March saw 'Travels With My Father' Part II. The plan had been to be a bit more chilled this time and not tear all over the place but not sure we really did this. It was pretty much non-stop for the whole three weeks. The trip included a multitude of activities from Zip Wiring to Kayaking to Horse Back Riding. There was some downtime as well, promise! Mind you it just proves there is life in the old dog yet - despite what he wrote on the beach in Ayampe! It...

The lead up to Christmas saw lots of parties so it was fun. One included a Novena which wasn't exactly a laugh a minute but it was interesting nonetheless. Basically whole families get together to pray together in a different house for nine consecutive nights. Its followed up by drinks and cake. Wasn't wild about the religious aspect given the heathen I am but it was interesting to see it and the cakes were bloody marvelous! Mind you I only managed one night...

Even the 10 hour nightmarish bus ride overnight from Quito didn't damper my enthusiasm for coming home. It was really quite exciting, not the least becuase I would get to see everyone, but especially Scotty and Hannah. I also had a new apartment to get settled into and effectively two more weeks off work. Happy Days! Got settled pretty quickly in the new place and chilled for a couple of weeks. It was fun just hanging out at home and reading with the odd pit...

Schools out for Christmas! Huzah! 5 weeks off for my Bolivian adventure. Bloody marvelous. I am really looking forward to the break as tensions are definitely running high but the least said about that the better. We continue to have difficulties with our Dueña so much so that one night I hid behind Hannah's bedroom door. At my age how ridiculous is that? Needless to say despite her assurances we have ended up with a new tenant. It might though be g...

So nearly 3 months have gone by. How time flies when you are enjoying yourself! It's been a great 3 months. I have to say that it is gong to be difficult to condense even the last month down. I certainly never expected to go to a funeral, experience a tremor, lose yet more belongings, etc., but that's life in Ecuador for you. If this intrigues you read on or just hit the exit button! The teaching is going really well. I love it! Mind you the prep is hard work b...