Health issue and site visit

Earlier, I mentioned pulling my Achilles tendon in an ill considered basketball game several weeks ago. It was healing very slowly because of all the walking we do in training. At the end of last week's field trip, I noticed that ankle was swollen, which had never happened be.fore. I spoke to the nurse about it, she sent me to a doctor in Quito, and he read me the riot act. I was put on crutches, prescribed twelve physical therapy sessions, and he ordered me to rest the tendon at all costs. I have since been taking a cab home from school, and to my therapy sessions.  The doc, incidentally, did some of his training at Hopkins, and he spoke English better than some native Marylanders I could mention.

There was doubt that I would go to the site visit this coming week, but I have decided I want to go unless ordered not to. Barring some change, Marguerite and I will be out of town Tuesday through Saturday, and out of touch. I will rest the leg as much as possible, and resume therapy when I get back.

Two more Ecuador moments

We were invited to a celebration of a saint's day that was being held by the favorite uncle of our host mother. It started with an outdoor hour long service, which may or may not have been a full mass. My Spanish has progressed to the point where I could recognize the Apostle's creed.

Today's first Ecuador moment came when the biggest, baddest dog in the neighborhood walked right down the center aisle during the service. He apparently smelled the food being prepared.

Before the end of the service, a truck pulled up, and a band climbed out the back. There were four trumpets, three saxes, three trombones, and a bass drum and a snare drum. They started to perform soon after the service, and I knew I was in trouble when they started playing without tuning. I try to be reasonably diplomatic in these posts, but the band was positively dreadful.

The second Ecuador moment(s) came when the bass drum was played so enthusiastically that it repeatedly set off the security alarm of a truck parked nearby. No one ever moved the truck.

However, as always, the hosts and guests were very gracious. They served us a gigantic mound of food which included roasted chicken, roasted pork chops, of course potatoes, mote (like hominy), and chicha, a fermented drink from corn which has been enjoyed for several thousand years. The fiesta started at 3PM and is still going strong as we write at midnight. The entire barrio is still up and partying, including the children. We went home after dark as the drinking was just getting started, so we are babysitting an infant.