Blogs from West, Ecuador, South America - page 65

YESTERDAY: My first day in Ecuador couldn´t have been better. I arrived at the Simon Bolivar Aeropuerto at 5:15 in the morning with anxious family and friends awaiting my arrival. Since I was seated in 6F (by the window-yay) I was one of the last ones on the plane, but the good part was that I was among the first off. I quickly got my luggage and met my party and began my journey in the beautiful country of Ecuador. Continental made my flight nice and easy, and was a great way to begin my amazing first day. My host family, the Loyolas, are the sweetest people I´ve ever met! They´re so kind and caring and very, very considerate. They brought me back to the house after saying goodbye to other members of my extended ... read more

Hi Mija, Your dad and mom are both thrilled and sad to send you off for your exciting adventure in lindo Ecuador. We ask God to accompany your and your loving caregivers always, to give you guidance and wisdom to make great choices, to live life fully, to learn, and to teach - and of course to steer you from harm's way. We ask His blessing on all you do, in the name of His son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. We can't wait to read about how and what you're doing! We heard from Tia Toyita through Mamita that you arrived safely and emerged promptly from the airport. :-) We're so happy! Love, d&m... read more

Well I haven't left yet, but I'm beginning the packing stress...and I probably wil continue this chaotic challege up until the day of my departure. Yay! :)... read more

Hola, Wow what a fantastic....while. I think the last time I wrote was in Cuenca, so I will pick it up from there. From Cuenca Tessa and I booted it to Guyaquil, Ecuador's largest and most "feo" (ugly) city. A port city, Guyaquil really didn't have much to look at except concrete and black-smoke, not to mention the polluted brownish-green water. However, always one to try to make the best of any situation, Tessa and I took a nice walk along the reconstructed waterfront, which did have some fun things to take a look at. Stopping for dinner, it started to pour rain and, shoeless and in normal clothes, Tessa and I rain around a pedestrian area with some local kids (who were happily and comfortably wearing garbage bags to help, somewhat hopelessly, with the pouring ... read more

Executive Summary: After embracing my inner Peter Pan in Canoa, I finally traveled on down the coast to Puerto Lopez and Montañita for quick visits before heading on to the harrowing border into Tumbes, Peru. Couple observations on local marketing and the coffee quandary. Puerto Lopez Puerto Lopez has just lately become a bonafide destination, thanks to the clever local PR engine that has dubbed nearby Isla Plata 'the poor man's Galapagos'. How close that comes to the truth I'm not sure, being too poor to compare, but the real draw seems to be the humpback whales that put on a show from July to September. It's always a bit strange and melancholy to travel off-season through a destination known almost exclusively for an activity you'll have to miss. But in reality the nearby National Machalilla ... read more