Tired Legs and Beautiful Nails
words by Ellie & Kami
Today’s excitement began with a short telefarico (gondola) ride followed by two long hours of treacherous hiking up a mountain. Although giving up was a constant temptation, we all pushed through the exhausted legs and light headedness to reach our goal, which was the halfway point between the summit of Mount Rucu Pichincha and the spot the telefarico first dropped us off. At that location, we were at an altitude of 14,137 feet; for reference, that is 22 feet higher than the summit of Pikes Peak. There was also a pretty cool swing up there. Brendan and Hector are now best friends.
Once we were reenergized with some lasagna soup and showered, Ellie, Merlinn, Kami, and Brendan took another hike (although this one was just up a few stairs) to Casa Elizabeth to get our nails done. This house on the same property as Casa Blanca is a safe place for teen moms. Not only does Casa Elizabeth provide help for these moms and their children, but the women there also get the opportunity to learn new trades such as manicures and pedicures in order to provide a better living for them and their families. Getting our nails done was not only a blessing for us, but it was also a way for us to bless them as they got some practice and received some extra money. Brendan was very proud of his first-ever pedicure and promptly showed of his beautiful dogs to Bri, who is horrified by bare feet and responded accordingly.
Although we were scheduled to leave at 4:15 for an FCA church service, we embraced the culture and ran on Ecuadorian time by leaving at 4:30. We arrived a few minutes later than we were “supposed” to, but we were not late as they were also running on Ecuadorian time and did not begin until even later. We shared a time of worship, a message about how even if we do not have an earthly father, we always have a heavenly father, and some empanadas. After fellowshipping, we headed back home, enjoyed dinner, learned Brendan is a Beta and the worst rizzler on the planet, and now are preparing for our last day in Ecuador.
Buenas noches!
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