Watch out Ashley, she spits!Sunday, February 25, 2007
Market pictures
Sarah Kruger and Shelsea Jacobs playing with a baby that had a box as her playpin, while her mother sold food in the market
Otavalo day 3
Yesterday morning we went to Jambi Huasi, which means ouse of medicine in Kichwa. This medical clinic provides both Western doctors and Indigenous doctors, and patients are given the choice as to which treatment they wish to receive. Mixing traditional and occidental methods and services provides all patients the cultural opportunity to heal anything from cancer to a common cold.
After a lecture from two clinic workers, we took a tour of the clinic and learned from the ancient shaman and also observed the modern doctor’s office.
Then, two students were cleansed by an old woman with CUI in front of all of those that desired to watch. What is CUI? It means guinea pig in Kichwa. I personally could only watch the first cleaning, because the guinea pig is killed in the process.
The old woman shakes the cui over all of the person’s body until it dies. The cui absorbs all of the negative, bad and unhealthy energy of the person. Then, the old woman cut open and dissected the cui, giving the person a diagnosis of her body. She diagnosed the student with an accurate description. Wow.
Afterwards, we had the afternoon free to go shopping in one of Latin America’s largest craft markets. The market probably covers a 5 block radius and it is concentrated in a huge plaza. There are little booths that sell too many beautiful and colorful crafts. It was amazing because there are so many stunning THINGS that it was overwhelming.
That night, we all were distributed to our host families.
WHAT AN INTENSE DAY!!!
After a lecture from two clinic workers, we took a tour of the clinic and learned from the ancient shaman and also observed the modern doctor’s office.
Then, two students were cleansed by an old woman with CUI in front of all of those that desired to watch. What is CUI? It means guinea pig in Kichwa. I personally could only watch the first cleaning, because the guinea pig is killed in the process.
The old woman shakes the cui over all of the person’s body until it dies. The cui absorbs all of the negative, bad and unhealthy energy of the person. Then, the old woman cut open and dissected the cui, giving the person a diagnosis of her body. She diagnosed the student with an accurate description. Wow.
Afterwards, we had the afternoon free to go shopping in one of Latin America’s largest craft markets. The market probably covers a 5 block radius and it is concentrated in a huge plaza. There are little booths that sell too many beautiful and colorful crafts. It was amazing because there are so many stunning THINGS that it was overwhelming.
That night, we all were distributed to our host families.
WHAT AN INTENSE DAY!!!
Diana and her children in the market
Diana Cummings is a FWP student that is doing her independent study in Ecuador
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Otavalo day 1
Greetings from Otavalo, Ecuador. We arrived to this beautiful mountain town this afternoon and we are awed by the tall and steep mountains that surround this magical settlement.
Last night we went to the Folkloric Ballet and it was so beautiful that I cried. The group is internationally famous and they have won many awards for their indigenous live music band, their colorful costumes, their symbolic dancing and their preservation of culture. They represent peace.
This morning we went to a street children project in the South of Quito, and it was a special visit because a current Friends World Student has been doing her independent study at this non-profit organization since September, so she was an inspiration for the students in the group. Diana Cummings works with children that are forced to work in the market and she also gives art classes to mothers of children that are involved the numerous varieties of programs. We toured the building and felt amazed at the solidarity of the organization and how much help is provided to so many under-privileged people. There are so many programs ranging from a gynecologist that gives out free birth control shots, to a card-making workshop, to tutoring, to psychological counseling, to free dentist services, to a free lunch program, to a colorful library, to sewing classes, to a beauty shop, and much much more. We also walked around one of the markets and I felt shocked at how many children, of all ages, are selling gum, vegetables, fruit, anything. It was an eye-opening experience because we saw an indentified social problem and experiences a successful attempt to help children and their families.
So, now we are in Otavalo and our topics of study will be indigenous movements, holistic healing, craft making and cleansing ceremonies by shamans.
Beautiful.
Last night we went to the Folkloric Ballet and it was so beautiful that I cried. The group is internationally famous and they have won many awards for their indigenous live music band, their colorful costumes, their symbolic dancing and their preservation of culture. They represent peace.
This morning we went to a street children project in the South of Quito, and it was a special visit because a current Friends World Student has been doing her independent study at this non-profit organization since September, so she was an inspiration for the students in the group. Diana Cummings works with children that are forced to work in the market and she also gives art classes to mothers of children that are involved the numerous varieties of programs. We toured the building and felt amazed at the solidarity of the organization and how much help is provided to so many under-privileged people. There are so many programs ranging from a gynecologist that gives out free birth control shots, to a card-making workshop, to tutoring, to psychological counseling, to free dentist services, to a free lunch program, to a colorful library, to sewing classes, to a beauty shop, and much much more. We also walked around one of the markets and I felt shocked at how many children, of all ages, are selling gum, vegetables, fruit, anything. It was an eye-opening experience because we saw an indentified social problem and experiences a successful attempt to help children and their families.
So, now we are in Otavalo and our topics of study will be indigenous movements, holistic healing, craft making and cleansing ceremonies by shamans.
Beautiful.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Quito days 2 and 3
Hello,
We are still here in
Yesterday we went to the
Today was our academic day because we went to the wealthiest private university in
Tonight we are going to the folkloric ballet.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Quito, Ecuador day 1
Greetings from Quito, Ecuador!!!! I arrived here on Sunday, Feb 18th, with 26 students and 3 other staff members from the Friends World Program. We have only been here a day, and most of us are still trying to adjust to the intense altitude change. So far, we are enjoying our experience because we had a scenic day with simple observation.
This morning we took a tour of the beautiful botanical gardens in Parque La Carolina and we learned about the various eco-systems that Ecuador hosts. Thus, the garden just had an orchid show, with over 1100 orchids, so we discovered the in-depth beauty of those magnificent flowers.
Afterwards we went to the Teleferico, with is like a gondola aereotram, that took us to the top of the tallest mountain in the Quito area and we had a spectacular 180 degree view. Climbing up to 4000 meters was cold and dizzying, but it was worth it because we could see how gigantic Quito is and enjoy the majesty of those Andean mountains.
Then we went on a bus tour of the Southern neighborhoods of Quito, which are the poorer marginal districts.
We are staying in a centric part of Quito, so there is plenty to do. We are lodging in Saint´s Hotel, which is right by the huge Quicentro Mall and right next to the National soccer stadium.
We will be here until March 6th, and we will learn about a variety of topics and subjects, such as indigenous issues, politics, history, economics, medicinal plants, alternative medicine, the colonization, modernity versus antiquity, development versus conservation, and environmental problems. As always, academics and safety are important objectives on Friends World Trips. Please follow along.
Centered, Susan.
This morning we took a tour of the beautiful botanical gardens in Parque La Carolina and we learned about the various eco-systems that Ecuador hosts. Thus, the garden just had an orchid show, with over 1100 orchids, so we discovered the in-depth beauty of those magnificent flowers.
Afterwards we went to the Teleferico, with is like a gondola aereotram, that took us to the top of the tallest mountain in the Quito area and we had a spectacular 180 degree view. Climbing up to 4000 meters was cold and dizzying, but it was worth it because we could see how gigantic Quito is and enjoy the majesty of those Andean mountains.
Then we went on a bus tour of the Southern neighborhoods of Quito, which are the poorer marginal districts.
We are staying in a centric part of Quito, so there is plenty to do. We are lodging in Saint´s Hotel, which is right by the huge Quicentro Mall and right next to the National soccer stadium.
We will be here until March 6th, and we will learn about a variety of topics and subjects, such as indigenous issues, politics, history, economics, medicinal plants, alternative medicine, the colonization, modernity versus antiquity, development versus conservation, and environmental problems. As always, academics and safety are important objectives on Friends World Trips. Please follow along.
Centered, Susan.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Answer
Two Truths and One Lie /
Dos Verdades y Una Mentira
Guess which one is the lie / Adivine cual es la mentira:
-I am pregnant / Estoy embarazada. (NOT YET / TODAVIA NO)
-Jimmy and I are getting married tonight / Jimmy y yo nos casaremos esta noche. (YES / SI)
-We will have a wedding in July / Vamos a tener una boda en julio. (YES / SI)
Dos Verdades y Una Mentira
Guess which one is the lie / Adivine cual es la mentira:
-I am pregnant / Estoy embarazada. (NOT YET / TODAVIA NO)
-Jimmy and I are getting married tonight / Jimmy y yo nos casaremos esta noche. (YES / SI)
-We will have a wedding in July / Vamos a tener una boda en julio. (YES / SI)
THE News
Jimmy and I were married on Friday, January 26th, 2007. After exactly two years and five months of living together in Costa Rica, we signed the papers and we are now legally married. With Jimmy's brother Allan and our friend Chicho as our witnesses, the Lopez's family lawyer performed a nice little ceremony and pronounced us HUSBAND and WIFE.
We are planning a wedding in the month of July for our close friends and family.
Our marriage process is not tradiational, yet we are doing it this way because we are currently applying for the marriage visa so we can move to the United States. The marriage visa is long and hard, and it could take up to a year. Thus, we are starting now in hopes of moving to Colorado as soon as we can.
We went on our honey moon this weekend to the Arenal Volcano area, and it was perfect. We rented a car and stayed in a very nice hotel called Lavas Tacotal, with a perfect view of the active volcano from our bed. At night we could lay in our bed and see the red lava rivers flowing down the volcano flanks less than 1 miles away. It was possible to hear the volcanic explosions, which sounded like thunder. We went hiking in the National Park, soaked in natural hot springs and climed down to a huge waterfall. We are very blessed, privledged and thankful.
So, now I am Mrs. Susana Elizabeth Smith de Lopez, wife of Jimmy Gabriel Lopez Lopez. We are very happy, content and peaceful.
We are planning a wedding in the month of July for our close friends and family.
Our marriage process is not tradiational, yet we are doing it this way because we are currently applying for the marriage visa so we can move to the United States. The marriage visa is long and hard, and it could take up to a year. Thus, we are starting now in hopes of moving to Colorado as soon as we can.
We went on our honey moon this weekend to the Arenal Volcano area, and it was perfect. We rented a car and stayed in a very nice hotel called Lavas Tacotal, with a perfect view of the active volcano from our bed. At night we could lay in our bed and see the red lava rivers flowing down the volcano flanks less than 1 miles away. It was possible to hear the volcanic explosions, which sounded like thunder. We went hiking in the National Park, soaked in natural hot springs and climed down to a huge waterfall. We are very blessed, privledged and thankful.
So, now I am Mrs. Susana Elizabeth Smith de Lopez, wife of Jimmy Gabriel Lopez Lopez. We are very happy, content and peaceful.
To see ALL of our pictures from our marriage and honey moon digital photo album, please click here.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Mrs & Mr in front of Arenal Reservoir
The newly-weds in front of Arenal Volcano, in a rock river from a the 1992 explosion.Honey Moon
Stopping in Zarcero, a cute mountain town with a bush-animal garden and beautiful church.
Group Pictures after signing the marriage certificate
The Lawyer, Susana & Jimmy
Chicho, Susana & Jimmy, Allan Our witnesses signing the certificate
The lawyer signing 
Our friend Chicho
Jimmy's older brother Allan 
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Husband and Wife
After exactly two years and five months of living together in Costa Rica, Jimmy and I were married on January 26th. In the presence of only two witnesses, Jimmy's brother Allan and our friend Chicho, we said our vows and signed our marriage certificate at 8pm. The Lopez's family lawyer performed a nice little ceremony and pronounced us, "Marido y Mujer."
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Christmas 2006
Winter Wonder Land = White Christmas
Aunt Susu and Payson playing in the snow
The 3 Thomas' 
2006 Chrismas
Laura, Richard, Maggie and Payson
Elvita, Omayra (pregnant), Patrick and Baby Thomas
Uncle Mathews and Baby Thomas
Christmas 2006
Richard36, Susan 25, Patrick 33 and Mathews 39
Elvita 10, Maggie 5, Baby Thomas 5 months, Payson 8
Patrick and Elvita and SnowManMonday, December 18, 2006
Panama Trip Impatica Presentation
Please click here to see an Impatica Presentation about the two week academic field trip in Panama with the Friends World Program in November of 2006. Make sure your computer has Java installed and Mac users should use Safarri.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
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