Two Weeks Into the New Year!

The weather has been so beautiful I have forgotten to sit at the computer and share the great adventures we are having!  The last three days have been picture postcard days with clear skys and warm days. We have been working on getting things arranged to get medicine shipped from the US and have found Club Correos will work! The first two shipments were delivered right to the door!

Now to catch up.  last week we had a great trip to some nearby towns, Gaulaceo and Chordeleg.  We have visited these areas when we were here in August and wanted to see the orchid greenhouses Ecuagenera.  They are as spectacular as in August.  To repeat myself:  There are over 4000 species of orchids in Ecuador.  Ecuagenera works not only to propagate and sell orchids but to study orchids of Ecuador, develop new varieties, and preserve threatened  species. 



The tour begins here





The orchids spend around 8 months sealed in these bottles





The tiny orchid plants are removed from the bottles and washed to remove all the auger before transplanting



Depending on the variety it can be years to grow an orchid to maturity

Monkey Faced Orchid



These bloom from the bottom and grow out doors here!



We next visited the weaving family near Gualaceo.  I even got a turn at the ancient loom used to create beautiful shawls...yes I got lovely poncho.



 

They also raise guinea pigs here Cuye, a local delicacy.

We had a local lunch - sorry no picture we eat it fast, and then on to Chordeleg, known for its silver shops.  We on the other hand were looking for pottery and I found a great pot for my parrot beak plant.  The pot was $3....



The church in Chordeleg still decorated for Christmas



There are still lots of firecrackers going off and parades.  Today on the way to church we saw three parades.  It seems that this is the custom between Christmas and carnival.  Today's were special to remember the "Innocents"  the children killed by King Herod after the birth of Christ was told to him by the wise men.  Herod ordered all the male children in Bethlehem under the age of two killed in an attempt to eliminate the King of the Jews. There are bands, horses, and lots of costumes.  When I figure how to get the picture off Jacks camera I will share them!  This one was a block from our house and not a very good picture but consider it a place holder!

This next week I begin teaching English to some of the staff at UNSION TV.  I am so looking forward to meeting new friends.  Jack and Iggy will hold down the fort for two hours on Tuesday and Thursday...I can only guess what they will be doing...  BTW if figured how to get the spell checker to work correctly . . I have to use a USA IP address then it thinks I really mean to type in English!!!

Take care and enjoy the NEW YEAR.  The old one is gone and the past is just that . . past, that's why today is called the present . ..it is a gift.