Monday September 17, 2012

Monday September 17/12 update

Happy Birthday to our granddaughter Katlyn!!

I was contacted by a fellow photographer from RedBubble to critique and work on a couple of photographs which took up a little time this morning, but I was flattered to be asked, and I relish the challenge.   One photo wasn’t very adaptable, but my favorite of hers was fun to play with.  See if you like the different versions (she wanted Black & White).   I had to do some straightening, cloning and lightening to get a good starting point.   See her work at http://www.redbubble.com/people/franceshelen

I headed to Amigos (AAC) this afternoon and was a little early so I went to see the new interchange at Las Americas and Gran Columbia which was supposed to be opening today.  NOT, so I have no idea when that is supposed to happen now.  

As I neared AAC I spotted two guys fixing turn signals on this huge bus so I took a chance on my poor Spanish to ask if they would be interested in driving for our proposed night photography tour.  It is a huge tour bus with 33 seats so that should do us just fine.  I suggested next Tuesday night and he said he was free.  He works for a company that has 2 similar buses so availability isn’t a problem.  I brought Miguel into the conversation just to make sure everybody was understanding each other.  I asked for a price for 5 hours and nearly fell over when he said $80!!  SOLD!!  He gave me the number for an English-speaker at their office so I called and booked it.  A half hour later I received a text on my cel phone confirming the time and place of pickup (hopefully at the Kookaburra) and I responded with a confirming email listing all the details, and the price.  

I asked Miguel if he wanted to join us as a guide and he may just do that.  I quickly emailed Rick at the Kookaburra to confirm they are able to do us a special supper prior to our tour.   Rick had indicated they probably could but that they would get back to me soon.  I can’t post my tour on GringoTree until I firm this up.

I arrived at AAC fully expecting to see sanded and painted desks as promised, but I had forgotten about Ecuador Time….  That meant we had no agenda today since Christine was going to have the kids painting different things on said desks.   Oh well, back to teaching them more English phrases, then to let them color for a while.  The kids arrived slowly but they kept coming, and coming, and soon we were scrambling for chairs.  We had a whack of new kids today which was pleasing to us that word is getting around.   Christine did take a few of the older kids to paint one desk and they did an amazing job!   We had 2 new volunteers today, Richard (music teacher) & Cathy (nurse) Lopez.  They got their feet wet today so they can begin to contribute some teaching on Wednesday.  I have another possible volunteer, who also happens to know Rick now, who may accompany Rick some day soon.

I left a little early for another appointment with one of the former teachers, a bilingual Ecuadorian who wanted to impart to me personally some of the culture differences that we may not be aware of and she wanted us to be there with our eyes open, and with our hands on our wallets.  It was informative, I’ll say that.

I hadn’t taken anything out for supper, intending to have hotdogs but the lure of the restaurant next door was too great.  I had a wonderful chicken empanada (really it was breaded) and it was so very delicious I definitely will ask for that again.  I bring my own black pepper.  It was only $1.50 with the juice I think.  Mmmmmmmm.

On GringoTree this evening was a posting about a Jerry Marbles having had a heart attack and his wife MaryAnn is looking for financial assistance.  I just met these people 2-3 weeks ago at Joe’s Secret Garden and have their personal business card right beside me.  Heaven knows this is another reminder to value and look after one’s health!!

That was today’s excitement.   Please see all photos at souvenircuenca.blogspot.com.  Hugs to all.