the usual and unusual finds in a jungle

the unusual find: Dariel,10-year-old bird artist who likes to draw birds and does so wonderfully. Marshall bought a peice of his art.

birds and clouds from a treehouse

We decided to take the road west towards the Esmeraldas/Atacames beach. By bus it was going to take 7 hours so we opted to leave Saturday and go 2 hours to the Cloud Forest Reserve of Bellavista. We got off at Nanagalito and hired a truck driver to take us up the mountain. It was 12 km to the top, but at places the dirt roads had been nearly washed out. The ride was a bumpy one, and we kept looking at eachother wondering where the top was. Finally, we reached what we called the "treehouse" hotel of Bellavista.
I never expecte d the views of the misty clouds to be so beautiful. The bird calls came from every direction. When we descended from our bambo "treehouse" there were flutterings and the low "dhrrrr"'s from the hummingbirds whizzing by.
The dinning building held a table of travelers having refined and adult conversations over wine. Then there was our entourage of tired boys, with Mike and I trying to get through it. After the kids fell off to sleep, we ended our busy day with a bottle of wine on the deck nestled in the trees.

Mike's arrival

We let out cheers as we saw Mike for the first time in nearly 4 weeks. Everyone was trying to talk to him at once, as we all had important things to say to him.
The next morning, we made our way to the Plaza Central, the President's Palace, and the Basilica. Marshall and Stewart were most excited to play Batman Lego with him.
photo one: Mike enjoyed his first ceviche de camaron (shrimp cocktail of Ecuador)
photo three: getting his first view of colonial Quito
photo four: Mike being interviewed by some kids for their school project.

Yaku: Agua: Water

Tonight Mike arrives!
During the day we decided to check out Quito's water museum. It is named Yaku (Quichua Indian name for water). Nigel had a great time getting wet, even though it was chilly.
The museum is in a neighborhood called El Placer ( The Pleasure). Here there was an excellent view of the city in the valley, with the Panecillo to the south and the Basilica to the north.
There were several large school groups there with kids herded into lines with anticipatory expressions. To my surprise, one catholic girls school had allowed the girls to dress in their matching swim suits and caps and run through the fountains. The kindergarden-aged girls were having a superb time, running, slipping and falling. The nuns did not seem to be having such a good time, yelling and barking orders from the side. The scene was unforgettable.
Our favorite spot in the museum was the bubble (burbuja) room. See video below:

fiber arts in Ambato

After staying at Rumipampa de las Rosas for two nights we took a bus south to Ambato where we stayed at Quinto Loren Hosteleria.
My ambition was to meet with a wonderful artisan named Fabian Rosero. He works with plant fibers, creating braided rugs and weavings. It was impressive to see some samples and photographs of his labor.
The next day we visited Salasaca, where we were able to witness a weaver and Salasaca Indian women making thread.
photograph three: Nigel couldn't get enough toy llamas to care for.
note: inspiration for new art continues. Research looms and check ebay.

salcedo market

My parents worked with a church in Salcedo for many years. I remember taking the two hour drive usually every other month.
On more than one occasion, we passed the Sunday market. I was awed by the quantity and vibrancy of the yarn I saw there. I asked to stop but we were never able for whatever reason.
Yesterday, the kids and I went. I bought $10 worth of yarn, which is a lot of yarn. I had such a hard time narrowing down my choices. I am not sure how I will use all this yarn but I have been working on several latch-hook designs and hope that I may be able to produce a small show based on this new work.
A childhood dream revisited!

picture 1: this is how I felt when I saw the hilo (yarn)
picture 2: an example of the latch-hook art I brought along to work on
picture 3: the kids thoroughly enjoyed the famous Helado de Salcedo (Salcedo Ice Cream). The locals loved stopping to look at the kids.

$6 bus adventure! (sick child included)

I think we travel light, re-wearing dirty clothes, with few other options (this is why we are wearing the same clothes in our pictures), but when it comes to carrying all our gear, the pack probably weighs at least 80 lbs. Imagine me having to sit down in order to hoist the pack onto my back. It is way too heavy!
We caught a taxi, after an emergency trip to the supermarket to get some diapers (candy and B-A-N-A-N-A-S). Once we got to the bus terminal, backpack engaged, Stewart announced that he needed a toilet. We found one (for $ .15). The toilets didn't have seats, and he was upset about having to sit on the cold. We waited (Nigel and I more patient and understanding than my firstborn, who was dealing some emotional turmoil). We waited some more. Finally, Stewart felt relieved and we went on our way (me hoping that this issue had resolved itself).
We hurried to the back of the bus, got the entire row to ourselves, and settled in for the 2 hour ride to Salcedo. I thought to myself, "today is day of the woman here, and I feel empowered having met the challenges. " I felt proud, with my three strong children by my side. But then I went further, thinking, "It will be "smooth-sailing" from here, What other challenge can top these? "
Mistake to hope for the nice ride. After 20 minutes of boys quietly playing their leapsters, and me being able to nurse Nigel in peace. Shit! Literally...Stewart needed the bathroom again. His cries became increasingly desperate (coming from him, it really meant something. His stomach is made of steel). I convinced him that he needed a diaper. I was trying to keep Nigel asleep, and tend to Stewart's writhing body. He kept saying that he just needed to use the grass, not even a toilet. He wanted off the bus in a bad way.
Finally, about 20 minutes from our hotel, he releived himself and was totally fine after that.
Once we arrived, we cleaned up and I broke out the travelers diarrhea meds for my brave little boy.