So, we are winding down our trip to Ecuador. We come back Wednesday into Thursday. A few more sights and a little more extended family. Here are some of the things I have learned from observing my children (15 and 13).
Context is important with everything we see. We have been good about sharing what we know about each place we go. She has a Lonely Planet Guide. We also have visited most places with my wife's cousins, who live down here, and they have added perspective. But, yesterday, we visited Mount Cotopaxi, which is a phenomenal active volcano with a perfect cone and a snow covered top. It had recently erupted, so we could not do any climbing, but it was breathtaking. She had the background on that, so she was fine. Then, we went to the Quilotoa Crater which is a lagoon in a dormant volcano. Clara came away angry that we had traveled all that way to see it because she did not know anything about it. When we came back to the apartment, I looked up info about it, and she then was able to appreciate what she saw. Click.
Finding a partner for kids is great. We are very lucky that there ar cousins the same age as my kids. They have gone to many places with us, and they have given great perspective to my children. Both the cousins speak English, and they push my children to speak more and more Spanish. When we go places together, the kids are a bit separate and bonding. You do not get this on a tour.
It is important for young people to try the "platos tipicos" of the country they are in. We have been to dinner at a few houses, where the food has all been Ecuadorian. When we have gone to restaurants, the food has also been Ecuadorian. My son really has enjoyed most of what he has eaten. My daughter tries things and likes most but not all. Why in doubt, she can always have bread or ham and cheese. However, we have not been to American places. Again, their cousins push them to try things and will also predict what they will like and dislike.
No tours. We have found out everything we can about most places we have been. Then, we move at our pace. When family is with us, they give us perspective. When we are alone, we figure it out. This way, we also have had to ask for help from Ecuadorians, and we have benefitted from that. This way, we can also change itinerary to match how the kids feel each day. My son currently wants no more museums. Got it.
We are staying in an apartment. We have to go to the grocery store or the bakery for food. We have to prepare meals for ourselves. We need to learn the area. It would be better for my children if they were hosted by their cousins, but the logistics did not work because of traffic and distance, but we would make it work next time. Then the kids could all bond really well.
More later...
Context is important with everything we see. We have been good about sharing what we know about each place we go. She has a Lonely Planet Guide. We also have visited most places with my wife's cousins, who live down here, and they have added perspective. But, yesterday, we visited Mount Cotopaxi, which is a phenomenal active volcano with a perfect cone and a snow covered top. It had recently erupted, so we could not do any climbing, but it was breathtaking. She had the background on that, so she was fine. Then, we went to the Quilotoa Crater which is a lagoon in a dormant volcano. Clara came away angry that we had traveled all that way to see it because she did not know anything about it. When we came back to the apartment, I looked up info about it, and she then was able to appreciate what she saw. Click.
Finding a partner for kids is great. We are very lucky that there ar cousins the same age as my kids. They have gone to many places with us, and they have given great perspective to my children. Both the cousins speak English, and they push my children to speak more and more Spanish. When we go places together, the kids are a bit separate and bonding. You do not get this on a tour.
It is important for young people to try the "platos tipicos" of the country they are in. We have been to dinner at a few houses, where the food has all been Ecuadorian. When we have gone to restaurants, the food has also been Ecuadorian. My son really has enjoyed most of what he has eaten. My daughter tries things and likes most but not all. Why in doubt, she can always have bread or ham and cheese. However, we have not been to American places. Again, their cousins push them to try things and will also predict what they will like and dislike.
No tours. We have found out everything we can about most places we have been. Then, we move at our pace. When family is with us, they give us perspective. When we are alone, we figure it out. This way, we also have had to ask for help from Ecuadorians, and we have benefitted from that. This way, we can also change itinerary to match how the kids feel each day. My son currently wants no more museums. Got it.
We are staying in an apartment. We have to go to the grocery store or the bakery for food. We have to prepare meals for ourselves. We need to learn the area. It would be better for my children if they were hosted by their cousins, but the logistics did not work because of traffic and distance, but we would make it work next time. Then the kids could all bond really well.
More later...
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