Update 6

Dressed up in the traditional clothing of San Clemente

Expedition Mode

Our quote of the week: 

“We’re here to climb mountains yeah, but the mountains we are truly here to climb are the mountains inside, that’s what really matters… the other mountain matters too, cuz we have to get to Papallacta.” – Michael Dammer

Zoe, Siena, Nicole and Ciara

For the last month and a half we have created a rhythm, a heartbeat, a kind of clockwork in which we revolve. It is not perfect, it is not the most efficient system, but it is our own, and in its construction we control its constant ebb and flow. We have created this beat, this energy, this sound; so that we can move, so that in a time of fatigue and sickness, we can fall back on its velvety cushion, we can feel the support of its many hands and use its strength to feel a pant of our soul that may be waning.

We are embarking upon the second week of our first expedition and we are beginning to truly appreciate the connections and relationships we have with each other, with the land, and ourselves. We started by going to the community of San Clemente, the wonderful and inspiring home of our friend and teacher Tupac. There we were able to live, learn and immerse ourselves in their families. We spoke Spanish (as much as we could), we prepared food, worked in the fields, and began to understand how these people live with such connection to the pacha mama (earth mother.)

I am so appreciative of how these families welcomed us into their homes, how they shared their culture with us, and of how they dressed us up in their beautiful clothing and danced us into the night with their wonderful music.

"Where are we going?"

Early Saturday morning we rose, our San Clemente Mamas made us a delicious breakfast, then we split into two groups and began solo. One group, cleverly named the “Mushpas,” took a route through rivers and ravines to the base of Cubilche, and along the way many adventures took place. Tommy had a digestive situation after drinking most of a bottle of strongly fermented juice (and has fully recovered since). This group, consisting of Ayere, Malcolm, Phoebe, Shai, Tommy, Meredith, and Mateo, walked an extra 4k after a change in the meeting spot, but all’s well that ends well, especially thanks to their well cooked food. The party of the “Alpacas” were not as fortunate. After some fire problems Zoë, Charlie, Kat, Nicole, Churo, Ciara, and Siena hiked from San Clemente over mountains and into “The Forbidden Forest,” tailed by our faithful and loving companion Paca. Paca followed us all the way from San Clemente.  Paca is now back home, though greatly missed. He’s a black furry ball of cuteness, commonly known as a dog.

Heading towards Cubilche

After both groups reunited and a short rest we began the next chapter of our expedition. We packed our bikes with panniers and set out to traverse the Ecuadorian highlands. I’m not going to be passive here and say that this was easy; it was quite honestly one of the most challenging things I’ve done, but also one of the most rewarding.  It is amazing for me to look back and remember our sweat, our work, the landscape and the people. To know that with each peddle revolution your body gains a new kind of knowledge. Some of us are sick, many are tired, but still we go on holding each other in the creases of our hands.

Now as I sit at this little wooden table in a small wooden hut somewhere in the Andes, the lights are off and I can see only by the luminescence of a headlamp that’s not mine.  A moth is incessantly buzzing and it mixes with
the snores of Charlie, the deep breath
of Zoë, and shuffle of the various sleeping bags. I hold Nicole in my thoughts, as the rest of us surely do in their dreams. She is safely back at Palugo recovering and resting from her intestinal struggles, and I send her my love. It is not the same without her.

Tomorrow we shall rise and shine again, and feel the burn and the love, and the love and the burn. In the evening we will bathe in the hot springs of Papallacta and clean ourselves from the hardships of the highlands, from sickness and fatigue, and from those waters we shall draw out strength, courage and wisdom.

Lots of love to you all,

Hasta pronto, Siena Powers.