Eight Days of Ecuador…Day 1

Join me on Day 1 of an incredible eight days of Ecuador photography travel abroad class! Nossi College of Art, a top art institution in Nashville, Tennessee, chose me to lead their first-ever overseas course. As a Nashville Commercial Photographer and educator, this was a dream come true! From April 20-27, I guided 12 eager students (10 females, 2 males) on an unforgettable journey. It was a special honor to be part of Nossi’s inaugural international program, celebrating their 45th anniversary.

Our mission for the class was to capture the essence of Ecuador. The vibrant personalities of its people, the rich culture, diverse landscapes, and varied terrain, including daily life, local food, and unique habitats. It was, in essence, an “Ecuador Paparazzi” assignment! Our Nashville group was buzzing with excitement, as none of us had ever visited Ecuador before, leaving us with no idea what incredible experiences awaited.

I’ve crafted this blog series to share our adventure, blending my professional photos (shot with my new Panasonic Lumix G8) with candid shots from both my phone and my students’ phones. Join us as we explore Ecuador through our lenses and learn about this fascinating country.

Embarking on an Ecuadorian Photography Adventure

Day 1 – Friday, April 20: Journey to Guayaquil

Our journey began bright and early on Friday, April 20. We had to be at the Nashville (BNA) airport by 3:30 AM to navigate check-in with American Airlines, preparing for our 6:05 AM flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador. For several students, this was their first time flying, and for many, their first international trip, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation.

Ecuador, nestled between Colombia and Peru along the Pacific Ocean, is a country rich in natural resources. Its economy relies heavily on petroleum and agricultural products; it’s a major exporter of bananas and the seventh-largest producer of cocoa. The nation also cultivates coffee, rice, potatoes, flowers, sugarcane, and plantains, alongside producing fish, shrimp, and balsa wood. Our adventure had officially begun!

We had a grueling 6-hour layover in Miami that felt like a lifetime, with all the excitement of wanting to hurry up and get there.

We arrived at Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador (more than 3 million people), by around 7 PM. We were greeted by Alfredo Harmsen, Chantal Fontaine, and our bus driver. Alfredo gave each of us a sample of Pan de Yuca, small cheesy bread made with yuca flour and cheese that is popular in Ecuador, as we got on the bus.

We checked into the Manso Boutique Guesthouse Hotel, and I loved the decor. My favorite colors and eclectic style compete with AC in my room….one of the last times I would have AC available, as I would soon learn.

We ate a quick dinner prepared by the hotel, our first Ecuadorian meal of chicken, rice, and plantains.

After dinner, Alfredo and Chantal had a group of locals and a “Chiva Farrera” lined up to give us a taste of the city from 9:30 PM to 11:30 PM. The colorful bus gave us a tour of the city while blasting loud dance tunes so everyone could dance.

The people in the cars along the streets and highways beeped their horns, smiling and showing thumbs up as they passed by our group on the bus.

By midnight, we were finally crawling into bed to end our first day of travel, exhausted but excited about the days ahead.  

We all made it with our luggage, so we were off to a good start. The first day of travel is always tough, and there is not much to photograph in airports, planes, and hotel rooms, but there will be a lot for you to look at soon, I promise. Stay tuned, I will be sharing our second day of travel soon. I hope you will come back and follow along!

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