#7 Afternoon naps

Shout out first of all because I have an “occupation” right now that allows afternoon naps! That alone is wondrous. Yet, it gets even better here in Ecuador. Whenever my work day ends early, I get sooooo excited because there is a chance the sun is till out right were I need it to be for my after noon naps. I come home and lay in my super cozy bed right in front of my huge window and I open the curtains and the sheers and just sun bathe basically until I drift into a dreamy sleep. It’s The.Best. I of course have my fan workin over time which makes dreams of beach getaways a breeze. ..wait was that a pun? A lot of times I wake up when it gets dark, as if the darkness has disturbed my sleep and now I must waken to get on with my day. That’s exactly how it goes. I get up and proceed to eat some dinner and continue on with my night activities. But those afternoon naps falling asleep in the sun, are something I will always think back on when reminiscing about my time in Ecuador

Oh, Oh, The Places You'll Go...

So in my hiatus, I haven't updated on ALL the places I've been in Ecuador, so I will be starting a simultaneous series about the places I've visited. I am also contributing some of these to another blog I'm writing for, so they may have a different "voice", so just know that's why. :) Check under the "places I've been" tag. Stay tuned...

A Change Is Gonna Come....

I could have been posting everyday, the ups and downs of what has been happening, but emotional roller coaster not only sound cliché, it doesn't even BEGIN to describe what I've been going through of feeling. I'll just give you the facts and as austerely as possible.

I'm being taken out of Guayaquil and moved to Sua for safety and security reasons.
This a HUGE change, I was just in Mid Service planning my next year in Guayaquil with the Mujeres, and now that is all changing. You never know what news tomorrow will bring.

Well in this case this has been dragging out for a month. I wasn't sure where I was going or when, and while it has been nuts, I have really great program managers that have I think taken care of the situation better than most people would have.

There have been tears, lots of stress and with all the unknowns hanging over me for weeks, it's been insane.

Now I have definites, so now I'm writing.

Location: Sua, a playa (that means beach and that's a plus) in Esmeraldas...a region I have never been to...It's going to be small town versus the big city I'm used to an aaaalll the changes that go with it...

When: Oct 29th is my official move out day...

In the meantime: I'm packing like a crazy person, STILL have to go to Quito to complete site change paper work and other Peace Corps Business...So I essentially have 3 days to pack up my aparment.

I know it's for the best, but the hardest part was telling the Mujeres I work with. I'm going to miss them SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much I can't even think about it!! I will keep in touch and I just know everything happens for a reason and I just hope and pray that this is the best path for all of us. One of the ladies was saying to look at it in a positive light, that I'm going to get a chance to help another community that may need me even more like I have helped them. I thought that was really sweet for her to say. All of them have said that they are most concerned with my well being and are going to miss me.

That has been the most shocking thing for me actually how much even my site mates are going to miss me. I feel like all I do is go to work and shut myself indoors. I am not half as sunshiney or social as I normally am, so I was surprised at everyones sadness...I thought it was only going to be ME missing Everybody else! Same with the ladies, they are so amazing and have been around for 10 years, so I knew EYE was destroyed with the news, but I didn't know they were going to equally miss me as much. I always planned to have Mujeres de Lucha in my life beyond my time with them, even when I returned to the states, so that still hasn't chanced. My Program Manager said I can still stay in touch and help out a little bit as well.

So that is the news...it's the beginning of my second year in Peace Corps and I'm starting in a completely different location! So lucky for everyone I have started blogging again and you can be a part of this new adventure of mine. Ahroa, I'm packing, saying good bye, and trying to get my wits about myself in this topsy turvy turn of events!

Love and Light

JC

# 6 My Apartment and my Neighbors

As I have mentioned I love my apartment here. I didn’t think my place would be this cozy when joining the Peace Corps so that is a positive. I also love my living situation. My neighbors are the best. They have a 2 year old boy that never sleeps and is either tying to talk, laughing or crying. Sounds annoying but he’s so super cute. My vecina who is at home pretty much all day watching him is soooo sweet. We have a great relationship. We share food and pleasantries and she keeps an eye on my place when I’m gone. The husband is usually gone at work all day, but my vecina sit up by the front gate every night to welcome them home. They are so sweet. Anyone who has lived anywhere with great or horrible neighbors knows what a blessing it is to have great neighbors! Also my landlady is great. She is all about the business, but she gets things done. If anything breaks or shaks a loose, she’s on top of it, even if it’s a Saturday! Anyone who has ever rented knows. That your sanity lies in the responsiveness of your landlord! So I feel like I landed in a pretty sweet spot, and that’s why my living sitch lands a spot on the list!

# 5 Mujeres de Lucha

I could go on for days how much I love them, so I AT LEAST had to put them on the list. I would not be in Ecuador and loving it like I do if it weren’t for the Mujeres de Lucha. They are group of visionary woman who work tirelessly to uplift their community. I am inspired by them every day I am here. They know how to make a way out of no way and I love that in a ‘em! We have had great times together and I look forward to my future with them!

#4 Cutest Kids on the PLANET!

When pictures are better than words...

#3 Empanadas Bam Bam!!!

I know I mentioned snacks, but this was my first fav empanada place and it was my treat for myself when I made it successfully through a week…or sometimes just the day hee hee…

They have empanadas de carne, pollo or the only one I have had…QUESO! Que Rrriiico!! They fry up in a big old bubblin vat of grease and serve it up. On the “bar” there is garlic sauce, aji and sugar…if you are on the run (as I always am) you just split it open and pour sugar inside the delicious pocket and get on your way!

It’s a fun Ecuadorian treat. When I feel guilty for being such a pig about these things, I tell myself I’m gonna be sorry when I’m craving them back in the US and have no way of getting my little pockets of joy!

Update: Had an unfortunate run in with a Empanada from Empanadas Bam Bam, at first bite I was like…ummm this cheese is NOT right. But I just added more sugar and kept it going. I paid for that for about week. It’s broken me of my fixation….but I people coming to visit and they have to know the joys of EBB so I’ll be back….

Back from My Hiatus

I'm back on the blog, and the winds of change are rising so updates are CERTAINLY coming. In the meantime however I found some more "Ecuador How I Love Thee Let Me Count The Ways" writing that I can post while you wait :)

Enjoy!