Thursday 1/12/17 - Working Remotely

Today was a beautiful sunny day! When I entered my office room, the cushion from my chair was on the floor. Cuddled on top of it were two adorable kittens! I enjoyed their company until their mother (who belongs to the neighbors) came looking for them. The family doesn't currently have a cat, and it is certainly something that everyone misses.

For breakfast, we had crepes filled with jam, along with ham, coffee, and juice.

Antonio took Shina to the dentist at 11 o'clock to have her painful teeth checked out. He sent us a photo while they were there. The dentist was very impressed; 4-year old Shina did not cry at all and she followed directions perfectly! We are so proud of her! She will need another visit within the next few days to complete treatment.

Yupanqui and Sisa got their flu vaccinations at school today; Shina gets hers on Monday.

For lunch, we had corn soup, corn and beans, tomato salad, cheese, and a delicious banana milkshake!!

Internet technicians came by to check our connection as I have been having trouble with connectivity late in the day, especially when it is raining. They checked the antenna and connections and said all is well; it's just a limitation of the residential plan. Unfortunately, there is no option to upgrade in this community, so we'll just have to work around it. But the connection is much better this evening in the good weather!

When I was done working we enjoyed the sunshine and views of snow-capped Mount Cotacachi, whose peak is not always visible.

We played with the kids, building a tall tower with blocks. It was taller than the kids, and Yupanqui stood on a piece of wood to be able to reach to add more blocks to the top.

We also spent some time with the pigs. The male pig is huge now but is still as affectionate as he was when he was a piglet. I started to pet him and he fell right over onto is side, grunting appreciatively and exposing his belly for more rubbing. The kids enjoyed petting the piglets.

Speaking of pigs, we will be having roast pig for the baptism fiesta. Luckily, we will not be eating any of the family's pigs, so Antonio left to go see someone in the community who has one for sale. If he likes the looks of it, we will go to purchase it tomorrow.

As it got dark, we went into the kitchen. We showed the kids the video I had made of Aracely and Vanesa's visit last summer. As usual, I used Tom Waits as the soundtrack ("Hang on St. Christopher" in this case). The kids giggled when he started to sing, and they rocked out to the percussion. After watching that a few times, they watched the perennial favorite, the locally produced "El Pastorcito de Otavalo Buscando El Dorado."

As we were watching the kids' favorite movie on the computer before dinner, we heard Rosa call our names in a frantic fashion. We were afraid something was wrong, but quite the opposite! Cachupin, the family dog who had been missing in a neighboring town since Monday, returned home on his own! He arrived home healthy but quite hungry. We all gave him lots of love and lots of food. We are so happy!

Abuelita welcomes Cachupin home

Abuelita welcomes Cachupin home


For dinner, we had soup, marinated steak, cabbage slaw, rice, and llapingachos. During dinner, Shina proclaimed that Craig was a banano and I was a banana. She is so silly.

After dinner, Shina and Sisa were singing and doing cute little dances that reminded us of Irish stepdancing. While doing this, Shina hurt her right foot. It had been injured when she fell from the 2nd floor window a couple of years ago, and it is easily re-injured. Poor Shina; between her eyes, her teeth, and her foot, she has been having a hard time. She cried and we comforted her.

When the family was ready for bed, we retired to our casita for the night.
My favorite pig

My favorite pig

Achi Mama and Shina

Achi Mama and Shina

Yupanqui

Yupanqui

Yupanqui building a tower

Yupanqui building a tower

Achi Taita watching Pastorcito with Yupanqui and Shina

Achi Taita watching Pastorcito with Yupanqui and Shina

See all photos from this day



Previous Day Trip Overview



Back to Craig and Steph's Vacations
Next day

Read our guest book   Guest book Sign our guest book
Please send any questions or comments to steph@craigandstephsvacations.com
All photographs and text copyright 1996-Present www.craigandstephsvacations.com except where noted.