Still reading and enjoying the blog, glad to see all's well. We're all good, Frank still at Motorola, Elory is a senior at NIU, Molly & Paul happily married, Molly is teaching
math and computer science at an Orthodox Jewish Day School, and I'm still teaching at Harper 2days a week, teaching at a middle school on Fridays, and working at a
rehab place 2 days a week, with lots of odd speaking gigs. Keeping me busy. You look great and pass my congratulations to your family at the wedding. Can't believe everyone is growing up so fast.
Dogs Hi Jill! So glad you're still there and enjoying everything to the hilt. I'm probably not going to get down there in this lifetime, but I'm urging friend Susan Dunn (in CA) to go and seek you out. I am now a grandmother, with one and a half grandkids (Emma almost 2 and a boy due in March) living in Barcelona, so that's the direction of my international travel at the moment. LOVE the pix of the dogs. Let me know when next you're in NYC. We tend to spend fall and winter here, spring and summer in NH.
Another nice piece of work! Morning Jill, what a lovely way to start my day. The weather is Baños is fantastic now. It must have been 80° yesterday. I'm settling into the routine of being home and enjoying it thoroughly. We say hasta luego to Laura and Phil tomorrow and begin to prepare for the big pregon. Life rolls on . . . xoxoxo, Jessie
Hi I love reading your journal. Nicola will be on her way home in a couple of weeks, I'm sure with mixed feelings. Sigh. I see her at Thanksgiving and hear some stories.
Hi Jill I am sitting here reading your blog on the other side of the Pacific Ocean (sunny Sydney). I loved the early morning picture of the mountains outside of Banos. I have some lovely memories of Banos. A church with lots of wonderful retablos (...probably the wrong name for those but those naive art pieces put up the church that have a picture on them and say "por favor dios for saving me from a volcano' or something similar). The market. A French restaurant where I became very familiar with Chilean wine ( Gato Blanco & Gato Roja). French friends. An indigenous woman walking in front of me who just stopped, moved her legs slightly apart, had a pee and then continued on her way! Enjoy you last week at the hotel. I am just about to finish my masters in coaching psychology..after that I am not sure what life is going to offer me or where I might end up. Sydney is great but India is always beckoning...although as I have not worked (for money) for some time I am going to have to get some coming in before I go anywhere! It's always great to see you pictures and hear what you are doing. Love from Charmaine
ooops hey jill, i did not read maggie's comment correctly before making my own! Chimborazo is the closest point to the sun, but it is not on the equator. Cayambe IS on the equator! But not the closest to the sun. Hoe all is well... my Ethopian travels and experiences are fantastic! Roger
Enjoyed the post, Jill! And commenter Maggie is correct, it's Chimborazo, not Cayambe. Howevah. . . Cayambe is the highest point through which the equator passes, and I believe the only place along the equator that is snow covered all year! round
Haha, every single time I went to Cotocachi, there was a procession or parade or street festival of some sort. They are either a very merry population, or have a lot of patron saints.
Sorry to contradict, but it's Chimborazo that is on the equator and projects into space further than even Everest. Cayambe is north of the equator.
You crack me up! Looks like you had a great trip! Sorry to hear that Scarlett had to have the full pedi treatment. Especially loved that you and Lilly were on the beach while the Hughes had to CLIMB to their suite. Yep - I know all about getting those kinds of vistas!
Welcome Home Glad you have your own place, Jill. I retired about two weeks ago, and we have consolidated homes here in Turkey. I know what you mean about having two of everything! I'm still getting rid of stuff and will be for months to come. Life is good. I think we are going to love being at the goat village (that is developing too quickly for our tastes!) full time now. Sorry you have shitty neighbours. Come visit! Love, Susan
So nice to hear that you have your own house again. Even after all your travels, you are still a domestic person who enjoys her own domicile. Congratulations.
Awesome! Jill, I love your home! Your pictures look terrific and I know that your home is even more outstanding than the pictures. Hoping to get south in january and definitely want to get together with you. Miss you--Happy Summer, Love ya, Sue
noisy neighbors! oh my goodness! i'm glad you were able to get the loud music stopped! hopefully it'll last! we (someday) would love to visit banos (it's on our bucket list!) love your blog!
Wonderful peek at our glorious tour. You are such an excellent guide, Jill. Thank you sooooooo much for the gifts of your invitation, friendship, curiosity, adventurous spirit and knowledge not to mention your clothing generously shared. Now that's a real girlfriend.
Lovely Local Jill, Naturally we've been following your adventures thru your blog site, but I just googled your hotel - what a fabulous venue!! I told B that if he gets invited to Ecuador to lecture again (last time was 5 years ago and then we were only around Quito), we'll definitely have to visit your area again; it has been too long (1996)
work & play on the coast Sure enjoyed seeing you with the pulpo & the big blue fish, and as usual envy your exciting life, but not the hassles at the hotel. Sounds as tho you're coping quite well with all the guests & their idiosyncracies. Hang in there!
Dearest Jill, Thanks, as always, for the lovely updates. It sounds like the job sharing at Mandala is a much more manageable scenario. That's great to hear. Who's doing the local herb farm?? I'd love to hear more. Big Canadian hugs to you!
I know first hand what a rock star you are at managing Mandala! Ahhh, Mandala!
So sorry to hear about Lalo. That's so sad. I hope those decisions don't fall to you.
Love reading about the exploits of Jill - Now to create our own in July! Whoop! Whoop!
Hug the pups for me and love to David, Tomas and the rest of the crew!
I first came to Ecuador in the late 1980's to teach English in Quito. I fell in love with this country, the natural beauty, the warmth and generosity of the people. I went on to work in international education on nearly every continent, but Ecuador kept calling me back. This Chicago girl has a "latina soul"! I've now been back in Ecuador, living here as a permanent resident since 2006. I have done all different kinds of work, from private teaching to teacher training to working with American volunteers as a driver/interpreter to filling in as a substitute hotel manager. I like to keep my sched... full info
Sarese
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Still reading and enjoying the blog, glad to see all's well. We're all good, Frank still at Motorola, Elory is a senior at NIU, Molly & Paul happily married, Molly is teaching math and computer science at an Orthodox Jewish Day School, and I'm still teaching at Harper 2days a week, teaching at a middle school on Fridays, and working at a rehab place 2 days a week, with lots of odd speaking gigs. Keeping me busy. You look great and pass my congratulations to your family at the wedding. Can't believe everyone is growing up so fast.