tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167954202024-03-18T04:02:48.772+01:00Budget NomadRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385881064250411161noreply@blogger.comBlogger2548125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-57528621868627694162015-08-19T15:51:00.002+02:002015-08-19T15:51:52.792+02:00Look Here and You Won't Find Me <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2D0GnoQwiQ/VdSI_XJ4A3I/AAAAAAAAPt4/s44AXQpyoeI/s1600/two.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img border="0" height="102" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2D0GnoQwiQ/VdSI_XJ4A3I/AAAAAAAAPt4/s44AXQpyoeI/s400/two.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This budgetnomad.blogspot.com was one side, but it is now closed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 2nd and new side is <a href="http://www.budgetnomad.net/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Find Budget Nomad now at <a href="http://www.budgetnomad.net/">www.budgetnomad.net</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hoping to see you in the new digs!</span></span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-199092553891671172015-08-19T15:46:00.001+02:002015-08-19T15:46:30.272+02:00Budget Nomad Has Moved!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyAWjz1Hl3Q/VdR2YSUWzOI/AAAAAAAAPto/HumimdjGquQ/s1600/moved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyAWjz1Hl3Q/VdR2YSUWzOI/AAAAAAAAPto/HumimdjGquQ/s400/moved.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-size: large;">f you have enjoyed Budget Nomad and want to continue to do so, you will have to look in a new location. From now on, you will need to direct your browser to <a href="http://www.budgetnomad.net/">http://www.budgetnomad.net</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Budget Nomad decided after 2,547 posts and 604,936 page views, I decided it was time to look more professional with a professional URL and site. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now before you get disappointed, I have to warn you...not all of the boxes are unpacked yet. There is still some decorating to get done to make it all pretty and really welcoming. However, I think you will find a warm welcome if you head over there now. You can watch it evolve.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for sticking with Budget Nomad. You are an important part of the process. Don't forget to Like and Share pages. It keeps my spirits up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">See you over on the other side. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.budgetnomad.net/" target="_blank">Budget Nomad</a></span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-71727126166132151672015-07-31T15:34:00.004+02:002015-07-31T15:34:50.483+02:00Budget Nomad is Moving<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After we returned from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a>, there just was not enough time in the day to do everything that I wanted to do. What fell by the side of the road was this blog.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After Ecuador, we traveled <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_in_Serbia" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="List of diplomatic missions in Serbia">to Serbia</a>. I did not blog the trip. We were with Kat McFadden and Geoff Riddle. Much of our day was touring around, while the evenings were consumed by competitive rounds of Cribbage.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In July, Ron and I traveled to North<u>ern</u> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.3333333333,-8.0&spn=10.0,10.0&q=53.3333333333,-8.0%20(Ireland)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ireland">Ireland</a>, primarily in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=54.5969444444,-5.92916666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=54.5969444444,-5.92916666667%20(Belfast)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Belfast">Belfast</a>, but with side trips during our week stay. We immediately followed this with two weeks in Ireland, where we vacationed with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_District" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Susan District">Susan</a> and Dick Leonard. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now that there has been a hiatus, I am feeling the loss from my lack of blogging. Yet, I still needed something to refresh the site and my attitude. Today, I have taken the first step in that direction.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Budget Nomad will be leaving here soon and migrating to a brand new dedicated site. It will no longer be a blogger creation, but a more professional one. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned!</span></span>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385881064250411161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-9655032961993078952015-04-12T11:10:00.003+02:002015-04-12T11:10:52.694+02:00Reasons to Love Ecuador<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NelnRiOG_-0/VSo2bUyR4bI/AAAAAAAAPnA/I2vCDKFmUks/s1600/I%2Blove%2BEcuador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NelnRiOG_-0/VSo2bUyR4bI/AAAAAAAAPnA/I2vCDKFmUks/s1600/I%2Blove%2BEcuador.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The capital, officially named <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">San Francisco de Quito</a>, but often referred to as Quito was a component of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_Empire" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Inca Empire">Inca Empire</a> at one time; therefore, it has some of the best-preserved early colonial architecture in South America. UNESCO has determed that Quito has the largest, best-preserved, and least-altered historic center (320 hectares) in Latin America. It is the first of all <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="World Heritage Site">World Cultural Heritage Sites</a>, receiving the honor in 1978. <br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a> is divided into four geographical regions: Pacific Coastal Area (Litoral), Andean Highlands (Sierra), Amazon Rain Forest (Oriente) and The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="Galápagos Islands">Galapagos Islands</a>.<br /><br />There are 25 000 species of plants present in the country, which represents approximately 10% of all plants known in the world.<br /><br />The world's smallest orchid (miniscule orchid measuring 2.1mm wide) was discovered in Ecuador.<br /><br />The number of orchid species is calculated at 4,100.<br /><br />Roses are quickly becoming one of Ecuador's major exports as well as other flowers such as orchids & bromeliads. <br /><br />This is home to more than 1,600 species of birds, which is more than twice the number found on any one of any of the entire continents of North America, Europe or Australia.<br /><br />There are 131 species of hummingbirds here, creating the world's highest diversity of hummingbird species.<br /><br />Ecuador's insect species number more than a million, including 4,500 species of butterflies. <br />There are three species of vampire bats found in the world; all exist here.<br />The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpback_whale" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Humpback whale">Humpback whales</a> (megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from the Antarctic South Pole to tropical waters off the coast of Ecuador (June to September) to mate and give birth to their calves.<br /><br />In Ecuador, there was a newly discovered species of gecko, small enough at its full-grown size to rest comfortably on the eraser of a pencil.<br /><br />Farms surrounding the coastal <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-2.18333333333,-79.8833333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-2.18333333333,-79.8833333333%20(Guayaquil)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Guayaquil">city of Guayaquil</a> have an output of 60 per cent of the world's high-grade fine cocoa making it the world's capital of the sweet delicacy. <br /><br />Ecuador exports more bananas than any other country in the world.<br /><br />Manta, Ecuador claims to be the Tuna Capital of the World.<br /><br />Quinine, the first drug used to prevent and treat malaria, is obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree that grows in Ecuador.<br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_hat" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Panama hat">Panama hats</a> are of Ecuadorian origin - the world's finest Panama hats are handmade in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-1.05,-80.6666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-1.05,-80.6666666667%20(Montecristi%2C%20Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Montecristi, Ecuador">Montecristi, Ecuador</a><br /><br />Vilcabamba is called the Valley of Longevity - locals assert that it is not uncommon to see a person reach 100 years of age and it is claimed that many have gotten to 120, even up to 135, which would make it an area with the oldest inhabitants in the world.<br /><br />Ecuador has many active volcanoes and also has one of the greatest densities of volcanoes in the world; Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in world.<br /><br />It is also home to ten mountain peaks over 5000 meters (16,000 feet). <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-1.46916666667,-78.8175&spn=0.01,0.01&q=-1.46916666667,-78.8175%20(Chimborazo%20%28volcano%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Chimborazo (volcano)">Mount Chimborazo</a> at 6,268 meters (20,565 feet) is the highest mountain in Ecuador. Because the Earth is not a perfect sphere, but bulges at the Equator, the peak of Chimborazo is also the furthest point from the center of the Earth and the closest to the sun.</span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Pros and Cons of Ecuador Living <span> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Pros</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Cons</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Direct
TV</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Low
utility bills - $30 mo gas, electric, water</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Small
living space</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rent
$450 month including WiFi, phone</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Difficult
to ship things in</span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fresh
produce very inexpensive</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Butter
expensive and difficult to find</span></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 220.5pt;" valign="top" width="294">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Longer
distances to travel outside of S.A.</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cheap
public transport 25¢ a ride</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 220.5pt;" valign="top" width="294">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Apostilles needed for Visa</span></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Buses
are easy, Cuenca getting a tram</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cannot
flush toilet paper</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Free
or very low cost museums</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 220.5pt;" valign="top" width="294">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hot
water not always available in sinks</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Free
cultural events we understand</span></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lots
of gay ex-pats our own ages</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Numerous
cultural events in English</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Numerous
volunteer opportunities in English</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Locals
are friendly</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Installing
fiber optics cable for WiFi</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Can
get Netflix here</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Country
is gorgeous</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cheap
buses between cities</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-21329412949565792762015-04-10T16:21:00.001+02:002015-04-10T16:22:25.168+02:00Change of Plans - Captive in Lisbon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UaIVYyFaWD0/VSfchD1nMiI/AAAAAAAAPmo/jDgoDlYg44U/s1600/Flights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UaIVYyFaWD0/VSfchD1nMiI/AAAAAAAAPmo/jDgoDlYg44U/s1600/Flights.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere along the way, our flights for our return to Budapest changed. We did not pay much attention since our flights going to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a> changed five times from the time the initial booking to the actual date.<br />The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.25,-78.5833333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-0.25,-78.5833333333%20(Quito)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Quito">Quito</a> <a href="http://www.dinersclub.com/index.shtml" target="_blank">Diner’s Club Lounge</a> is quite lovely and was a wonderful stopping off point. The shuttle did come for us at 4am, not 3am after our host renegotiated the time on our behalf.<br /><br />What we did not notice earlier were the annoying am and pm notations after the numbers. We did realize there was significant time in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=25.7877777778,-80.2241666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=25.7877777778,-80.2241666667%20(Miami)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Miami">Miami</a> for getting through Passport Control and Security again, giving us reason to believe we would have time in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diners_Club_International" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Diners Club International">Diner's Club</a> Lounge. Our time in Miami between flights was 6 hours, 9 minutes, but we needed two hours of it for the regulators. <br /><br />Then we stood at the luggage carousel for over 30 minutes waiting for our bags. We were told we needed to collect them and then recheck them since we entered the US. After struggling with the reality the bags were not going to appear, we went to lost luggage and dreams. Well, we were informed, the new regulation is that luggage coming from Ecuador is automatically transferred to the next carrier without having to be rechecked. We hoped this is true.<br /><br />We did not have our boarding passes because we left Quito <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lan.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="LAN Ecuador">LAN Ecuador</a> with service provided by American Airlines. However, our next two flights were and are on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.flytap.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="TAP Portugal">TAP Portugal</a>, a partner with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.united.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="United Airlines">United Airlines</a>. We waited in front of the TAP counter for two hours, thinking they were checking in people for an early flight. We did not realize they were checking people in for our flight. Finally, we joined the masses, received our boarding passes for the next two flights, and confirmed the luggage should follow in our wake. Interestingly, the agent in Miami wanted to see our Hungarian Residency Permits since our flight was not round-trip. <br /><br />By the time, security processing was finished; we had two hours to enjoy the Miami Diner’s Club Lounge. What a disappointment. Compared to many others we have enjoyed, this one was bare bones with no food and only booze. <br /><br />We arrived in Lisbon at 7:35am, 1o minutes earlier than scheduled. We went through Passport Control, found the terminal we would need later, and worked our way through security once again. We headed directly to the Diner’s Club Lounge, where we will camp out for the day. Our layover in Lisbon is 15 hours, 40 minutes. We will not arrive in Budapest until 3:55 am on Saturday.<br /><br />The <a href="https://www.dinersclubus.com/home" target="_blank">Diner’s Club card </a>has been worth its weight in gold; membership is only $95 a year. It works like a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.mastercard.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="MasterCard">MasterCard</a>, and provides us with airline miles. </span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-51382343843119339212015-04-08T15:09:00.000+02:002015-04-09T00:28:19.895+02:00Winding Down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is difficult to conceive the fact that as of tomorrow, we will have been here 88 days. Things are <u>winding down</u> for us. We did manage to make it back to the National Museum, which has an incredible collection of archeological wonders from every region of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a>. The bane of the museum is that they changed policies and no longer allow pictures, even without a flash. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This made the journey through the exhibits much faster, but I do have to admit the English descriptions have increased. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, we took our last trip to Old Town. Riding the crowded <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolleybus" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Trolleybus">trolley bus</a> that has caused us to be extra alert in the past has once again, caused some disruption. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Both of us had our backs clutched tightly to our upper chest, yet when we reached our stop, Ron's Healthy Back bag was slit across the bottom. The good news is that they did not get a thing and the slit is perfectly parallel to the slit they incurred two years ago on a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">Quito</a> trolley bus. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went for our last almuerzo (lunch) for $2.50 each and </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l90t9lDUqhs/VSWqTKjXYqI/AAAAAAAAPl8/VSlh-C93MR8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l90t9lDUqhs/VSWqTKjXYqI/AAAAAAAAPl8/VSlh-C93MR8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B160.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">then noticed that the Centro Cultural Metropolitano has a new exhibit. It is Grandes Maestros del <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=48.5938,7.7662&spn=0.01,0.01&q=48.5938,7.7662%20(Arte)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Arte">Arte</a> Popular - Iberoamerica</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">where artists from 22 <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanophone" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Hispanophone">Spanish speaking countries</a> are exhibiting their work.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> It turned out to be about seven different rooms filled with glorious artwork. We were thrilled to finish off our </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gswi_wPGIls/VSWqQYKywSI/AAAAAAAAPl0/2fmAXUQA0Lg/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gswi_wPGIls/VSWqQYKywSI/AAAAAAAAPl0/2fmAXUQA0Lg/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B168.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
trip with this wonderful show.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The shuttle will come to pick us up at 3am, though our flight is not until 7:05am. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mpo88w1oOzY/VSWqTDdlpAI/AAAAAAAAPmA/jV2TqNLmXFo/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mpo88w1oOzY/VSWqTDdlpAI/AAAAAAAAPmA/jV2TqNLmXFo/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B171.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, the Quito airport has a 24-hour </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.dinersclub.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Diners Club International">Diner's Club</a> lounge, so that is where we will be hanging out.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdaz6v_4170/VSWqU5EcncI/AAAAAAAAPmM/k1u1u7I23uY/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdaz6v_4170/VSWqU5EcncI/AAAAAAAAPmM/k1u1u7I23uY/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B182.JPG" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-22456711304696722722015-04-07T23:57:00.000+02:002015-04-08T23:58:46.809+02:00No Escaping Hungarians<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">O</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ne of the walking tours I had found and brought along was a</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">shopping tour. Ron is not a shopper, but what did <span class="comment-copy">pique his <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBOtmavzjsM/VSWjR-eYXmI/AAAAAAAAPlE/GWZ6a9lH4Ls/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBOtmavzjsM/VSWjR-eYXmI/AAAAAAAAPlE/GWZ6a9lH4Ls/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B137.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
interest was a shop and museum owned by a Hungarian, Olga <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Ernst_Ludwig_von_Fischer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Friedrich Ernst Ludwig von Fischer">Fisch.</a> Okay, it does not sound like a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_names" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Hungarian names">Hungarian name</a>, but we did not name her so get over it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="comment-copy">According to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_tour" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Walking tour">walking </a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXrtw42MpmQ/VSWjRmzbQAI/AAAAAAAAPlA/EJ5ybZxhgxo/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXrtw42MpmQ/VSWjRmzbQAI/AAAAAAAAPlA/EJ5ybZxhgxo/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B138.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">tour, her shop is heavy handed with the price tags. We had no intention of buying, but this was described as art as opposed to souvenirs. Being off of the beaten track, we climbed a hill to get to the front door.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="comment-copy">The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_guard" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Security guard">security guard</a> needed to call the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Sales">salesperson</a>, who then admitted us. This really is an <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_museum" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Art museum">art gallery</a>, the items were </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDWt1mNlCUo/VSWjU6prLVI/AAAAAAAAPlQ/QoCRHm-0CU8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDWt1mNlCUo/VSWjU6prLVI/AAAAAAAAPlQ/QoCRHm-0CU8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B140.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">lovely. That said, the only thing that really caught my eye was a set of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_and_pepper_shakers" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Salt and pepper shakers">salt and pepper shakers</a> resembling an indigenous couple. At $47, I left them behind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="comment-copy">There is a museum upstairs from the shop. We wanted to visit, but I was anticipating a hefty admission. Well, wrong! It was free. It is a small, but outstanding collection of antiquities and cultural items. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="comment-copy">Later, speaking with the salesperson, we found that Olga came to Ecuador in 1936 from Budapest, but she died 25 years ago. She was quite famous as an artist and as a collector who encouraged cultural art among the Ecuadorians. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="comment-copy">After a wonderful lunch for $3, we walked back to the bus stop to go home. We happened upon a lovely church, Iglesia de Santa Teresita. There were some gorgeous mosaics behind the altar. </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #888888; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.6666669845581px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-32030798740233370862015-04-06T23:25:00.000+02:002015-04-08T23:37:49.204+02:00Taint No Bunny Around for Easter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Easter">Easter Sunday</a>, compared to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Good Friday">Good Friday</a> was a real downer. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Nf6BDC7Y5E/VSWd22eynoI/AAAAAAAAPko/SGP8gO6uU3Q/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Nf6BDC7Y5E/VSWd22eynoI/AAAAAAAAPko/SGP8gO6uU3Q/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B129.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We
went to Old Town so Ron could catch a mass. Not all of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_%28building%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Church (building)">churches</a>
were even open and those that were seemed to be in progress. By going to
several churches, he seemed satisfied that he did his Easter duty.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HqITbh_j1M/VSWd_lgE_RI/AAAAAAAAPkw/X3bnLbNnPjQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HqITbh_j1M/VSWd_lgE_RI/AAAAAAAAPkw/X3bnLbNnPjQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BApril%2B2015%2B132.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was shocking how few people were in churches as compared to Friday. You could have played soccer in the churches while barely coming near anyone.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other bummer was the fact that just about everything was closed. We had planned on dinner out and not cooking at the apartment. The choices were really slim pickings and more expensive than we intended.</span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-92140519556290154062015-04-05T23:55:00.000+02:002015-04-08T02:55:41.052+02:00Volcanoes Train Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why do a lot of typing when I can share the entire day's itinerary with one picture? We did the one train tour from Alausí and liked it so much, we tried to do the one from Otavalo. However, we were not there on one of the few days that trip runs. We were lucky to get tickets for the Quito to the Volcanoes trip on Holy Saturday. Here is our itinerary, but more follows.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpY_ojD_VLY/VSR4-wlrtGI/AAAAAAAAPjU/wQ6VAkSFmqE/s1600/Volcano%2Btour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpY_ojD_VLY/VSR4-wlrtGI/AAAAAAAAPjU/wQ6VAkSFmqE/s1600/Volcano%2Btour.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ron's discounted ticket was $25.50, but mine was $37.50. For a full day with lunch and entertainment, it was a bargain.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cultural presentation included a lot of dancing with wonderfully colorful costumes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The lunch provided was an incredibly delicious spread. After lunch those who wanted had time to ride a horse around the grounds, visit the petting zoo with a llama, alpaca and other animals. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found one alpaca baby playing hide and seek with its mother and the very rare two headed alpaca.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Later, when we returned to Quito, we checked out some churches to see what was in the works for Easter. One church has this female on a crucifix. We first encountered her in a church in Italy, but her name escapes me. There was nothing to identify her in the church.</span></span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-21132365196552686392015-04-03T23:38:00.000+02:002015-04-07T16:44:51.741+02:00Holy, Holy, Holy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is evident that <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a> as well as most of South America remains tied to their Spanish heritage when religious events come into play. Most of their customs date back to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empire" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Spanish Empire">Spanish colonialism</a>. Spain still has a reputation to holding numerous events during Semana Santa or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Holy Week">Holy Week</a>. The week before Easter starting with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Palm Sunday">Palm Sunday</a>, and including <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maundy_Thursday" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Maundy Thursday">Holy Thursday</a> and Good Friday, are special religious days before <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Easter">Easter Sunday</a>. Each of the designated days is a remembrance of an event at the end of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Christ">Christ</a>’s life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">From March 22 through April 2, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">Quito</a> hosts Musica Sacra, an international event. Each performance is free of charge. Before leaving Quito the last time, we attended the <a href="http://www.lipzodes.org/" target="_blank">Lipzodes </a>at the Iglesia de El Carmen. This was an opportunity to listen to music rediscovered from the colonial period of Ecuador (1680-1730). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We arrived back in Quito on Holy or Maundy Thursday, April </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2nd. Stopping into the cathedral, we found them setting the table for a Last Supper. For tonight’s </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Musica Sacra </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">performance at the Teatro Nacional Sucre, the treat we enjoyed was some US American music by the American Spiritual ensemble. We learned that of the thousands of professional member musicians and singers, only 12-15 are chosen to tour each year. For more information about the group, go </span><a href="http://www.americanspiritualensemble.com/news.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here </a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">and scroll down on the press releases page. The group has collected over 3,000 </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_%28music%29" rel="wikipedia" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank" title="Spiritual (music)">Negro spirituals</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> from the known 4,000 plus that once existed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In one of the upscale gift shops, there was a print out on the meaning of the purple robes. Apparently, centuries ago in Spain, prisoners who were about to be executed wore the purple garments as a sign of humility. The men who wear </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">them in this parade are called Cucuruchos due to their pointed hats. Women, named Veronicas, represent the woman who used her veil to wipe Christ’s face. Purple is the color of penitence, but some wore black or brown for mourning or white for purity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The robes called nazareno or the penitential robe include several parts. The tunic is the robe itself, the cone shaped </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">hood is the capriote and some don a robe that dates to medieval times. Often these cloaked men will carry candles, crosses, or some other significant religious item. We were surprised at how many were barefooted and a few had shackles on their ankles as a form of penance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What was especially freaky was to witness a couple of bare chested men who were self-flagellating with small whips. One man’s back was quite raw. Additionally, in the parade were a number of men who dressed like Christ and carried a cross </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">on their back. Considering this parade lasts for four hours, this is no mean feat. Ron questioned whether they lasted the entire time or if there were subs filling in. The parade route covers some major hills. Walking with these pseudo-Christ figures, there are other men dressed as Roman soldiers. Still others, as a sign of their penance, had hefty wooden crosspiece logs strapped to their back, forcing their heads </span><br />
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down into a bowing position. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We lasted for about 1 ½ hours, before we decided to leave them to it. We did catch them again on the way back after two hours to see </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">the Veronicas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Afterward, we went to the Magic Bean, a restaurant we really like, but only had a coffee. Returning home, we walked through one of the lovely parks here in Quito, where Ron posed with famous Ecuadorians. There was an older woman sitting on a </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">bench nearby who was watching his antics. She started to laugh hysterically and then applauded. Just what he needs: encouragement. </span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0Quito, Ecuador-0.1806532 -78.467838200000017-0.68876169999999992 -79.113285200000021 0.32745529999999995 -77.822391200000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-63257011286358932462015-04-02T19:25:00.000+02:002015-04-05T19:25:46.945+02:00And Now the Last Musings on People in Otavalo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to things that really impressed us, I have to speak to the people that inspired us. On our first evening, we went to see if the tourism office was open. Right outside the office was this young boy stacking things in a box. At first, I did not pay much attention, but when taking a second look, I realized he was packing away the unsold stock of the day. There were other boxes on the ground that he completed already. Shortly after, a car pulled up where the boxes were placed in the trunk. It made me aware once again how early the children here become working members of the family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had read an article in some US newspaper regarding Ecuadorian immigrants to the US. It mentioned there was a </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4J-N3_kf9Rc/VSFjPWMJcDI/AAAAAAAAPhk/Rhe1iOBejto/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4J-N3_kf9Rc/VSFjPWMJcDI/AAAAAAAAPhk/Rhe1iOBejto/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B002.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">large group in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.95,-93.2&spn=0.1,0.1&q=44.95,-93.2%20(Minneapolis%E2%80%93Saint%20Paul)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Minneapolis–Saint Paul">Minneapolis – St. Paul</a> area. What was interesting was the fact that the reporter claimed that it is well known <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuadorians</a> have excellent work ethics; they can find a job the day after they arrive. The article continued to mention that employers have come to know that they will get more than a day’s pay from a day’s work with an Ecuadorian employee, hence making them sought after.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here in Ecuador, it seems they will do anything possible to succeed, regardless of how menial the task.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I cannot speak to their success or failure, but the point is they try.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">People of all ages are continually carrying packages around. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObC14rKeFkA/VSFlEEgw-WI/AAAAAAAAPhw/sBcik6-VNzo/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObC14rKeFkA/VSFlEEgw-WI/AAAAAAAAPhw/sBcik6-VNzo/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B003.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Otavalo in particular, the average person is short. They are to short that if they were to kiss me on the lips, I would have to get on my knees first, while they still reached up on their tippy toes. This makes me wonder how their backs survive the weight of carrying things all the time. I question whether being short has been an advantage for some reason. Some backpacks are larger than the height of the person carrying it. This is similar to the ratio with</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tg1DjdtggAQ/VSFlZU7O7EI/AAAAAAAAPh4/00Vzih2-gow/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tg1DjdtggAQ/VSFlZU7O7EI/AAAAAAAAPh4/00Vzih2-gow/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B005.JPG" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">an ant that is carting off food. It is also apparent that the women in particular carry their babies on their backs for a number of years. Is this back strength development?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being a culture junkie, I am acutely aware of how the indigenous people maintain their culture in a fast changing world. What warmed my heart was to see small girls wearing the same traditional blouse </span><span style="font-size: large;">and skirt as their female relatives. There is </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">a concession though. </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYqiNTc48UQ/VSFrsFQR_ZI/AAAAAAABuDI/oE95HIzvOiw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYqiNTc48UQ/VSFrsFQR_ZI/AAAAAAABuDI/oE95HIzvOiw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B006.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> A number of young <span id="goog_1366659470"></span><span id="goog_1366659471"></span>people have smartphones. This seemed incongruent with the customs, until I read <a href="http://elliott.org/blog/the-real-reason-youre-dependent-on-your-phone/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elliottorg+%28Elliott%29" target="_blank">this article</a> based in the US. It could be similar circumstances in Otavalo and other parts of South America in general. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Loja wants to claim the title of Music and Art Capital of Ecuador, but personally, I believe this is a marketing ploy. We have discovered more art galleries, artist venues, and musical events in other cities and towns then we did in Loja. Our first night, we went to the central square where there was a concert and dance entertaining the masses. A few days later, when I needed my </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnwt138FJbo/VSFssYf6E6I/AAAAAAABuDY/k-93rMO7Yik/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnwt138FJbo/VSFssYf6E6I/AAAAAAABuDY/k-93rMO7Yik/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B014.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Daily Grind coffee fix, we discovered a band playing on the plaza of the central park. The man at the tourism office told us there was a daily music event in front of the cathedral, but the times varied. We were especially pleased to see the female members of the band; this was an equal opportunity career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This brings me to an observation I have made, though I do
not know if stats will support it. From my looking around, I would guess that
the baby population is 7:1 girls to boys. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Finally, the artistic talent is ubiquitous. Not only is it evident in the crafts, art galleries, museums, but more blatant is the street art. We have discovered some fabulous murals on walls that could qualify as a gallery if not museum piece, yet it is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XAr_Q0G6-tM/VSFvAwtregI/AAAAAAABuDk/hXuWYBNHkUE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XAr_Q0G6-tM/VSFvAwtregI/AAAAAAABuDk/hXuWYBNHkUE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B037.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">covering a concrete wall. There are two ways to think about this. In one respect, being public art gives the mural a wider audience who can see and appreciate it. Alternatively, it is exposed to the elements, in some cases severely limiting its value as the paint becomes faded, chipped or the wall demolished all together. Overall, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to appreciate them at this time. </span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-61992787394053890522015-04-02T18:04:00.000+02:002015-04-05T19:25:23.213+02:00Last Musings on Things in Otavalo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are some things about <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=0.233333333333,-78.2666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=0.233333333333,-78.2666666667%20(Otavalo%20%28city%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Otavalo (city)">Otavalo</a> that really impressed </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLW24nLePzs/VSFVvjsqQwI/AAAAAAAAPgc/nAtWe0LU2MI/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLW24nLePzs/VSFVvjsqQwI/AAAAAAAAPgc/nAtWe0LU2MI/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B026.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">us. To start with the city aspects first, I have to mention the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidewalk" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Sidewalk">sidewalks</a>. I have never seen sidewalks like these before anywhere in the 62 countries we have traveled. Being rubberized, you do not slip when it rains, yet they create lovely and colorful patterns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we were walking in a previously undiscovered neighborhood, we spotted this alley. Curious, we walked </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45SwMdoPwGw/VSFXN6NUIFI/AAAAAAAAPgo/X_7eQbBm8yk/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45SwMdoPwGw/VSFXN6NUIFI/AAAAAAAAPgo/X_7eQbBm8yk/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B018.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">down
to take a look at what offerings may be lurking beyond the street view.
It was a completely positive revelation to discover that this was just a
well decorated and maintain respite from town life. It is a space to
stop, rest, and catch your </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEY73iRnUVw/VSFX6Mm6pjI/AAAAAAAAPgw/RY1WDcZo958/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEY73iRnUVw/VSFX6Mm6pjI/AAAAAAAAPgw/RY1WDcZo958/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B019.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">breath. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the nearby neighborhood, we walked to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_station" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Train station">train station</a>. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a> only has tourism trains; they no longer have general passenger or freight services. If you read this blog, you will know we took one train ride from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-2.19,-78.85&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-2.19,-78.85%20(Alaus%C3%AD)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Alausí">Alausí</a>. There is another route available from Otavalo, so we wanted to see if we could </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86kWy8eKOTM/VSFatA9jVbI/AAAAAAAAPg8/A2z6gjPVopg/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86kWy8eKOTM/VSFatA9jVbI/AAAAAAAAPg8/A2z6gjPVopg/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B020.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">book tickets. Alas, the service is only on Friday and Saturdays from here, so we will miss out. Regardless, we were unduly impressed with the station. For such limited service, the station was lovely. Inside, there was the rail ticket office, a small tourism center, and a couple of souvenir shops: all closed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have mentioned before way they celebrate <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Palm Sunday">Palm Sunday</a>, but it is an art form worthy of mention again. They use old dried </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aL6g2VZIUuc/VSFcgCssvBI/AAAAAAAAPhI/xbA1pYP3S2s/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aL6g2VZIUuc/VSFcgCssvBI/AAAAAAAAPhI/xbA1pYP3S2s/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B5.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">palms to create vase for greenery. The artisans who create these vases sell them for $1 and the greens are another 50¢. This makes it affordable for most everyone so they can be full participants in the festivities.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0Otavalo, Ecuador0.2343005 -78.2610672000000140.2025435 -78.301407700000013 0.2660575 -78.220726700000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-56021860839135598802015-03-31T23:55:00.000+02:002015-04-05T15:30:27.252+02:00Ibarra for the Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">During our <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=0.233333333333,-78.2666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=0.233333333333,-78.2666666667%20(Otavalo%20%28city%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Otavalo (city)">Otavalo</a> days, we spared one of them for a road </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVJRQVM8ioE/VSE4Wjrf-rI/AAAAAAAAPf8/r-8M6K5rj20/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BIbarra%2BMarch%2B2015%2B02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVJRQVM8ioE/VSE4Wjrf-rI/AAAAAAAAPf8/r-8M6K5rj20/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BIbarra%2BMarch%2B2015%2B02.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">trip to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=0.362677777778,-78.1306666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=0.362677777778,-78.1306666667%20(Ibarra%2C%20Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ibarra, Ecuador">Ibarra</a>. The distance is a piddling 25 km or 15.5 miles. Still, this seemingly minuscule distance took the bus 35 minutes. This is not due to bad roads, but because it stops just about every 10 feet to pick up or drop off passengers. <br /><br />Regardless, it was a diversion. We had heard that particular crafts distinguish various towns in this area. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.4166666667,-98.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=29.4166666667,-98.5%20(San%20Antonio)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="San Antonio">San Antonio</a>, located between Otavalo and Ibarra has a reputation for its wood carvers. There is nothing to give Ibarra a sense of esteem other than the colonial buildings, many of which are whitewashed, hence the nickname “<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States_Census" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Race and ethnicity in the United States Census">White</a> City”. <br /><br />Ibarra sits at the foot of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=0.258055555556,-78.1797222222&spn=0.01,0.01&q=0.258055555556,-78.1797222222%20(Imbabura%20Volcano)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Imbabura Volcano">Imbabura Volcano</a>, so no eruptions or interruptions today, please. When we arrived at the minuscule <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_station" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bus station">bus station</a>, we had no idea where the center of town happened to be. Asking several locals, we found the central park, which of course has a church. What we found striking about the park was the statures on each side that represented morals and values to live by. <br /><br />We did visit two different churches, one being the cathedral. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upRkGXIckjA/VSE4TbgyFlI/AAAAAAAAPfw/ZGVJ06E8ZNE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BIbarra%2BMarch%2B2015%2B05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upRkGXIckjA/VSE4TbgyFlI/AAAAAAAAPfw/ZGVJ06E8ZNE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BIbarra%2BMarch%2B2015%2B05.JPG" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
There was a sign in the latter stating that they use alternative materials to celebrate <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Palm Sunday">Palm Sunday</a> as the use of palms is destroying the environment for birds and other creatures that depend on the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecaceae" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Arecaceae">palm trees</a>. <br /><br />Another thing that impressed me was the free Wi-Fi zone in the park. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIZeT4L6HB0/VSE4TMl-E3I/AAAAAAAAPfs/uMuXgdgOCLs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BIbarra%2BMarch%2B2015%2B06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIZeT4L6HB0/VSE4TMl-E3I/AAAAAAAAPfs/uMuXgdgOCLs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BIbarra%2BMarch%2B2015%2B06.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
We have encountered this often in small towns in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a>, so it was not surprising. What did cause a double take was the llama penned in on the bus station grounds.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-85574120508784885902015-03-31T22:38:00.000+02:002015-04-05T15:25:40.723+02:00Otavalo Street Lamps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">More than a few years ago, I became intrigued with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Street light">lampposts</a>. Something made me aware of the artistic value that has to be engaged in order to create these public pieces of art. Yet the artist is an unsung hero when the work excels.<br /><br />Here in Otavalo, on only a couple of streets, they have really surpassed using lampposts as an <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Art">art form</a>. I photographed these two years ago and never forgot them. This time, I photographed them again, hopefully 'in a better light'. Only two designs have been added over the last two years; they are the mask and a large red flame with gold cross on top. <br /><br />Strangely, these two designs are on one street, a different street from the rest. I did not photograph the flame, because I did not appreciate its simplistic design.Regrettably, all of the mask lampposts were in areas obstructed by telephone wires, making it difficult to get a clear shot.<br /><br />Regardless, the artist(s) should be celebrated if only here. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV5YCoerkQw/VSErsFywsoI/AAAAAAAAPfI/HNw-UuppOW4/s1600/Mask.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV5YCoerkQw/VSErsFywsoI/AAAAAAAAPfI/HNw-UuppOW4/s1600/Mask.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-36777049324554396772015-03-30T01:36:00.000+02:002015-04-04T01:53:57.589+02:00Oh, Otavalo We Are Happy to Return<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It is easy to become slothful in </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=0.233333333333,-78.2666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=0.233333333333,-78.2666666667%20(Otavalo%20%28city%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank" title="Otavalo (city)">Otavalo</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">. Maybe this is why I wanted to return here. We spent a few days here two years ago. Back then, we went to the condor area, the national park, and all the nature things that are in the surrounding area. I then fell in love with the town; it is too small with only 50,000 people, to be called a city. Being renown all over South America for having the largest craft market, it is especially enviable on Saturdays. Saturday is the superlative day to visit here as the market explodes covering the entire downtown area. It is possible to buy indigenous clothes to souvenirs, to </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive" rel="wikipedia" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank" title="USB flash drive">USB sticks</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> and batteries. Your heart’s desires can be quenched easily and usually inexpensively. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is only one museum and this is tiny and privately owned. We did not bother, as the looks of it did not entice us to pay $3 each. This city prompts you to take a deep breath and then release all of the tensions from your body. Slow down, you do not need to rush. Take in your surroundings and enjoy. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IkeQstP8CE/VR8lOt405dI/AAAAAAAAPdc/p6nwDTzZXRM/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IkeQstP8CE/VR8lOt405dI/AAAAAAAAPdc/p6nwDTzZXRM/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B062.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of course, we arrived late on Saturday; the markets were closing for the day. For me, the markets are a major draw, but not for buying things. What appeals to me are the people watching opportunities. Otavalo is famous for its indigenous population; the group is called Otavalos. They have a </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1CWtunz1qg/VR8lPMY1hVI/AAAAAAAAPdo/fKc4yOy_C7w/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1CWtunz1qg/VR8lPMY1hVI/AAAAAAAAPdo/fKc4yOy_C7w/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B075.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">distinctive way of dressing that distinguishes them from other <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Indigenous peoples">indigenous groups</a> one passes on the streets in other towns and cities in Ecuador. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For men, the traditional dress includes white pants, which always have sharp creases in the legs, looking like they just emerged from a dry</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> cleaner’s pressing machine. Regardless of the weather, they cover their shirts with a poncho, most are dark in color. Many wear various types of hats, but always with broad brims. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Women wear dark colored skirts usually black or navy blue with a white blouse covered </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9d7RAPbBmIw/VR8kuJXgMlI/AAAAAAAAPdM/ZElY6CgP1uU/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9d7RAPbBmIw/VR8kuJXgMlI/AAAAAAAAPdM/ZElY6CgP1uU/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B053.JPG" height="320" width="196" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">with colorful embroidery. For a belt, they have equally colorful embroidered </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">waistbands that wrap around and then tie. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Women carry their babies on their back using a large white sheet that resembles an over-sized diaper. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The baby is tucked in and the cloth is wrapped around her waist to hold it in place. We have never once seen a baby fall loose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Both men and women wear their thick pitch-black hair very long and in a single braid. The majority of both men and women wear simple sandal like shoes. You can see an example in the photo of the two men. These only come in white or black. Some of both sexes wrap their braid in another colorful embroidered strip of material. </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEQr6yUWmDs/VR8lOgSjUII/AAAAAAAAPdg/GxXfwMBjIys/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEQr6yUWmDs/VR8lOgSjUII/AAAAAAAAPdg/GxXfwMBjIys/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B064.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Otavalos are considered to be the most successful group of indigenous in Ecuador as they sell their craft work worldwide. An equal mix of those who made their riches as those who live in poverty, exist here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We went to dinner at Buena Vista, a restaurant overlooking the famous Plaza de Ponchos. This is the location of the daily craft market. Our pleasant experiences with the restaurant lingered from our last visit, so we returned. We were not disappointed. After dinner, we walked to the central square. There was musical entertainment, speeches, and dancing. It is gratifying to watch the crowds of locals swell taking in the free entertainment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sunday was <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Palm Sunday">Palm Sunday</a>. As it turned out, it was a major cultural event. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecaceae" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Arecaceae">palm leaves</a> they used here differ from the palms distributed in the US <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Catholic Church">Catholic churches</a>. Woven palm leaves create vases, which they fill with </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRExRMdcqZk/VR8mSJzolyI/AAAAAAAAPd4/jQZRVD8OKig/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRExRMdcqZk/VR8mSJzolyI/AAAAAAAAPd4/jQZRVD8OKig/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B005.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">other greens. We never did figure out what the greens were. These vases sell for $1 already filled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The town was buzzing with people carrying their vases. When we went into the church, Ron had missed the mass with no other following it. The entire altar was covered with a huge purple sheet. We had no clue as to what this was about. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymYfUeZHqH4/VR8oBe7yFkI/AAAAAAAAPeE/X17LU07PU5Y/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymYfUeZHqH4/VR8oBe7yFkI/AAAAAAAAPeE/X17LU07PU5Y/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BOtavalo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B090.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I do not need to shop to love Otavalo. The studio apartment we rented is excellent. There is enough space to feel like multiple rooms, though it is only one. It is quiet and the bed is superior. I love getting into it and hate getting out.</span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-12329254465649240752015-03-28T23:42:00.000+01:002015-03-31T00:03:22.751+02:00Butterflies Are Free, but for You, $6 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Feeling we needed to do something in Mindo, besides enjoy the dancing clouds decorate the mountains, stare at the birds doing their antics on the feeder, or clandestinely feeding homeless dogs, we decided on the butterfly sanctuary. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are two of them in Mindo, but only one has an excellent reputation. The other just has a reputation. Of course, the excellent one is over 4 miles out of town, but we are prompted to go early in the morning, as <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Butterfly">butterflies</a> are more active during the sunny morning, but relax just as we do in the drizzly, cloudy afternoons. We must have been butterflies in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Reincarnation">previous lives</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicab_stand" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Taxicab stand">taxi stand</a> in Mindo has one taxi. The ride was more horrific than any roller coaster we have been on in the last decade. There were holes in the road that may have been volcano craters. It took us close to 20 minutes to go four miles, but we were delivered to the entrance of the hotel/restaurant/butterfly sanctuary. I often wonder who would stay in a place like this off in nowhere. The section of river across the street has less force than our kitchen sink in the cabin. To have dinner anywhere other than the hotel would require a taxi ride both ways. Thinking of that ride after a full dinner makes me nauseous. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Admission to the butterflies is $6 per person. Rosie, our </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGacVtXn7Gs/VRnFW6w2OkI/AAAAAAAAPb4/QsdoBQK02H4/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGacVtXn7Gs/VRnFW6w2OkI/AAAAAAAAPb4/QsdoBQK02H4/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B066.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">guide, gives us a five-minute orientation on the lifecycle of butterflies. I wanted to tell Rosie, this is not our first rodeo or butterfly sanctuary. We have been to a half dozen in as many countries. Just then, she shows us the cocoon of butterflies that live near water. It looks like a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_%28liquid%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Drop (liquid)">water drop</a> to blend in; no, we have <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUZTOIOh7l8/VRnFY_77UKI/AAAAAAAAPcA/Bp7MWXG0t84/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUZTOIOh7l8/VRnFY_77UKI/AAAAAAAAPcA/Bp7MWXG0t84/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B067.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
never seen this before. Others look like a leaf bud. Rosie finishes her mini-speech and we are set free among the butterflies in their natural (man-made) surroundings. Freeing some into the wild helps them maintain their balance, while others are kept to reproduce increasing the numbers. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bsuPo_mYSzU/VRnFbq2FJ9I/AAAAAAAAPcI/pFrx4nMaIf0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bsuPo_mYSzU/VRnFbq2FJ9I/AAAAAAAAPcI/pFrx4nMaIf0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B077.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5HnH6gFVElM/VRnGY7oGB9I/AAAAAAAAPcQ/R35dJRpC4AA/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5HnH6gFVElM/VRnGY7oGB9I/AAAAAAAAPcQ/R35dJRpC4AA/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B082.JPG" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIA011PQtQA/VRnGuvQOzDI/AAAAAAAAPcY/6u_pFKXBMIg/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIA011PQtQA/VRnGuvQOzDI/AAAAAAAAPcY/6u_pFKXBMIg/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B086.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YEjuB59u0Ic/VRnGwpgtHgI/AAAAAAAAPcg/LRL_CJf-seA/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YEjuB59u0Ic/VRnGwpgtHgI/AAAAAAAAPcg/LRL_CJf-seA/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B087.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtflRRSNwlY/VRnHWxF-FUI/AAAAAAAAPco/m_o60b3-ja0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtflRRSNwlY/VRnHWxF-FUI/AAAAAAAAPco/m_o60b3-ja0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B103.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRS18vlFuDY/VRnHiZDbAUI/AAAAAAAAPcw/qTQbZla-Wy0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRS18vlFuDY/VRnHiZDbAUI/AAAAAAAAPcw/qTQbZla-Wy0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B109.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Remember the movie </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Butterflies-Are-Free-Goldie-Hawn/dp/B0000633R8%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dzemanta-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0000633R8" rel="amazon" target="_blank" title="Butterflies Are Free">Butterflies are Free</a></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">?</span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-76872363078437225452015-03-28T01:04:00.000+01:002015-03-30T23:42:52.449+02:00A Post in Pictures - The Chocolate Tour in Mindo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If one picture is worth a thousand words, then this post will be worth 16,000 plus.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqft4gJoMlA/VRh9u9TQgyI/AAAAAAAAPZk/DpBMV0oMQyw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqft4gJoMlA/VRh9u9TQgyI/AAAAAAAAPZk/DpBMV0oMQyw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B036.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First things first, our breakfast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuZGpLgBe4E/VRh9zcVPorI/AAAAAAAAPZ0/X2n11c7zejQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuZGpLgBe4E/VRh9zcVPorI/AAAAAAAAPZ0/X2n11c7zejQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B035.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the chocolate tours take place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEQDLGXB_Yw/VRh9uznPLDI/AAAAAAAAPZo/vhunGGsRReQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEQDLGXB_Yw/VRh9uznPLDI/AAAAAAAAPZo/vhunGGsRReQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B043.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First we sat at a table for a lecture. This is a coca pod.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmdAZISeyE8/VRh-0woyECI/AAAAAAAAPaA/xP80vNlAxHs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmdAZISeyE8/VRh-0woyECI/AAAAAAAAPaA/xP80vNlAxHs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B044.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pod is cut open to view the white colored seeds.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piGPA0SArv4/VRh-5dkKbTI/AAAAAAAAPaI/Q8gdsjsReH8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piGPA0SArv4/VRh-5dkKbTI/AAAAAAAAPaI/Q8gdsjsReH8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B045.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the white comes off, this is what is left. The white is used for syrups.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_PHFoiZe5oA/VRh-7Cu21tI/AAAAAAAAPaQ/zMIoN_U0dps/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_PHFoiZe5oA/VRh-7Cu21tI/AAAAAAAAPaQ/zMIoN_U0dps/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B046.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seeds are crushed into nips.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9uaIeGMLtU/VRh_0ctwk1I/AAAAAAAAPaY/9zwRbxLbf7s/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9uaIeGMLtU/VRh_0ctwk1I/AAAAAAAAPaY/9zwRbxLbf7s/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B047.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now we went outside to see coca trees. See the tiny red thing? </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljYbwRmcenU/VRiAHgffipI/AAAAAAAAPag/Jc1V9a_AV50/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljYbwRmcenU/VRiAHgffipI/AAAAAAAAPag/Jc1V9a_AV50/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B048.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It turns into this and then yellow like the photos above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyIJXRo536I/VRiASbdXwnI/AAAAAAAAPao/NOLtD6UiiwI/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyIJXRo536I/VRiASbdXwnI/AAAAAAAAPao/NOLtD6UiiwI/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B049.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeds set out to dry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmbvc7jZ7Lg/VRiA3FOAzHI/AAAAAAAAPa0/Xh4x2SKTn-o/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmbvc7jZ7Lg/VRiA3FOAzHI/AAAAAAAAPa0/Xh4x2SKTn-o/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B050.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forgot this reason for this machine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AX9tqBOulc/VRiBDe_ZnQI/AAAAAAAAPa8/DVvZxmAsKmE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AX9tqBOulc/VRiBDe_ZnQI/AAAAAAAAPa8/DVvZxmAsKmE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B051.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beans are roasted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKIDuFNk_dE/VRiBSvm1c1I/AAAAAAAAPbE/A1ZUukYWr50/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKIDuFNk_dE/VRiBSvm1c1I/AAAAAAAAPbE/A1ZUukYWr50/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B052.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once they are ground, they are formed into 'cakes'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9w-D7wrgdM/VRiCdyatYJI/AAAAAAAAPbk/QTTgqPmWezs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9w-D7wrgdM/VRiCdyatYJI/AAAAAAAAPbk/QTTgqPmWezs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B056.JPG" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a sample of chocolate without anything added. Nasty stuff. <br />
We added sugar and then some chili pepper. It started getting better.<br />
The best was the brownie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-16597332725804071462015-03-27T21:36:00.000+01:002015-03-29T21:37:43.895+02:00Walking the Mud Trails of Mindo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When you are in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_forest" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Cloud forest">cloud forest</a>, you expect it to rain.
This was not a disappointment, as it rained quite a bit, but with the river
roaring behind the cabin, it was difficult to distinguish the rain from the
river. It was not until we tried navigating the muddy streets that we felt the magnitudinal
effects of the weather. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsGHbQKuLHI/VRgZzdTXUaI/AAAAAAAAPYc/UEgt7p-GI14/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsGHbQKuLHI/VRgZzdTXUaI/AAAAAAAAPYc/UEgt7p-GI14/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B013.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was difficult to drag us away from the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_feeder" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bird feeder">bird feeders</a>.
There was one on each deck with the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deck_%28ship%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Deck (ship)">lower deck</a> having a much </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">larger one. They
would go through two <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litre" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Litre">liters</a> of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Soft drink">sugar water</a> two times a day. They could have
done with more, but we only refilled it this often. Olaf had to restock our
sugar water supply with a six-liter bottle. There is such entertainment going
on.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka75uO4SD14/VRgZgMCN1TI/AAAAAAAAPYU/9GXIWdcvn10/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka75uO4SD14/VRgZgMCN1TI/AAAAAAAAPYU/9GXIWdcvn10/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B007.JPG" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is difficult to tell from the photos, but the darker
hummingbirds, are iridescent green and blue on their chests. The tail feathers
are an orangey rust color, but you can only see it when they flutter. What really cracked me up was when one of him
or her would outstretch one </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Srj3721CX7A/VRgZ2nQnEqI/AAAAAAAAPYk/JX5dXl1cExc/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Srj3721CX7A/VRgZ2nQnEqI/AAAAAAAAPYk/JX5dXl1cExc/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B017.JPG" height="289" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">wing to knock another bird off the feeder. There are
an estimated 400 varieties of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bird">birds</a> in the Mindo area. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is a tourism office in Mindo, but it does not open
until 2pm. Go figure! We trudged around the town for a couple of hours, trying
to discover what there was to do that our aging bodies would allow. There is not
much, though Ron has fantasies of doing dozens of things until reality kicks in
or a muscle protests. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Centered in the city is a small park, it is pleasant, but
looks </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hP8M1vGzjtM/VRga5LczWaI/AAAAAAAAPZA/dpsyVqVc_PI/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hP8M1vGzjtM/VRga5LczWaI/AAAAAAAAPZA/dpsyVqVc_PI/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B021.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">like the gardeners went on strike a few months earlier. Birds adorn the benches.
A statue of what appears to be a gringo backpacker sits on one edge of the
park, sans explanation.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJguf4mQAgM/VRgbzI7wNfI/AAAAAAAAPZQ/iNR53lGrl7Q/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJguf4mQAgM/VRgbzI7wNfI/AAAAAAAAPZQ/iNR53lGrl7Q/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B033.JPG" height="320" width="213" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></a></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We tried doing a little grocery shopping for meals. What is
it with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Butter">butter</a> in this country? Once again, we had a difficult time finding
real butter. In <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">Quito</a>, we went to two large supermarkets looking for butter,
but only found <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarine" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Margarine">margarine</a>. When I ask for mantequilla, they bring me to the
margarine, which sits on regular shelves, not even in the refrigerator
sections. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here in Mindo, it was the same story, different town.
Finally, I said to one shop owner who tried passing off margarine as a
substitute “Quiero mantequilla de una vaca. I want butter from a cow.” A look
of surprise came over her face, but then she directed me to the one shop that
had such a rare commodity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLyMDBkAVOU/VRgbfxvSG_I/AAAAAAAAPZI/40fFC358cNs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLyMDBkAVOU/VRgbfxvSG_I/AAAAAAAAPZI/40fFC358cNs/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B028.JPG" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, I did learn something new today. Geese can have blue
eyes. Two of these critters were wandering around the muddy street. They tried
to attack my shoes, but I held my ground. This </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70kIiJJi9Qo/VRgatJY26LI/AAAAAAAAPYw/g0ZNPnumFc8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70kIiJJi9Qo/VRgatJY26LI/AAAAAAAAPYw/g0ZNPnumFc8/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B027.JPG" height="292" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">perplexed them; they did not know
how to react, but I they did allow a portrait shot. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We stopped at a small restaurant for an almuerzo at the cost
of $2.50 each. The young, beautiful waitress never smiled until I gave her a
tip. Then her face exploded showing her pearly whites. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But while we were
eating, a beige non-descript hound like dog appeared at the door. He never once
set foot inside the restaurant, but stared at us without interruption through
the entire meal. He had me, so I saved him a handful of rice and a good chunk
of my sliced chicken. The rice I set on the sidewalk away from the entrance. He
ate every kernel in spite of not looking underfed. When we left, I broke the
chicken into small bites to feed to him as we walked. Even after the food was
gone, he followed us for an hour. Every now and then, he would knock into my
leg. The first time it happened, it made me think I was being harassed by a
person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Every city in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a> where we have been, there are
literally thousands of stray dogs. Reason would dictate that eventually, they
would form packs that could be dangerous, but this does not seem to happen.
They all fend for themselves and even when they travel together, they are more
than willing to be offered any type of affection. The majority are so loveable
looking, it is heartbreaking to see the life they have to lead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/863" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca">Cuenca</a>, the rescues are trying to get laws to change the
situation, but even there puppies are for sale in pet shops and even open air
markets. They are adorable when they are puppies, but then get abandoned when
they are adults. In Quito, we witnessed dozens of people carrying their puppies
around with them like babies. In contrast, we did not see many if any people
carrying or even walking their dogs in public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ron investigated the <i>Yellow
House, </i>the legendary place </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNmQ1FT2pS0/VRgazdNt_wI/AAAAAAAAPY4/D620jSLdZu0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNmQ1FT2pS0/VRgazdNt_wI/AAAAAAAAPY4/D620jSLdZu0/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B023.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">where you hand over $6 for the luxury of hiking
on their property to bird watch. He went off on his own; $12 seemed to get
stuck in my craw. The trail leads for four miles. He claims to have quit after
one, but still had not seen any birds. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tomorrow, we will do the chocolate tour to fill an hour.
Quite honestly, I do not have to do a thing other than watch the hummingbirds
and the yellow-breasted birds feed on the feeder while listening to the river.
Perfect relaxation!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-15775251253687136432015-03-26T23:21:00.000+01:002015-03-29T16:23:32.739+02:00Welcome to Mindo – Sorry We Are Closed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here is another cultural experience or another fine mess we got ourselves into. At the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">Quito</a> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bus">bus</a> station, standing at the window for Mindo tickets, we requested two for the 4pm bus. There was a young man talking to the ticket seller, obviously a friend, not another customer. He tells me in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Spanish language">Spanish</a>, there is a 3pm bus going our way if we are interested. It took two times telling me before I grasped what he said. Looking at the bus nearby, it seemed reasonable, saved us an hour, so we agreed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Instead of putting our luggage under the bus in the storage bin, he placed them behind the driver in a very insecure space. All of the front rows were already filled, but we did manage to find seating with a luggage view. For most of the ride, the luggage stayed in place like well-trained dogs. When we hit the dirt roads though, they started to bounce around, but the driver’s assistant paid them no mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After three hours, the bus stops and the driver yells “Mindo”. A dozen people leave the bus, but we are sitting there still with our mouths gaping open. This is a hillside highway with absolutely nothing in site. This cannot be Mindo. An older Ecuadorian woman catches our reactions so asks if we wanted Mindo? When we said yes, she explained another ‘bus’ would be by to bring us the rest of the way. It will cost us 50 cents each. Without hesitation, we followed her guidance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly, everyone was running across the highway like illegals running from immigration officials. We ran too with suitcase and backpacks, even if the reason eluded us. A van pulled up and the woman climb in. It looked doubtful there was room for us, but there was. Ten minutes later, we entered what looked like a war zone.</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7F4kWBeH6zI/VRgJ1j5njfI/AAAAAAAAPYE/4hD1g8XMuOw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7F4kWBeH6zI/VRgJ1j5njfI/AAAAAAAAPYE/4hD1g8XMuOw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B029.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The plan was to meet the landlord of our rental at The Chef restaurant. He was expecting us an hour later, so we had dinner while we waited. I went to the bathroom, but no water anywhere. Foretelling of things to come? Dinner was generous portions and very cheap indeed. We were not sure, why the roads looked the way they did, but what roads were not in upheaval, were just dirt and mud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Olaf, a German from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanover" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Hanover">Hanover</a>, who has lived here a couple of decades, arrived to drive us to the cabin in the trees. If you have watched the video, you know it is wonderful. If you haven’t yet, you are left to your imagination. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mindo rests within the western slopes of the “<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-32.6527777778,-70.0111111111&spn=0.01,0.01&q=-32.6527777778,-70.0111111111%20(Andes)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Andes">Andes</a>, where two of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world meet: the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choco_languages" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Choco languages">Chocoan</a> lowlands and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Andes" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Tropical Andes">Tropical Andes</a>. In this transitional area — which covers an area of 268 square kilometers (103 sq mi) and ranges from 960–3,440 metres (3,150–11,290 ft) above sea level — three rivers (Mindo, Saloya and Cinto) and hundreds of streams irrigate the landscape, which consists of a patchwork of cloud forests, secondary forests, agricultural land, and human settlements.” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindo,_Ecuador" target="_blank">Source</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What fascinates me is this area receives more tourists than any other place in Ecuador with 200,000 visitors a year. Those adventure seekers are going horseback riding, rafting, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6B3Geld_PQ/VRgJz6UCveI/AAAAAAAAPX8/dlxl4JUluRk/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6B3Geld_PQ/VRgJz6UCveI/AAAAAAAAPX8/dlxl4JUluRk/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BMindo%2BMarch%2B2015%2B030.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">tubing, trekking, canyoning, mountain biking, birdwatching and herping (looking for snakes, reptiles and amphibians. From this list, we can omit all, but birdwatching and that is from the balcony. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Later, we learned that the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Road">road construction</a> necessitated the water to be shut off for all of the businesses on the one main street as well as those smaller establishments on the side streets. Those entrepreneurs with insight were using bottled water for maintaining the business. From what we were told, it had been off for days with no end in sight. We had running water throughout the cabin.</span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-42847461132608500862015-03-25T23:37:00.000+01:002015-03-27T23:41:20.057+01:00Don't Let These Decorating Faux Pas s Happen to You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We rented an apartment through <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.airbnb.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Airbnb">AirBnB</a>. We wrote this review when we left. However, what we wanted to include was some decorating advice. According to mom, Suzie is in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.7833333333,-122.416666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=37.7833333333,-122.416666667%20(San%20Francisco)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="San Francisco">San Francisco</a> studying International Design. We hope to whomever, that she decorated BEFORE she started the course. Hopefully, she is doing penance now and continues until she returns fix the error of her ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What AirBnB is getting is as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The door is on </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Garc%C3%ADa_Moreno" rel="wikipedia" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank" title="Gabriel García Moreno">Garcia Moreno</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">, not on </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriente_Province" rel="wikipedia" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank" title="Oriente Province">Oriente</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">. You should get a taxi to Garcia Moreno and </span><a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1" rel="unesco" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank" title="Galápagos Islands">Galapagos</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> and then have them drive down Garcia Moreno. The hill up from Oriente can be a killer with luggage or backpacks. We did appreciate having a guard at the door and the security door on the apartment door.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The location is great for going downhill to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.219722222222,-78.5125&spn=0.01,0.01&q=-0.219722222222,-78.5125%20(Plaza%20de%20la%20Independencia)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Plaza de la Independencia">Plaza de la Independencia</a>. After a long day of touring the city, we had to take a taxi back. The slope of the hill was too much to conquer at the end of a day. Taxis ran us $1.50 -2.00.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What we loved was the washing machine/dryer combination. We have never seen one machine that can do both tasks. It was greatly efficient.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Suzie’s mom showed us the tiny <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_heating" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Water heating">hot water heater</a> that supposedly heats the kitchen and bathrooms sinks’ hot water faucets. She did not demonstrate that hot water actually came out of the faucet. Regardless of how we manipulated the hot water faucet, we were never able to get anything other freezing cold water. We could hear the hot water heater running, but it did nothing at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The showers have the electric heaters, so you can get hot water on demand, though the water pressure is a variable for keeping the heater turned on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are extra blankets, which people will need. The insulation is not that good in the apartment. In our 2 months in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a>, this is the coldest place we have rented. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Though we had our own <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="HDMI">HDMI cable</a> and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Television">TV</a> has an outlet, I could not get the TV to recognize the signal. There was no way to switch the source on the remote control. This has worked in all of our other rentals.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-8371424694940985352015-03-23T23:08:00.000+01:002015-03-27T23:20:58.631+01:00Tiring of Quito Tours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_N0plcwkEfs/VRXVwD2ndkI/AAAAAAAAPVg/ZnyJCjQsLn4/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_N0plcwkEfs/VRXVwD2ndkI/AAAAAAAAPVg/ZnyJCjQsLn4/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B032.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Being close to La Ronda, a special landmark heavily </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">marketed in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Tourism">tourism</a> literature, we decided to give it one more shot. When we were here last, we visited it twice on two different occasions and at differing times, only to find it disappointing. It does not live up to the hype.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shown as the home of many poets, musicians and politicians of Ecuadorian history, the street is supposed to be alive with restaurants, artist workshops, cafés, and informational signs relating the history of the area. These informational signs were apparent two years ago, but they seem to have disappeared over time. In spite of multiple tour companies bringing hordes of people to the street, the vast majority of the restaurants, souvenir shops and artists’ workshops were closed in the early Friday afternoon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As much as we like Quito, we started to tire of the "Landmarks Walking Tour" when we attempted to find the special cemetery on the list only to be chased by the tourist police. Apparently, to get there, you have to walk through some tough territory. When the officer realized where we were going, he escorted us part of the way and then stood guard as we continued. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When we realized around the bend meant scaling a major hill, we decided to turn back or risk a burial when we made it to the land of the dead. Other spots on the list were plazas or convents we had already visited. This list overlapped with the Religious Sites Walking Tour. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NBuPzLr2uYs/VRXV4TaTL-I/AAAAAAAAPV4/xYrX6xQOubw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NBuPzLr2uYs/VRXV4TaTL-I/AAAAAAAAPV4/xYrX6xQOubw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B051.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reYMEuTR5KA/VRXWAYsQ2DI/AAAAAAAAPWI/If_p2exyVLY/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reYMEuTR5KA/VRXWAYsQ2DI/AAAAAAAAPWI/If_p2exyVLY/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B052.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Santo Domino Church, La Compania Church, Church of San Francisco, Convent de la Merced, El Sagrario Church, the Quito Cathedral, they all blend together after a while. Of all, I liked the cathedral the best. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here you can see <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Christopher" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Saint Christopher">St. Christopher</a>’s last stand and statues with shower caps.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d44PWUZedT8/VRXWJUdIBGI/AAAAAAAAPWQ/EUFvTmL3rzM/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d44PWUZedT8/VRXWJUdIBGI/AAAAAAAAPWQ/EUFvTmL3rzM/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B068.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb9qQhImWA4/VRXWLXB24pI/AAAAAAAAPWg/8VxeXpYCROE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb9qQhImWA4/VRXWLXB24pI/AAAAAAAAPWg/8VxeXpYCROE/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B078.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Sundays, the crowds in the Old Town area are </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">horrendous. You see some strange characters out on the streets.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Traffic on our street backs </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">up most days. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We discovered the ‘holy’ breads for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Holy Week">Holy Week</a>. We bought a lyre, but it was pretty stale.</span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-83431692701566008542015-03-21T21:16:00.000+01:002015-03-26T21:38:51.595+01:00Museum Madness in Quito<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YdqX7uwM_KY/VRRqG_f9ANI/AAAAAAAAPUs/ujr_hnPbbaQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YdqX7uwM_KY/VRRqG_f9ANI/AAAAAAAAPUs/ujr_hnPbbaQ/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B006.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When planning the trip, I found four different <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">Quito</a> walking
tours online. I copied and printed them out to give direction to our time here.
On our full first day, we tackled the museum walking tour with seven
institutions listed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The thing I really dislike about the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Museum">museums</a> here is that they all forbid taking photos, even without a flash.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As a predominantly <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_by_country" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Catholic Church by country">Catholic country</a>, many of the museums include
more <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_art" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Religious art">religious art</a> than other types.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The exception to the rule was our first stop, the Museo
Camilo Egas. Free entry was an added bonus to this museum dedicated to the work
of one man: Egas. As an Ecuadorian artist, he has the opportunity to study in
many <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_Europe" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Art of Europe">European art</a> centers. This is representative in his work, but I did not
realize he was an indigenous person until we returned home to read more about
him. “Throughout his
four stages of indigenism, expressionism, surrealism and abstractionism, Egas
always represented the cultures, history and struggles of indigenous peoples.”
(<a href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Camilo-Egas-Ecuadors-Foremost-Indigenist-Artist-20140927-0007.html" target="_blank">Source</a>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One great benefit of visiting art museums with Ron is his knowledge base. Having been a docent at the Fine Arts Museum in Budapest for so many years, he has availed himself of numerous art history courses and lectures. Even if he is not familiar with a particular artist, he has insightful comments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Moving
on to the National Museum of Colonial Art, we worked our way through the 17<sup>th</sup>
century mansion, the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_xe74xQHHs/VRRqGNhNVzI/AAAAAAAAPUk/XxUAih-gaVw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_xe74xQHHs/VRRqGNhNVzI/AAAAAAAAPUk/XxUAih-gaVw/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B011.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">former home of the Marquis of Villacis, now houses the collection. This is where the blood and gore
start, as <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ecuadorian_artists" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="List of Ecuadorian artists">Ecuadorian artists</a> had an influence from the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquistador" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Conquistador">Spanish conquistadors</a>.
Most of the scenes or sculptures of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Christ">Christ</a> are beyond bloody, more so than what
one normally witnesses. Entrance was $2 each.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Next
was a bit of a disappointment at first. The Museo Alberto Mena Caamaño is
located inside the Metropolitan Cultural Center. When we walked in, the third
floor was closed off for restorations. The last time we were here, we were able
to go out on the rooftop balconies to have a panoramic gaze at the city. The
interesting parts of the second floor could not be accessed either. On the
ground </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4emtWdUNG4/VRRqR5SdCTI/AAAAAAAAPU0/Tec73HusX1Q/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4emtWdUNG4/VRRqR5SdCTI/AAAAAAAAPU0/Tec73HusX1Q/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B014.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">floor, the last time we were in the city, there was a wonderful photo
exhibition. This time around, it was just a vacant space. As it turned out, to
enter the Museo Alberto Mena Caamaño one needs to walk outside and go to the
side of the Metropolitan Cultural Center for entry after paying $1.50 per
person. They immediately apologized that they have no tours in English. We
self-guided as best we could. The art pieces and the life-like was figures were
quite impressionable without a great deal of explanation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We decided to have lunch at the restaurant inside of the Metropolitan Cultural Center. Thinking in terms of a snack, we noticed people at the next table had a fabulous bowl of soup sitting in front of them. We asked the waiter what it was, but the response was incomprehensible. Taking a different approach, I asked the price. He, I thought said “dos y cincuenta” ($2.50) so we each ordered it. Later, we learned he said doce y cincuenta ($12.50). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Regardless, it was quite a meal. What we did not know it at the time, but this is a meal only served during <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Lent">Lent</a> and Holy Week. This thick soup or stew, called fanesca, is created with 12 types of beans, corn, squash, sambo, achogcha. Embellished with a mini empanada, sliced hardboiled egg, and plantain, the bowls were overflowing. In the center of all of this were chunks of what I had hoped were chicken, but it was fish. Ron received my offering. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This was the first course. Little did we know more was to follow. Next, served was a plate of spiced mashed potatoes set on a bed of lettuce with plantain slices. Taking deep breaths wondering how we were going to survive this while also realizing this was not a dos dollar lunch we swallowed hard. Still, it was not over. Thinking we were going to ask for the check when the waiter returned, instead he brought two more servings of food. This last course included two very healthy sized figs, three generous slices of white cheese and all of it covered with honey syrup. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We rolled out of there. The next museum on our list was the Museum of the Convent of Saint Francis. It was ill-fated that there was major restoration going on, so many of the rooms were closed off. At first, we thought the only place we could see was the chapel. I went to the ticket office to complain that all other spaces had “Do not enter” signs. Feeling sorry for me, the ticket seller told us to follow her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It seems the entry to the main exhibit was hidden by scaffolding. Once we negotiated our way around it, we had plenty of Colonial art to frazzle our brains. The building itself</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWQhbjq3TMI/VRRqnpjFreI/AAAAAAAAPVM/ibaMZB0jdog/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWQhbjq3TMI/VRRqnpjFreI/AAAAAAAAPVM/ibaMZB0jdog/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B015.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> is historic for being the very first church in Quito. It is the Colonial Monastery and Church of San Francisco dating back to the 16th century. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Refreshing the brain, we returned to the Museo Maria Augusta Urrutia, a wealthy heir to an industrial fortune, who created a social service system for children. It continues today for 15 children. This is a guided tour only, with a tourism student intern doing the guiding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our last venture for the day was the Casa de Sucre. With closing time only 45 minutes away, they wanted our real </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xa7yMEt0bc/VRRqlzmFBEI/AAAAAAAAPVE/YYIMs_hTW5w/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xa7yMEt0bc/VRRqlzmFBEI/AAAAAAAAPVE/YYIMs_hTW5w/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B020.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">passports, not the color photocopies we supplied. When we explained we did not carry them, they waved us on. Sucre was an Ecuadorian freedom fighter and hero. Everything in the house was in Spanish as it was in all the museums. We were able to get the idea, but still be out in time for closing. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ix37LEwsj0/VRRqi5uX9nI/AAAAAAAAPU8/THrZXm-dvIM/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ix37LEwsj0/VRRqi5uX9nI/AAAAAAAAPU8/THrZXm-dvIM/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BQuito%2BMarch%2B2015%2B027.JPG" height="226" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The only museum we did not get to on the list was the Museo de la Ciudad. We have been to it before and it is huge, so it will take a good part of a day another time. </span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-61606345863833761772015-03-20T23:10:00.000+01:002015-03-22T15:10:59.667+01:00Terrorism on the Bus – Protests in the Cities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRHTp6XA38I/VQ7MuzyWG6I/AAAAAAAAPUM/ZeL1-WZlO9U/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BBa%C3%B1os%2BMarch%2B2015%2B113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRHTp6XA38I/VQ7MuzyWG6I/AAAAAAAAPUM/ZeL1-WZlO9U/s1600/Ecuador%2B-%2BBa%C3%B1os%2BMarch%2B2015%2B113.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love this picture. We were waiting for the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">Quito</a> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bus">bus</a> when I happened to see these two. It is not clear whether the little girl is related to the shoeshine man or if she wanted to be supportive by giving over her allowance. It is a cross-generational piece that <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.nrm.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Norman Rockwell">Norman Rockwell</a> would have painted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our bus was super luxury with wide plush seats, darkened windows, and air conditioning. We did not need cooling off; the weather was taking care of that naturally. Once we were out of the station, the driver’s helper reached up and lowered a movie screen like the type on old airlines. Within minutes, we captives were blasted with a B movie of guns, violence, and extremely loud sound effects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After the first movie ended and the second one began, a young man boarded the bus. Ron and I were in the second row from the front, absorbing more sound waves than humanly needed. This particular young man stops right next to my seat, but remains standing in the aisle. He has a backpack, which he sets on the floor. He reaches down, takes a large dark rectangular box from the backpack, and sets this on the floor in the middle of the aisle. The box is undistinguishable. My heart races. Is this a terrorist attack?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is a large and clear sign on the bus door. No vendors allowed. This guy is young, rather grungy, and he starts yelling in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Spanish language">Spanish</a> to be heard at the back of the bus, but also to overpower the movie, which is still a loud competitor. Being at the front of the bus, I cannot gauge the reactions of others without an overt movement. If this is a terrorist, I do not want to draw attention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Finally, this guy reached into the backpack once more. He pulls out a stack of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="DVD">DVDs</a>. Suddenly, this ominous box comes to life. It is a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_player" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="DVD player">DVD player</a> and it is spewing out Romantic Hits of the 80s in Spanish. The tunes I recognize, the words I do not. He hawks his wares for another 30 minutes, before he decides to leave the bus in peace once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once in Quito, we try finding a taxi to the apartment we rented, which is supposedly right near Old Town. Three taxis refuse us outright. A fourth agrees after a lengthy discussion with his colleagues. This makes me nervous about the area. We negotiate a price ahead of time - $10. We drive for quite some time and the apartment owner did warn us that the ride could be upwards of $15. As we get close to the center of the city, there are roads closed with police barriers. The driver starts to curse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We finally make it to the area. Ron and I recognize landmarks from two years prior. The driver goes round and round stopping every few blocks to ask strangers for </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLjGlq15HJQ/VQ7Mumqne1I/AAAAAAAAPUI/EZwIpg55sjM/s1600/IMGP7485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLjGlq15HJQ/VQ7Mumqne1I/AAAAAAAAPUI/EZwIpg55sjM/s1600/IMGP7485.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">directions. He is getting more and more agitated. He is on his phone asking for directions. I show him the phone number of the person meeting us, suggesting he call them for guidance. I do this in Spanish; he makes a call. I think this is resolved. He called someone else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Finally, we were on one of the streets given in the directions. We stop again to ask another stranger for help. The man looks at me and asks in English if I speak the language. I explain I have the number for the person meeting us and have been trying to get the driver to call it. Without hesitation, the man takes the driver’s phone and calls himself. He gets directions and Wilson, our contact comes to meet us. We were on the corner of the building. The driver raises his rate to $15. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It turns out, the address the owner provided was incorrect. She gave the cross street as the street the apartment was on, rather than the reverse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The apartment sits on the street that leads directly into Parque de Independencia, the main square of Old Town. Unfortunately, it is also close to the top of the hill on this street that has a slope of about 75 degrees. From the corner, we have to climb stairs to get up the street. When we leave the apartment, we can walk down the street, but getting back will definitely require the aid of a taxi or an ambulance later if we hoof it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Settled in, we walk to the square for dinner. Police are everywhere in herds. They are all standing around talking, so we are unaware. Every corner we pass, there are 25-50 police. It is wonderful to see the ratio of women officers. The Parque de Independencia is plastered with police. People are taking down temporary tents. We still are clueless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the square is a restaurant we have enjoyed in the past. It sets back in a little courtyard with other restaurants and gift shops. Tonight it is dead. The waiter looks thrilled for the diversion. The television has the news showing. After ordering, Ron looks up to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Television">TV</a> and tells me to do the same. There was a massive protest in Quito earlier today involving an estimated 30,000 people. They were protesting the current president passing a bill changing the constitution to allow an end to term limitations. The current president is up for reelection in 2017. This bill would allow him to continue running for life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As the news continued, there were protests in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-1.67434722222,-78.6482944444&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-1.67434722222,-78.6482944444%20(Riobamba)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Riobamba">Riobamba</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/863" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca">Cuenca</a>, and many other towns and cities we had left. Not all were about the changing of the law, but for oil drilling, indigenous rights, and workers fair wages. </span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-45214715861094487712015-03-19T23:11:00.000+01:002015-03-22T01:30:32.207+01:00In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle Ryan Roars Tonight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Somehow when we decided to ‘live in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a>’ for three months as a test run to living here permanently, Ron never read the memo. He has again decided on another <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Concert">tour</a> to fill a day. Perhaps it is a nonissue that it is pouring rain the day we are headed to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-3.16,-60.03&spn=0.05,0.05&q=-3.16,-60.03%20(Amazon%20rainforest)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Amazon rainforest">Amazon Rain Forest</a>. Somehow, this does dampen my mood, which was not in high gear from the beginning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Arriving at the tour office at 8:30, we were prepared for a long day. For me, this means no food or drink since 10pm last night. Our guide was Javier, a good-natured Ecuadorian who handles English better than most. One young South Korean woman who has a program planned to visit most of the countries of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_America" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="South America">South America</a> before returning home, joins us on the tour. Her name is Hel-Win.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nothing is ever close. No matter where we happen to be, it seems that wherever we plan on touring is still a two-hour drive. I think if we were on the edge of the rain forest, we would still need to do a two-hour drive just to get to the correct place to start. For the most part the roads we well maintained and Javier was a decent driver. Just not to sit in the back with Hel-Win, we had her sit in front. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first stop was a fish farm. God only knows we were not able to figure out the name of the fish in English and Javier </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INRcBk4P9XA/VQ4KcqUt-sI/AAAAAAAAPTU/K3x8Wksx9MY/s1600/IMGP7452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INRcBk4P9XA/VQ4KcqUt-sI/AAAAAAAAPTU/K3x8Wksx9MY/s1600/IMGP7452.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">did not know it. They can reach three meters in length before they go to market. A young woman from the family who own the farm came out to feed them to show us their full size. These things were mammoth, but the way they can jump from the water, you would think they are flying fish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Back in the car, our next stop was an indigenous village after another time consuming drive. Walking over these types of bridges raises my fear of heights to red alert. This small self-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sefiz5x_THs/VQ4KnybF2mI/AAAAAAAAPTc/Btp5aFBwtaQ/s1600/IMGP7458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sefiz5x_THs/VQ4KnybF2mI/AAAAAAAAPTc/Btp5aFBwtaQ/s1600/IMGP7458.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">contained village included village people who dressed as we do, but we heard about some of their customs. Each of us practiced with a six-foot blowgun. Resisting for as long as I could to avoid humiliation, I finally gave in. Thinking my abused smoker’s lungs would never get the dart out of the rod in my hands, it would be embarrassing. Quite by surprise, I hit the target, but in a very low spot. My second attempt was much better. I am on my way to being a blowgun hunter. Enemies, watch out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Taking us out beyond the village to show us medicinal plants, we were trying to negotiate the mud. Boots supplied by the </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15nYjPvaD2o/VQ4KY_XZU1I/AAAAAAAAPTM/FZgGDXncJr8/s1600/IMGP7459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15nYjPvaD2o/VQ4KY_XZU1I/AAAAAAAAPTM/FZgGDXncJr8/s1600/IMGP7459.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">tour company were safely in the trunk of the car, while we tip toed around in sneakers. Sure enough, I went sliding in one fell graceful (I think) rise into the air and then down on my left hip and leg</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHGYna_NJEE/VQ4KpEdm6-I/AAAAAAAAPTk/ZxmUxEANrS0/s1600/IMGP7466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHGYna_NJEE/VQ4KpEdm6-I/AAAAAAAAPTk/ZxmUxEANrS0/s1600/IMGP7466.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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landing in the mud. Ironically, in the morning, I had decided not to weigh black pants using the rationale that black absorbs heat. I wore my light tan traveler’s pants instead. Now they were dark brown mud on one side and light tan on the other. There was more concern about my pants than any wreckage to my leg. We washed the leg of the pants as best we could with the murky water collected by the tribe. Ryan was not a happy camper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By now, the rain is coming in buckets. We were given a poncho to put on. What good are ponchos when both sides are open? If it were raining straight down, it may have </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3IAbTjddiw/VQ4Kwm0V5JI/AAAAAAAAPTs/XmDaJIi1PdU/s1600/IMGP7469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3IAbTjddiw/VQ4Kwm0V5JI/AAAAAAAAPTs/XmDaJIi1PdU/s1600/IMGP7469.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">helped, but any slight wind sent the water right to our exposed sides.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Drive, drive, drive, we are now at the riverbank where we will be <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Kayak">kayaked</a> down the river. The only thing I enjoy less than kayaking or canoeing is being water boarded. You want to punish me, put me in a canoe or kayak. In order to get to the kayak, we have to navigate a muddy slippery rock infested hill with nothing to hold on to along the way down. BAM! Down I go again, the same leg, different mud. My hands were covered trying to get up. Naturally, to make my life totally miserable, I was the first to get into the kayak…the wrong way. The guide tells me I have to turn around. There was no way my muddy hands could get a grip on the sides to pull myself up; my camera bag around my neck added to my loss of a center of gravity. Finally, with a few choice phrases, I twisted on the seat by throwing my legs in the air. All the Ecuadorians were amused. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Javier assured me that no one gets wet on this trip so my camera bag was safe. Five minutes out, my pants are soaked to the last thread. My long sleeve shirt is drenched. River rapids are flowing over my section of the kayak like invited guests. I am contemplating revenge or at least a trial separate. Okay, divorce did enter in my thoughts by the time we were finished the journey. Ron is having a grand old time. If I were not grapping the sides of the boat for dear life, I could have strangled him then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When we reached the car, I looked like I had been beaten with the ugly stick, had an attempted drowning, and then was run through an obstacle course by being dragged. With some relief, we were told we were heading for lunch. Of course, there was a glitch. At the lunch spot, there was a mountain to climb in order to see a ‘magnificent look out spot’. I started with the rest, but after 50 steps, I told them to go on without me. I found a shower and started to wash out my pants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More driving brought us to the trails into the Amazon jungle. Now it was time to don the boots, apply <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_repellent" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Insect repellent">insect repellent</a> and hike. This could have been the deciding factor in not making it to our first wedding anniversary. I feigned an injured leg and voted to stay in the car. Javier, Ron and Hel-Win set off into the woods for a two-hour hike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I sat in the car observing, other groups parked nearby and set off on their adventure as well. There was something strange in that all of the others started on paths, not walking into the woods like Ron’s trio. I could not figure out what was happening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The rain had stopped and the car was getting stuffy. I opened the window for air. Before I knew it, there was a </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0syWBza1VdE/VQ4K0978ccI/AAAAAAAAPT0/Xj9yZV77LwM/s1600/IMGP7473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0syWBza1VdE/VQ4K0978ccI/AAAAAAAAPT0/Xj9yZV77LwM/s1600/IMGP7473.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">hummingbird flying outside the window starting at me, but staying in mid-air. Suddenly without any warning, it flew into the car. Once it was at the windshield, it did not know how to escape. I thought after a few minutes, it would recognize the route it entered, but apparently not. After getting some photos, I opened the front door to release it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When the trio finally returned, Ron was white as a sheet. I have never seen him look so frazzled. Aghast, I asked him what was wrong. He said when they started out, Javier told them he was taking them on a trail that most guides refuse to us. It is more difficult than the paths where I had watched -others go. Ron continued to say that 30 minutes into the hike, he thought about turning back. Then he wondered if MediFlight could make a landing in the brush. The entire time, he spent trying to carefully walk on wet slippery rocks that made the boots ineffective. He looked so traumatized that all I could do was laugh hysterically. Revenge is a sweet nectar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thrilled when the day was over, I rethought the divorce proceedings and realized it was not worth it. Next time Ron gets a harebrained scheme in his head, I will just tell him to go it alone.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795420.post-55624021987202489142015-03-18T23:52:00.000+01:002015-03-21T02:53:42.800+01:00My Kingdom for Good Coffee and Other Fun Things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are things about <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-0.15,-78.35&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-0.15,-78.35%20(Ecuador)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a>, which are so paradoxical it blows my mind. They are one of the major coffee producers</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCjDoxNR-hQ/VQzLsMfADOI/AAAAAAAAPR8/P3rglU_l39E/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCjDoxNR-hQ/VQzLsMfADOI/AAAAAAAAPR8/P3rglU_l39E/s1600/1.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">i</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">n the world yet getting a good cup of coffee that is not a push button <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.nescafe.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Nescafé">Nescafé</a> machine is ridiculously difficult. As sweet as our little hotel is, the breakfast is a grilled half bologna sandwich, two slices of white bread, and hot water</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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i for instant coffee. Help is on the way. First, we went to the tourism office for other reasons, but I did ask about coffee. She directed us across the park to Da Leo’s Café. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Walking into this café transforms your visual experience to Italy. Plastering every wall and empty surface is <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Something-Italian-Maurizio-Terzini/dp/1920989048%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dzemanta-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1920989048" rel="amazon" target="_blank" title="Something Italian">something Italian</a> related. A dedicated Italian travel agency could not have done a better job. Most of their offerings are gelato and coffee, with a paltry selection of pastries thrown in for color. Waiting 15 minutes for my cappuccino was nothing since I had been waiting since <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-2.18333333333,-79.8833333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-2.18333333333,-79.8833333333%20(Guayaquil)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Guayaquil">Guayaquil</a> for a good espresso drink. In Guayaquil, a small chain called Sweet and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Coffee">Coffee</a> has coffee drinks to die for. One day, while sipping one, I wondered how many days I could survive just drinking their cappuccinos. Da Leo’s cappuccino was not nearly as good, but it did suffice for the time being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ron knowing my need for caffeine, found a place on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="TripAdvisor">TripAdvisor</a> that received high marks for its coffee drinks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHzFPwHQgg/VQzLwEmeeII/AAAAAAAAPSM/UooW59eLofg/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHzFPwHQgg/VQzLwEmeeII/AAAAAAAAPSM/UooW59eLofg/s1600/2.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The owner, who is from Columbia, roasts his own beans. With the delightful colors on the outside, this cafe invites you in. Just past the arch is a wonderful mural of an owl giving the place a sense of calm. Just past this, there are four hammock type chairs you can rest in while enjoying your </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8whxRmRhRA/VQzLuT3jJFI/AAAAAAAAPSE/mqOMUF6gEJ8/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8whxRmRhRA/VQzLuT3jJFI/AAAAAAAAPSE/mqOMUF6gEJ8/s1600/3.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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order. However, we chose to sit inside. God, how humiliating it would be to have the coffee go flying as the chair started swinging. The other scenario I envision is reaching for the coffee and falling out of the chair, having it swing backward only to clunk me on the head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ecuadorian souvenirs of high quality decorate the walls, but are also available for purchase. Everything here is tasteful, serves a purpose, and makes guests feel at home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While we waited for our order, we read the extensive information in the back of the menu covering different growing regions for coffee as well as their proprieties. There was a separate section to educate us on tea as well. We were well educated while the menus were open in front of us. No quiz please!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We both ordered the American breakfast. What we received were two eggs omelet style, three slices of multi-grain bread, two slices of cheese, a large glass of juice (I had blackberry and Ron had papaya), butter and homemade jelly. I had to have a latte; Ron chose an Americano.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The entire breakfast from the coffee to the jelly was superb. Questioning the owner, we learned that his wife bakes the bread, makes the jelly from scratch and creates all the juices by order. It seems the only food preparation she does not do is milk the cow and churn the butter. We loved this place. The breakfast total was $8 for both of us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Without definite plans for the day, we just explored on our own. There is a Mirador or lookout point that comes with a </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hbg6Jj6dVEY/VQzMBVkLKpI/AAAAAAAAPSU/W5fSvSvMUk8/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hbg6Jj6dVEY/VQzMBVkLKpI/AAAAAAAAPSU/W5fSvSvMUk8/s1600/4.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">number of recommendations. What we did not realize was part of the view included watching people </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">bungee jump. My heart was in my mouth each time someone leaped. I kept remembering the cord snapping on an </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-235pjhMvAB0/VQzNcnhbDSI/AAAAAAAAPSg/u_ok-MYq-h4/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-235pjhMvAB0/VQzNcnhbDSI/AAAAAAAAPSg/u_ok-MYq-h4/s1600/5.JPG" height="320" width="188" /></a></span></div>
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Australian woman last year. The Mirador area has beautiful landscaping with benches to relax. One tree cracked me up. At the top, it divided into three, so I called it the trinity tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We walked off the beaten tourist track on our way to the bus station. We needed to get our bus tickets for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2" rel="unesco" target="_blank" title="City of Quito">Quito</a> for the day after tomorrow. As we were walking down this street of businesses, a dog started barking furiously. When I turned, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7kJPWKeT0E/VQzNepB6FkI/AAAAAAAAPSs/Q1gDMjdwaJw/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7kJPWKeT0E/VQzNepB6FkI/AAAAAAAAPSs/Q1gDMjdwaJw/s1600/6.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I could not find him. Then I happened to look up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Finding a store that only sold eggs was also unusual, but we are immune now to cultural differences. Eggs are not refrigerated anywhere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgTFlyDM4zI/VQzNeUG_uII/AAAAAAAAPSo/BkoBxGlJyJs/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgTFlyDM4zI/VQzNeUG_uII/AAAAAAAAPSo/BkoBxGlJyJs/s1600/7.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love the way they decorated walls. There are seldom bare walls, but this is not due to graffiti, it is because they encourage applying art to the walls. This wall was unique in that they used rocks, which were painted individually as well as paintings around the rocks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We went to the bus station, looked over the various <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bus">bus company</a> options for getting to Quito and then bought our </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1SIMjLNRv10/VQzNqFEBG8I/AAAAAAAAPS4/Le3dRZVpQ8o/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1SIMjLNRv10/VQzNqFEBG8I/AAAAAAAAPS4/Le3dRZVpQ8o/s1600/8.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">tickets. For a three and a half hour ride, the tickets were $3.50 each. The bus station is a cultural experience unto itself. Although similar in Panama and other Central American cities, we have never seen anything like it in Europe or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667%20(United%20States)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="United States">the US</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ron decided he wanted to experience the thermals. For those who do not live in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.4719444444,19.0502777778&spn=0.1,0.1&q=47.4719444444,19.0502777778%20(Budapest)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Budapest">Budapest</a>, this may be a thrill. For me, it was a non-starter. For Ron, it was curiosity. He went to the Aqua Santa (Holy Water) for an hour. Three pools were different temperatures, but one cooled off. Everyone had to wear a bathing cap regardless of gender or hair length. He said the water was murky, not clear due to the mineral content. It was quiet and calm, no loud music, children, or people being obnoxious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the evening, we went to Café Hood for dinner. Talk about relaxing, they have a Buddhist Zen theme, a striking paradox to Mexican menu items. Adding to the mix, our server was a blonde haired middle-aged man from Italy. Great food and ambiance. </span></div>
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