Blenheim WCE Ecuador Blog

Pilchard’s entry
Today has been OK considering I have been stapped to a bag for the last 24 hours. Oh well life goes on. Nearly got nicked by some kid and got proper sunburnt. At least I didn’t get stupid patterns burned on my feet like some Idiot in my crew.
meeow
Pilchard XX

21st July – Ruby
Today has been a hectic day, we were all split up into groups and tasks such as going to the bank and getting the meths for out project phase.

My group, apart from going to the bank went to a DIY store to get bits and bobs for building and stuff for the school we are going to. The language thing was a bit hard when trying to find items but John and Catherine were brill getting there in the end.

The big problem came at the check out when we found out that we had to know the exact number of nails we had ! So we obviously had to count them out one by one. There was 1280 nails !!

Getting some plywood. The fun part was locating the timber merchant!
[photo is actually from Otavalo]

After everyone had completed there tasks we all met up at a resteraunt after ordering a fish, head and all, greeted us. despite initial fear the food was lovely.

In the afternoon we all went shopping at a local supermarket which was probably the most Anneka, Nicola and I had laughed at what though we couldn’t tell you.

All of us have arrived safely, including James, who has not been having the most of luck since cutting his foot on the floor on buildup day (Wed 19). He was taken to A&E, and was fixed up good. He then lost his video camera at Heathrow!

Luckily for us, he is in good humour about it all LOL (he has insurance on the camera ).

Buildup day yesterday (Wed 19th) was quite busy. We got through a lot of stuff like medical info, team rules, team roles, packing and repacking etc. We still had time to chill out which was cool

Dave doing the high jump:

We gottup at 2:30am today (Thur 20th), and left for the airport about 3:30am, waving bye to James’ extremely dedicated parents & girlfriend, who had gottup to see him off!

We flew Iberian airways to Madrid. On boarding the Plane we saw Prof Robert Winston! The plane was quite cramped, but the journey was short and aircon good, so no-one really minded.

Madrid airport outclasses heathrow by miles! It’s really modern with a cool shuttlebus and automatic luggage transfet and a really cool shiny architecture (think curved wooden lattice ceiling, stainless steel and glass floor).

There was a bit of chaos when they changed the gates for the plane to Quito (Ecuador’s Capital) and we had to dash to make it in time for the plane! 22pp1 with hats, WCE shirts and daysacks runnin up escalators what a sight!

That flight was 11 hours – quite gruelling! However we managed to pass the time chatting, sleeping, playing UNO, and chatting with some friendly Ecuadorian folks.

Getting there:

view more images from this album

We (some of us) even managed to meet Robert Winston, who kindly posed for photos and wrote a note in our Journal. Cool!

Upon arrival at Quito, the bags were stuffed into a couple of minibuses and driven to the Hostel.

Hostel Posada Del Maple:

It’s quite a nice place in a unusually quiet street, that seems quaint compared to its more urban surroundings. Pizza for tea again (had it for buildup day). Was much better than the stuff we got on buildup tho!

Tomorrow (Friday 2lst) we will again be busy collecting/buying kit and food we will need for our project phase, delivering out embassy pack, picking up maps and possibly a chance for a bit of leisure as well.

All told we’re having a great time!
Everyone’s tired but in good spirits.
Might be able to post tomorrow…

Nite all.

Ps Ecuador is -5hours or 6, the time here is 10pm, there now it is about 5am!

[Ed. Pilchard is Charles's stuffed ?cat? as I recall. It spent most of it's time attached to the back of his backpack.]

Today was Quite tiring, especially with my Bad Back.
Haven’t had a wash for the last 3 days so I smell of rotting flesh.

Pilchard
XX

Day 2 – Matt

At 3:30AM the coach arrived to take us to the airport. The journey by coach didn’t seem that long but everyone was getting excited.

After we checked in at the airport, Jack and Ritchard sorted out everyones group money and there was just enough time to get a book and grab a bite to eat. I spent the first plane journey reading my book and playing Uno.

When the plane finally landed in Madrid we entered the airport and were in awe and wonder! The airport was huge, smooth, curved architecture with different colour supports, wooden ceiling and marble floor and glass bridges.

At last we managed to get on the planed, but timing was tight.

The 11 hour flight to Ecuador wasn’t too bad.

I just read my book looking out of the window as we passed over the carrabean and when we first entered South America…

(oh yeah, and we met Sir Robert Winston on the plane which was nice)

“Dear Blenheim High School Team,

I hope (I am sure you will) you have a great time.
And remember rashes, blisters and arguments are all reasonable in moderation. Crying’s OK, too, from time to time.
But try to enjoy everything you see around you – and rember always that everybody has their good side.

Best wishes and good luck

Robert Winston“

…The view was amazing as we entered Ecuador.

[This photo taken by Garreth]

The mountains appeared out of the clouds and I couldn’t help taking photos. It was awe inspiring. As we got closer and closer we could see Quito. There was a diverse range of different sized buildings and the city was surrounded by mountains.

After we landed we checked out and got our bags.

Then it hit me – we were here! We were in South America, Thousands and thousands of miles from home. There were some guys at the airport who had arragned to take us to our Hostel. Driving through Quito, I got a good sense of the quality of life here. There was a fair range of buildings, from dirty run-down concrete blocks to massive buildings made out of glass and steel.

When we got to our Hostel I was taken completely by suprise! This place was really warm and cosy with stone and wooden floor and courtyard with tables and chairs.

[Hostal Posada del Maple]

I’ve been put in a room of five. James sleeps on the floor and I get a little bed side table, brilliant! I’m really tired now so I’m gonna get some sleep.
Matthew

[The first couple of days]

Day 1 – David

The build up day for me was pretty emotional. My mum had to keep crying everytime I said goodbye to her. She kept crying ARGH! Which set me off. Anyways then James hurt his foot, proably on the one place you wouldn’t want to hurt youself at a time like this.

Then I took HOURS packing my bag argh not looking foward to that every monring. I am not a morning person in the slightest. One of the main things for me though was going through the risk assesment. I’m dead scared now haha! Thank god Louise and Catherine were there to chill me out.

We’re all in this together, all 22 of us, and I can’t wait to spend the next 4 weeks with this amazing group of people.

Stay safe

Dave

xxx

Day 1 – Stefan

This was the first day in our one month exploration which would change our lives. At the start of the day members of the team say there goodbye’s to friends and family where a sense of sadness filled the air.

The 14 hour build up in the gym seemed a bit long to the team. However before we even got anywhere near ecuador the first major injury of expedition happens to James. A cut heel sends him out (only for an hour or 2 [he came back just in time for our pizza supper, Garreth adds]) . He however recovered fully and now is walking with a slight limp.

[Dave doing the high jump. Oh and yes, we slept on those matts!]

Today however was a non thrilling day full of packing and rules…and pizza which was gone instantly.

Sorry for Pants diary entry,

Stefan

XXX