Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) from Ohio State University Extension are spending this week in Otavalo Ecuador assisting 23 communities protect their water supply by collecting seedlings and seeds, planting trees, weeding and other gardening activities. We are working with the Tandana Foundation (more on them later in the week) to help the communities grow trees for planting in order to prevent erosion and therefore protecting their water supply. The staff at the foundation has worked diligently over the last several years to develop relationships in this area and to work with the communities to develop projects that will help to improve the quality of life for the indigenous Andean people.
Arrival Begins with an Earthquake!
I am going to share our adventure with you this week as we will be here until Friday Feb. 15th. Nineteen of us left Ohio on Friday and arrived in Quito, Ecuador at 11:30 pm. After the 2 hour bus ride, and check in at the La Posada Del Quinde in Otavalo, it was about 3:00 am before we got in bed. At 6:00 am the rooster crowed, dogs barked and our day began! And boy did it begin with a rumble – we experienced the 6.9 earthquake that hit in Columbia, about 3 hours north of us. It was quite an experience to be eating breakfast and feel the floor roll and watch the hanging pots shake. It lasted for about 7-8 minutes and then subsided. We heard reports that no one was hurt, thank goodness!
Next, Visiting the Largest Market in Ecudor
EMGS at Market Day in Otavalo (Click photo to enlarge)
Saturday was an easy day before the work began. We had a chance to experience the largest market in Ecuador and savor all of the colors and sights. It was almost overwhelming at first but don’t worry, we got the hang of spending money and had a blast doing so! The colors in the market are brilliant and can be found in clothing (the children’s outfits were absolutely adorable), scarves, alpaca wraps, hats, and so much more. Before dinner we had a quick Spanish lesson to help us learn a few necessary phrases. I used my favorite at the market several times – quanto valle, how much is it worth????? After that, well, I had to get out the note pad and write the price! We had dinner and almost all were in bed by 9:00 pm.
Up the Mountain to Work and Learn at the Vivero (Nursery)
On Sunday, we got up early, had a great breakfast (food is plentiful and good) and got on our bus to go up the mountain to the vivero (nursery). This nursery was developed by all of the communities and Tandana volunteers to grow the trees. Matias is the proud manager of the nursery and couldn’t wait until we got there.
After receiving an overview of the nursery and the purpose, 19 EMGs went to work.The foundation kind of thought that maybe we would be bored with our work and it wouldn’t meet our expectations. What they learned was that EMGs don’t mind a little weeding – in fact, we love to weed and work outside. For us, it was such a pleasure to work in the “garden,” something we haven’t done in few months. After our morning work session we had a picnic and headed back to the bus.
 Matias (red jacket) and Aaron (green, staff) teach about the trees they have planted (Click photo to enlarge) |
 EMGs weeding planting bed (Click photo to enlarge) |
When one volunteer asked Matias what he thought about our work, she said she didn’t need an intrepreter! He said gracias so many times and smiled the entire walk up the hill. What we did in 2 hours would have taken him more than 2-3 days. In addition we brought along one of our favorite tools, the soil knife. The staff and Matias loved these! We are leaving these, gloves, kneeling pads, and some other supplies for the nursery.
One of my highlights of the day was teaching Matias how to use a hand lens. When he brought a large grub up to his lens and saw the mouthparts he was estatic. We practiced with a few more insects until he got the hang of it and when I gave him the lens to keep, once again, he was so very grateful. The EMGs loved weeding, digging a few holes to plant a windbreak, cleaning out the side of the hill and the general camaraderie of many hands making fast work.
After Work, Some Fun in San Antonio, and Preparing for a School Trip Tomorrow
After this we went to San Antonio, a town known for it’s wood carvings. They were having an International Chain Saw competition in the square along with a festival and parade. This week is carnaval which is similar to Mardi Gras. The kids go around the town spraying everyone with a foamy soap that looks kind of like shaving cream. Several of us got it!
Tomorrow it’s off to school where we will be teaching 6th graders about plants and then planting 80 trees with the kids. Then we will go to the Condor Park and to see a master weaver. Later in the week we will be working again in the nursery and taking a cooking lesson. I’ll be posting periodically this week and sharing our adventure with you.
–I am Pam Bennett, State EMG Coordinator for OSU Extension and having an incredible time in Otavalo, Ecuador!
Tell Eunice to have a great time. Wish I were there!
Wonderful experience for everyone. Enjoy reading the blog. Good luck to each of you and enjoy every moment of it.
Will do Karen Long!
Fabulous blog Pam. Thanks for sharing! Prayers for beautiful weather, safe travels, and much learning. All of us in Ohio (freezing cold) wish we were there!
What an incredible experience and you get to do good works too! Great job everyone! Hopefully you will not feel any more rumblings beneath your feet!
Thanks for the update!/tammy
The pictures are fantastic. Did you purchase items to fill your suitcases on the return trip? Hope you and the group are haveing a great time. Germination is in full swing at the greenhouse. Everything well here.
Hi to all of my homies. I think of you all every day. Are the weeds the same? different? What is the soil like? loamy or rocky? volcanic? clay? More pics, please.
So sorry you got off to a shaky start; however, it sounds wonderful – and the pictures are terrific. Have a great time!
The soil is incredible – a rich sandy loam, vocanic, and so well drained it’s crazy.
My suitcases are full and my pockets are empty! We are having a blast and can’t wait to bring more people next year. Great to hear about germination and I have no doubts that you are taking good care of things.
Thanks Brian but I wouldn’t say the weather was great – though not in the 40s. We have been wearing long sleeves and 2-3 layers! But then the sun comes out and we fry! Thanks for reading the blog Brian!
Fantastic into Pam…thanks for sharing. Hope we can work with our local newspaper to get some of this info printed. Was Cathe able to get the 3 doz packs of gloves in her luggage? Continue to be safe and enjoy this marvelous experience.
Tell Eunice to take lots of pictures. The Union Co. MGs are looking forward to her presentation in March.
Thanks for sharing the great experience!
Thanks for sharing!!! What a great experience!! How did the children do with their planting? Did they get excited!!
thanks for the great blog! i look forward to future posts.
please tell cathe that meridith in rome says “ciao.”
What fun! And what stories you’ll have to tell (the long version). I’ll be particularly interested in hearing about the cooking class. Take pictures of the kitchen and the process! Oh, and by the way, it’s interesting that you were helping the manager look closely at a SLUG, not your favorite thing!
Great blog, Pam. And the soil knife beat goes on. Isnt it amazing how gardeners speak a “special” language, no matter what is their native tongue? Have a great time and enjoy God’s work.
Put me at the top of the list for next year!
Hopefully there won’t be an earthquake!
Great work and keep sharing!
Laurie she is working really hard to get her presentation perfect!@ I am cracking the whip too! I had to teach her how to use her camera. She is doing great and we have had a blast.
Rose,
THe gloves were fantastic and I really appreciate your donation. The will definitely be put to good use. We will have OSUE do a template write up on the trip and then have the counties customize it.
Thanks again Rose!
Thanks for reading this Laura Kunkle!
Thanks Carol and I’ll get photos of the class. I guess everything we will be doing tomorrow is authentic – no potato peeler, just knives. we will also have a chance to see one of the young women’s work on the clothing. The embroidery is beautiful.
Faye you will love it and you will be on the list for next year for sure!
Billy, they were so great to work with. They loved it!
It is so good to hear about your experience.
I am sure you are at home in your own bed and thinking
your trip was a wonderful dream.
I met some of you on the airplane.
would love to join a group like this! My husband and I are NJ gardners and wonder if you would consider letting us join you next year on the trip?
Adele,
We are planning on a trip in November and again in Feb. We would love to have other MGVs join us!