Day 16/17: Cotopaxi & Home Today we headed up to Cotopaxi, the second largest volcano in Ecuador. We didn't actually go up the volcano because it will usually take people at least two days to hike to the top of the volcano; they start the hike at night and arrive in the morning. Unfortunately, it was very cloudy over the volcano so we didn’t have a clear view of it. Fortunately, on our drive back to the hotel from Quilotoa we were able to clearly see Cotopaxi. Diego informed the group that Cotopaxi will most likely erupt in the next 5 to 10 years. We didn't stay for long because it was cold and windy and we had to grab some lunch before the airport.
Cotopaxi from afar
We stopped at a cute little pizza shop that looked like it was a small family business. In front of the shop, which resembled a front yard, they had hammocks and swings. It was perfect because it was absolutely beautiful outside. We ended up just laying in the grass or lounging in the hammocks until it was time to head to the airport. Today we had two flights to catch. Our first flight was a 45 minute ride back to Guayaquil. Once we arrived it was time to go our separate ways and say goodbye to Diego. Once we arrived in Guayaquil, we had a few hours to spare while waiting for our flight home. While waiting the group ate dinner together and discussed about our experiences on the trip. We boarded our flight and we took off around 11pm. Since we had about a 6 and 1/2 hour flight, everyone fell asleep and around 5am we landed at JFK Airport, New York. Once we collected our belongings it was time for our last road trip to our final destination; Stockton University. It was almost a 3 hour drive and I think just about everyone fell asleep. We finally made it back and sadly we had to say goodbye to each other.
We made it to New York
This trip was truly an amazing experience and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. Back in 2017/2018, the last Ecuador trip, I thought about going on it but I talked myself out of it because of fear. When this opportunity came about again I knew I had to take it and I am so glad that I did. I got to explore the Amazon, the Andes, the Cloud Forests, and the Galápagos Islands in a matter of two weeks. Not many people get to say that! Visiting these beautiful ecosystems has made me love and appreciate the environment so much more. Spending time with the indigenous tribes has also made me appreciate life so much more as well. You never really know how fortunate you are and sometimes even how blindsided you are to the world you live in until you walk in someone else’s shoes. Seeing the way they live made me want to better my life, in any way that I can. Whether it being spending less time with electronics and more outside in the environment or just spending more time with loved ones. I also met incredible people, new friends that I now share these incredible memories with. Friends that I will always cherish and memories that I will never forget.