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.