Fun Times in Ecuador By: Lianna Oldham

For fall break, some students go out of town to another state or stay in-state and visit the county fair; however, Hillgrove’s Spanish students went to Ecuador for a week during their fall break. According to Britannica, “Ecuador, a country in northwestern South America, stands out as one of the world's most environmentally diverse nations, significantly contributing to environmental sciences. It holds a rich cultural heritage, once forming part of the Inca empire.” 

There are elements in every country’s culture that make it unique, such as sports, agriculture, and artifacts. Senior Reign Fleming explains how sports play a role in Ecuador’s culture, “So I think in like, every city, they have their own, like, what do you call it, their own stadium. And so we went to, what do you call yeah, but we went to Quito, but we went to a game, and it was like a lot of fun. Like we were on the less hype side. There was, like, the side in front of us, like they were, like, they were, like, really hyped. They were like, jumping up and down. There was like, definitely, like, live instruments like that were being played. So I think it's like, very important for them. It was like, and it was like, like, a less important game, like, those weren't the key players of that team, and it was still really hyped. So I think it's like, super important for them.” Junior Hannah Woodbury describes what architecture is like in another country. “There's a lot of Gothic buildings. I remember, like, a lot of the churches had, um, I forget the animal’s name, but a lot of the churches had like this animal on top with like pillars, and it was very, like Gothic.”

Being in another country also meant the Spanish students got to experience something new. Junior Marleigh Adams expresses her love for the change of scenery. “I really enjoyed the mountain. It was called Pinchincha, and it was really pretty scenery. And even though the altitude was crazy, we had a lot of fun.” According to Adventure-Life, “Ecuador Culture is as vibrant and beautiful as the hand-woven tapestries of its local artisans. Stemming from its long and rich history, Ecuadorian culture includes a fair mix of indigenous practices along with European colonial influence. Almost everyone in Ecuador has a mixed-race background, which has resulted in tremendous cultural diversity as well as unique customs and traditions across the whole country." Junior Hannah Woodbury expresses the liveliness of the music experienced in Ecuador, “It was very upbeat and very cheerful, and you felt like you could just get up and dance to it. You know” 

The trip to Ecuador offered Hillgrove’s Spanish students a unique and immersive cultural experience that went beyond the usual fall break activities. From fun sporting events, breathtaking natural scenery, and lively music. The students were able to connect with the rich diversity and history that makes Ecuador so special.