EIL Intercultural Learning

The last two weeks in Ecuador were a whirlwind of activity. I travelled to a beautiful city called Banos where my host brother and I climbed right up underneath a water fall. We got absolutely drenched but it is probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever had the opportunity to do and the ice cold spray was exhilarating.

I also joined a group of America teenagers to hike Mt. Chimborazo. The summit of which is the closest point on earth to the moon and the furthest point from the core. Although I declined the extreme 10 hour climb to the top, I did climb above the ‘roof’ of Europe. The hike was incredibly difficult due to the freezing cold and the thin oxygen as a result of the altitude. A few of the group didn’t make it to the check point but thankfully the altitude didn’t give me any problems although every movement seemed

exhausting. After the hike we cycled 30 miles for a late lunch. Although down hill much of it was in the blinding hail and snow, so quite difficult and it really was very cold.  We started out biking in the snow and then as we got further down the mountain reached the dry roads. From there we just rolled, frighteningly quickly, down miles and miles of smooth wide mountain roads.It was difficult to judge the speed but the group snaked past some trucks and busses so we must have been going quite fast. As we moved lower the landscape changed and we took a dirt path for a few miles which was really difficult as much of it was uphill and we had to navigate past some angry dogs! Every one was alright though.