Ecuador's Beautiful Children

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One of the things that has made the biggest impression on us this adventure to Ecuador has been the children — Ecuador's sweet, beautiful children. If children reflect the soul of a country, then Ecuador's soul is both gentle and kind.

Again and again, we have witnessed happy children playing, brothers and sisters showing genuine care and affection for their smaller siblings, and a sweetness of spirit that permeates all.

The Ecuadorian children we've observed live in cities, towns, and villages. Many times, they are working along side their parents, or playing patiently while their parents toil nearby at their job or business.

The children we've witnessed are not rich in toys, but they are wealthy in spirit and imagination. There's nothing more beautiful than the sound of a child's laughter, and we've heard a lot of that in Ecuador.

The thing we have not heard are temper tantrums, meltdowns, or whining. Overwhelmingly, the children seem content, peaceful, and secure. They have large extended families, and everyone seems to know and look out for everyone else's children.

There are a lot of lessons to be learned from the children we've seen here, and from the way families and children relate, with love and kindness.

We're leaving Ecuador tomorrow, so I'm dedicating my final Ecuadorian blog to the children in this amazing country with the hope they may always keep the sweetness of spirit we have been so fortunate to witness these past three months, and that their laughter may always ring to the beautiful blue Ecuadorian skies.

Thanks for coming along with us on our excellent adventure.

Happy Travels,

Katie and Jack

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