Ecuador ~ Family Ties

Families come in all forms sometimes through blood, sometimes through the heart and sometimes through both.  This was a month full of family experiences.

We have learned that enjoying family in South America is the heart of the culture here. So when Janet's sister Joan joined us for the month we were excited to share our new South American family with her. Needless to say gatherings were filled with laughter, music, good food and always an adventure or two. 

Where did the month go? Time flew as the 'J&P tour guides' made a fast track of Ecuador to share with Joan all our favorite haunts and then some.

"Joan Mary Mercer is in Ecuador"

There is nothing like travel to give us the opportunity to leave one world behind and experience a taste of another.  We knew that seeing the 'sights' would just be a backdrop for experiencing the real culture which is the people and the family connections here in South America.  

                                                     Shiny cocoons from the butterfly farm.

   So off we went to once again seek out the road less traveled! 

We have learned to always expect the unexpected and relish the joy of open-mouthed laughter! Threesome anyone? 

Exploring new terrain usually involves becoming lost several times all the while maintaining our sense of humor. "What do you mean there is no more road, it says here it goes on for miles"!!! We also realize that to our uninitiated backseat passenger driving in South America may seem like an extreme sport.  Truth be told, it is! 

                       

So.... in the course of seeing a thousand and one churches, a few museums,

               Purchasing face creme through a turntable from the cloistered nuns, no peeking!

                                                              Great babysitter!

    Were they for Dinner? or a Pet? I think it was dinner.

several markets, artisans, and of course even a protest rally we think that Joan got a good sense of the country. 'Punto Bueno'! aka: a job well done by P&J!

                 

Often we don't know where we will lay our heads at night, but to our surprise we have found we are not too old for bunk beds....yet.

                                              

Fortunately so far we have never had to settle down on the pavement like this little fellow.

                                           

Note to tour guides: Beware of sharing personal passions that drag family out of bed at 4 am to experience the wonders of bird watching ....and the bitter cold of the cloud forest.  Even the birds decided it was smarter to stay asleep than to venture out to join us. 'Punto Malo'! ~ aka: P&J tour guides bombed on this one!

Fortunately P&J tour guides with the help of our prima Clemencia were redeemed during a magical evening at her farm in Mindo. Following a fabulous pizza dinner we all donned rain gear to experience the midnight bloom of the pitahaya, Wow! The bloom is as incredible as the fruit.

As the month neared its end and Joan's birthday approached, Joan let us know that her only birthday wish was..."to be warm".

                     

Perfect, we knew just the place.... nothing like a warm mud bath to bring a birthday smile to her face! Even Evelyn joined us for the celebration.

   

Rejuvenated and warm we wined and dined and celebrated Joan's birthday. Don't worry, we promise not to tell anyone you just turned 60!

We all got to experience the magic of Ecuador this past month and we look forward to traveling with Joan again! "Punto Buenisimo"!