Where do I even start. I am currently writing this on Day 2 and the amount I have to share is overwhelming. On Day 1 we began our Ecuador adventure by visiting and touring La Plaza De Francisco. During our tour, we not only learned the history of the building but also who San Francisco was and why he is so important when it comes to Ecuadorian’s religion. In a section of the building, the architecture was built so that individuals could whisper their sins in the one corner, and the priest could listen from the other corner without actually seeing the individual. We tested this, and let me tell you, it works! I was shocked when someone whispered from the other side and I was able to hear it. After the tour, our group got delicious churros and had lunch. I knew I wanted to try something new at lunch so I got beef tongue. I know I know it does not seem appetizing but it was delicious and I would totally eat it again. After lunch, we had our first chocolate taste test where we tasted a multitude of different flavored chocolate and also had a delicious and rich chocolate brownie with sugar free hot chocolate. Before dinner, we had some free time to go explore in groups. My group took a cab to El Panecillo which is the statue that overlooks Quito and the view was spectacular. We even saw a llama there. The day was finished with a nice meal prepared by our hotel, San Fransisco De Quito, and playing cards on the roof of the hotel.

So how can a day get any busier you might ask? Day 1 already seemed like a busy day. Well, Day 2 was even more of an adventure. The group woke up even earlier today for a breakfast at 7:00 and a bus departure at 7:30. We drove to our first site visit which was a flower plantation. We were greeted by 3 loving but playful dogs, chickens, annoying geese, and 3 llamas, one being a baby. After touring the plantation and riding in one of their hippie/mystery machine van, the employees made us an amazing platter of snacks mostly being fruit and homemade lemonade. Let me tell you, this was by far the best lemonade I’ve ever tasted. Two of the fruits that I remember the names of are Guava and Achotio. Both were very sweet but you had to eat around the seed that was located in the middle of the fruit. The plantation also gifted us with a yellow rose that had “University of Pittsburgh” printed on it and a free shirt. After the plantation, we visited the San Agustin De Callo or the “Incan Hotel” where we toured this hotel partly constructed by the Inca tribe and partly by the Spanish. We were then given baskets of carrots and told to “Wait for the surprise”. In a matter of minutes a swarm of llamas rushed out into the courtyard. We began feeding them and I even fed one from my mouth.

So that has to be it, right? It already seems like we filled the day. Nope. We then travelled to our first chocolate factory. I was getting Willy Wonka vibes the entire time we were there. We first started off learning the history of not only the factory, but also chocolate. I learned that there are three kinds of chocolate that you can taste in Ecuador: fruity, woody, and floral. The owner of the industry also explained that “You don’t sell the chocolate, you sell the history”. This stuck out to me because it shows that there is so much more than just the sweet delicious taste of chocolate. We then toured the factory and got to see the process of making chocolate and even got to get some hands on experience and wrapped our own chocolate and got to keep it. The best part of the tour was the one machine pouring chocolate out in a stream. There was bread beside it so you could dip it under the stream but you were also allowed to stop the stream of chocolate, stick your head under, and start the stream again where it poured right into your mouth. I was the first person to experience it and my mouth was full of liquid chocolate. It was delicious! After the tour I was able to stock up on the different chocolate that the factory produced. We finished today with another amazing dinner made by the hotel and now we have all night for the group to socialize and relax.

Already I can see so much of the difference in culture. It is truly amazing to see how other countries function and survive. All the Ecuadorians I’ve met so far are extremely friendly. I cannot wait to see what else Ecuador has in store for us!