Leave the Andes. Meet the family.
Meet in Quito and begin the journey toward the tropical lowlands.
Travel through changing mountain scenery as the route moves from páramo toward tropical vegetation.
Arrive in the community, meet your host family and settle into the communal accommodation.
Lunch and an introduction to local foods including maito and anoila, with the opportunity to participate in preparation.
Walk through the plantations, tasting seasonal fruits when available and learning about cacao.
Learn about traditional Tsáchila red hair colouring and body painting, with an opportunity to participate.
Do absolutely nothing.
Find a hammock. You've learned enough for an hour.
Dinner with the community.
Share an evening of traditional marimba music and dance with the family.
Experience a traditional cleansing ceremony shared within the community.
Settle in for the night in the communal cabin.
That should feel fairly far away by now.
