Ecuador 7/1/2015 - 7/6/2015

Wednesday 7/1/2015 - Arrival

We woke up at 1:45 a.m., showered, and got our last-minute things together. We left for the airport right at three o'clock. By 4:15, had arrived at the airport and were already through check in kiosks. We printed our bag tags, but still needed to wait in line for a bag drop. We had checked our big duffel bag containing two yoga mats, and a Rubbermaid tote secured by two straps. The Rubbermaid would allow us to store some items in our casita so that we don't need to bring them back and forth every time we visit.

We got breakfast at Cosi. Craig had yogurt, granola, and fruit, while I had cranberry orange bagel. We boarded and took off on time at 5:00 a.m. I worked on our China trip for our website on my computer, and we listened to Yes music (RIP the recently departed Chris Squire).

We landed in Miami early. The connecting flight was at 9:44 a.m., and took off 15 minutes late due to a baggage delay. They gave us yogurt, sandwiches, croissants, cookies, and fruit. Despite the delay, we somehow managed to make up time, and arrived in Quito 10 minutes early.

While picking up the luggage, the two straps from the Rubbermaid came through in a bin by themselves. Uh-oh. But Craig found the Rubbermaid with the oversized luggage, and everything was intact.

After 10 minutes, Aida, Antonio, and the three kids showed up all dressed up in their traditional Otavalan attire. Rosa was not with them, as she was at home with a migraine. Sisa and Yupanqui gave us happy hugs and kisses. Shina Tayanta had recently woken up and was feeling shy. The kids shared chips and plantain chips with us and we drove back to their house in Morochos.

On the ride home, Sisa was asking us to teach her certain words in English. The sun was hot and the weather was beautiful. The kids were happy and playful.

We stopped in Quiroga at a convenience store, where we bought 2 large water jugs at $1.35 each. I also decided to try to buy a SIM card (known locally as "el chip") so that I could text on my cell phone. It cost $5, and included $3 of airtime.

A short distance from their house, the family pointed out their newly purchased parcel of farm land. They said that it had been planted with quinoa and chochos (lupins).

When we got to their house, we almost didn't recognize their property with all the new additions! The house now has a second and third floor! There was now a staircase to the right of the bathroom to access the upstairs.

We got settled into our casita, the private cottage that they had built for us a couple of years ago. Once we had organized our belongings a bit, we met the family in the courtyard and then gave us a tour of the new construction.

They brought us up to the second floor of the main house, which contained three bedrooms and a large living space. Then there was a second staircase up to the third floor. This staircase passed right by a window opening. In fact, Shina Tayanta, with her visual disability, had fallen out this window earlier this year. She had broken a bone in her foot and hadn't been allowed to walk for four weeks. She was very lucky that she wasn't more seriously hurt.

There were two more bedrooms on the third floor. For six people currently living in two bedrooms on the ground floor, this would provide some much-needed living space.

The electricity was out, so we sat outside. We played with building blocks with the kids. Sisa and Yupanqui were very affectionate. At first, Shina kept her distance. She sat on the stairs and picked corn kernels off a corncob. After a couple of hours, Shina got over her initial reticence and became very affectionate as well.

We saw Max the dog, Chipi the cat, five chickens, and some baby chicks. The family doesn't have cows anymore; Abuelita is getting too old to take care of them like she used to.

I tried to activate the new SIM card on my phone but had no luck. Why is everything always so difficult for me? Shouldn't it "just work"?

Sisa surprised us by asking what our names are. She had never done that before, and it showed an increasing awareness that we have an identity outside of being their Achi Mama and Achi Taita.

The electricity still hadn't returned, so Aida cooked dinner by candlelight. Their stove runs on gas, so there was no problem cooking. Sisa carried the candle around while setting the table. Shina sat with Craig during dinner preparations.

We still hadn't seen Rosa, who was in bed with a migraine. For dinner, we had potato and cabbage soup, steak and salsa with rice, broccoli, home-grown peas, and lemonade. Shina sat on my lap throughout dinner. She has a cute little voice and kept whispering to us. As we ate, the electricity came back on.

There was a bright full moon visible over Volcan Imbabura. We climbed up to the third floor to get a better view. We could also see two planets.

We then retired to our room at 8:40 p.m. I wrote in the journal, and we went to bed at 9:15 after a long day. The altitude was impacting me a bit, and I had a headache and a stomach ache.

Aida and Shina Tayanta at the airport

Aida and Shina Tayanta at the airport

The family meets us at the airport

The family meets us at the airport

Sisa and Achi Taita on the ride home from the airport

Sisa and Achi Taita on the ride home from the airport

Sisa

Sisa

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