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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