Note from the leaders: This post contains student responses about their favorite memories and take-aways from their homestays in Las Tolas.
Finishing the group mural at the worksite.
The family bonds in Las Tolas are something that I would like to take with me on my journey back to the U.S. The amount that people care about each other, and me, I felt as if I was part of the family. – Maya
Gloria was telling a story of how Christian (her son) has a scar on his forehead from a machete. I wanted to ask Gloria if she was scared, which in Spanish is “tú tenías miedo?” But instead I said, “tú eras mierda?”, which translates to something quite different than what I meant… – Devon
Mollie and Maia making pizza for their family on our second to last night
Grant and Becca with homestay parents, Amparo and Sebastian.
Hannah and Bella with Pilar and daughter Karly.
Getting a million hugs from Eric, and feeling so loved and cared for by Sebastian and Amparo. Awesome experience! – Becca
During my homestay, I felt so loved and taken care of by my family. My favorite memories were during the meals where I was really able to learn about their lives and could share stories from my own. I also felt so cared for by all the other families in Las Tolas. – Katie
Elise and Landon with familia.
Marissa and Katie with host dad Salomon.
I had walked to Pilar’s house after I finished dinner [at Gloria’s], not knowing that they hadn’t eaten yet. They were in the process of making pizza so I had planned to stay until they started eating. However, when they sat down to eat and I started to leave, the whole family insisted that I stay and eat with them (even though I already ate). Then during the meal Pilar’s husband told me that I was part of their family despite me living in a different house. It was really amazing because I felt so welcomed to the family and town and felt like I truly belonged. – Sloan
My favorite homestay memory in Las Tolas was when I was having a conversation with my ‘mom’ and I said [in Spanish] that when we ride in a truck we sit on the bottom of the car, instead of saying that we sit in the back. So for a good 3 or 4 days my ‘family’ would make fun of me. For example, Pilar (my ‘mom’) asked if she could join our road trip and sit under the bus! – Bella
Sloan and Devon with Gloria.
Sarah, Maya, and Leila with Oliva.
My favorite memory of the homestay experience was when we met the dad for the first time. Bella and I came home and he was making pizza for all of us. The whole family was together, all talking and joking around while eating dinner. I then was really able to feel like a part of the family, and not feel like I was just visiting and staying in their house. – Hannah
We made it to Cotopaxi!