We didn't expect to stay in Cotacachi this long and, wow, has it really almost been a month since we updated the blog? I guess time flies when you hunker down in one spot and try to figure out what your daily life should/could/does look like in your new corner of earth. Hopefully the pictures below will help paint an image for you of our past month in Ecuador.
SETTLING IN TO DAILY LIFE
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| Can't beat the almuerzos (daily lunch specials) |
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| Skyping is always a treat to stay connected |
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A typical breakfast -
bread from the Panederia and fruit |
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| Yum, sugar empanadas |
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| the house next to our apt |
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Not at ALL representative
of the typical almuerzo |
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HUGE advocados, 50c each
- see dime on each plate for reference |
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| those are MY pants, Papa! |
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| view from our apt roof |
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setting up friend with Animal Jam account |
The women in this town just do not stop working. Even if they are in a parade they are crocheting away.
MAKING FRIENDS
Kaia's buddy Aliani, below. Her mother is an amazing Kichwa woman who runs a pizzaria in town. Grandma takes care of this whole field, and one beyond, by herself.
We always look forward to seeing our friends in the weekly English class we host with another expat, Cindy, in an after school program: Cartooning, face painting, duck duck goose, fortune tellers, string games and of course the hokey pokey - in case that's really all it is about.
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| With instruments and dog en route to a local after school program. |
And of course regular visits to playgrounds in town are always at the top of Kaia and Niko's lists (and Quilo's too). Spontaneous pick up games are a great way to get over the language jitters for young and old. Nothing like a stick and a ball to gather a crowd of kids.
The boys found more interesting things outside the playground...
A FEW EXCURSIONS
With beautiful scenery and the heart of Andean crafts, there is no lack of things to do. We visited a family of weavers in a town called Iluman, walk weekly to an organic farm (run by a woman from Japan who grew up in California who married a Kichwa man) to pick up great veggies, and spent a day at the volcanic lake Cuicocha.
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| Niko gets a chance at the loom |
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| Picking out gifts for friends and cousins |
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Packed up and ready to go with Christmas
goodies thanks to Rosa and Alfonzo. |
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The weekly walk to the organic farm
is always filled with things to explore |
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| Kaia and her Japanese-Kichwa buddy |
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We're slowly learning what "local"
prices are at Sunday market! |
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| Cotacachi Sunday market |
Lake Cuicocha boat trip, hike, and market. The volcano erupted 3000 years ago and the glacier formed the lake. This was followed by a later eruption that created the islands in the middle. Still bubbles toxic gas.
OUR FIRST (OF HOPEFULLY MANY) VISITORS!
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| Daughter D worried about Dad's stomach |
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| Peguche Falls |
AND, FINALLY, NEVER EVER TIRING OF THE VIEW OF IMBABURA HAS TO OFFER
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| Our house is just to the right of the basilica (that's the tiny tower on the bottom of the photo) |
