Semana Santa

Wow I have done so much in the two weeks I haven't posted! Two weeks ago was Semana Santa or Holy week. We had school Monday through Wednesday and then had off until the following Tuesday. MOnday through Wednesday was teacher appreciation week. Each day the students brought us something:
Monday- cards
Tuesday- Flowers
Wednesday- Chocolate

My students were so sweet they brought me gifts too, eventhough I am not there real teacher! They were precious.





On Thursday I went with two teachers from Alliance and one other student teacher to the town of Banos. We took a bus which was an experience all in its own! It only costs a dollar per hour so we only paid $4 to travel to the jungle! This town is beautiful and known for having a volcano which produces warm springs. We visited baths which were heated by the volcano. Banos also has seven beautiful waterfalls!

Day 1 (Thursday)
The first day we took a 20 KM or 12 mile bike ride.


Christy, Sarah, and I at Pastaza Valley



After the bike ride we climbed a trail to this beautiful waterfall named the Pailon del Diablo (The Devil's Pale).



We had to crawl through this tiny tunnel to make it to the top of the waterfall.




We made it! We got really wet!

Day 2 (Friday)
On Friday we went canyoning down five waterfalls! It was amazing. There were five Americans and the rest were from Norway, Switzerland, and Sweden. They were all taking gap years between highschool and college and traveling South America. How cool!

I can't believe I did this! It was such a great adventure!


The last waterfall we slid down on our butts. It was so fun!


The whole crew

At night we went to the top of the mountain overlooking the city and saw an amazing fire show!



I promise to post more pictures from my adventures to Tena, Pinchincha y exploring Old Town Quito very soon!