The following post features student writing.

July 15

After sleeping in a little, we made sandwiches for our lunch and then drove about an hour to a thermal pool where we relaxed for two hours. On our way home we stopped for a quick snack of chirimoya and kumquats. After a pit stop at the house to drop off our wet clothes and grab our overnight bags, we drove two hours through the clouds to Intag, a famous coffee region. While waiting for dinner, we played ping pong and pool. After dinner, we took turns doing karaoke, made more difficult when we accidentally chose songs in Spanish.

– Izzy & Arielle

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July 16

Before noon this morning, the gang hiked to a local coffee farm in Intag. The friendly owners of the farm showed us the vast and beautiful landscape in which the coffee is grown. We learned about the process of harvesting and processing coffee beans. We also sampled and purchased fresh coffee and coffee-tea (tea brewed with coffee).

Soon after the coffee expedition, we returned to Turuco on a long winding road through the foggy lush mountains of Intag. Upon arrival to Turuco some people headed to town for BLTs and milkshakes. Others decided to join Pati, our host mother, in walking the cows back to the house. Dinner was soon ready and we were all enjoying pasta de tomate (how you say pasta sauce in Ecuador) on our penne pasta.

– Benjamin & Gavin