I thought that I would be on top of keeping a blog, but it turns out that it is a little difficult to muster out the words to say after a full day of working, teaching, and preparing for the next day. I certainly have come to love every moment of these busy days. I find myself waking up easily because I know that each day has some sort of adventure awaiting. Even though there is a schedule that we adhere to, there is never a day that feels the same. The longer that I’m here and the more that I am getting to know the people in the community, the more I am understanding the possibilities of the work I will get to do here. A few weeks ago, I had a moment where I synced in with the classes and cursos in such a refreshing way. I spent a little more time with planning, but it was so worth it because I unlocked some creative possibilities with working with the kids. My efforts were fruitful, for the kids were smiling and laughing while enjoying all the activities we were doing. Although some days are challenging with gaining the attention of the kids, every situation has an opportunity for learning and growing.

A few highlights over the past month include repelling down waterfalls, camping in the jungle, traveling to Tena and seeing monkeys in Misahualli, playing ukulele with the kids in town, singing karaoke with the locals, seeing more waterfalls outside of Chaco, traveling to Quito, eating quail, and chontacuros (grubs), swimming in La Songa, painting up a storm with Toni and Kendra, taking pictures in the jungle with the kids and the NGO Photographer Alliance, learning the guitar, and becoming better friends with the kids in town.

Of course, the greatest highlight is learning more Spanish little by little every day. I am seeing myself improve as the days pass and I make it a point to ask as many questions as I can and to practice outside of classes as well as in classes. As a result, I am noticing a difference in my relationship with the kids, too. They know that I am here for them and that I support them with all that they do. When they stop over at the foundation to say “hola”, it makes my day infinitely better. I love seeing little Juan and Ivan barrel down the hill past the foundation on their bike and laughing with so much happiness that you would have to be insane to not catch a smile. Their other brother, Rodrigo, has become one of my best friends. He had a bad cut on his pinky and for about a week and a half, he would come over to the house twice a day for me to clean and change the bandages. We would talk about the importance of cleaning infections along with how his day was, how he liked school and the games he was playing with his friends. The last day that he needed a bandage, he brought me cookies and gave me the biggest hug ever. If I don’t see him for a few days, he knows that we have some catching up to do. Their older brother Samuel comes to curso creativo that we have twice a week to play the ukulele. After two days of practicing, he knew his scales, a handful of chords and how to play “Let it Be” by The Beatles. I can’t explain the feeling I got while working with him, but it was if my heart and head were exactly where they were meant to be. The Shiuango brothers come to the house a lot and I believe them to be some of the most diligent, hard-working kids in town. Yesterday, for instance, we had curso creativo for 2 hours and in that time, we made bracelets from a template and they ran wild with their creations, each unique, each crafted with delicate care. At the end of the day, we all played music while Rodrigo snapped some incredible photos of everyone enjoying the process of the imagination. Curso Creativo is my favorite class of the week. Although attendance fluctuates, I love working with each kid and seeing them exercise their imagination even if only one person attends. The biggest priority in this curso is that the kids know that the sky is the limit and they can harness whatever creative endeavor they hope to explore.

In the coming months, I will become busy with a few more tasks at hand because Toni will be leaving for 4 months which is bittersweet. She is going to work in Alaska so that she can bring back money to Cosanga to create retreat cabins that will bring in more money for the community and the work that they do here. It is for an incredible reason, but I will miss her dearly. We have spent the past couple of weeks working very closely and dreaming up all that we can do with working together. Prior to the NGO Photographer Alliance arriving at the foundation this week, we wanted to finish up a few projects. We ended up working around the clock with painting the front of the house, cleaning every part of the foundation and making some improvements here and there. All of that on top of classes, preparing for Toni to leave, and planning our curso vacacional summer program. We made it happen, but there were a few days of being tired because during, I had to travel to both Quito and Tena within the span of three days to get fingerprints and begin the process of obtaining my Visa… thanks Ecuador for changing these requirements without any notice. I remain flexible and patient.

I have so many stories that I would like to tell, but this would turn into a book quite quickly. Aside from the goings-on here, I am incredibly well. I have decided to stay here for 2 years as I believe that one can create more sustainability and communication with individuals with dedicating more time and attention if possible. Since I have the time, passion, and resources to remain here, it is an honor to do so. I have been here for just about 2 months and I have fallen in love with the land around me and the people who reside within it. I feel happy, healthy and my imagination runs wild every day. I challenge myself with learning more of the language, stepping out of my comfort zone and I am learning how to play the guitar, too! I have never felt so alive in terms of utilizing all of me as a person in this world and now that I’m getting a taste of what that feels like, I don’t believe I will ever return to being complacent with being comfortable. I need the challenge of exploration and trying out different possibilities. I find that I am happiest when I am in the world around me wholeheartedly. My gratitude for this life and those that I share it with grows more and more each day.

In the next weeks, I hope to finish another update about the senses of Cosanga as expressed through the experience of repelling down two waterfalls close by in town. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had in a while! Additionally, I have decided that the best way for me to share photos will be through dropbox. If you are interested in seeing some images, please feel free to swing by the link I have provided below.

Pictures of Ecuador April 2017

Until next time,

With love,

Krysta