Ecuador was full of hills and narrow streets. This is just another typical street – Quito, Ecuador
The view from the top of the Teleferico gave visitors a unique view at Quito. On the right you can see the Ecuadorian countryside. On the left side of the mountains the city of Quito expands and grows – Quito, Ecuador
The Teleferico funicular takes passengers up to nearly 13,000 feet elevation. There is a little cafeteria to energize patrons. The empanada (bottom) was good with meat inside. The other two items were very dry and had little flavor – Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
We wandered into this church while exploring the old city. A gentleman from the church began talking to my dad and showed us around the whole church for nearly an hour. He was so friendly and I could tell he genuinely enjoyed talking about his church – Quito, Ecuador
My dad learned the hard way that KFC in Ecuador was different than in the U.S. Here, rice and some form of lentil beans were served with his fried chicken – Quito, Ecuador
I’m standing in the north and south hemisphere at the same time! – Ecuador
Both sides of the equator – Ecuador
A butterfly habitat – Mindo, Ecuador
These flowers collect rainwater in their cups – Mindo, Ecuador
I caught my own fish for dinner! – Mindo, Ecuador
The fish I caught was prepared for lunch – Mindo, Ecuador
Mindo, Ecuador
Me and my parents enjoying a relaxing day – Mindo, Ecuador
Me and my mom – Mindo, Ecuador
The Ecuadorian countryside
The inside of the busses, complete with curtains and fringe! – Quito, Ecuador
The hostel I stayed in made me feel as though I was deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest – Otavalo, Ecuador
During our first day in Otavalo, I purchased this top made from Alpaca wool. It was so soft and comfortable – Otavalo, Ecuador
Early in the morning, this lady had already begun to set up shop in anticipation of the rush of customers during the day – Otavalo, Ecuador
A farmer and his cows are making the walk along the river to get to the Otavalo animal market in the morning – Otavalo, Ecuador
Otavalo – Ecuador
The early morning animal market in Otavalo. This market has occurred in the same spot every Saturday morning since Biblical times – Otavalo, Ecuador
While at the animal market, I commented to my mom how one girl there looked like a girl I went to school with, named Lily. I pointed her out to my mom, so my mom yelled out “Lily?” The girl turned around and what do you know, it was Lily! Goes to show how small the world is, that I run in to an old schoolmate thousands of miles away from home – Otavalo, Ecuador
Guinea pigs are eaten as a delicacy in Ecuador, where they are called cuy – Otavalo, Ecuador
Everybody always says to go where the locals eat. The woman who had the large pig at her food stand in the morning was now feeding the masses. This was the best meal I had during my month in Ecuador. It consisted of pork, cabbage, tortillas made from potatoes, onions, and a piece of pig skin. Talk about scrumptious! – Otavalo, Ecuador
This dessert treat was sold by native women everywhere in Otavalo – Ecuador
The ladies who operated the booths were so helpful to assist my quest of finding the perfect souvenir – Otavalo, Ecuador
I never knew that milk could come in bags and be unrefrigerated – Quito, Ecuador
Two ladies posed shyly in their traditional Ecuadorian outfits – Otavalo, Ecuador
These were some crazy carrots! – Otavalo, Ecuador
A mother and her child in traditional Ecuadorian attire – Otavalo, Ecuador
Otavalo, Ecuador
Otavalo, Ecuador
I had to sample some of the corn that was sold on the street. It was covered in cream and cheese and taste so wonderful – Otavalo, Ecuador
Otavalo, Ecuador
At each bus stop, a woman would come on board the bus and sell food (typically ice cream) to the passengers – Otavalo, Ecuador
The humble abode that my mom and I stayed in at the orphanage – Quito, Ecuador
The view from the top of the orphanage looking down the hill. It was a long hike to the top – Quito, Ecuador
Looking down on the orphanage from the top of the hill. It was quite a hike to get anywhere – Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
Me and Amanda at the infamous Puente Siete bus stop – Quito, Ecuador
We had to splurge and eat at T.G.I. Friday’s at the mall, we were so hungry!! – Quito, Ecuador
The movie theater had the neatest little trays to hold our popcorn and drinks – Quito, Ecuador
I found this ice cream at the mall in Quito. It was some of the best that I have ever had – Quito, Ecuador
The sweet dog, Digby, that I adopted into our house during my time in Ecuador
Lather and Jennifer were the youngest children in our house at the orphanage. They were so sweet and thought they were going to come back to America with us – Quito, Ecuador
The dining room table for our house – Quito, Ecuador
These were the boys and girls that I spent the most time with at the orphanage. By the end of my stay, they had become like a family to me and it was so sad to leave – Quito, Ecuador
I miss these kids so much. Leaving them was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do – Quito, Ecuador
