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So I just returned from the Galapagos and all my friends ask the same question, “How was it?”  That is not so easy to answer because I could probably spend the next two days talking about the experience.  It isn’t enough to merely say that everywhere else I’ve ever been now pales in comparison because you can’t compare the Galapagos with anywhere else.  It is literally another world. After awhile, I came up with one simple response, “It’s like the epitome of summer camp for adults located in the land that time forgot”.  Yes, I know it’s vague, but once you’ve been there yourself, it makes perfect sense. Read the rest of this entry →

Been a little busy here folks. Went away to Quito (again) for a week and went up to Cotacachi and Otavalo for the weekend. Had no time to do anything but work and sleep in Quito, but had a wonderfully relaxing weekend in Cotacachi…I even left my computer in Quito so I wouldn’t be tempted. Must get some photos so you can see for yourself. Cotacachi, about 2 hours north of Quito, sits right in the center of two huge extinct volcanoes, Cotacachi and Imbabura. Pretty amazing views when the clouds let you have a peak. Read the rest of this entry →

(Note: First…at the end is a link to photos that you absolutely should not miss!)

There is a valley outside Cuenca that has become my dream.  Nestled between mountains, yes, a river runs through it. I have been out that valley about 8 times now, each time going a bit further. The further you go, the more the landscape changes…from lush green to paramo where the handful of residents plant bushes around an area to use as a garden because otherwise, the wind is too harsh and the nights too cool to grow anything. Read the rest of this entry →

When I first came to Ecuador to peruse from the perspective of a possible move here, I had done almost a year of research, felt as though I no longer wanted to live in a big city and was certain I didn’t want to live that close to an active volcano that has already once caused the city to be evacuated due to ash cover…so I can’t say I’ve ever been very focused on Quito. Read the rest of this entry →

Yesterday, I was invited to have lunch with an Ecuadorian family. It was quite an experience for me as we spent roughly 4 hours together between lunch and conversation afterwards…in Spanish. While quite a bit of time was dedicated to American politics, quite a bit of time was also dedicated to discussing various events and tragedies in various powerful families in Cuenca. Read the rest of this entry →