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| Report name | Chipping Sodbury School Ecuador 2007 |
| Date submitted | Aug-07 |
The 13 strong team from Chipping Sodbury team gathered at Heathrow airport for the early morning flight to Quito. Everyone was surprisingly awake and alert despite many not even going to bed! This however stood many in good sted to sleep all way to Quito after the 2 hour connecting flight from Madrid.
On arrival in Quito we were met by Daniel our guide and our bus which was to be the first of many! After a quick pizza dinner, organised by Javier, the Adventureworks in-country agent, everyone was quick to bed to catch up on lost sleep.
The next two days were spent exploring Quito. Visits were made to ‘Old Quito’ with its colonial history, the equatorial museums where nearly everybody managed to balance an egg on the equator line, and the giant statue of the Virgin Mary where we were greeted to views of Antisana, Cotopaxi and Cayambe. The team also volunteered at the Pan de Vida project where they helped prepare and serve meals for the cities poor and homeless.
It was then off to the mountains and first stop Otovalo and its famous Indian market. Everyone, including the leaders and teachers, shopped till they dropped, buying gifts for home. When we boarded the bus for the onward journey seats were filled with colourful scarfs, hammocks, statues, ponchos and hats! We were able to refuel at the beautiful ‘Guinea Pig’ Lake and go on a boat trip where it was possible to see bubbles rising to the surface from the still active volcano!
It was now time to begin the ‘Cotopaxi Challenge’! This 5 day trek led the team across the Cotopaxi National Park where the team summitted 2 volcanoes, where we were lucky enough to see condors on both occasions, a couple of escaped llamas and even the rare cowdor ( a case of mistaken identity where a resting cow was mistaken for a resting condor!). In addition we spent a day on horse back, where everyone was given cowboy/girl names fit for the chaps and ponchos we were wearing! Daniel lived up to his alias of Zorro, as he galloped around with his poncho flying in the wind!
The final day of the challenge led us to the Cotopaxi refuge 4,800m. A huge congratulations to the whole team who made the refuge in time to enjoy a hot chocolate whilst watching an Andean fox settle just near the path as the snow started to fall.
It was then time to move to the next stage of the expedition at Clarita Luz childrens home. The team fell upon the tasks in hand with vigour and planned a whole host of projects for their 4 day stay. The group split into three teams each day:
removing rendering from the existing building led by ‘Chipper Steve’
painting projects which included a clothes cupboard, mirror and paddling pool
play time with the children!
By the end of our stay here a huge amount had been achieved, with everywhere looking a whole lot brighter than when we arrived. Some special bonds had been formed between the team and the children who were sad to say goodbye.
The expeditions moved onwards again, this time down to the jungle. Here we really understood why it is called the rainforest with a torrential downpour for hours! On arrival at Shangri – La we set out on our jungle walk where we learnt a little more about the flora and fauna but the most wildlife was spotted in Shangri –La itself with 2 tarantulas, a huge praying mantis and a moth the size of 2 hands paying us a visit!
Next up was rafting. River conditions were perfect and all 3 boats had an amazing time steering through the rapids.
After a long return journey, made the more interesting by a landslide and quickly made mud ramp, the team arrived back in Quito to pack and relax before the flight home.
Overall the trip was a fantastic success, where everything exceeded everyone’s expectations. It was an amazing experience, which I’m sure I nor none of the group will ever forget.
A big thank you to Steve, Emma and the rest of the team, Daniel and of course busey!
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