Looking up to the sky, to the layers of white, thin clouds, blending into one another and into the sun, forming an orange-red glow. There's something different about the sky here. When you look up, it's like it never ends. The sky seems so limitless.

With a soft handshake or kiss on the cheek, Ecuadorian love is deep, beautiful, and everywhere. Urban graffiti is decorated with colors, friendship, and teenage love confessions. Everyone is your neighbor, your tia, your pana.

I felt this powerful, but subtle love when I stayed with a family in San Jose, a strong, united Kichwa community where Gracie, another winter intern, and I participated in artisan workshops by their women's group. Their door is always open, and it's difficult to keep it closed for long when four of their seven children live only a few feet away. Their children, their grandchildren, and even their great-grandchildren all live together in harmony. It reminds me a lot of college (with much better food) where I live in a house of 70+ loud, loving women who are my second family, where there was always someone around to just sit down next to and just be, together. In this warm household in San Jose, I felt so much love and affection under one roof. Ronnie was teaching me some cool card tricks, while Freddy ran around with the biggest personality I've ever seen from a two and a half year old, while Saria remarkably hung onto my leg so I would spin her around. The older girls and mothers always included me in conversations and we all made fun of the children (or me) together. It is incredible to live in a house full of mothers. Even Don Bartolo, the only grown man in the house, hung around with all the ladies, joking around, taking care of the children, and cooking. If I were in the United States reading about this situation before my Runa internship, I would have negatively remarked on the societal role of women in the household, their low income, etc. But I didn't feel any of that here. These women are loud, funny, and beautiful. No matter what, there is always delicious plantains and a cooked meal for anybody who walks in the door. They voiced their thoughts and concerns together. These women empowered themselves in any way they could by forming a women's artisan group, spending time together, loving one another, which something that I needed to learn and appreciate.

And I can't forget the lessons I learned from the beautifully unique "Runa family" which, after this internship, earned its name. Runa works long, hard hours, and yet still manage to joke around with one another and go for beers after work. Maybe it's their passion or too much time spent together, but I don't think any other office is as kindhearted and loving as this Archidona office. These wonderful people make this office feel like a home away from home.

To feel this air, to see this beauty (when Carnaval foam isn't stinging your eyes) - it's unbelievable that I was really here. It's been truly a blessing. Although I'm ready for the next chapter of my life, honestly, it's so hard to leave this place. As often as my feelings have changed about work or interests, all I know is that in Ecuadorian Amazon, the sky, the possibility to do something good, is limitless.