El Fin de Semana y Lunes

So, Dorothy is at work, and I have an hour until I have to be ready to go to Baile Rapido with Maria, so I am going to try to catch up on everything that has been going on.

After our late night out on Friday, Dorothy had to get up and go to work at 9 (pobre cita!) but I slept in. Since I missed breakfast with the family, Mona made me eggs with chicken and I had the usual pan, jugo, y cafe. But then I just kind of sat around the house, got on my computer, read some from my book that I am horribly behind in.

That is something that is actually pretty funny. I brought a ton of books down here with me with the intention of taking time everyday to read a little, but so far, that has not been the case. Maybe it will change though, we'll see.

Once Dorothy got home from an apparently very busy morning at work, we had Ecuador-style lasagna with sopa de tomate and fresh avacado. And for postre, pear with chocolate, coconut, and a custard-like substance. Mmm, can you tell that eating is a really important thing here? But truly, almuerzo is the time of day that we eat a lot and talk just as much. So far we have had some very interesting conversations and I am very thankful I have my mother's gift of being able to understand most everything someone says, whether I know the language well or not.

Yesterday at almuerzo, we discussed the differences between the US and Ecuador in regards to opportunity and help availability for mentally handicapped people. Mona talked about some family members who have autistic children and how difficult it is here for them. They are very sweet (muy dulce) but so much to handle, especially when it comes to school and growing up like other kids. There is just not a lot of help here for parents with children like this. I found it really interesting because I have been so used to special ed programs at school. Even at Camp Tekoa, I had a camper in my day camp group that had some mental illness and had his own "special buddy" and so much attention. There is nothing like that in Ecuador.

Anyway, after almuerzo and a long siesta (since Louly hadn't gotten a lot of sleep the previous night), we were in a bit of a funk, somewhat mad at the change of plans from Dorothy's friends (Oscar, Aguila, Choco, Diego, Juan Pa, etc.). (We were supposed to go to la quinta that day, but it didn't work out, and they didn't really tell us this until is was pretty late in the day. And thus the German chicas who were going to join us were also pretty angry with us, even though we had nothing to do with it.) But Tom's mum, Claire, had arrived that morning and we had been invited to dinner and whatever else we wanted to do after that with Tom's mum and crew. So, we went to dinner at a place downtown that I cannot remember the name of and Dorothy and I had crepes with bananas, chocolate, and cream.

MUCH better mood after that.

But then the night got a little crazy with changes of plans and frustrated people. We all eventually ended up at Zo, another dance club, in different groups but had a pretty good time, I think. I just remember being pretty tired and being ready for a few nights off from partying. I did meet one of Oscar's friends, Hernan, who is a futbol player for Cuenca and danced with him some. He might be getting us tickets for the next Cuenca home game, which would be awesome.

Sunday is Dorothy's day off, so we had breakfast together and then went on a run/walk that I almost died on. Not only have I not run since April and Dorothy is a major half-marathon-ista, we are also at a very high altitude here in the Cajas Mountains, so it took about three minutes for me to have some difficulties breathing. But it was okay because Louly is the best and let me walk a good amount.

We made it back for almuerzo and a short siesta, and then both took showers and just kind of relaxed a bit. Last night we went to the mall (yep, there's a mall, with a food court, and an apple store, and a "princess" shop) and had ice cream from Tutto Freddo and went to el cine to watch Robin Hood, since that was the only one in English. We ran into one of D's friends, Mericio and he tagged along. I snuck a fruit salad and a coca-cola light into the movie, as is my custom, and then got sick on popcorn. I'll never learn.

When we got home, Mona had some of our left-over popcorn, and we ate some zebra cake from a birthday party she and Maria had gone to on Saturday. It was a great end of a chill day.

But today! Today has been wonderful! After breakfast and some internet time, D and I walked to downtown to the hat factory and I bought an Ecuadorian hat! It was the easiest decision I have made in long time. And it is beautiful; purple, black, and with so much character. I love it.

Mom, Tim, and Ryan...you all owe Dorothy money.