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.