Overnighting with an Indigenous
Family High in the Andes Mountains
Billy and
Akaisha Kaderli
We have a fireplace in our room. I thought
it would be nice to take the chill out of the air and light a small fire
before dinner. I ask mama if she would make one for us and she
agreed. Trying to be kind, I asked if I could help carry the wood in
from the outside. Her response was, sure if you would like to come
along, fine.
Only wearing my flip flops, we start walking down
the dirt road. Coming to a fork in the road we take the high one.
Upon walking further, I ask mama how far exactly is this wood pile? She
tells me it’s only 2 blocks mas or menos, so I figure no worries, I can
make it wearing these “slippery shoes”.

Mama and Vulcan Imbabura (14,775 ft)
We continue to walk and walk, up hills, breaking
off the road, over open canals of running water, down paths, to a public
bathing hole, passing herds of sheep, stepping over dung, and finally
back up to the road.
Mama remarks that we have gone in a circle, I am
wondering where the wood is. Not wanting to be impolite, I do not
question, but am recognizing it’s the same dirt road we previously
traveled. I again ask about the wood, and she responds by asking me if
this walk bothers me. No, I say, as the views over the lush valley are
stunning, and the sun is setting, lighting up the volcano Imbabura. We
arrive back at the lodge, after our 45 minute stroll, still without
firewood. Totally confused, I relent to the fact that there is not going
to be a fire, and that mama just needed to get out of the kitchen for a
walk.
Tunibamba, Ecuador
Ecuador Hotel and Travel Information

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