Quarantine Coping

Although eventually I had no choice but to come home from my study abroad, for a time it was my decision. Even when I asked my mom and dad what I should do (read: please tell me what to do so I don’t have to choose) they left it in my hands. I had lots …

Study Abroad vs. Coronavirus Pandemic

At a little under one year old I took my first steps; that's not too surprising. But, what I recently learned and absolutely love about the story of my first baby steps is the setting: an airport. At less than one year post-womb I had already taken three trips via planes. It all just seems …

Carnaval is Loco

Never in the United States have I seen a celebration anything like this. It began last Friday, and I've already told you of my adventures that day. A stranger on the sidewalk got me with a water-balloon and the chilly water on my back reminded me how Ecuadorians celebrate Carnaval: with water wars. I prepared …

Well, that just happened

“Well that just happened.” That’s what I find myself thinking often, followed by laughing. You know those situations where you are just not sure what else to do in response? Something odd and unforeseen happens to or around you, but it is so unbelievable or out of the ordinary that a shrug doesn’t cut it …

Ecuador-able Adventures

Perhaps the piece of information I was most excited to learn during my time in the Amazon region was the name of the plant and seasoning called achiote. A couple of years ago I was in a village in Belize and a local family offered me a bowl of caldo, or chicken soup, that was dark orange in color. They explained …

(Re)introduction

Here in the Amazon, the sun is setting at six, as it does every day of the year this close to the equator. From the balcony of my lodge I can hear the church bells from the town down the street, and the smell of families' cooking fires wafts my way. My view is of …