It has been 8 full days that I have been in Ecuador, and these 8 days has changed my life completely. It has opened my eyes to so many different issues going on that includes the Amazon Rainforest. It really surprises me that all of the oil in the Amazon Rainforest can only sustain the United States for 40 days. When I heard that statistic, my jaw dropped. 

The Rainforest is such a beautiful place, and it is and will always be such an amazing experience for me, and I will never forget this trip. I was able to meet so many different and unique people; from tribes, to cultural cities. Today, I met some people from a little tribe in the Amazon called the Waorani Tribe, and it was very touching to be able to meet people like that. Even though they don't have enough to eat every day, they are still able to put a smile on their faces and always be happy. I gave a couple of the kids in the tribe my lunch, and I can't even describe the look on their faces. Their faces lit up like they were getting presents in Christmas morning. I also gave a few gifts to other people in the tribe. 
I learned that its important to keep up a healthy lifestyle not only for the environment but also for ourselves. With that, and if places such as the United States and China weren't so dependent on oil, we would be able to save so many other places that are being chopped down because of oil drilling. Oil drilling will not only ruin the forest, but it will force all of these tribes out of their home, and their lifestyle. The Waorani people are very happy with their way of living, and it was an inspiring experience to be able to meet them. Two of the men that were part of the tribe, and was also our guides through the rainforest gave me a traditional Waorani name, which was really special to me. The name they gave me was ONkaye, which means something that holds fire within it.
Throughout the trip so far, I got to go to a hot springs, I was able to pet monkeys, meet new people and so much more. I cannot thank each one of you enough, because this is a trip that I will remember for the rest of my life. 

When I think about being able to go to Ecuador, I can’t help but smile. I am most excited about learning more about environmental sustainability. For the past couple of weeks, I have been watching Years of Living Dangerously, which airs on Showtime every Monday. It is about the human impact on climate change. I think this has so much to do with environmental sustainability because environmental sustainability means to minimize our impact on the environment through energy and water conservation. I have learned so much from that show, and I hope to be able to take part in many conversations about it in Ecuador. The goals I have set for myself are to be open to everything that I experience. I am most nervous about being away from my family, because I have never been away from them for more than about two days. A challenge that I might face during Sustainable Summer is to not being able to contact my family each and every day that I will be there. I think will overcome it because it will be such an amazing experience, it will be worth it. I will still be able to talk to my family during the trip, just not every day. I will try to experience new things and I am very excited to make new friends from so many different backgrounds. 

Thank you so much for helping me to be a part of this amazing opportunity. I have always wanted to study abroad, and to go to Ecuador. Not many teenagers can say that they are going to take part in an opportunity like this. I can’t wait to learn more about environmental sustainability. I think that is amazing that Sustainable Summer is teaching kids at this age about environmental sustainability in order for a more green and prepared future. Without your help, I would not have been able to experience this wonderful trip and opportunity.