My top 10 travel moments in Ecuador thus far

In light of the past few posts being deep and thought-provoking, it is only fair that I lighten the mood with fun pics that depict my favorite moments in this beautiful country. The layout of this post will be a photo, date and locations of the photo, followed a short description of the most memorable thing about that day. As you scroll through the pics, I challenge you to guess which 3 experiences were my most favorite -- comment or DM :p Next week, I will reveal the order of favoritism with more photos of those moments (AHhhhh, I can’t wait to share these photos with y’all).

July 8, 2017 | Mitad del Mundo / Center of the World [equator line], Quito: Mitad del Mundo is an exhibition of the estimated location of the imagery equator line dividing the northern and southern hemispheres. The nerd in me wanted to visit this 0-degree latitude line since I was a child and first learned about in primary school. Despite the controversy regarding “the real latitude line,” I was honored to experience a childhood dream. You can read more about my experience here. You’re also welcome to share this childhood dream turn a reality with kids as an encouragement to dream big.

June 17, 2017 | Parque de Mariposa / The Butterfly Park, Cumbaya: This park includes an array of “free range while on display” butterfly species and information about the animal biology. I was very fascinated that the butterflies were allowed to fly freely while visitors, such as myself, walked the park. Additionally, I was hype and humbled that several butterflies favored me as they sit on/in my hand, head, and shoulders long enough for photos to be taken. My experience at the butterfly park marked the inception of my renewed appreciation for butterflies because they move with grace, they are beautiful, and they flawlessly endure changing/transitional stages of life.

June 22, 2017 | Otavalo: The Otavalo indigenous group primarily populates this region of Ecuador. During this trip, I witnessed a food sacrifice ceremony. It was my first time witnessing a people offer food sacrifice to their gods. It was an interesting spiritual experience for me but I won’t get into those motions now. The landscape is absolutely beautiful and I would highly recommend visiting if you are interested in learning about an indigenous group or culture in Ecuador. Close to the waterfalls are marketplaces to buy handmade products such as comforters, jewelry, and ponchos. So, if you plan a visit, walk with cash because cards are not accepted.

June 23, 2017 | El Chota: This region is occupied by Afro Ecuadorians. The landscape is not as pretty as Otavalo, but the people will win you over in a heartbeat. Despite the visible environmental disparities, the culture is rich and runs deep. The residents are said to be descendants of slaves escaping from wrecked slave ships. A lot of the Afroecuadorian history resembled Afro-Caribbean and African American history.

July 13, 2017 | Machala: Machala is a city that is located near the Gulf of Guayaquil in the fertile lowlands. It is known as the “banana capital of the world” because it is where the highest percent of bananas are exported. There are so many banana plantations that the fruit has outdone all other fruits and won the nickname "green gold."

July 12, 2017 | Jambelí Island: this island is mostly dedicated to the sale of tourism services such as bird watching, white fishing, the capture of shrimp larva, the collection of shells and the extraction of crabs. While I learned a lot about seafood and the economic activity of the island, my most memorable moment was riding in a speedboat for the second time after more than 10 years. My first trip in a speedboat was tragic, I got seasick >_< This second trip was a lot more successful. Plus, my wash and go curls got a good blow out from the sea breeze; it was a good hair day! 

October 7, 2017 |  Olon, Santa Elena: This marked my first time at a surfing beach, touching a surfboard and accessing surfing lessons. Though I wasn’t ballsy enough to register for the surfing class, I watched my brave friends pursue waves. It was an amazing experience. I hope that one day in the future I will build the courage to catch a wave. 

October 8, 2017 | Playa Los Frailes (the Frias Beach), Manabí: one of the last untouched beach in Ecuador. I’ll let those words and the picture do the talking.

June 30, 2017 | Palacio de Gobierno (The President’s Palace), Plaza Grande, Quito: while walking to the President’s house, there were these guards who did not smile. The two in the photo, near the flag, were minding their own business and I waved to them, jokingly, wondering if they would wave back, and they did! It all happened so fast that I couldn’t manage to get a picture. Everyone was in awe that the strict looking presidential guards would wave back. That made my day. It was almost like I was too cute to resist hehe.