Trip to Ecuador Our trip to Ecuador is filling up: at the last retreat 11 members signed-up and an additional five are on the maybe list out of 12 spaces. The group includes architects, planners, landscape architects and engineers. The group also encompasses diverse cultural backgrounds which will enrich the experience. The $500 deposit is due at the end of October, sent to Marda Stothers at 2600 Warring Street, Berkeley, CA 94704. Call her at (415)977-8031. Marda is the overall trip coordinator and our member Gilda Puente-Peters from Ecuador will be leading the trip. The trip budget is expected to be around $ 2,000.00. This will include round trip tickets to Quito, lodging, and in some cases breakfast and local transportation. We are currently contacting local architects in Quito to plan some activities together and visit some offices. We also plan to visit the Colegio de Architectos, equivalent to the AIA, and will share a "parrillada" (barbecue) with Gilda's colleagues at a colonial farm outside of Quito. We will be visiting several Andean cities and small villages. One of the highlights will be viewing the colonial architecture in downtown Quito, dating to the 1600s, with its many churches, cloisters, museums and civic buildings. The modern northern part of Quito has many places of interest; we will enjoy the culture, local cuisine and scenic views. The trip starts at 9,000 feet and only goes up from there!! Ecuador is a small Andean country with a large architectural and cultural diversity. We will be visiting the Avenue of the Volcanoes, staying overnight at different colonial haciendas, tasting the local food, meeting artisans. We will take side trips to local markets, natural hot springs, folklore clubs. You will have the opportunity to stand on both hemispheres at the Equator. The weather is spring-like, so dressing in layers is the best bet since temperatures fluctuate daily due to the altitude. Members who wish to extend their stay in Ecuador may consider also visiting the Rain Forest, the Coastal Region (beaches) or the Galapagos Islands Please refer to the Sep/Oct Newsletter for complete trip itinerary. |
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Newsletter | Nov/Dec 2002