A Visit from my friend, Jill Cook

Have seen Jill through the years, but never had a chance to spend some 'real' time since our dancing days on Broadway in My One and Only. She couldn't believe that I live in Ecuador... so I invited her for a visit and she came! We had a blast... First a rainy weekend in the selva (jungle) and monkey orphanage, then white water rafting, hiking, trips to the waterfalls and eating at the local restaurants. The week went quickly, but before she left she took a plunge off the San Francisco Bridge, 80', over the Pastaza River into a canyon revine and left looking ten years younger!

Field trip to Casa de Arbol

Most field trips in the City go to Statue of Liberty, MMA or Bronx Zoo... well, we went beyond the village of Runtun, on top the mountain that's adjacent to Tungurahua, to the 'casa de arbol' or tree house. Two other teachers, Madre Isabelle and I left around 7:45 and returned by 3pm. The clouds moved in and out and for a brief minute it rained lightly. We had lunch and the great thrill was the swing from the tree house. You really felt like you were flying over the Andes. But, Tungurahua, the active volcano was moaning and thundering all day long! Each time she spoke, everyone went, "Oooooooooo!" It took about 45 minutes by car to get there and about an hour to walk down. The next day my legs were feeling it...

My lesson plan was introducing the kids to photography. So, I took my two cameras and they had time behind the lens to discover subject, foreground, background, focus, telephoto, close up, etc. The following day we viewed their photos acknowledging the subject. The follow up lesson is what is the subject doing... building on sentence structure of subject and predicate.

Back to work

The 2nd trimester has begun and more serious learning. Sentence structure, homonyms, synonyms, antonyms, speaking in conversations, tongue twisters, etc. Each week a small test and this was the first week. These kids love to learn but also love to have FUN! One of my students had a birthday on Jan. 1, so I brought in a cake and they had a 'surprise' after the test. The boys were fascinated with my camera so, attached are shots of their attempts. Next week, a teacher driven field trip to Runtun... cameras and notepads in hand!

New Year's Eve

The night began with Sofie coming over and having a glass of wine and finally finding the right outfits. It's warm in Banos and NO COATS needed! Then we watched the full moon rise over a cloudless sky which illuminated the Andes and the valley of Banos.

Walking down the streets we first saw the 50' tall puppet of Obama, a gargantuan globe with trash icons imbedded all over it, and political messages surrounding. At midnight this is to go up in flames... Down each street were puppets of regular people folk, famous folk, monsters, imaginary creatures, etc... all to go up in flames at midnight. The symbolism is to release all the negative energy of the previous year (ano viejo) and open up to recieve goodness.

The entire village was a fiesta, not only with us who live here, but people from all over the world celebrating in the streets... dancing, laughing, kissing, hugging, drinking beer, talking, squeeling to see old friends, squeeling when they recognized friends who were dressed like it was Halloween!

Right before midnight made our way to Yvonne, Edith and Fabian's home to have our 'private' celebration and eat some delicious home cooking. Then off to the bars to dance! By 4:30am I was completely BEAT, so headed home, head slightly spinning. :)

Possibly the BEST new years I've ever experienced!

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.