We were not able to get a driver to take us to the villages today, so we had to hitchhike* the last half of the route. The ride to the village was quite comfortable, we sat in the back of a cattle truck on lawn chairs. As long as your weight was evenly dispersed everything was somewhat stable. On the way home from the villages, after walking for about 2 hours in the middle of the Andes, the only automobile that passed by was a truck hauling 75 propane tanks. We had no choice but to hop on. For 30 miles we stood on top of the truck, trying to balance on round propane tanks, holding on for dear life {and of course taking pictures}, while going Mach 5 on a dirt road. If the truck would have crashed, we would have been BBQ. Oliver thought it was the coolest thing on the face of the planet; he is currently still smiling this big.
*Mom - hitchhiking is a common practice in the rural parts of Ecuador. Most people rely solely on hitchhiking as their mode of transportation. We had other staff with us on this adventure, and we were also accompanied by many other indigenous people. It is not as stupid as it looks, simply hilarious. Hugs and kisses. The end.
15 comments:
I love the *extra info at the bottom! You two are great! The only bad thing about your pictures Carly, is that you are never in one because you are always on the other side of the lense! I want to see you stradling a propane tank too! :)
Carly....I am trying very hard to picture you on this escapade and I can't. This has got to be a life changing experience. Tell me exactly what you are doing in "the village"
OK, up until this point, every post has been colorful and delightful, but this is so.....OLIVER WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!!! Most college educated Americans do NOT follow all the local customs. Take a chill pill and wait for a driver, or at least pass on the propane for Heaven's sake. There are reasons that they call this a 3rd world country.
We basically go into these communities to teach them skills that will make their lives easier (healthier, and more efficient) and will make their businesses more profitable. Ascend Alliance (the non-profit we are interning for) provides partial (and sometimes complete) funding for schools, irrigation systems, and other simple technologies - and as interns we help oversee these projects. Oliver is focusing mostly on micro-credit and micro-enterprise (loans and business) and I am focusing on Women's Groups (where women meet to voice their opinions on health, basic rights, etc.).
How Great.. What a learning experience. That gave me a good laugh. Between your post and your moms comment!@
Ha ha ha!
yep yep yep. You two are nuts. I love it.
Linny
Are you teaching English, too?
Yes. I am teaching English, but not in the villages. I am teaching English in the city.
This is so funny! And yes, SO Oliver! I love it. And again, Carly, your pictures are incredible! I might need to take lessons...
Lol...I am thoroughly enjoying these posts and your great pictures...sad that you are never in them, but Oliver looks great...so tan!
?carly and oliver como estan? estoy quiziandoles un poco. we were just doing a little blog update and thought to check in on you two. how is everything? really though. we know you have to say it is good on the blog, but really, how is it? you guys look great. very national geographic.
si no nos vemos, nos ponemos lentes,
tara and colton
Hey Carly! This is Jaci from high school -- I just saw your blog through Jess's and I have to commment because I LOVE ECUADOR! I served my mission there and can't even express in words how beautiful it is. I am so glad you are having fun. What places have you gone to?
Hitchhiking! That is the coolest thing I've ever heard. Please keep on telling us about your adventures! I'm really interested in micro-credit too. It's amazing what so little money can do for a family and an economy. I want to hear about everything!
I wish I had the words to describe how much I love this story. I had Joyce take a look at it at well and she hopes you both are safe and happy. You know how Joyce gets when you are riding around on propane tanks...
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