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The beautiful view from Cojitambo

I've been pretty happy here in Ecuador these past few weeks. It's been crazy with class scheduling here, as March and April are filled with all kinds of holidays including the Foundation of Cuenca, Holy Week, and Labor Day. We've had lots of Fridays off, which allow me a little bit of time to do some local traveling. On the first holiday of the cycle I went to Azogues to visit La Reina de la Nube, which is a beautiful metal statue of the Virgin Mary that sits on top of a mountain. The hike up is marked by images that represent the 14 stations of the cross, which tell the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. The following Friday I went to Cojitambo, which is a mountain not far from Azogues that has some ruins and beautiful views. We went on Good Friday, and the town was holding a mass right on to ruins, which was cool to observe.

La Reina de la Nube, Azogues, Ecuador

I also finally made my way to the Amazru zoo, which is located in the outskirts of Cuenca, and that was a blast. Amaru's zoo is mostly composed of rescue animals. They spend a lot of their resources helping injured, sick, and abused animals, and release animals back to the wild if possible. The layout of the zoo is pretty unique, as you kind of have to hike through the zoo to see all the animals, and there's only one path to follow. There's a lot to see, and there are animals from all over Ecuador as well as some non-native animals, like tapirs and African lions. Because of the layout and the structure of the zoo, it feels like you're encountering animals in a more natural habitat. There were plenty of active animals, including a young monkey teasing its older peers, cute piggies squelching through the mud, talkative parrots and macaws, nosy llamas, and magnificent jaguars, which are the newest addition to the zoo. For those who visit Cuenca for a longer period of time, the zoo is definitely a must.

The beautiful Jaguar resting on a tree branch in Amaru zoo

As far my teaching and volunteer work, not much as changed with this cycle. My schedule is the same, but I think I'm having more fun teaching this cycle. I feel more comfortable in the classroom than I've ever felt this year, which I think has allowed me and my students to interact with each other on a more personal level. I feel happy at the end of my classes, fortunate to teach a little more to my students as well as to learn a little more about them and their culture every day. My volunteer work is also pretty consistent, but it's gotten a little more interesting this past month because the whole school is getting ready for a big exhibition at the end of the month that shows off the projects of different workshops. I'm excited for the exhibition, and I expect things to be a little busier as we come closer to the opening day.

Zoo llama says hello!

Time is flying and our year is ending so soon. I'm not quite ready for this to end yet, so I hope these last few months slow down a bit! For now I'll have to take in as much as every moment that I can, so stay tuned!

Chao chao for now,
Jossel Franco

Hey blog readers! 

April was a crazy month for me, and I can't believe it's over! Only 2 more months of being here in Cuenca, and I am still not sure what I am going to do. Although I have fully enjoyed my time here, I think I'm ready for a new challenge. I am going to miss the heck out of CEDEI, my friends, and the Fundación. I will elaborate more with my final thoughts in a month or so's blog post so stay tuned!

Anyway, this past month was full of vacations from teaching and volutneering I got a nice vacation in and had many long weekends! :) A couple of weeks ago, I went to Quito with a good friend, Sam. One great thing was our ability to save 8 hours on a bus and fly. We found cheap tickets, and I'll say, definitely worth the money to save time for a short vacation. Quito was wonderful, and there was a Good Friday parade, and we spent our holiday drinking coffee, eating cake, enjoying the views, and watching the parade. Quito is absolutely ENORMOUS, and the view from the Basilica is quite humbling. 

PS- we stayed in La floresta, and I highly recommend! :) 

After our day and a half in Quito, we decided to take the bus up to Otavalo to check out the market and do some hiking. Otavalo has the largest outdoor market in South America and is only an hour and a half from Quito on bus. Unfortunately, I ate some bad shrimp in Quito and was super sick the whole time. Luckily, I am alive, and feeling very well now. I was able to go to the market for about 20 minutes, so I saw a little bit of the market in Otavalo. Also, the sweet indigenous family whose hostal we stayed at, did an indigenous healing ceremony on me and gave me some hollistic medicine, which helped for a while. Anyways, although I left Cuenca with Sam and came back with Sam and amoebas, I had a great time in Quito and want to visit again before I leave.

Time at the Fundación and teaching are going well. Teaching is flying by, and I am enjoying not having any Saturday classes. I have a FULL weekend! WOOHOO!

Time at the Fundación is going well. We have a few new families, which means our numbers are growing, but the more, the merrier (crazier). Many of the volunteers are starting to end their time here, which is so sad. I am going to miss the heck out of everyone. 

Overall, time is flying, and I cannot wait for what is next. I am going to give extra in my last few months here, as to leave a good legacy for my time during the Puente Cultural Grant. 

Anyways, 

Talk to  you all later! 

Thanks so much for reading :)

The view from the Basilica in Quito. Quito is HUGEEEEEE.

My good friend Sam and I. She left me for the USA. I miss her :''(

Anderson, an absolute cutie and new student at the Fundación. His first day he cried because he was so overwhelmed with the amount of kids. Now he loves coming :)

Making empanadas for the 25th anniversary party for the Fundación. Left to right- Veronica (level 2 teacher), Favayd (level 1 teacher), Maria Gusta (psychologist), Antonella (social worker), Nele (fellow volunteer and friend) :D

Annalia and her gorgeous, traditional braids for the 25th anni party! 

Veronica, Genesis, Fernanda, Kenia, Jennifer, and Lizbeth greeting guests at the party. 

Olivia, my fellow gringuita and volunteer, stealing snacks from the AMAZING snack table we created for the party.