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New Hampshire - Ecuador Semester
Ecuador
Hacienda Palugo, October

“Unfolding Mysteries of the High Lands”

Hannah studying geography.

The following leg of the journey takes place at the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes near Quito on Hacienda Palugo. We will focus on the Inter-Andean region, its people and traditions, music, geography and history. We will observe the daily weather and look at the stars in the Southern Hemisphere. Spanish becomes the language of our daily life. Skilled natives, craftspeople and old time farmers will teach us about practical designs and architecture, local materials and hand tools.

We will make “Penco”(Agave) drums, whose sounds reveal the mysteries and influences of Andean music. By making “esteras” (grass mats) and “alforjas” (leather bags) we will learn about the ecological and economical value of native plants and their products. Our felted vests from local sheep wool will keep us warm in the coming weeks. We plant, harvest, hand-milk and collect eggs. We learn how to use animal products, how to cook simple meals, make yogurt and cheese and bake bread in our hand made clay oven.