To Teach, To Learn, To Share

Teachers have probably one of the most rewarding and important jobs on the planet.  They are so influential and necessary. What a gift they pass on to others and the ability to change lives is powerful.

My teacher Carmen and her daughter,
I´m trying to explain how to take the photo by holding down the button, ha ha

My Spanish teacher at the school, Carmen, was 30 years old and had one little girl. She also would sell bananas and other fruit at the markets in other towns.  She would have to take the bus for two hours one way each day to come and teach lessons. Now that is dedication and passion !  My favorite moments with Carmen would be when we took our breaks and sip on some delicious organic, local coffee. We would share about our lives and how different they were.

It´s a big world and everything is relative. But it really makes me wonder.  Even in America, where some folks pay $500 - $900 a month just for a roof over their head and $4 for a Cappuccino. You wonder why do we succumb to that. Are some things really necessary? What should we really be spending our money on? Good healthy foods to nourish our bodies and education.  Carmen taught me lessons for about $5 an hour. Yet, I knew that $5 dollars in Ecuador would go a lot further there than in America. I knew she would use that money to provide for her family.  I wish I could grab Carmen and take her for a visit to the USA, I wonder if she would like it ? The more I thought about life in America, I kind of realized how ridiculous it is and no wonder why a lot are stressed, anxious, and depressed. We need to return to a simpler life.

Sarah & the cat Mishipu

Otherwise, life continued in the village of Pucara. Being a small village, everyone quickly recognized me, gave me smiles, and hugs everyday. It was a great feeling to be part of a community.  Everyone looked after each other. I´d spend time with the kids and we literately were throwing cd discs into a rubber tire for an hour or two. Sunday was the big day of the week where folks would head to the market to buy supplies for the week and then play and watch soccer with their families in the park.



The power went out for a few hours and we ended up sitting around the neighbors fire and chatting. I don´t think this family had a stove and they would cook their food over the fire.  My host family did not even own a flashlight and I ended up giving them my little flashlight.  One night, Fernando dipped a huge rag ball in gasoline and set it on fire and carried it around the house for 15 minutes to smoke out the mosquitoes. It was quite a sight ! After my week here, I had to make the decision if I wanted to head East to the beaches of Ecuador or go South. I decided to go South to the mountains again.