Trout fishing on Christmas Day

Rio Negro is a small town flanking the banks of Rio Pastaza about 45 minutes from Banos (bearing in mind mountain traffic). A friend and his staff invited me to go fishing with them and a cook out. The meal was perhaps the best I've had yet! Fresh plucked trout, cleaned immediately, marinated in lemon and salt, rolled in three giant leaves and cooked over an open grill. A typical method for the indigenous and wildly popular in their circles. However, for those who've adapted to more modern methods of cooking, walked by our site and stood in awe as they watched the women prepare the meal.

A Christmas Day like no other! I hope everyone who reads this had an equally beautiful day.

Christmas Eve Day

Most events in Banos begins with a parade! So, all the children from all the schools dressed in costumes reflecting religious and joyful characters and paraded down Ambato Street after their visit to the Iglesia. If I had a favorite, which I DON'T, it could be Pedro... doing his fierce warm up; or my "girls" walking in the parade; Anita, the angel of Sagrado Corazon; or Dominica and Mateo as Mary and Joseph... all glowing stars, in my eyes. Once at the school each grade did a performance. My 8th grade did a dance to Michael Jackson's They Don't Really Care About Us. However, it was a rather stressful journey, getting it choreographed, but they were able to remember it and it went well..... phew!

After a wonderful nap in a hammock among orchids and bromelaids, pavo (turkey) dinner at Ivone, Edith and Fabian's home with new amigos.

First time in my life I did not have any of my children around me. I felt a touch disconnected, but, with so much love and healing around, I could smile... and I do know they are happy and celebrating in their own ways.

New Years is coming and everyone says it is THE day!

La fiesta y arbol de navidad

The holidays are upon us along with 1st trimester testing. The English exam isn't until Dec. 21, so I literally have a week off. Trying to decide where to go or what to do... and decided to stay in Banos and work with the students on their Christmas performance dance. They chose Michael Jackson's "They Don't Really Care About Us" and are getting into a bit of B'way/MTV choreography. New style for them, but they have a built in sense of rhythm and are learning quickly!

Last night had a class tree decorating & pizza party a mi departamento and they ate every last slice! Some things ARE constant world wide... :)

Morning in the Andes

6 am is the time I find I rise every morning. Not a curse but a blessing which I look forward to each night before I fall asleep.

Some mornings are fog filled and I grab a sweater and pull on my socks... I mean, it IS December... hello! But, going outside it's balmy and humid and gorgeous to the touch. This morning the fog was vacant and the sun was brillant on the close yet distant mountain. The shadows spoke not of demented and sordid creatures, but of life tucked into earth worn crevaces. Lola, the partner of Sephora, accompanied me to the roof for a spectacular witness to Banos' early light. Each day I feel it's a new day and I'm blessed to feel the love. Grateful to have life.

If you look closely, you can see the trail or path to Virgin Mirador on the mountain ridge.

Thanksgiving Day

Bendice estos regalos
El unico Dios afable

De quien toda la bondad nace

Limpia nuestros corazones y alimenta nuestros espiritu
Con cosas buenas y jubilosas.

-Oracion Tradicional en Engles

Carrot Cake

Although I'm not living with the nuns any more, I still have great affection for them and their kindness. So, I made them a carrot cake and while it was still warm, they wanted to have an immediate party! They sang, laughed and begged for the recipe. What a wonderful day!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a new concept for the kids but are loving the idea of a big meal for family and friends. So, the lesson on Friday was to create the invitations. All directions in English ... it was hard, concentrated work! This was a first time for pop-up cards. Awesome!

Thinking of Neal and Trey

This morning I woke up in the middle of a cloud. Banos is still considered a cloud forest and when we're socked in, it's cool, the birds are singing arias and the greens are greener. Last Sunday, I walked a bit around my neighborhood and these shots are for my brother and son who build things. The cane/bamboo is incredibly strong and they use if for everything! (including chewing for the juice then spitting out the pulp)

A week at Sagrado Corazon

The week was a flurry of schedule changes and confusion at the school. The French teacher needed to rearrange his classtime which changed our schedules, too. EVERYONE was confused, bordering on hilarity... But, by the end of the week, the newly elected class officers had their ceremony and the week ended with smiles and waves.