Day 10- Colorado Springs, Denver

– Brianna Elgart

Today was another fantastic day on Etgar 36! We kicked off our day in Denver, Colorado by visiting the Food Bank of the Rockies.

Here, we received a private tour of the facility and had an opportunity to ask questions about the nonprofit organization and the issue of hunger. We learned that 15% of Americans are experiencing food insecurity and that $1 can provide four meals for people in need.

Next, we had the opportunity to walk the 16th Street Mall and enjoyed lunch there. After lunch, we visited the fair trade store, Ten Thousand Villages. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit organization founded in 1946. Ten Thousand Villages works to bolster fair trade, gender equality, women’s rights, and long term relationships with individuals from over 38 different nations in the developing world. The organization helps these individuals by purchasing their original works of art and providing them with a steady income.

They spoke to us about the issue of Fair Trade and also did some exercises with us to show the world’s economic inequality as well as the income gap in America.It was amazing to see the beautiful products created by these artisans in the store and the impact the organization is having on them. Everyone really enjoyed shopping in the store as well!

After we had a great time at the store, we met with Jim Pfaff, a conservative activist, who has worked with Focus On The Family. He told us his opinions, which disclaimed man-made climate change and were against same-sex marriage. Although most of us squirmed in our seats and strongly disagreed with him, listening to him only made our opinions and debate strategies stronger! We spent over an hour in questions and answers trying to understand each other’s views.

We calmed down on at the Garden of the Gods! It is a beautiful Red Rock formation!

We had our wrap up to discuss our time in Denver while looking out over the fantastic scenery. Lastly, we had dinner and then enjoyed a game of bowling!

It was a great day to be “on the road”!