Roger's Summary
Ecuador…Beautiful, Green, Friendly. Andes, Amazon, Coast, Galapagos and High Mountain Valleys.

As we have found in many other countries, most of the people we met were friendly and helpful. Often they would ask us, “ How do you like Ecuador? “ Their pride shows when we would say it is nice. Many Americans are relocating here to take advantage of the warm temperatures, low costs of food, fuel, and services, and beautiful surroundings. Some assumed we came to find a spot where we might stay but that is not in our plan. We enjoyed our visit but hope to be able to continue our adventures in a new place next year. Ecuador with its Holstein cows grazing on hillsides and families dressed in bright clothing and working together in fields too steep for tractors is now a part of our memories.

An unexpected but pleasant surprise was the camaraderie that developed among the visitors that traveled with us on the boat in the Galapagos Islands. They came from Texas, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and Scotland. All spoke English and we connected as we ate, hiked, jumped into dinghys together, spotted sharks and sea lions from the top deck, and sat in the dark equatorial night looking at the stars and naming constellations. I found it very reassuring that people with such different backgrounds can be thrown together and their differences become an asset to the group as we learn about each other. We had discussions on the end of The Wall in Germany and the current state of reunification there. The Swiss told us about living in Switzerland and still having to drive to get to the mountains (I thought Switzerland was all in the mountains). The group was exceptionally open and accepting of differences…Was it because we were all travelers and had some characteristics in common or was it because we spent 8 days together enjoying the wonders of Galapagos? That we all suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)? I would like to think that many groups such as ours meet each week in the Galapagos and also in many other places around the world and they make connections that will forever change them for the better. They may see the individuals that make up a country as interesting, intelligent, caring people rather than grouping the people of any particular country into a harmful stereotype.



Jane's Summary

I don't feel like I have any words left to sum up this trip...surely I have written enough! The trip was a combination of so many wonderful trips: Machu Picchu, Bible Lessons/Home Stay, Beaches, Jungle, Highlands and Galapagos--the cherry on top! Each was crammed full. Each frosted with special people. My page of email addresses of new found friends is full. And...how lucky am I that I could share all of it with my great travel partner, Rog....and that I get to go home to my 8 darling grandkids!!! My life overflows with blessings!!