Author: randy

100lbs (quintel) potatoes for 12 bucks and cake for no reason.

Not much has changed as far as quarantine. Hopefully it relaxes next week but we will see. I read that Argentina has extended until September 1st. No international or domestic flights, allowed outside 1 hour a day, and no more than 500 meters from your house! Hopefully Ecuador doesn’t go that route. I will go stir crazy and be an illegal alien again. As it is now I volunteer to go anywhere just to get out for a while. It can be to buy food, bamboo, wood, nails, pick up boxes, it doesn’t matter I’m in. As the quarantine has gone on it seems like the streets are busier than when it first started. At least on a local level. Still no bus service, fewer taxi’s working, and lines to get into the stores with social distancing.

Here in Tumbaco projects are getting done. The garden on the hill is doing well and the new box garden is completed and planted. The family worked very hard and it shows. The restaurant has had a few projects completed and now a new chicken coop is going to be built.They have been selling lemons and avocado’s as people have asked.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying out of trouble.

Ya’all take care now ya hear, Randy

On a lighter note here are some pictures of Daniela and friends hiking some the local areas.

Well two more weeks of lockdown, hopefully. Rumor is that some people will be able to go back to work on the 5th of April. We will have to wait and see. If so I believe only within the province. I did get a chance to go out the other day and did see how calm the city is. Very few out driving, a few walking but pretty much shut down except for people getting food.

The garden is looking good and an area of planter boxes is now being added. Dogs got a bath. Well, at least the ones that could be caught. Mateo and Edwin made homemade pizza the other night. David and Mateo cooked up a couple of Guinea pigs last week. The sauce was a little to citrusy for me, some “Sweet Baby Ray’s” bbq would have been more to my liking. It was cooked in the wood oven (love the smoke flavor). Radishes here are the size of apples.

The kittens are getting bigger and a little more adventurous.

Everyone stay safe!!!

Only 16 or days to go (hopefully). Not that I’m counting.

Guaba (Inga Edulis) fest, everyone is munching on guaba. I like guava but Ecuadorians love guava. I just found out it is only ripe 2 months out of the year that’s why it’s a big deal. Now I understand said the shunsho.

The garden is coming along very well. Edwin went to the market today and when he got home Elena wanted to give him a shower with the hose. No corona allowed.

I have the prettiest boots. Stay safe!

Some people have asked how I am doing in Ecuador during the Coronavirus lockdown. Well I am just fine. For the next 3 weeks no one is to leave home without good reason. If you do go out it is alone and there is a curfew from 9pm until 5am. No one is allowed to enter the country in any way.

We are lucky that we have room to go outside. Matter in fact we are getting the garden in order. On Monday before the lockdown began I did get my visa extended.

Being a illegal alien was a new experience and getting the extension was no problem. Funny that you can’t get an extension until your visa expires.

Everyone take care!!!

Hi to family and friends. My second month has gone as fast as the first.

After my visit to Cotacachi the next stop was Atahualpa where Edwin is from. I took the bus south and got off along the highway at a intersection then waited for the family to pick me up. Atahualpa is way cool! Beautiful area that gets a lot of rain at an elevation over 9000ft.. My kind of town, small, no taxi’s, farm community and wonderful people! Lots of old history. The town cemetery dates from the time of the Inca’s. The family treated us to a wonderful lunch and a tour that barely touched the beauty of the area. I will be back to spend some more time there for sure. A big “thank you” to Edwin’s parents and the whole family that made us so welcome!

Daniela’s birthday party was a good time. Family, good food and dancing. My kind of day.

Senora Saruyi came from Japan to visit. She is part of the family and it was a pleasure to meet her. She brought with her different Kimono’s in which she took the time to dress up the women around here. She is planning on moving to Ecuador and teaching the Japanese language and customs very soon.

I know the corona virus has got the world in a big spin. Everyone keep your chin up it will be over before you know it. Keep your toilet paper and your powder dry and it will all work out.

Take care and be safe!

I want to mention a couple of family businesses.

First is Casa Sayu hotel owned by Elena’s sister Patricia. It is in Tumbaco the city I am living in. It is about 1/2 from Quito. Beautiful hotel with an attached garden where when ever possible organic food is provided for the table. Patricia is a wonderful hostess who goes out of her way to make her guests stay a pleasant experience.

PS. Breakfast included