February 2020 – Follow The White Rabbit

Well this first month in Ecuador has flown by not the way I planned but that’s life.

My second day here Mateo had little mis hap on his motorcycle so I got to see the inside of the public hospital. I have to say I was impressed for the care he received and quickly. He was sore for a few days but is doing fine now. I taught him a new American term ” road rash “. I did get a good chuckle when while waiting for the doctor he asked if anything like this ever happened to me. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the times.

So Mateo is laid up for a couple of days and Rosario is staying here also after having surgery on her shoulder then I go and sprain my ankle. I thought no problem just a little pain. Monday my first day of school I put on my ankle brace (yes I brought one with me) tighten up my boot and off I go. No big deal, 1km walk on a rough road to the bus stop, catch 2 buses (yes, I’m on the short bus) and a short walk up hill to the school. An hour and a half each way, I got this. Well Tuesday no way I could walk any hill. So It was my turn to visit a doctor. My doctor is from Cuba and was very good, even got me to bang my head on the wall while checking out my ankle (when he twisted it I did feel the pain). That what I get for telling Mateo ” el dolor es tu amigo ” (pain is your friend). Doctor visit $35.00 and x-rays $19.44, nothing broken, take it easy for 2 or 3 weeks and your set. I didn’t hear the take it easy very well. The next week put my brace on and made it to school 3 days before I had to take some more time to heal. Everything is working well now as long as I don’t get reckless. The funny thing is I don’t remember twisting that ankle, I remember twisting the other ankle but not the one that hurt.

Most of the family has been born and raised in the Tumbaco area. Tumbaco is known for avocados and guaba’s. Rosario is showing me what is ripe to pick and the avocados are huge! Everything grows here. Everyone here also has at least one dog it seems. In this home there are 6 dogs and one cat that just had five kittens.

People ask me where I am staying so here is a little information about the “Casa Kirei Family”.

Edwin the father, is an Electrician and Construction supervisor from Atahualpa about 2 hours away from here by car, 3 hours by bus. He has shown me pictures of the town and where he lived. I really want to go and check out the area. It looks really beautiful. In June the town has a 10 day party with dancing all day every day and looks like a very good time. Very beautiful country.

Elena is the mother and a tour guide. She is from Tumbaco. She is fluent in Spanish, English and Japanese. When not guiding she is always doing something around the home, with the church or taking care of family and friends.

Rosario is Elena’s mother. She is from Tambuco and raised her children here. She has an avocado orchard and runs her own store. She is very nice with a big heart.

Daniela is the oldest of the children. She is studying at the university and is really enjoying mountain climbing (maybe she will share some pictures of some of her adventures). Second in line is David. He is a very accomplished dog groomer and would like to become a veterinarian or doctor in the future. Next is Mateo. He is currently going to school to become a chef. All 3 are very nice young adults following their dreams.

The food in this home is very fresh and organic whenever possible. Most everything is made from scratch. Lots of soups, salads and Edwin’s fresh bread. Ecuadorians like to eat!!! It’s always eat more Randito. I had been here about 3 weeks when we stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken the most popular fast food in the country. The chicken tasted the same but they have different sides. No mashed potatoes and gravy but rice and planta. The Pepsi was ice cold and tasted awesome, my first soda in weeks. After KFC I had to stop and try McDonalds on the way home one day. Big Mac was better than the states but not the fries and prices were similar to USA which are expensive here. I think the people who own these franchises are racking in the dough. At Senora Bachita’s restaurant in town you get soup, main course with salad, and desert for $2.50 that is very tasty.

The mosquitos are a pain. They are so small you don’t see them coming but boy they bite quick and leave a bite as big as their larger cousins. I tell everyone that I am “carne fesca” (fresh meat) because they love me so much, lucky me.

This is the rainy season here but I haven’t seen much rain. Yesterday one hard downpour other than that just a few sprinkles. Temps are usually in the 50’s at night and upper 70’s during the day. Pretty darn nice.

I am having a wonderful time. My Espanola is horrible. I need to stop thinking in English!!!!! The Spanish school I am attending is Vida Verde in Quito. It is very good and the people are great but again “I” need to stop thinking in English.

The families here are all doing well and I can’t say enough about how welcome they have made me. Edwin and Elena and the kids have just been super! Their family and friends that I have met all have been so welcoming.

I hope that all my family and friends in the good old USA are doing well also. Miss you all.

And a special Happy Birthday wishes for me amiga Trish! Looks like you had a grand old time in the big city. A big hello to my friends in Georgetown.

Love Randito

PS. If your click on the picture there is a description.