This will likely be my last posting until I return to the states. We arrived at Porta Lopez which is on the coast.  I had not idea places like this really existed.  Think of all those pictures of starving childen in 3rd world countries, dirt streets, dog everywhere, filth...well...I am there!  We found a clean hostal to stay in right on the water with a private bath and hot water.  They do not have any mosquito netting so I will have to cover myself in bug spray after my shower so that I am not a human pin cushion tonight as I sleep. We are going to Isla de La Plata tomorrow.  2 hour boat ride over, 4 hour hike on the island, snorkeling (iffy on this - depends on the cleanliness of the equipment) and 2 hour boat ride back.  Then early Sunday morning we are heading down the coast and will return to Quito late Monday night.  This is really the most adventurous part of the trip as no place takes credit cards and I am down to my last $100.  I am up to the challenge and looking forward to seeing how creative I can get.  The bus ride down here was more of an adventure than last weekend. I only wish I had the courage to take a picture!

Need to go, this is expensive!  Love to all and PLEASE keep me in your prayers.  I will update the weblog when I return home to the states with all the adventures of this weekend.  Thanks for everyones participation!

Amy the Thrill Seeker!

Hello all...

This past weekend was a great one!  I was well needed and helped take my mind off of all the crappy things going on right now.  Three of us went to Banos which is about 4 hours by bus from Quito.  A direct car trip would only run about 2 hours, but when you take the bus here they stop for anybody that wants to get on.  They just stand on the side of the road and the bus stops and they get on, even when there are no more seats.  Venders get on and peddle their food and other items and then get off when the want to.  It is really quite interesting.  However, many people do not shower regularly here (I understand why with the short supply of HOT water) so the bus had an interesting aroma.  We did opt for the more expensive bus ($3.50 on way) so there were no animals or chickens or anything like that on the bus.  We sorta flew by the seat of your pants this weekend, no reservations, no plans..just went for it.  We found a nice, clean hotel with three beds and a clean HOT shower with lots of water pressure.  The bed was soft and the pillow fluffy.  I could have stayed there for a week.  It rained the whole time we were there but we were not discouraged.  We got out, explored and experienced it all..after we all took HOT showers and a little nap in our comfy beds!  Banos is known for its thermal hot baths.  It is close to an active volcano and 5 years ago was completely destoyed by it.  On Saturday afternoon we all had massages and relaxed.  That night we found a really nice place for dinner and then a cute little bar that opened to the street so we could people watch.  People here are unable to say my name so now I just lie and tell them it is Maria Rodriguez.  It is much better this way.  They do not get frustrated trying to say my name and I do not laugh at their attempts.  Sunday we slept in and then headed for the baths.  I must admit that I was really gun shy about getting in, but figured I had not gotten too sick yet and most anything I catch they can probably cure in the states..so what the hell.  We did stand out and we were the only Americans there, but it was one of those things you just have to experience.  After about 20 minutes we were done with that adventure and it was back to the hotel for another HOT shower (knowing it would be at least another week until I was home and able to take a hot shower I took full advantage of the opportunity there!).  We rented a taxi with a guide for the afternoon and went sight seeing.  It truely was the best part of the trip thus far.  Banos is beautiful and lush.  It is the beginning of the Amazon and the topography is amazing.  Green everywhere and lots of water.  We rode a cable car across a massive gorge that was suspended by cables (I was a bit nervious) and crossed a suspension bridge that I was concerned might fall.  Needless to say, I survived.  We hiked to the Paleon del Diablo waterfall which is amazing. I took lots of pictures and was drenched by the time we got back up the mountain.  It was well worth the lack of oxygen, sore legs and rain!  On the return trip we had a great view of Cotpaxi which is the largest active volcano in the world.  It was not erupting at the time and the peak is covered in snow, but it is impressive.  When we returned there were two more girls staying at our house.  They are cute.  High school girls from Montana.  Anyway, I need to wrap this up.  I have lots to get finished this week, as I am going away to the coast for the last 4 days of my trip this weekend with a friend.  School is going fine, although I am not progressing as quickly as I would have liked, I am really builidng on my vocabulary and verb tenses which have always given my problems.  My confidence in the language grows each day which was my first priority so I am happy.  Take care and I will talk to all later!
Amy

Well this week has been the most difficult thus far. I had some not so great news from Dad regarding Mom and it is hard to be so far away and alone while all this CRAP is going on. For those of you have not read the comments, I urge you to do so. Mom posted last and it just goes to show you what an incredible inspiration she is! With that being said.... The new school building for my classes is beautiful but not complete. It is sorta like being at the Ponderosa and trying to study. Hammering, sanding, painting, scaffolding, workmen everywhere, and things falling and a few choice cuss words. Comforting in a way since it reminds me of home! I was hoping to come home early but it looks like that is not an option at this point. It seems that a lot of poeple are leaving Ecuador right now and I could not get a flight until Thursday. Thus, I have opted to go ahead and stick with my original departure date of the 22nd, finish my classes and hope for the best. There is a chance that there will be a labor strike within the next 2 weeks. If that happens I may not be able to get out at all....so....keep you fingers crossed and pray that I will be able to get out as scheduled. I am planning on my weekend away at Banos. I figure a diversion at this point would be better than sitting at home an emotional train wreck. Please keep my family (especially mom) and me in your prayers. It is reassuring to know that I am blessed with loving and supportive family and friends. I thank God for all of you everyday! I will write again next week with details of my weekend adventure. Thank you all for your words of support! Love you all and anxious to be back home! Amy

Hello All,

Sorry it took so long to write. Things have been really busy and with the move to the new school there is no internet place close.  That being said here is my update since my last posting on Saturday...

Sunday was an awesome day.  I spent it with two other students (more my age) from school.  We went to the open air market, for shopping of course! Then off to the Panecilla which over looks the entire city - took lots of great pictures and then had a super dinner and great conversations with new friends that share similiar interests.

Monday was a bit of a challenge getting to the new school.  We take two different buses and walk a bit father but it will be fine. This is a temporary situation for me so there is no use complaining about it!  Monday afternoon at the school where I taught was a different story.

The kids were aweful, rude, distruptive and the teachers did nothing.  Needless to say, childbirth without pain medication was more enjoyable that Monday afternoon.  I spoke to the director of the school and I am not going back.  Instead I am spending the rest of my afternoons at the orphange. 

Tuesday at the orphanage I taught the girls how to play uno (we decided to blow off our homework and just play)  They really enjoyed it.  Maybe today we will play for money!  Later that afternoon we went to the park closeby and played some basketball.  I do not think I can make much of a team out of them before I leave but they enjoyed a game of horse and so did I.

Later that night I met up with some kids from school at TGI Fridays to watch the playoff game between the Lakers and the Pistons.  I was the only person in the bar that wanted the Lakers to win, and since they did...it was a great night for me.

Anyway,  I most likely will not write again until after the weekend.  I am going to a small town called Banos for the weekend.  They have thermal volcanic hot springs there.  I am looking for to the travel although the 4 hour bus ride is not really appealing.  I do think I will be able to squeeze in a massage and facial while there and that is really appealing!

Hello All,

Once again the plans for the weekend fell through.  Next weekend I am sticking to my plans even if that mean I have to travel on my own!  This week was a tough one.  I got sick Wednesday afternoon and spent all that night and Thursday in bed.  Got up Friday morning and felt better so I went to school and took my test.  It was REALLY hard.  I still do not understand the need for 2 different past tenses, but those that speak spanish do.  Go figure.  Anyway, after school went to the new job that I will do on Monday and Friday afternoons from 1:30-6:00pm.

I am teaching english to a class of young kids (maybe 8-10yrs) in a private  school.  For those in the world that think they have it bad, I took pictures.  People in the US have NO IDEA how good they have it.  Anyway, no one and I mean NO ONE in the school speaks english so it is a challenge.  I have just about wore out the pages of my spanish-english dictionary.  For a change this week I think we might just listen to country music and learn the electic slide.  There is no ciricculm for me to follow so I am on my own.  We might have to start with the Hokey Pokey and go from there.  Who knows, I am sure that I can bluff my way through it and by the end of the month they should all be programmed that George W. is a GREAT GUY! (That ought to do wonders for the civil unrest!).  We will be teaching on Mondays and Fridays and at the orphanage Tue, Wed and Thurs.

Classes are getting harder and harder.  We do a lot of role playing which is actually really fun.  Yesterday I had to be the mother (appropriate since I could be almost all the other students mother anyway), the father had passed away and the other kids in the group were my children and had to tell me their personal history and what things they wanted and why from the estate. It was a crack up!  It some ways it was like being at home!  The looks on their faces were priceless when I asked them questions like...Why do you think that I should give you the house, you have a job and can support yourself?  One of the girls story was aweful.  Several kids, no husband, etc.  then she blammed me for all of it.  (I am pretty confident that she is a democrat!)  Needless to say, she did not get anything in the settlement of the estate.

Ok all,
This will be very short.  My schedule has changed and I will not be able to update until Tuesday afternoon.  I have been sick, but am feeling fine now.  Going shopping this weekend.  Joe - brace yourself.

Talk to you all next week.  Keep up the postings!
Love, Amy

Hello All, Well the bad news was that the whole Miss Universe thing fell through. Not quite sure what the problem was, but I watched on tv just like the rest of you. Oh well, it is not the end of the world. Besides, I am not sure that spending the evening being reminded that there lots of women taller, skinnier, prettier and more talented than myself would be too good for my self esteem! I was a bit shocked when Miss USA did not win and considered making a scene, then in the light of the upcoming civil unrest, I decided a low profile would be best. Today there is a national soccer game vs. Columbia. I wanted to go but am glad that I decided not to when I watched all the military helicopters, troops, guns etc. head for the stadium to keep order during and after the game. This would be another event that I think would be best if I watch for the tv at home. Hopefully Ecuador wins or things could get really ugly! School is going fine. Challenging yet fun. The girls at the orphanage are whipping through their homework now because they realize that I will play games with them if they complete it. I am taking my deck of uno cards today. (Thank God I brought the directions in spanish!) They have changed our schedule for the last two weeks. We will tutor for english classes at a private school on Mondays and Fridays and go to the orphanage on Tues, Wed and Thurs. It does not matter to me. Either way and I am fine. This weekend, a few girls from school and myself are heading to a small town called Octovalo. It is where the big open market is for handcrafts. (Joe - I may need more money after this weekend!) We are only planning on spending the day and return home that night with all of our treasures. It should be great fun! Comments: They use the US dollar here so sorry mom, but I feel like I am spending my/Joes money. I would not recommed a trip down here for any of my family at this point. Besides the cold water and no water pressure issue, without knowing any of the language, it is a challenge living here. I recommed that you all stay at home and live vicariously through me. I do not mind at all. Regarding the political unrest. It is concerning, but I am staying on top of the news and not too worried at this point. I am glad that I have the opportunity to experience this, but at the same time am not confident enough to jump in the middle of it so do not worry. That is about it for now. I need to run off to work. I will post again after the weekend or if anything drastic happens before then. I look forward to hearing from all of you. It really helps with the home sickness. Love and kisses to all, Amy

First housekeeping...

Meg, thanks for the offer of the care package but it take up to a month for things to get here and then you have to pay tax on based on the weight.  So...thank you for thinking of me, but why donīt you hold off on the package.

Joe, I donīt recall you teaching me how to cook.  Oh wait - is deep frying everything cooking?  You will love my new recipes!

Good Afternoon,

I noticed that some of you have added your names to the notifiation list so you know when I update this page.  Great idea!  Please note that if I did not reognize your e-mail address I deleted it.  If you want to stay on the list, please e-mail me and let me know your screen name if you are not family and someone I e-mail anyway.  Thanks.

Hello all,  So great to hear from all of you on the comment part of the journal.  Be sure to check all of the journal entries as you donīt want to miss any of the fun and people are posting comments in different places.

First a bit of housekeeping...

Joe - I e-mailed you about the parking ticket at SMS-let me know what you want to do about it-and once again SORRY!