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Leader of the day:   

Taylor

On Friday, team Lifeworks got a much desired and hopefully well earned day off. We all eagerly planned to skip breakfast, sleep into the afternoon and then relax on the beach. But, as we've learned so many times this trip, things don't always turn out as expected! The majority of us woke up between 6:30 and 8, ended up eating breakfast of arroz crocante cereal and pancakes with coconut whipped cream. After breakfast, some went back to bed, some read books on the beach, and some watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3. The only real activity of the day was Theo's snorkeling adventure. Saphir, Eliot, Deb, Margaux, and I managed to raise enough energy to join him in his search for manta rays in a sheltered bay of mangroves. The manta rays did not oblige us with their presence, but we did manage to find a sea cucumber (secret cumber, as Theo would say) and have a small water fight. We managed to snorkel in earnest for at least 20 minutes before we decided that it had gotten too cold. Dinner was the usual fare of rice, plantains, and meat with papaya to follow. We watched the community basketball game afterwards, bought some ice cream, and walked on the beach. Our day drew to a close with the relaxing feeling of contentment, and we went to bed with happy expectations for the day to follow.

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Leader of the day:   

Cason

We woke up and went to breakfast. It was tasty! We had a glorious breakfast full of PAN!...JUGO!...MANTEQUILLA!...french toast...it was really good! We headed to our meeting point and met Maria Isabella...everyone getting excited for a long day of horseback riding. Let me tell you, no one was expecting what they were about to experience! Whether it was a biting horse, dust up your nose, or a horse that made it a point to kick everyone else...it was a wonderful experiential educational adventure! Our final view point was the edge of the Volcan Chico crater. Another beautiful sight of the day was the 2nd largest crater in the world, Sierra Negra Volcano. After the long day of horseback riding, we all went to get ice cream in town. We went to dinner at Pepe's restaurant and then had a bonfire at Dora's hotel. Our guest star of the night was Maria Isabella! We sang songs and admired Saphir's Madonna interpretation...his high voice could crack windows! Saphir won the horse race game with his horse, Arted. After the bonfire we headed to the Fiesta in town! Theo got everyone to start dancing and after that they had trouble getting us off the dance floor! Our last night in Isabella was a blast!

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Leader of the day:   

Alice

We woke up at our normal 6:30 this morning and had our last breakfast as Ballena Azul. Then we took a boat transfer back to Santa Cruz Island. Once we got there, we check into the hotel and had lunch. After lunch we had the afternoon at Playa Allemanes. Some of us snorkled which was okay, but the sunset was incredible!! We all watched it together then had dinner at Cafe Hernan. Not sure what the evening activity will be....

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Leader of the day:   

Averill

We woke up a little earlier than normal this morning and had breakfast. Then we meet with the Galapagos National Park people at the Collegio Nacional and guess what?! We rode in the back of chicken truck! Once we got to Los Gemelos, we cleared vegetation from the side of the road with shovels. After lunch, we went to the Guayasamin School with the park rangers and did loads of arts and crafts. It was really great day!

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Leader of the day:   

Libby

We woke up around 7:00 and had breakfast. Then we went to meet with students from the Guayasamin School. With them, we painted the roof of the school and the football field. After painting with the students we had lunch at Descanso Del Guia and ending with paint on every check, we went for lunch. In the afternoon we had free time for shopping and internet. We met up at 6:30 for a group slideshow. It was so great to see how much we have accomplished. After the slideshow we had dinner at Zayapa.

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Leader of the day:   

Cason

We woke up extra early again this morning (we're so used to it by now!) in order to make our first flight out of Santa Cruz Island. We then took a bus to Citteo to make a 10:45 flights to Quito. Once we arrived in Quito in the afternoon we took another bus to our hotel and had a really nice dinner before trying to fit in all the last bits of time together before our super early (really this time!) wake up... good job Lifeworkers!!

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Leader of the day:   

n/a

Student wake up at 4:00 and and head to the airport, say their goodbyes, and catch flights back to family and friends at home!