Flores Weblog

RIO NAPO – AMAZON, ECUADOR

flores405 — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:02:56 +0000

RAINBOW OVER RIO NAPO -AMAZON

I have just concluded an seven day trip to the Napo Providence on the Napo River. We were fortunate to have a remarkably knowlegeable and intelligent guide who provided us a through explaination of various plants, insects, spiders and flowers of the area. We did not see jaguars or monkeys as I had wished for but we did find a footprint left in the mud by a jaguar. I experienced many new and unusual events such as the visit to the local healer as pictured below and breathtaking views of the sunset over the river.

Day in Valle de Chota-Mascarilla

flores405 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:42:00 +0000

This past Thursday, 7-17-08 we visited the small, impoverished village of Mascarilla in the region known as Valle de Chota. This region has a much drier and hotter climate then the region of Otavalo or Quito. Anyway, for many years, the community of Afro-Ecudorians sustained themselves from the production of papaya. Ten years ago, the entire papaya crop of the area was destroyed by an agressive parasite. So, a group of people in the community turned to the craft of making masks from clay to make a living. On this day, we briefly met two women who run an organization called GAEN, that sells artrisan crafted masks and jewelry from clay. We then toured the small school, that was being used as a summer school for the local children. The children whose ages ranged from 5 to 14 years of age recited a greeting to us and one of our fellow teachers sang a song to them in spanish then in english. Afterwards, we taught a few fun games with various age groups. We even started a game of futbol in the street outside the school. Below are a few pictures of our day.

Bosque de Nublando

flores405 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:03:14 +0000

Here I am aftera long hike up the mountain in the Reserve. This watershed area is called the palermo. It is the most crucial part of the ecosystem because this area provides all of the water for land in the land beow..near and around Quito.

Behind me are the plants that cover most of the landscape…the frailejon. I was told by this local guy that the plant is named ¨frailejon¨ because the plant resembles the hat of the Cathoic friar. This was such an awesome place. We hiked through the forest with a park ranger who was very knowledgeabe about the area.

LAST DAY IN OTAVALO- 07-16 -08 WED.

flores405 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:02:28 +0000

This was my last day in Otavalo. I stayed with the gracious Reyes Family. This is a picture of me with Laura, the grandmother of the family. She is such a kind hearted and patient lady. She is a retired teacher who lives on a very modest income with her husband Noe as well as her son Xavier, his wife, Lilliana and their two children. Liliana and Laura made the RICHEST and MOST delicious coffee evry morning for mysef and my fellow teacher-housemate Jess.

The Reyes have invited my family to visit them in their home in Otavalo one day soon. I know David will love this country and its people.

Below is a picture Laura, then to the right her son Xavier, Baby Francisco (who is SO SWEET) and then Lilliana .

TRIP TO LAGOS DE MOJANDA

flores405 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:06:59 +0000

Hello Family and Friends:

Here I am at 10,000 feet in the Andes at an area described as the Mojanda Lakes Region. What a remarkable landscape. We hiked quite a few miles up this mountain pass. We ended at the top of this mountain overlooking a huge lake formed by a volcano. As we were wakking down the path, I had a chance with a few other participants to become very still and quiet and listen to the sounds around us. Just a few moments of absolute peace. I was incredibly moved. I have told David and Maya that we will return to this lovely country with breathtaking landscape and lovely people.

Bebe´en Mercado en Otavalo

Before Otavalo-Quito

flores405 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:52:21 +0000

Please be patient with me this blog-thing is SO NEW to me and being a Mac user I am feeling a bit inept with this PC I am using at a local Otavalo internet cafe. I want everyone to see a few pictures I took BEFORE Otavalo…when we were in Quito. One of our first visit was to the Guyasamin Museum in Quito. The museum is in an old Spanish Colonial home of the artist. We viewed a collection of his pre-columbian art then an incredble collection of his paintings and sculpture. His paintings are a statement of the unjust treatment of the indigenous people of Ecuador. I will be basing one of my units on the study of this artist. The photo to the left(below) was shot in the main plaza in Quito near the presidential palace. The photo to the right was taked during a quick stop on the road to Otavalo. I am having an incredible time here. The country is filled with many fascinating colors and textures. LOVE IT!!!

OTAVALO

flores405 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:33:06 +0000

I AM HERE IN OTAVALO

Hello Everyone!! Iam here in the beautiful city of Otavalo, north of Quito. We traveled about 2 1/2 hours from Quito to this incredible city in the Andes. I am staying in the home of La Familia Reyes y Rodriguez with another teacher named Jessica, who is from the Soo Locks-Michigan. I am so amazed at the affection and sincerity of our host family. Jessica and I have lively discussion with the family at breakfast and dinner. They are very patient with our spanish but I am amazed how much spanish I DO KNOW…it just flows out of me. Below is a picture of me on Calle Alonso de Carvajal, in front of the home in which we live.

First Day in Quito

flores405 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:51:53 +0000

July 7 Mon.

First day in Quito.

The plane ride to Miami seemed quick as did the flight from MIAMI to Quito but the lay -over was a killer in Miami!

Quito is exquisite. The town is situated in a valey surrounded by the Andes. When I woke up in the morning and opened the curtains, the first thing I saw was the tall lush green mountain side! It is kind of chilly here, but very fresh air and very colorful.

We first visited the Mindalae Museo Ethnohistorio de Artesanias del Ecuador near by our hotel. The museum has a small collection of pottery, masks, jewelry, fibers used for hammocks, hats, shaman exhibit of herbs, tonics and a way cool REAL shrunken head.

Our next stop was to the Guayasamin Museo, a museum in a beautiful location in the mountains. The museum is a collection of the artist´s private collection of remarkable paintings and sculptures. It was breath taking. I bought an original silk screen print by the artist!!!

I am sorry NO pixs yet because this computer in our hotel does not have a USB port so I will need to use Diane´s laptop tomorrow in order to down load all of the zillions of pictures I took.

Just before lunch we went to the main cathedral in Quito ¨Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesus. Built in 1605 , all the work was done by mestizo craftsman…70 tons of gold. Ornate is not the proper word to describe this place. As I was entering the church I was shocked to receive a cell phone call from DAVID…¨Oh my gosh I can´t believe you´re calling me in Quito…¨how much did this cost you…¨David you and WILL RETURN to Ecuador together soon. This is an amazing place.

Lunch was delicious. many of us ate the plato tipico… I ate mote´a large white corn, patanos, and chocho ( a bean) con sedo (yummy chunks of pork). A typical dish always includes pork, corn and or potatoes.

Afterwards, a walk through the main plaza. I loved looking at all the many expressions of the faces. Old men sitting around taking, mamas carrying their babies on their backs, a group of peope carrying signs protesting some sort of govermental injustice. I love it!!!

Now, it is the end of the day. I am exhausted. Each day we take turns being the ¨leader¨of the group (there are 14 of us). So, tomorrow is my day… Should be interesting. We are off to Otavalo by bus. We will be placed with our host family and begin studying spanish in the morning, tour of the city and surrounding areas in the afternoon. I think we will be there for 8 days.

Hey. thanks to everyone following my blog… This is so cool I have been bessed to have this unique experience. Please keep posting your comments. Pictures soon!!!! Love Elena

Chevare´( Way Cool! -Ecuador slang)

Fulbright Group to Ecuador

flores405 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:10:37 +0000

I will be traveling to Ecuador on July 6 through August 3, 2008 with a group of other educators from the State of Michigan. Each of us have been selected as a participant through a Fulbright Federal Grant written through Michigan State University. The purpose of our month long visit is to learn about the cultural and natural environment of Ecuador. We will be arriving first in Quito, the capitol of Ecuador then later to the Amazon then to Otavalo, a beautiful city know for its colorful market. My hope is that friends and family will log on to my blog and keep informed about each day of my travel within this magnificent country.

One of the main objectives is to develop several lesson plans for high school age students related to the culture and specifically the visual arts of Ecuador. I am really excited about eventually sharing my experiences with my high school students from Community High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Wish me Luck!!!!