Final thoughts before our departure...

Just a few final thoughts as we end this chapter of our blog.  We return to the States on Thursday to visit with all the family on our way back to Seattle.  We are in awe of the raw beauty of the land and the genuine sweet spirit of it's people.  We have learned so much in these three weeks and grown to feel very much at home here.  There doesn't seem to be a way to put into words our feelings.  Even though the buildings are old and many need repair, and there are damaged sidewalks or unfinished structures there is still a sense of care for things.  Whatever the people have they keep clean and value.  The Indigenous people may herd there few cows along the roads, the children may walk for miles to school or the parents may carry heavy bundles or push carts of produce for miles to the market but they are happy.  We have so much more to learn and are eager to return to continue our voyage of discovery.  One of our church friends spent the evening with us tonight and ask "What do you think God is leading you to do?"  We answered we only know that we are to be here and what He has in store for us is yet to be revealed.  We can't help but feel our growing in the understanding of the missional journey these last few years in our home church, of going to the people and loving them where they are, is part of this plan.  God has been so generous in giving us this opportunity to live here.  We only hope what we do will honor Him every day.

Enjoy the following memories of our last 3 weeks....

Following are some of the children of Ecuador...

At the market....

So exactly how much yarn did you want?

Yes, they really are only $1 a dozen.

Consuela...what a wonderfully sweet woman who works at the Inn.

But I AM a lap dog!

Imbubara Volcano from a pasture above the Hacienda where we ate lunch.

Cotacachi Volcano briefly revealing her peek

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Festival Weekend

Following is an email we received that went out to many of the Gringos in Cotacachi.  We found it to be interesting that so much will be happening just as we are leaving to return to the States. There are many festivals throughout the year but this weekend seems to be an exception because of the coinciding of dates.

Hola/Hello:

The Day of the Dead is almost upon us. On this day, Ecuadorians traditionally visit their family plots at their local cemetery. Indigenous families on this day share food with each other, and with other families, as a celebration of life together in the presence of their dearly departed. This year, the Day of the Dead coincides with so many other special days that we will officially see a five-day holiday weekend throughout Ecuador, and in some cities, the days of celebrations and commemoration will extend for the entirety of next week.

On October 31st, Otavalo celebrates the Dia del Escudo (National Coat of Arms), with parades and other commemorative events. November 1st is the day of the Angel Who'll Wake the Dead and we can expect that lots of early morning church bells as a representation of the angel will make a presence in the Catholic Churches before sunrise during special Masses. Cuenca celebrates November 3rd as its Independence Day (from Spain since 1820).

Wednesday, November 2nd, 10AM - Cemetery Picnic Tour
November Second is a very special day in Ecuador and is the most colorful day to visit our town cemetery. This coming Wednesday, November 2nd, I am planning a one-hour guided tour of the cemetery (where we will hopefully meet up with a couple of helpful local officials also) to witness together an especially vibrant and important expression of culture and community spirit. This is my favorite space in town because of the beautiful garden plots, and I look forward to sharing what I have learned from our neighbors on my daily visits here. Bocaditos tours always have something to do with food and this indigenous-family picnic day offers the best opportunity for us to partake together in tastings of two special gustatory delights that are important aspects of this day. Sweet, decorated baby-shaped Guagua breads and the dark and sweet-tart Colada Morada are traditionally prepared for this day and for the tour price of three dollars, I will be providing a version of these treats for us to refresh us during our-hour-long walk together.

Some association between the beginning of harvesting season and the respectful acknowledgement of death as a necessary part of life is expressed in social celebrations of cultures around the world. In many places, something like Halloween, Samhain, Day of Innocents, All Saints Day, and so many more are celebrated around the end of October and the beginning of November. These celebrations function as an opportunity to reinforce friendships and family connections and to bond with others whose help is appreciated for the intense work of harvest to come. The focus on mortality is made all the more relevant because we have to cut down the last season's plantings for our own nourishment and to prepare for what comes next.

How the Indigenous approach this matter is fascinating in itself and I would like it if we get to share some part of this day together with them and with each other. In any case, I encourage everyone to come to the cemetery at any time on November 2nd for Dia de los Difuntos.
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Can We Say Sensory Overload!

Today we entered a sea of brilliant colors and activity!  We went to Otovalo to the largest outdoor market in South America which is only 15 min from Cotacachi.  The market is open Wednesday and Saturday but Saturday is the big day.  They block off at least 6 blocks of streets, plus the side streets and a central plaza.  We have been told that if you walked by every booth it would be approx 2.5 miles.  There are all sorts of  goods from alpaca clothing, blankets, to hand woven wall hangings, painted art work, handmade instruments, hand embroidered blouses and table linens, belts, tapestry bags, purses, suitcases, antiques, artifacts, jewelry, yarn, hats, to a section of fruits and vegetables, bread, fresh meats, and a collection of live animals. The colors, smells of food cooking from the street vendors and general atmosphere was amazing.  We sat and just "people watched" for awhile.  Bargaining is expected, which we enjoyed, and you are never to pay full price or you are considered a fool.   It was just a great experience and we are anxious to go back when we return to live here.  We took so many pictures it was hard to decide which ones to put in the blog so bare with us we may have gone a little overboard today.

What a great way to start our day with one of Edwardo's big smiles.
 Edwardo is in charge when Franklin is not working.

This was only the beginning...

This is the way to carry everything from goods for sale to children.

Beautiful hand embroderied and lace table linens.

This was the lady who sold Bruce his panama hat.  All genuine panama hats are made in Ecuador.

We were surprised at the many booths of art work.

The hand woven tapestries were in such vibrant colors.

One of the Indigenous women embroidering a blouse for her stand.

How's this for a snow cone machine...not quite like the Puyallup Fair.

End of the day, time for a snack!

The Wonder of God's Creation...

Today we took a special 2 hour tour with the cab driver Omar who brought us from the Quito Airport our first night.  Omar has many talents from basketball coach to cab driver, tour guide to real estate agent.  He speaks some English and is very good at sharing information.  We ask him to take us up onto the volcano to see Cuicocha Lake and the farming areas.  WOW!  Did we get more than we bargained for.  Omar took us up above the lake on a dirt road and then we got out and walked over to the lake and looked down on one of the most breathtaking and peaceful sights. (Most people just go to the tourist restaurant on the lake and take pictures) He told us of how the lake rests in the crater of the volcano and the small island in the middle is home to rabbits, guinea pig and armadillo.  The wolves swim the lake for lunch on the island.  We also saw an eagle circling and looking for food.  He said that between 4-5:00 you can see the eagles hunting for rabbits as the rabbits come out in search of food.  Condors also live on the volcano.  He described the incredible size of these birds.  When asked if they too ate rabbit, he laughed and said no...goats and cows!  He showed us one of the bushes that the Indigenous people who populate so much of this area, use to color their fabrics green.  He showed us the plant that produces honey and one that produces glue.  He talked of how the tree tomato juice will lower your cholesterol, that guananbana juice is used to treat cancer and zucchini will lower your blood pressure. The Indigenous people use all the gifts God has given us to benefit their health.  He talked about how Cotacachi is a safer town to live in because there are so many Indigenous people and they watch out for others. He also told of the honesty of the Indigenous people and how you could hand them a key to your house to clean and never have to worry about anything being stolen or mistreated. We asked him what would the Indigenous people find to be offensive by the Gringos and he said a disrespect for the land and peacefulness around them.  When ask what the Ecuadorians would consider disrespectful he said, the taking away of their jobs by not using their services such as maids, gardeners, taxi drivers, etc.  It was a wonderful 2 hours of learning about the people and their land.  We loved every minute of it and felt honored to be given the information.  We also pray that as more people move here that the ones that will respect the privilege of living here will far out weigh those who don't.

When we returned to Cotacahi we were pleasantly surprised that the main park a block from our Inn was finally open after it's renovations. We sat on a bench and watched families stroll through the park and kids playing in various areas. Then the church bell rang at 6:00 signalling the setting of the sun, our day was complete.

The field in the distance is corn.  The corn is planted by hand and there are seven different varieties grown here. It will be harvested around Easter.

The dark green field is potatoes.

Just one of the farmsteads.

This is the school for the Indigenous people high on the volcano.  About 100 students attend.. 

Lake Cuicocha approx. 10,650 ft.

The small light area near the edge of the lake is the restaurant we refereed to above.

This is the path around the lake...doesn't it look like it's out of a fairy tale.

What contrast of the old and new.  The fence on the left uses a tree that is impossible to kill as the fence posts.  This type of fencing is used throughout the farming area on the volcano.  Again God provides.

The distant field is tree tomato.  This is only consumed as juice.  It's boiked and then turned to juice. 

The renovated park

6:00 pm and all is well.

Another Day of Discovery

Wow! What a neat day..  It began as usual with a great breakfast, followed by our last Spanish lesson before we return to the States.. Of course, we will continue our Spanish education as soon as we return. You will see in today's pictures, our Spanish teacher.. Note the UCLA sweatshirt. She has been great.  Also in the pictures today, you will find our hotel manager, Franklin, a super gentleman that provides his guests the best possible service imaginable.

Around noon today, we took a taxi to Ibarra, a city about 30 minutes to the north of Cotacachi. This city is quite a bit bigger and has an unbelievable shopping center, Mall if you please.  We got a bit camera happy today, but all was so interesting we could not help it.  The road to Ibarra is a combination super highway, six lanes of traffic, and cobblestone streets. We now know a taxi driver by name, have his phone number, and use him whenever we can. You can go about anywhere by taxi or bus..  It is great not having a car - don't need one.

We had lunch in at the Supermaxi mall in a restaurant called Chaparral.  They are known to have good beef there.  The hamburger was okay but not as good as we had been told.  We took our time walking through the stores pricing items and trying to get a better idea of what to bring with us when we return.  We found it somehow comforting that there was a place to go where  there was a feeling similar to a small mall in the States.  It's great to be able to live away from all of these things and yet be close enough to find an item you may be want or need.  The down side of course to this is the prices are much higher than what you would pay in Cotacachi...closer to what we would pay in the States. There was a huge grocery store; an electronics store; small clothing shops; a huge housewares store; and many places to enjoy lunch or dinner.  We spent 3 hours there, making it another great day in Ecuador.

All the way back to Cotacachi we enjoyed the picturesque countryside, bordered on both sides of the highway by the volcanoes.  This place is so beautiful.

Arrived back at our hotel; the staff made us a big bowl of popcorn; and we enjoyed another movie.  The pictures attached tell only a small part of our journey today.

Christina, a teacher with great patience!

Franklin...always gracious and happy.

You can just barely make out the toll booth on the way to Ibarra.

Luscious fruits and vegetables.  Note the size of the Papaya on the end of the counter.  The Pineapple were $1.25 each.

An oasis in the desert!

Fresh octopus.  Doesn't it look tasty.

Here's looking at you!

Funky Fish, a perfect name for a shop just for teens.

Auto dealers everywhere.

Absolutely anything you may need/want in housewares.

Even Fisher-Price has a place in Ecuador.

Go shopping, get you car washed in the parking lot.  These are self-contained
car wash systems.

Of all the fast food places to choose to bring to Ibarra, KFC made the short list.

Ibarra was filled with car dealers.  We were told Mitsubishi is the car of choice.

They had Coke in 2.5 liter and 3.0 liter bottles.

We were fascinated with the play of the clouds over the peek of Cotacachi Volcano.  Photos never do this justice.