Sunday, March 1, 2009

Hacienda Chorlavi in Ibarra

Did I find the perfect place to stay with kids? It sure looked like it... till the kids fell asleep and I was spooked by where we were staying. This old hacienda is awesome in so many ways, but it is also big and we were away from any other guests. I actually got out my little pocket knife and had it by my bed.
We moved next door to the Rancho Carolina, today which is considerably cheaper and is more homey. Since there are few if
any other travelers right now, staying at these places is lonely. Void of life, I would say, till our party shows up! I hope we can stay here for two nights though. It seems the hacienda is owned by a family with a young son.
Traveling with kids is so busy and exhausting and outward-focused. Once night falls you would think that I would feel relieved, but instead I feel only tired and heavy. I wonder when I'll get to feel free.
I think if I look at this trip as being about me, I will come back loaded with regrets. Right now, it's about me being able to rest with the memories that the kids are making (and hope that whatever I am witnessing in them will help me learn about my experience as mom and MK). If I can claim one thing a day as mine, I need to do that and be content with it. Otherwise, I am a bitch because I am so disappointed that things aren't going "my" way.

Photot two: Marshall rides a horse. I remember riding horses in an around Quito. My friends and I would go to the place where horses go to retire (or other) and we would rent a couple of horses to ride up to the hills on. I'm glad Marshall got to ride.

Photo seven: This is a cock-fighting ring that used to be a huge part of Ecuadorian rural culture (it is part of the hacienda). It is about to be outlawed. They still have places where you can go to see it although I have no interest. I didn't even mention that it was a possibilty to the boys. I would go if they were a bit older and they really wanted to.

5 comments:

woodward said...

We are enjoying your adventures, Elizabeth! You are so brave, and so admired. Miss you. Hope you're making memories.....

Unknown said...

Love reading about all of your adventures. Keep posting so I can live vicariously. And tell Mike we're serious about wanting him to come for dinner. And we'll be insulted if he doesn't! Not really, but we do want him to feel welcome to just come join in the chaos over here if he feels like it's too quite by himself.

tina said...

I believe you missed a day...

s a r a h said...

i am having withdrawl... can't wait till your next update. hope you and the boys are well:)

Carrie Sinsabaugh said...

Life's been crazy, so I'm just getting caught up - just watched the video of Marshall eating a guinea pig that everyone has been talking about. It was great to see you via skype the other night. I wanted to push Mike out of the way and have my own conversation with you, but I didn't think that would go over to well. You looked really great. Nathan was amazed at how long your hair is. :)