Greetings from Ecuador!

Hey friends!  

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer months with a low stress meter.  I feel so lucky to be able to spend the summer in Tena, Ecuador learning about public health.  I am interning with the Red Cross and a community center which does rural health visits to disabled people.  A local family has been generous enough to host me and welcome me into their family.  I am learning loads but at times it can be difficult to be so far from home distance wise and culture wise.  One of my goals for the next month is to continue to practice self-care and know that I can still speak up for what I need without being inconsiderate. Here are some pics so far:

The summer has been a series of running, hiking, biking, public transport or driving to rivers or waterfalls to swim in.  I cannot complain and I am really enjoying la estación lluviosa (rainy season).

Waterfall one reached on foot.

Waterfall two not pictured but reached by cable car crossing pictured.

Waterfall three reached by foot and bike on our downhill bike ride from Baños to Puyo.  Check out my Strava.

River fed pools reached by public transport.  My homestay sister seems to be enjoying her ice cream.

River enjoyed on a full moon rafting trip!

Second of two rivers for today alone.

I feel so lucky to be able to enjoy all the bodies of water.  Here, when people say they are going to a river the verb normally used is bañarse (to bath).  In addition to enjoying the water, I often see people bathing with soap in the rivers, using mother nature to cleanse themselves, to enjoy themselves, and cool off.  The downside has been how hot humid it can be (ft. lots of sweating on my runs).  I have been mostly running in circles as I don't know the area that well and there is a lovely park nearby.

Sunset in el parque lineal.  I have been getting into listening to podcasts or music when I run hear to keep the one mile loop entertaining.  Taking suggestions for the return of Sonya the track star.

Volcanic view from one running location near my house.

Another reason I run on a loop--the dog that bit my during my first week while I was racing some kids on the street.

Work has been challenging but rewarding.  I am very aware of all the privilege I have growing up in an household without any disabilities and with many resources.  I have been shadowing community health workers who travel very far to provide help to people in the area; this also doubles as a great one-on-one Spanish lesson.

Mario and I on our way to visit a patient.  We had to take taxi ($1.50) bus ($1.50) canoe ($0.25) taxi ($0.50) canoe ($5) just to reach one patient's house, not even round trip.  I am still figuring out if this is the best way to provide rural health care and what the strengths and weakness of the program are.

Bladimir using the la sombrilla del monte (the mountain umbrella) during a downpour on our way to visit a patient.

A view of the back of the Red Cross ambulance.  I have spent the last two Fridays waiting for an accident but none to be found.

Make sure to leave your machete at the front of the bus for safekeeping on your way to work.

One of my favorite foods here (Maito de tilapia)

Lots of love and I cannot wait to see everyone this fall.  People here keep asking me what it is like to have seasons and boy, am I excited to enjoy my last three seasons at Williams!

Sonya