Fellow Stories

What is Family?

Talia Hafer

2018-11-13

What is a family? Is family a creation of the people we were taught to love and protect that share the same DNA? Or is it a creation of the people we learn to love and protect? Is it the comfort you have with the family you’ve known your whole life? Or is it creating...

A couple photos from my experience

Kaya Pearson-Gaglia

2018-11-12

Dias de la Vida

Selena Harris

2018-11-09

What are we really celebrating? This is what I think about as I step over the forgotten graves at the Indigenous cemetery in Otavalo (a separate and exclusive location from the Mestizo cemetery, I might add). Some headstones are disappearing into the earth, buried in 100 years of dirt and forgotten holidays. Others shine with...

Surviving to Thriving

Maddi Schink

2018-11-06

With my eyes closed, I allow the smells, touch and sound of the experience to fill my senses and dominate my thoughts. The smoke in the room is thick, almost suffocating, overwhelming my nose with an earthy, floral fragrance that seems to travel throughout my entire body with each inhale. I focus on the sensation...

French Bread

Siera Sadowski

2018-11-03

I couldn’t help it — my face split into a grin at the sight before me; it was my Mamí standing at the kitchen stove like she has everyday since I’ve known her (and long before), spatula in hand and aceite sizzling in the pan. What made me smile wasn’t this scene particularly, something that...

Notes from the Field: A Day in the Life

Eliza Stowe

2018-11-01

Over the past month, I’ve sat down to write this new blog post probably 7 times – and each time something has held me back. The moscas are swarming and I can’t stand sitting, my little brother wants to play hide-and-seek, or it’s time to make lunch with Carmita, mi Abuelita. When I sit down,...

“It’s ok to cry bro” (in Joseph’s voice)

Kaya Pearson-Gaglia

2018-10-24

It is 2:33 am on Wednesday October 24th and I am currently crying in my bed and can’t sleep. I have always heard of home sickness but I’ve never really experienced it for myself until now. It’s been a little over a month in Ecuador and it’s been nothing but posativity and amazing experiences and...

Translation

Macy Lipkin

2018-10-22

My first memory of Spanish class takes place on a dark blue carpet (which we always called “the rug”) in the corner of a classroom on the first floor of Barbieri Elementary School in Framingham, Massachusetts. I spent most of my time next door with Mrs. Gray, but us English-speakers went to the other side...

The Best Parts Of My EcuaLife

Maddy Gibson

2018-10-22

Despite the romanticized idea of moving to another country, my adjustment to life in Ecuador has been quite the challenge. Whether it’s home sickness, culture shock, language barriers, isolation, or everything all at once, making it through some days can be tough. Don’t get me wrong, I’m infatuated with Ecuador and its people and culture....

My Everyday Life in Ecuador

Bihotza James-Lejarcegui

2018-10-21

Sorry this is so long but I want you guys to know what my everyday life looks like in Ecuador! I am not building houses, providing poor children with toilet paper, or going on touristic excursions every weekend– I am living the life as an average, middle class Ecuadorian, and it is important for me...

How I Transitioned into My New Life in Ecuador

Ivana Filipovic

2018-10-19

Deseo que siempre tengas: AGUA – para beber FUEGO – para calentar AIRE – para respirar TIERRA – para vivir en ella These words were written on a sign in an ecological toilet in Kinti Wasi, a community based in rural Suscal, in the province of Cañar. It was started by women who want to...

On Insticts

Grace Peel

2018-10-19

It was 10:30 AM on a Saturday morning. I walked out of a tienda near the bus terminal in Otavalo with a new $15 SD card in hand. I was pretty sure it wasn’t actually compatible with my camera, but I had to buy it because I had forgotten mine at home and was already...