Amy came to town!

Shortly after I returned from the states in August, one of my all time favorite redheads came to visit.  Amy is the most well travelled person I know as her work sends her to Africa often.  She was one of the biggest inspirations for us to embark on this adventure.  It was such a treat to have her here and be able to show her around a part of the world she has yet to explore.

 Pictures from our trip to Otavalo.  Waterfalls, crater lakes, hiking, car trouble, shopping, and good times.

Next we headed to Mindo, a cloud forest.  Our hostel, El Monte, was amazing and so isolated that the only way in was to cross a river on this hand pulled contraption.  Hold onto your bags!

El Monte is known for their bird watching hikes, so we indulged Amy's newest hobby.  It was actually very cool.

In the main lodge building.  Beautiful place.

Back in Quito, heading to the top of the Basilica.  This is one of my favorite things to do with visitors as it would NEVER be allowed in America.  It is very dangerous, but very worth the view!

Next we headed to Banos.  Took a canopy ride over some waterfalls.  Note our tiny shadow in the photo on the left.  We were very high.  It was beautiful.

Back in Quito for a trip to the best view in Quito, up the TeleferiQo!  It was so good to catch up with the very old friend who we have not seen in a long time.  Thanks for visiting Amy, let's not let so much time go by before we see each other again!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone near and far!  

Sorry for the lack of updates, it's been a whirlwind few months since we got back from the states where we had a fantastic visit.  Lots of great quality time with friends and craving satisfying experiences.  I drank every dark beer I could get my mitts around and loved it!

Here are some photos from our time in the states.  It was a fast 3 weeks, but I did my best to get around to see everyone.  Thanks to all who made some time for us!

Took this shot from the plane as I was coming into Providence airport.  Yes, that it Watch Hill on a beautiful summer day.  I was very excited!!

Spent my first few days on the beach with my brother and his family.  On the left are 2 of my (3) godsons, Devon, also my nephew, (l) and Liam (r) and my brother trying to corral them for the photo for me. The right is the beautiful Summer, stopping only long enough for the photo before chasing me with that sand ball.

One of the most perfect spots in the world (Watch Hill, Rhode Island).

A great evening with friends in Connecticut.

Took a drive to visit one of my best friends in the whole world in upstate New York.  Stopped to stretch my legs at a beautiful lakeside rest stop along the thruway and was very annoyed to find this sign posted in front of a beautiful shaded picnic area near the water.  Come on America!  Loosen Up!!

Ah, the Finger Lakes Wine Region.  Heaven.

Swung back through Boston to get a glimpse of of these beautiful faces.  Love my ladies!

On to Newport next.  Awesome times. 

Couldn't miss a chance to spend a day with a great friend and her amazing girls.  (Pictured is

one of my favorite 7 year olds on the planet!)

Amazing New England summer sunset witnessed from a beautiful deck on the water with friends and cocktails.  Where else could one possibly want to be in that moment.  Perfection.

Our visit home was perfect and amazing and definitely made me miss the states and all it has to offer.  But, it also reminded me how many rules there are!  Everything is very safe and clean in the states.  It is wonderful in many ways, but feels a little sanitized in many others.  As much as I love the lack of litter and street dogs that I endure in Ecuador, I don't like all the signs everywhere that tell me what I can't do (see the pets prohibited sign above for the best example).  It reminded me how much I appreciate the sense of personal responsibility that is a requirement to live in Ecuador.  There is no nanny state here ensuring that you don't fall in that hole in the sidewalk or that you're wearing a helmet when riding your bike.  There isn't anyone to sue here, so people need to take care of themselves.  It is empowering, and I love being responsible for my own safety.  Ecuador isn't perfect (see recent news about journalistic censorship), but it does make you feel alive to be here!

Anyway, onto the next update.  Happy New Year!

359 Days Later...

After arriving in Ecuador almost an entire year ago, I'm finally headed back to Rhode Island!!!  I'm so excited to go home to see family and friends and soak in the Rhode Island summer that I have been missing so much. Other things I can't wait for:

• Yummy Dark Beer - the beer in Ecuador is nothing to write home about
• No litter - the pervasive liter in Ecuador is so sad considering the natural beauty of this country
• No street dogs - I've learned to tune them out, but its still hard everyday
• Salt & Vinegar Chips - been craving this one for months!
• Driving a reliable (rental) car - yep our car is in the shop AGAIN! I think we can officially say we bought a lemon
• Beach Days - 'nuff said
• New England sunsets
• Southsides
• Ceaser Salads
• Cam's Pizza
• Laughing with old friends
• People who speak english
• Knowing how to navigate ... everything
• Gaining an appreciation that only leaving a place can bring you - Ecuador is draining me a little these days and I think leaving it will remind me why I love it

Spencer has already been home for 2 weeks sending me updates on beach days, cocktails and visits with friends. I'm so excited that its finally my turn to join him! See you stateside!

A Quick Retreat

We celebrated our 8th Anniversary a few weeks ago!!! Seriously, where does the time go?!? Anyway, we decided to take ourselves into the countryside for a little mid week getaway at lakeside resort. We'd been hearing tales of the heatwave in the northeast and were craving a summertime swim and some sun. Unfortunately, we were quickly reminded that we are in the mountains and it can be very cold! No summertime feeling for us, but it was a great evening anyway. Here are a few photos:

Spencer finally found his water, though he didn't get to go in. :(

 

Due to the chilly mountain evening I couldn't get away from the roaring fire. It was awesome.

Safety First

Another great example of the extensive safety standards here in Ecuador:

In case you can't see it, that is a metal ladder (on the left) leaning on a live power line over our car. Needless to say we decided to move our car before the man started climbing.

An Anniversary, of sorts

On Friday, July 19th I quietly and privately celebrated my one year anniversary of not working. That's right, an entire year has passed since I quit my very good job that I had been at for over 7 years to head out on this adventure. Hard to believe!

Of course I don't regret it one bit, but I often reflect on the old days of a busy schedule, early mornings, late nights, stress, too little vacation, intellectual challenges, interactions with people in my shared field of interest, that sense of satisfaction for a job well done, a great boss etc etc. I have immensely enjoyed this once in a lifetime opportunity to make my day my own for such an extended period of time and I am incredibly appreciative of all I've been able to do this past year including travelling, learning to cook, reading for pleasure, spending time with Spencer and Maia, working on myself.

I did start grad school 2 months ago, so I am slowly getting back into the arena that keeps me buzzing. I love it so far and am so excited to keep learning and earn my masters....finally! And, believe it or not, I really do look forward to resuming my career someday soon. Another item for the 'reasons we should go back to the US next June' list.

Not working full time hasn't been all rainbows and cupcakes this year, though, as I did feel the need to contribute in some way to our life down here, so in November I started teaching ESL (english as a second language) at the Language Center housed at Spencer's school. With zero training and qualifications other than being a native speaker, they put me in a room with Ecuadorians and said "teach", which I proceeded to do upwards of 20 hours per week some weeks for a meager $7 per hour (ouch, talk about a pay cut). Several students and many months later I can confidently say that teaching ESL is another calling I have not missed.  It's HARD! English is a stupid language!! It's full of irregularities and exceptions and can be painful to teach to anyone who has the propensity to ask "why?" when faced with some random exception (like me). I have a incredible appreciation for my friends in this field and will be sure to give them hugs next time I see them.

My favorite little anecdote from my teaching experiences this year came near the beginning when I subbed for a 4 hour Saturday class of 5 teenagers. Keep in mind this was very early on in my whole teaching / Ecuadorian experience. I was given very little instruction other than a teacher's guide and told that at some point during the morning I would have to do a cooking demonstration. "Excuse me, I don't cook. How can I teach someone else to cook."  No problem, she says and begins to write some notes on a card. A minute later she hands me the card and says "take this, you'll be fine" while ushering me out of her office with haste (I don't think she wanted me to ask any other questions). Once outside, I read the card and had a good laugh.  I've been meaning to share this since that day:

What more could I need?!?! I can't make this stuff up! Needless to say when this box was brought to my classroom mid way through the morning with a bowl of luke warm beans I did my best to "teach" teenagers how to make burritos in a classroom with no stove, no sink, no other supplies.

But, they were teenagers and they did not seem to notice or care one bit because they got to eat bean burritos and drink coke for a while in the middle of class.

One of the best things this adventure in Ecuador has taught me (or at least, reaffirmed) is not to take things too seriously. It'll work out.

Long Overdue Update

Apologies for our absence! The last month and a half have been super busy here.

Three big pieces of news to share, the first and most important, is that Spencer is done with his first school year abroad! It was a long and difficult year full of drama and scandal, stories that we will be sure to share when we see you in person. But, it is over finally and was a great success for him.

The second is that we moved!! As I mentioned a few times, we had been anxious to move from our previous apartment for a number of reason that I wont belabor here, and we could not be happier in our new place! We are in an awesome new neighborhood very close to a number of our good friends. In fact, our new neighborhood is affectionately known as 'gringo-landia' by many of us here because so many people live within a few blocks of each other. We're a little further from Spencer's school, but much closer to some good restaurants and other amenities that we can now enjoy. It's wonderfully walk-able, which is awesome! I will post some photos soon.

The third big piece of news and the one that has kept me too busy to be posting as often as I'd like is that I started a graduate school program, finally! I am currently pursuing my masters in non-profit management at Northeastern University in Boston. I am doing the program on-line. I just wrapped up my first 2 classes and am very proud to say that I am getting A's so far! I've always wanted to get my masters and I'm so excited that I'm finally doing it. Another item to check off my bucket list (coming soon). Unfortunately, it is a lot of work and requires a ton of writing each week so I get pretty tapped out and it makes it difficult to come here to post updates, but I will do my best.  Stay tuned.

Finally, we will be back in the states in a few short weeks and hope to catch up with everyone! We are very excited to come home after being away for an entire year. There are so many things we're looking forward to  I can't list them all here. See you soon!

Here are some photos from the last month or so:

  

June has brought some amazing sunsets from our new deck

 

A couple of photos from our small housewarming party. Our awesome friends Kain and Emily moved into the apartment right next door to ours, so it was a co-hosted event. We love having them next door and are able enjoy  many sunset drinks on the lanai.

We celebrated Emily's 32nd birthday shortly after moving in. These cakes were made by the amazing Kate.

  

Maia and I have been enjoying long walks in the park behind our house. Same park as before, but now we get to enjoying from a whole new angle. This is still my favorite part about this city! Maia loves finding cows, I don't think they love her, though.

 

 

Some shots from our neighborhood. I'm in love with this pink tree, I don't know what it is, but it reminds me of something from a Dr. Seuss book. The other is some roof dogs that greet us daily.

 

The park is full of these beautiful flowers that smell amazing. 

I was surprised to see something truly American at the store the other day - Cranberry Sauce! Unfortunately, I don't think they knew what to do with it and stocked it next to the barbecue sauce and A1. Huh? I think they just went with 'sauce'. 

An end of year party with some good friends - left to right - Graham, Kain, Big Spence, Devin, Gregg.