A crater lake in the Andes, adventure sports in Baños, and Cotopaxi National Park. Enjoy!
Read More
Teaching ESL in Ecuador
Having been teaching since October, it dawned on me yesterday that somehow, I still haven’t written about what it’s like to be an ESL teacher here. For a blog about my experiences living and teaching abroad, this seems like quite the oversight. I suppose I’ve been focusing a lot more on my personal experiences and…
Read More
Ecuadorian Cooking: A lesson in food and culture
When I first got here, I was curious to see what Ecuadorian food would taste like. I knew from my sister’s experiences that it would involve a whole lot of carbs and not a whole lot of spiciness. I anticipated lots of potatoes and rice. To be perfectly honest, during my first couple months here…
Read MorePeace Corps Aspiration Statement
So when you’re accepted to serve with the Peace Corps, you might think that all the work is done. WRONG. Accepting an invitation actually begins a whirlwind process of tasks that the invitee must complete–applying for a diplomatic passport, getting finger printed/background checked, a bunch of medical/dental tasks, etc. One of the earlier tasks that…
Read More
Things Ecuadorians Like, Part 2
In light of the barrage of recent somewhat depressing or downright depressing blog posts, I wanted to bring some humor to the blog again. Back in December, I authored my first “Things Ecuadorians Like” post, and I figured since it’s been over a month, it’s high time for part 2 in the series. Enjoy! Being…
Read MoreVideo Log: Lori’s Visit
Video log entry featuring Lori’s visit to Ecuador: canyoning, zip lining, swinging, swimming, sliding, jumping, Lori driving a buggy, rafting, and overall having a grand adventure. Thanks for sharing these experiences with me, Lori. Come visit Ecuador, it’s an amazing place. All is possible!
Read MoreThings Ecuadorians Like
Ecuador will always have a special place in my heart. It´s the first country I visited outside the US (when I was 17!), it’s the place where my sister lived for a year, the country that my brother-in-law is from, and it is the first country I have stayed in for an extended period of time.…
Read MoreVideo Log: Otavalo and Mindo

A day in the life of a WorldTeach Ecuador teacher
At 6:21 my eyelids flicker open. My alarm, set for 7:45 am, is at this point a hopeful dream. The rays of sun streaming in through my thin lilac fairy curtains push me out of sleep and into wakefulness long before I am ready to leave my subconscious. The sound of the news comes into…
Read More
Indigenous Cultures in Latin America and the Myth of the “Extinct Indian”
Sometimes I forget I’m in Ecuador. Most days are pretty standard. I eat oatmeal for breakfast, just like I did back in the States. I still drink coffee twice a day (but it’s instant. I have come to accept this sadness.) I go to school every day just like I did back in Berkeley, though…
Read More