Bruschetta-tasting tour

It ain't easy keeping up with this creative mind! Today was a small bruschetta-tasting tour around the Mariscal neighborhood. Ice-cold beer. Ice-cold Diet Cokes. Bruschetta and a perfect day - not too sunny, not too cloudy.

Walking Tour #3: San Marcos and Alameda Park

Another walking tour - as if our feet haven't had enough! :) But, it has been so fun getting to know more of Old Town. Today we took a taxi to La Merced and caught it open.

Next we visited a small, traditional neighborhood called San Marcos. I have never been here - have never even heard of it! Quite a little treasure in the middle of bustling downtown. Quiet, shady, no traffic. Ahhhh, fresh air. And as an added bonus - a working fountain!

Took these steps down, but everyone else seemed to be taking them up!

Took a taxi back up to Alameda Park.

Always getting that perfect shot, ya know! :)

The monument dedicated to Simón Bolívar - Latin America's freedom fighter and hero.

Going up to Bethlehem Church. This is the church Laura and Checho are members of.

Then a short rest in El Ejido Park as we make our way back to work to pick up Andrés. Oh, and Kari had to check out the little library they have built in the park...

Homework time

This is what nights have been looking like around here. Nicolas, doing his homework. Grandpa Dan doing his.

Photo Shoot in Ambato

Today we took a trip to Ambato. The weather could have been a little better, but we had a nice time anyway. First we went to eat the famous gallinas de Pinllo (Pinllo chickens) in peanut sauce, finishing it of with some local pop: pineapple-flavored Fruitkiss.

Next we went up to the Primera Imprenta to view the city. As Grandpa Dan searched the horizons for that perfect building and perfect shot, Agustín asked me to take a "few" pictures of him.

"Mommy, take a picture of me here."

"Mommy, now take a picture of me here."

"Mommy, now here."

"Here too."

"Now take a picture of me here."

"And now here."

"Oh, this looks like a good place, right Mommy?"

And after all those pictures, I had to get one of the two of us. He was so huggable at that moment!

The whole time Agustín was posing, I ket trying to get Nico, but he kept giving me his back.I did get this one, though, surprising him by coming up behind him and sticking the camera in his face!

Next we went up to Quisapincha.

Driving around later that afternoon, we came across an indigenous celebration. Got to watch as adults and kids went out dancing, some dressed as devils, others as angels, others as animals (there was even Bigfoot), all dancing around statues of the Baby Jesus and Joseph and Mary. Very very cool.

This guy was a bit creepy, but cool to watch. He had a stuffed skunk that he used as a phallic symbol and/or pointer. I am not sure at all what was going on, but it was one of the neatest shows I have seen. I need to do some research to understand more about what the celebration and custom was all about.

That night it was Ali's for supper.

"Mommy, here is good too, right? One more. Last one for today, OK?"

Photographer at work

One of the fun things so far this trip has been watching Grandpa Dan really get into taking pictures. I am one of those people that usually just snaps the picture, not really thinking about it. (I always wonder why everyone's pictures are better than mine. Ummm, maybe because they actually think about it before they press the button?)

Got some lessons from the pro - try to get a little green in the picture.

Notice the difference?

And Quito from the Panecillo. Looking north. It seems interminable.

Around Quito

It's nice having someone here to take around town and enjoy some of the scenery with. I haven't been doing many tourist-y things lately, so getting out and seeing some of the newer stuff has been really fun.

Grandpa Dan and I went to the park today, then spent the rest of the morning doing some errands. Grandma Shushú is at the beach, so we have also been in charge of picking the kids up from school this week. Agustín is usually happy to see us, but Nico always wants his grandma. More than anything because he wants ice cream after school!

Mask hunting

Got out today to look for the perfect mask and see what kinds of things will be showing up in our viejos this year. Some Michael Jackson (as always), Shrek, Correa and police officers (re: Sept 30), Toy Story.

Back home it was reading time. Again. And again. And again. And again.

A Star in our Midst!

There has been so much excitement around here waiting for the famous Grandpa Dan.

This morning at the beach the kids were ready to leave by 8 a.m. because "Grandpa Dan is coming!"

Every plane that went by later that evening had Grandpa Dan on it.

And now he is here and the kids are so so so happy. He is like a celebrity in their eyes.

I have a feeling he won't be getting much of a break from their attention!