This trip was three years in the making. My first year with Noonday, I surprised myself by earning a trip - I hadn’t known what to expect from this endeavor. We weren’t prepared for me to carve out a week to travel internationally, by myself, so we agreed that I would strive to earn one again the following year, this time with the intent to go. I did, I registered to go to Guatemala, I bought all the things...and then a volcano erupted, forcing Home Office to cancel the trip. As they say, the third time’s the charm (this time with my in-country expenses covered)!
A few of us were fortunate enough to head to Quito a couple of days early, allowing us to begin acclimating to the altitude and explore some before the busy itinerary began. We checked out the impressive, moving, and scenically-located Guayasamin home and museum, then made our way to historic Quito for dinner at a restaurant with a breathtaking rooftop view. The following day we headed up into the Andes to spend the day at a thermal hot springs spa. I relished the contrast of the chilly, rainy air and hot water if the springs - plus a delicious lunch and relaxing massage. Our hotel was also really lovely and peaceful, albeit a trek from downtown.
Our first official day was jam-packed, with a trip to the Equator, a visit to Doña Gladys’ tagua workshop (which she runs with her husband and her son, who is in school studying mechanical engineering), and then a drive to Otavalo.
The following morning we visited Doña Moni’s tagua workshop - an operation she had to take over solely after her husband died in an accident - and then Luis and Marina’s home and workshop. They’ve partnered with Noonday since 2015 and have experienced so much growth and expansion in that time! Their home has flourished, they build a separate workshop, and they can even afford a musical education for their son. It was a beautiful thing to witness.
We spent the afternoon lunching by this stunning crater lake, surrounded by volcanoes, and then some of us went on a boat ride while others headed to the leather market. Oh, and several of us bought hats!
The next day we made our final artisan partner visit, to Andean Collection. After some great ice breakers and conversation learning about the women who work there, we were paired up and shown how to bead a necklace. Humbling, for sure! Maria Paz was my partner (and ultimately finished mine for me - I was s l o w).
We concluded our final day in Otavalo with lunch, shopping in the renowned market, a trip to a nearby waterfall (where we found llamas!), and then a dinner where Luis and Marina surprised us with a live performance from Luis’ traditional band. It was such a festive evening!
Back to Quito for a tour of the historic district, and then our official farewell dinner. There are several rooftop tests in Quito, because the views are exquisite! Our hotel was charming, too.
On our final day, several of us headed up the Teleferico to an elevation of 14,000 feet. Magnificent! The swing was such a fun, unexpected experience, too. Eventually we made our way back down and to lunch, then another market for shopping, and finally our last dinner (a.k.a. “The final table”) before heading to the airport.
A FULL week of friendship, learning, and adventure that left my heart full, too.
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