Building Bridges With Ecuador

The following day (Saturday), you will tour the colonial capital city of Quito and area sites including La Mitad del Mundo (equator monument and park).  This night will again be spent at the Hotel Sierra Madre in Quito.

On Sunday, the team travels 2 hours north by bus to La Casa Sol, the headquarters for the rest of the trip in Otavalo, Ecuador. After arriving and settling into your rooms, the team assembles to unpack supplies, becomes familiar with the setting and readies themselves for the next day when they begin their service work. 

Monday through Thursday is spent serving the local indigenous communities near Otavalo.  Depending on your choice of team, you can provide: (1) health care in the medical clinics or travel on the mobile clinic to the rural neighboring villages; (2) engage the  elementary school children in an arts/crafts program; or (3) work with the local people to complete various community projects.

The day begins with a hearty breakfast at La Casa Sol. Each service day the teams break at 1 pm for a bag lunch provided by the Inn. Work for the days ceases around 5 pm with dinner beginning around 7:30 pm after a short debriefing and sharing of stories from the day's work with the team members.

An indigenous band comes to the Inn one evening after dinner and stirs the team to join in their Ecuadorian music and dancing.

On Friday the group tours the neighboring indigenous villages, observing the artisan families at work in their homes and learning about the native culture.  Other tour options are available if desired.

Saturday is set aside to shop and bargain at the famous Otavalo market, the largest craft market in South America.  Members can use the luggage they originally brought supplies in to tote home the souvenirs they purchase at this shopping event.

Early Sunday morning, the team departs by bus from La Casa Sol to the Quito airport for the return flight home to the States, arriving Monday afternoon or evening.