In Cayambe we stayed at Hacienda Guachala, a hacienda turned hostel, where we learned about the colonial hacienda system and how it still affects large parts of Ecuador. While at Guachala we visited a large rose plantation just down the road. 80% of the roses grown in the plantation are exported to other countries, most notably the United States, Russia, and parts of Europe. Since the 1970s, rose plantations owned by wealthy third parties have been cropping up around Ecuador. Ecuador hosts the ideal weather for growing roses with 12 hours of sunlight and warm equatorial weather every day. Our exploration of the rose plantation taught us about the most beautiful backbone of Ecuador’s economy.
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