Ecuador 4/23/2016 - 5/15/2016 |
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Thursday, 5/12/2016 - Working RemotelyThe world rises and shines early here. Every morning there are announcements which blare from a loudspeaker. This morning, they started at 5:15 a.m. Buses drive by, blaring their horns to make sure sleepy patrons know they are coming (the earliest we have heard one is 3:05 a.m.) And each morning, between 6:30 and 7:00, a man comes on a bicycle delivering fresh bread. He has two saddle-bag style baskets hanging from his bike, full of croissants and rolls. He comes down the driveway, whistling to announce his arrival, and calls out "Buenas dias!" It's a good thing we've been going to bed early (9 p.m. or so), as we are awakened by these various early morning activities.I went over to the kitchen to work at 7 a.m. Breakfast was fried eggs, papas fritas, bologna, juice, and coffee. It was a sunny, gorgeous day here today. All of our clothes dried, and Craig now has a pair of jeans to wear along with his new shirt! Yupanqui arrived home early from school today because his teacher was absent. When Sisa got home from school, we had lunch. We enjoyed soup, spaghetti, and fresh strawberry juice to drink. As we ate, Sisa mentioned that she is looking forward to the weekend. We mentioned that on Sunday we will be flying home. A look of realization crossed her face as her smile slowly turned to a frown; she hadn't fully processed that we would be leaving so soon. This visit has lasted three weeks, and they got very used to having us around. She and Yupanqui asked us not to go. We apologized and said that we don't want to leave, but we have to. And we will be back here in under two months, so we will be seeing them again soon! The gas truck still has not made an appearance, but other trucks pass by muliple times per day. The trash truck (on Mondays) plays a cheery tune to let people know it is coming. Other trucks, selling potatoes or fish, have loudspeakers over which a man will repeat "Papas! Papas!" or "Pescado!" This afternoon, we heard the tinny AM-radio music of the fruit truck. Antonio was outside playing "El Condor Pasa" to Tayanta on his reed flute when it came by. They hailed it and bought some mangoes, oranges, bananas, and a pineapple. In these rural villages, mobile vendors can be a lifeline! Craig and I went upstairs to get a view of the surrounding landscape for sunset. The clouds turned a fiery red. Little birds seem to be nesting beneath the roof tiles. Shina, Yupanqui, and Peluchin hung out with Abuelita for a while in her outdoor kitchen. Dinner was carrot soup with popcorn, melloco, rice, chicken, and veggies. As we were heading back to our casita for the night, we stopped in the bedroom to say goodnight to the kids. Sisa and Shina were cuddling with Peluchin in bed. They looked so cozy. We said goodnight and hasta mañana, then returned to the casita. |
 Breakfast: Antonio, Sisa, and Yupanqui  Antonio and Shina See all photos from this day |
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