From the Palm Trees to the Sierra

July 23rd

Tena, Ecuador

Although I had already witnessed the transition from the jungle to the Andes Mountains a few times before, it never gets old. From one world and one climate into another in less than four hours.

We said our goodbyes at the jungle camp and started back to Camp Chacauco on the long bumpy road home. To add to the situation, my stomach wasn’t agreeing with me very much either as I had drank or ate something that definitely didn’t agree with my sensitive stomach. It complicated matters a bit, but thank goodness for Pepto-Bismal. The kids’ camp ended early in the morning and our group of workers from Texas and Florida headed back to the camp on the bus. Several of the other staffers and I drove the camp trucks back with our supplies and luggage.

To be very honest, as much as I had enjoyed the jungle this week, I was ready to return to my home away from home in the mountains. It may have been the fact that my body was so worn out from the camp with the kids or the fact that there was no personal space, but at any rate, I was ready to return.

We made a few stops here and there for lunch and bathroom breaks, but for the most part, it was an uneventful day. Returning to camp around dinner time gave everyone a chance to check their email and get a hot shower before calling it quits and retiring for some sleep early in the evening. Sleep and rest I needed. It was the first time I had gone to bed before 10pm during my whole time in Ecuador.