My nephew Joe is taking an international studies course in Ecuador. Here’s his latest message.From: Joe
Sent: Saturday, January 17 2004 22:00:20
Subject: Two Life Changing Trips
¡Greetings amigos!
As you all know, because I’ve mentioned it before, a group of Kzoo students, including Jill, Vonnie, Sus, and myself, did the Incan trail!! Really, all I can say is that it was the most amazing 4days 3nights of my life. Ever single person on this earth must do this. They MUST. All of you Kzoo kids that are young and fit and full of life, YOU MUST DO THIS!
I really can’t describe it, it was a full experience. I will say that we were in a group with 4 other people, plus our guide Augustin, who was tight. The other people were 2 bros from Cali, Mark from New Zealand, and Alex from Bulgaria. We definitely bonded, even though our personalities weren’t exactly the most compatible. Anyway, for those of you that aren’t familiar with the trail, its a 4 day 3 night hike from 82Km outside of Cuzco, Peru to Macchu Pichu, a total of 42km, most of which is up and down hill. Along the way you visit many, many different Incan ruins.
After returning to Quito for about 13 hours, all the Kzoo kids with Nelson (program director), headed to Las Islas Galápagos. The Galápagos, a set of islands located 600km from the coast of Ecuador, are maybe the most beautiful set of landscapes I have ever seen. Beaches with sands of all colors, waters of every shade of blue. We did a lot of snorkeling, which always included playing with the sea lions, where they swim around you, dive at you, and spin all around. We also saw some sharks, rays, many fish, and some bottle nose dolphins that chased the boat.
To have these two trips back to back created a fairly intense couple of weeks, so I apologize that this is so short, but its really something that has to be experienced. I’m sure all the study abroad kids understand. Now I have a day to relax in Quito (tomorrow) and on Monday we leave at 7h30 to go to the jungle for a month, at which time I will have no contact with the outside world. I wish all of you well, and I’ll see everyone in the US. I hope everyone has an amazing end to there study abroad programs (long terms), and they return safely to the States.
Love always,
Joe
Sent: Saturday, January 17 2004 22:00:20
Subject: Two Life Changing Trips
¡Greetings amigos!
As you all know, because I’ve mentioned it before, a group of Kzoo students, including Jill, Vonnie, Sus, and myself, did the Incan trail!! Really, all I can say is that it was the most amazing 4days 3nights of my life. Ever single person on this earth must do this. They MUST. All of you Kzoo kids that are young and fit and full of life, YOU MUST DO THIS!
I really can’t describe it, it was a full experience. I will say that we were in a group with 4 other people, plus our guide Augustin, who was tight. The other people were 2 bros from Cali, Mark from New Zealand, and Alex from Bulgaria. We definitely bonded, even though our personalities weren’t exactly the most compatible. Anyway, for those of you that aren’t familiar with the trail, its a 4 day 3 night hike from 82Km outside of Cuzco, Peru to Macchu Pichu, a total of 42km, most of which is up and down hill. Along the way you visit many, many different Incan ruins.
After returning to Quito for about 13 hours, all the Kzoo kids with Nelson (program director), headed to Las Islas Galápagos. The Galápagos, a set of islands located 600km from the coast of Ecuador, are maybe the most beautiful set of landscapes I have ever seen. Beaches with sands of all colors, waters of every shade of blue. We did a lot of snorkeling, which always included playing with the sea lions, where they swim around you, dive at you, and spin all around. We also saw some sharks, rays, many fish, and some bottle nose dolphins that chased the boat.
To have these two trips back to back created a fairly intense couple of weeks, so I apologize that this is so short, but its really something that has to be experienced. I’m sure all the study abroad kids understand. Now I have a day to relax in Quito (tomorrow) and on Monday we leave at 7h30 to go to the jungle for a month, at which time I will have no contact with the outside world. I wish all of you well, and I’ll see everyone in the US. I hope everyone has an amazing end to there study abroad programs (long terms), and they return safely to the States.
Love always,
Joe
