|
We were awoken by a distant loudspeaker and music at 5:15 a.m. We got up at 7:30 and showered, arriving for breakfast at 8:45. Breakfast was an omelet with onion, green peppers, and tomato, served with a croissant, juice, and coffee.
After breakfast Antonio and Rosa did some landscaping for the party, trimming grass and clearing some space. In between playing with Sisa, we did some work separating beans. Corn was drying in the sun, and Craig had to keep chasing the hungry baby chicks away from it. We were joined by Max, the family's loyal dog, who likes to lay in the sun. Max is quite patient with the kids. He is expressive, with one ear permanently raised. We ate a lunch of cabbage soup with barley, lentils, rice, llapingachos (a mashed potato patty which is fried), and fried chicken. While we were eating, Aida arrived home with Yupanqui and eight live chickens. Sisa had been a bit cranky, but after they arrived, she was a different kid. Aida sat down to eat. I held Yupanqui, and Sisa immediately squeezed in between Craig and myself. She hugged and kissed her baby brother repeatedly. We told Aida that we had all missed them and she said that they had missed us too. Rosa washed Craig's new pants and my new blouse and dried them on the clothesline. Aida liked my blouse; it was the first she had seen it. Rosa asked if we could help her change the linens in the other half of the guest house. We assumed it was in preparation for the weekend, when Felipe and Maria Jose would be visiting and staying overnight for the baptism. We changed both beds and Sisa helped us. When we were done, we realized that our assumption had been incorrrect. A young couple from Stuttgart arrived as tourists for the homestay. Their names were Cristina and Christian. We introduced ourselves and gave them some background on the family and how the homestay works. Rosa gave them the opportunity to try grinding corn by hand with a grinding stone. The baby chicks took advantage of them, being so bold as to hop up on the grinding stone to try to eat the corn as they ground it! Abuelita brought her cow home from its grazing area, stopping at the outdoor sink to let it have a drink of water. Sisa wanted soup and Rosa was busy and told her to ask Achi Mama. I gave her a bowl of soup, and then three refills! This little girl can eat! Rosa, Sisa, and Max the dog took us and the German tourists on a walk up to the community center. The late afternoon light was gorgeous as we passed eucalyptus trees and cornfields with views of the surrounding mountains. A flock of sheep came barreling towards us on the road and then stopped short. We took a detour on the walk home and went to a house where a man demonstrated traditional weaving techniques on a loom. He was making tapestries. They showed us some items that they had for sale, including some lightweight but warm alpaca wool sweaters. I assumed they would be very expensive, and when I asked, I thought he had said $50. When I realized that I had misheard, and a sweater only cost $15, Craig and I each bought one. There were lots of kids there including an infant. Sisa was very affectionate with them, hugging and kissing the baby. We went home for dinner, and after several days of stomach problems, I didn't feel like eating, so I explained to Rosa and Aida. Rosa asked me a few questions about my symptoms and said that they grew a plant which could help. For dinner, she served soup, rice, steak, and mixed vegetables. I ate a very small portion of rice and steak. Antonio came home during dinner. After we had all finished eating, Antonio said it was time to go next door to visit his brother Miguel for more baptism preparations. Antonio, Aida, and Yupanqui went with us. Miguel led us in the sign of the cross. He asked us write our full names on a piece of paper, which he then he notarized. They explained that we will go with Aida to Cotacachi tomorrow to meet with the priest, and we will bring this paperwork. We walked back home and Aida have us a goodnight hug. Everyone was already settled in their rooms for the night when a band came to the property, playing music and stomping around, much like our first night here. For a rural place, it sure can be noisy here! We went to sleep at 9:30. |
 Achi Taita plays with Sisa  Achi Mama plays with Sisa (arriba, abajo)  Aida and Yupanqui  A villager weaves a tapestry on a loom  Yupanqui, Aida, Craig, Christian, Cristina, and Rosa See all photos from this day |
|
 |
|
 |
