End of a chapter

This is almost certainly our last posting, at least from Ecuador. We have decided to end our Peace Corps service so that we can return home and care for our new grandson. We are nearly as surprised as the Peace Corps staff we will be seeing soon in Quito.

We knew Renee and Travis were expecting before we reported for duty. We thought long and hard about whether we would be able to leave a grandchild and return to Ecuador to finish our remaining twenty or so months of service after visiting him. We decided we would be able to, and we were probably correct about that. What we did not anticipate was the difficulty Renee and Travis would have finding quality infant day care that made any economic sense. It was during our visit that we could see how poor their choices were, and the stress and concern it was causing them. It was then that we decided that the best choice, and probably the only realistic choice, was for us to provide the care in our home. We will be dividing the duties, and each of us plans to work approximately half time.

We will be staying in some space some church friends have available while our niece and her family make arrangements to move, probably to Pennsylvania.

It was very difficult for me (Marguerite) to say adios to the fifty or so children and adolescents with whom I was working as well as the local volunteers in the communities. They were so receptive of me even with my terrible Spanish. I will definately miss them and am left with a feeling of sadness because I think I could have made a little bit of a difference. Hopefully, someone will soon take my place. On a brighter note, I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with our grandson.

So, we travel to Quito on Monday, the 13th, and fly home either Thursday or Friday.

La Chocolatera

First of all, this has nothing to do with chocolate, unfortunately. It's about the land that forms the very tip of the Santa Elena peninsula. "Choco" comes from the Spanish verb that means "to collide". "Tera" just means earth. The peninsula is where the northern and southern currents in the Pacific collide. It's a great place for birds and nature in general.

The first photo shows a group of blue footed boobies (again). Our faithful readers will remember when we were so tickled to see just one.

Next comes the coastline looking north.

Another view due west shows the volcanic nature of the bedrock, and some more crashing waves.

Next we have one of Marguerite's closeup of some boobies, for a better look.  Earlier in the day, we were shown what good divers they are.

Finally, Marguerite's picture of a bird that is a mystery to us. Note the red bill, red feet, and the distinctive white plume feather. (Incidentally, I posted two topics today, so you may want to consider spooling further down if you are accustomed to my scant production of one post or so per week.)

 

Photo survey, or Adventures in Cropping

Most of the photos I post here have been cropped for one reason or another.  I would like to show you three versions of one photo, and invite you to comment on which of the cropped versions is the stronger image.

First, the original image.  I was looking out the door of the community center in Rio Verde when a vulture landed on the house across the road.  They tend to stay put for a while, so I stepped inside and got my camera.  Here is the photo as I framed it as I took it.

Now, the first cropping.  Note the yellow door is still included in the image.

And now the second cropping.  This one removes the color and leaves the black, grey, and rust.

Marguerite and I disagree on which is the stronger image.  You are invited to comment on which one you prefer.  

Marguerite's groups in Buena Fuente and Rio Verde

Buena Fuente is a small, poorer than average town right on the main road to Guayaquil.  Marguerite does a two hour weekly session with a group ages 9 to 11 (officially).  She does an hour of youth and family subject matter, and an hour of English.  The condition of the building and the artwork inside are typical of rural community centers.

The first two pictures are of Marguerite in action.  Some faces are blurred per policy.  Looks a lot like the last Peace Corps ad you've seen, doesn't it?

The third picture is of the church opposite the community center.  I was struck by the unassuming simplicity, particularly the plain wooden cross and the bell over the door.

 

 

 

 

Rio Verde is a bigger town a little further down the road.  As you can see in the following pictures, their center is much newer and bigger.  Interestingly, it has been doubling as a church while the regular one is being refurbished.  Marguerite has two groups in this town.

 

 

 

 

I am also showing the church being redone.  Note the billboard proudly announcing the use of government funds.  Finally, a look at the pigs that figured so prominently in an earlier post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Walk in our Neighborhood

We took the family's puppy on a walk around the neighborhood. It was a muggy and overcast Saturday afternoon, which is why the sky is go grey, and why there are no highlights or shadows.

 

We encountered a "parquecita" (little park) that we soon learned was built and apparently funded by the parents in the neighborhood. You didn't have to understand Spanish to hear the pride in the voice of the father who told us about it.

 

 

As I was preparing the last photo, I noticed some landmarks on the horizon, so I cropped it further so that you could pick them out. Starting at around 11:00 from Marguerite's shoulder, you can see the matched towers from the iglesia in the town square. Further to the left is a new church being built on the highest point in the city. Just to the left of that is a new park, which you can't see, and an enormous flag that everyone can see.

 

Just behind the park is a large hollow that has as much green as we have seen in one place in this province. We saw some birds flitting around. That bare spot in the center near the back is a clearing where some cows and chickens were grazing.

 

Further along, we encountered a church with some interesting murals along a wall. There is a basketball court there, apparently part of the church property.

 

The final photo is some of the imagery used in the murals.

  

Grandson!!

First things first.  Renee Wilson Beall and Travis Beall have brought a son into the world.  The little bruiser was 8 lbs, 4 oz., and 20 inches long.  Baby, mother, father, and all four grandparents are doing fine.  He's already getting good grades from Dr. Apgar.

Another beach trip

First of all, life here is not just going to the beach.  Some of the Volunteers who serve in Africa and other tough places sometimes refer to us in Latin America as the Posh Corps, but we do work all week.  This is how we spent Sunday afternoon.  The weather has been warming a little lately, and we are getting more sunny days, which we are told is the normal pattern around here.

The pelicans were out in force today, flying in formation, and diving for food.

 

 



 

The tide was out, and we were able to walk in some rocky areas that had lots of little pools.  We saw some spiny urchins, and Marguerite got a picture of a weird crab.  We aren't really sure which part is the head.

 

 

Returning to the birds (as we always seem to do), we saw some sanderlings, one of our little favorites.

We noticed today that when a pelican dived for fish, a smaller bird would frequently soon join them.  We couldn't see why.   We've never noticed this on other continents.

 

 

 

 

After walking and exploring a good bit, we went to the waterfront where there several restaurants lined up in a row.  The one we tried was probably the best dining experience we have had since we got here.  Here's the rice with mixed seafood that Marguerite ordered.  Mine was similar, but it was rice with just shrimp.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I should acknowledge that my blog output could have been higher lately.  I've been a little sluggish.