Traveling was an adventure…I got to Ecuador, but not my luggage, not so much. That’s just a little aside, but the epic nature of the adventure started in the airport. Walking out after going through customs, we were met by a crowd of thousands of Ecuadorians. All of their faces anxiously awaited a loved one with signs, banners, and balloons. The exhilaration came when I noticed that I could see over everyone. I am huge over here! (just kidding)
As we drove around Sunday, the buildings seemed to echo the same tired spirit I saw in the people’s eyes at the airport. The further up the side of the mountain we went, the more worn the houses became. In America, these houses would have million dollar views; however, the poorer people live in the higher elevations in Quito. The Andes Mountains are known for their high peaks and deep crevices, but along every angle, cinder blocks were laid. The houses were quite literally stacked on top of each other.
Quito has a population of 2.2 million people. The communities stretch over every hill as far as I can see. Kids play soccer in dirt fields, there is no space between the road and the shops. Houses and shops share the same area. Clothes hang drying from every building. I’m praying God opens my eyes to needs not necessarily seen on the surface. And that medicine can somehow be a passage in to more than physical healing.
By Charlie, 2nd year Medical Student
As with every story in life, there are three sides: my side, your side, and the truth. Today we visited two locations claiming to be the middle of the world, or 00.00,00.00. Both locations displayed fantastic evidence for their claims intermingled with stories, arts, and crafts of Ecuador’s rich culture, so everyone won.
At the first location we experienced a thorough tour of the site, from the tribes of Ecuador and their way of life, to the recipe for how to shrink your enemy’s head…per the ancient practices of Ecuadorian tribes. Our tour guide, Andreas, showed us a sun guide and gave a demonstration of the clockwise and counterclockwise movement of water when it drains based on its relation to the equator. Andreas earned some cool points when he balanced an egg on a nail as a demonstration of the effects of the earth’s gravity at the equator. Everyone tried to balance the egg, but we all failed. At the end of our tour, we were shown the ancient trade of weaving and witnessed a man weaving upside down. I immediately regressed to my 3rd grade self and bought my friend a brightly woven friendship bracelet. I said goodbye to the sheep I’d made friends with and then we headed to the next location.
The second location was more of a museum style. There were several shops there, which sold everything from hammocks to coasters. Our group bought both and everything in between.
The thrill of being in the middle(s) of the world is indescribable. As we get older, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle at everyday life, so it was amazing to experience something almost magical again.
By Suzy, 2nd year Pharmacy student
This afternoon we left Tambo Real, our hotel in the heart of Quito, Ecuador, for a church service at Inglesia Methodista, “Agua de Vida.” I honestly pictured a small white building off a main road in central Quito with metal chairs and the typical layout of any American service, but in Spanish. What I found was quite different. If you’ve ever experienced a large passenger bus sliding around high-elevation dirt/mud roads that are only wide enough for a compact car, much less a bus, you’ve experienced our trip to and from the church. And if you’ve ever experienced a moving and humbling Spanish-spoken service overlooking a vas city with mountains and clouds in the not-so-far-off distance, you’ve experienced our service.
But what really made this experience so special to me was the people. Despite the poverty of this area, every member of our group was given a rose, proving that hospitality and kindness is possible whatever one’s circumstance. Despite continuing technical issues, the service proceeded proving determination is the key requirement for success. And finally, despite the language barrier, I found Dr. Ramerro Balseca’s message to be extremely personal and uplifting, proving, once again, that God truly is everywhere, and if you listen, he will be there to comfort and encourage you when you least expect it.
By Jessi, 2nd year Dental student
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