Jump On It

Today, we began our trek up the mountain to Huantugloma, singing a hand washing song in Spanish to the tune of the famous "La Cucaracha." It will be forever stuck in our heads. Why were we singing this song, you may ask? Why, we were preparing for the first aid workshops that we would be leading for the kids later that morning.
Upon arrival, we were surprised to see the children all dressed in what looked like the warm up suits of an Olympic team. We later discovered they were not dressed in their normal school uniforms because it was Gym Day, a great excuse to play as much soccer as possible. After stepping off the van, we split up in our little partner groups and went off to observe different classes. In the first grade class, we worked on counting and addition, and each kid got the chance to meticulously draw twelve or thirteen different items on the board (cell phones, chickens, cats, and soccer balls).
During recess, some of us got schooled in soccer, some of us went exploring with kids, and some of us lead a super fun English lesson!
Once recess was over, we split up into our groups for the first aid workshops. The oldest group learned about the contents of a first aid kit, including rubber gloves which supplied endless entertainment hours afterward. The younger groups had an absofruit blast learning the hand washing song (in Spanish and English)! Easily the highlight of the workshop though, was the Glo-Germ--a chemical substance that once it is rubbed all over your hands, illuminates germs upon close inspection with a black light. A little gross, but totally awesome. Once we all washed our hands, making sure to sing the song simultaneously, our workshops were done.
COMMENCE IMPROMPTU DANCE PARTY. We wanted to teach the kids and the teachers some
American dances and they wanted to teach us some Latin-American dances, and the result was a beautiful mix of "Play That Funky Music" and Enrique Iglesias. We danced for two hours, joyously with the kids.
After we said, "Ciao" to everyone in the community, we began our long, but determined trek to the Cuenca Canopy (a zipline adventure)!!! We took a nice unexpected, extended tour of the area before reaching our destination. Once we got there, we took our crotch-enhancing equipment and bright orange helmets,as a great opportunity for some group selfies. We Ecuachicas, are fiiiiiiierce. After the selfie session, we began the zip lining course. Major props to everyone for doing it, because it got increasingly terrifying. Although we were instructed not to look down, it was hard not to, BECAUSE WE WERE FLYING OVER A FREAKIN MOUNTAIN AND IT WAS BREATHTAKING.
On the van ride home, we played the stress-inducing "Two Truths and a Lie." Some of us are great liars, and some of us are not. As stressful as this game was, (it's hard coming up with a lie!!) we all learned a tad more about each other and about how cool we all are.
Can't wait for tomorrow's adventures!!

Love,
Miss Serenity and Miss Luscious Lips

(Mallory and Naomi)