Oh the sights we'll see.....

Just wanted to share an overview of what our days will entail for our trip. We leave KC bright and early on Saturday morning and after two connections we will arrive in the capital city of Quito, Ecuador 12 hours later. Quito is located high in the Andes mountains at an elevation of 10,000 ft. The next morning we will head out and take a side trip to La Cienega which is the oldest colonial style hotel in the province. La Cienega is located on the outskirts of the volcano, Cotopaxi. This volcano is on record as being the most active in Ecuador. If you are a climber, this mountain is considered a mountain climber's dream. Rising from 3800 meters, with a glacier starting at 5000 meters, the climbing experience is felt to be one of the best experiences. Along with enjoying being in the presence of such an amazing volcano, we will be able to take the time to appreciate La Cienega which is surrounded by the Andes mountains. It was converted into a mountainside lodge and has two meter thick walls carved from volcanic rock. From there we will begin the rest of the trek to Ambato, which is 3 1/2 hours south of Quito. We plan to arrive in Ambato early in the afternoon where we will have the oppoturnity to enjoy a lunch with all of the volunteers. We will then head to the hospital where we will begin screening patients for the upcoming surgeries. Monday through Thursday we will perform multiple surgeries and run pediatric and adult clinics. Friday morning we will wrap up any lingering items that we could not get to during the week and then head out for Hotel Termas de Papallacta, http://www.termaspapallacta.com/, to enjoy some rest and relaxation. The spa/resort is located on a high Andean valley at the entrance to the Amazon jungle. Here we can enjoy thermal baths, spa treatments, walking adventures at the Rancho del Canon (Canyon Ranch) or Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. We will leave the resort Saturday afternoon to head to Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) where we will have the opportunity to straddle the equator line. After that, we will head back to Quito for our last evening in Ecuador. We will spend our afternoon shopping in the famous Mercado Artisenal to buy any last mementos and then head back home the next day. I am sure the week will be filled with many wonderous moments, and I cannot wait to photograph the many sites and memories that I will be able to share with you here. I encourage all of you to watch the Medical Missions Foundation website, as well, for regular postings on our activities in the mission at www.mmfworld.org.