Since then...

A lot has happened since the last post. We went to a place called Banos which was a spa, El chorro a waterfall, Carnaval, Turi, El Cajas, saw the US Ambassador and are now getting ready to go to the Galapagos. Well, we hope Jenny can.

Banos

Banos is a small city about 15 minutes outside of Cuenca. Volcanoes there produce hot springs. We decided to go there one day after class and settled on a spa named Piedra de Agua. We relaxed in mineral hot springs of varying temperatures which was very soothing.

El Chorro and the Hacienda

El Chorro is a beautiful, majestic waterfall in the mountain. We climbed around and behind it. It was very wet but super fun.

After the waterfall we went further up in the mountains to a place called the Hacienda. There we had lunch and walked around the property which was full or fruit trees and coffee beans. Jenny watched the process of coffee making and while Ariel climbed a nearby mango tree. Jenny had three cups of coffee because both Ariel and Gracia hate coffee. The mangoes were great!

Carnaval

Don’t mistake the name for the carnival we think of. The rides and your average elephant ears or the crazy street parties in Brazil or the Caribbean. We had a few days off classes so both Ariel and Jenny’s families went to the coast. We had a nice time of relaxing and chilling at the beach. Although Jenny came out with a huge sunburn. Ariel’s family left a little earlier, but Jenny went with the rest of the students to a celebration in Cuenca where they have dancing, a concert, and a lot of carioca! Carioca is a soap that they have spray cans of and they spray anyone and everyone. It was crazy, but an interesting cultural experience.

The Ambassador

We met the Ambassador of the US in Ecuador. He came to the church and talked to us for a bit about what he does and how we can get involved in government service. He is a pretty nice guy!

Turi

Turi is a place that for one has a lot of stairs but also overlooks the city. We went on a swing that swings you over a ledge towards the city. It was insane. Talk about adrenaline rush! We both did it and had an awesome time! Afterwards we got ice cream.

El Cajas

El Cajas is a national park in the mountains. We took a hike for about 3 hours but felt like forever. Jenny was dying the entire way while Ariel mostly saw stars while attempting keep Jenny alive. The views were amazing! The walk on the other hand was not. Ariel did eat some pretty good fish afterwards. Jenny drank tea because she was still dying.

Jenny and the Medical Field

After Cajas Jenny was rushed to the hospital where we found out she had appendicitis. She was rushed into surgery and had an operation. An hour later Ariel, Dr. Habecker and MaryLou as well as other students came to greet her with smiling faces. She looked great although a little red. We tried to not make her laugh too much, but of course that didn’t happen. Overall she is recovering well and has left the hospital. So no worries we are not coming back 1 chemistry major short. Also, Ariel’s Jenny pack could not have stopped that.

Classes

Classes are going well. Our Spanish is a whole lot better. The physiology labs are fun. We learned how to draw blood, take blood pressures and preform an EKG. Jenny could have probably preformed her own operation but we did not let that happen.

We will update you after the Galapagos!

Check Facebook for more pictures.

CIAO!!!