer), Alexa, Erica, and Sasha Andrew getting the job done!Carissa planting her tree!“This one’s got to go on the website!” -SophiaSkylar digging while Simon looks onThursday evening while we were out to dinner the town had a surprise power outage. It added to the fun atmosphere and made for a peaceful walk back to the hostal.Friday morning we stopped to make a few new friends at the Mariposario, butterfly gardens.SashaSimonTubing! The river was high and fast today!Friday afternoon we did a chocolate tour, yummm! Cacoa is one of several large export products out of Ecuador. Saturday morning we went up the mountain, across the cablecar, through the woods and into the waterfalls (well at least some of us)Alexa, Jackson and SkylarNina and AnnaWill he make it?! Skylar, Andrew and SimonSasha, Sophia, Celeste and CarolinaShower anyone?RichardDiego Guachamin is a valuable part of our team and someone we haven’t introduced yet. He’s so much more than just our driver for trips in Quito and around the country, he is a solidly integrated member of our group. He cares deeply for our students wellbeing and the program’s mission as a whole. The student’s have really enjoyed interacting with and getting to know him over these last weeks. This delightful little road-side stand is one of our favorite stops in all of Ecuador! We stumbled upon it last year and just had to take students back to try these delicious Venezuelan arepas!
Anna, Carissa, Anna, and JacksonSunday morning breakfast at Casa de Cecilia where we stayed all week. Photo taken by Erica
