Claudia's Big Day!

Yes today was CHOCOLATE DAY!  Claudia broke the fast from chocolate with a banana split consisting of three scoops of chocolate ice cream which was shared with Bruce.   Also had a taste of organic chocolate from a natural food store.  It was good but didn't taste like the states.  Not to worry there will be other tasting opportunities just to make sure no delicacies is missed.

One thing we noticed today while walking were many bakeries.  We also ventured into a grocery store.  Many of the shops are mere hole in the wall places not much bigger than maybe 10x20 ft.  The grocery store was about 100x100 ft large in there standards.  It was very clean, well lit and modern as you will see in the pictures.  It reminded us of a mini Fred Meyers with everything from electronics to food to clothing and toys.  We also walked by many leather shops which is the specialty of Cotacachi.

We stopped for dinner at a restaurant called Solid Rock started by a christian American who also owns a christian book store next door.  While we were there eating one of the best hamburgers we have had in quite awhile (and the place we had the banana split) in came Dan the owner of the christian book store.  He and his wife moved here about 3 years ago and worked for a non denominational church in Modesto, California before moving here.  They live on a small farm outside of town,  The house is four bedroom, rustic but only $120 per month.   He really enjoys the location and the indigenous people who live around. 

This morning we met with the wife of one of the gentlemen we met earlier this week. She gave us some great advice on what would be the best use of our time while we were here.  She does organic gardening  with a group of gringos that live here.  By the way gringos is not a derogatory term down here, just a description.  She also takes Spanish lessons from a young woman down here that was a teacher in the language school.  We later went to meet Christine the teacher and have set up lessons with her for Tuesday and Thursday morning of next week.  One thing we have learned quickly while we have been here is that learning the language and learning it as quickly as possible is very necessary.  Very few people speak any English at all and to get around in taxis or communicate in the markets is extremely difficult.   Just imagine trying to tell a taxi driver where to take you when there are no addresses here and he doesn't speak English OR barter with someone on the price of an item in the market when you can't understand what they are saying the price is in the first place.  I think you get the idea.

Anyway we continue to enjoy our voyage of discovery and look forward to what tomorrow will reveal to us.

The entire electronics department with 19' TVs.

Life is good they have popcorn! In fact they serve it as the beginning of a meal in some restaurants instead of bread.

Notice the olive packaging.

No matter where you go you can't get away from Fruit Loops!