Trains, Shopping and Qigong Classes
To enjoy the music click on the 1. “Trip the Light”
March is already turning out to be another busy month! I have just picked some greens from our garden to make a salad for dinner tonight that will be coupled with leftover pasta from yesterday. A friend stopped by right at dinner time and we had plenty to share.
I have French bread in the bread machine doing its thing. This is winter in Ecuador but you could hardly tell it but it is supposed to be a rainy month. But so far not much rain except sometimes at night. Right now it is overcast and looks like rain and the wind is blowing like crazy.
Friends introduced us to Cafe Pachamama (just love that name)
We now have a new favorite hang out in Otovalo and as a bonus, it is close to the market for shopping. The charming restaurant is located in the la posada del quinde hotel which is owned by a young American woman who even provides profit sharing for her employees! The food is fresh and the service is wonderful. We have now been twice with friends.
Great breakfast with Christine Dean and her Canadian friends! I had Quinoa Pancakes with Mora syrup which was great.
Now that is a chicken pot pie with a curry twist. Yummy lunch with the Horns.
Maggie, the owner on the left with her staff.
Market Shopping
Boys will be boys!
Love the little bowls with the monkeys.
A new modern style masks for my collection by artist Joselo Buitro.
Olga with her daughter and you cannot see the 2-month-old baby on her back. Olga and her husband create and design jewelry out of Tagua Nut (Ecuadorian Ivory). Olga is my jewelry connection.
Fresh coconut juice. I love how they use a deep timbre voice and shout “coco coco coco” with a unique rhythm.
Pim’s Panecillo Restaurant in Quito
The food was not very good but the view was out of this world!
Rafael our wonderful driver.
Qigong Classes
Yes, we are still in Ecuador and taking Qigong classes which is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention.
Love my new Qigong outfit. Our instructor is on the left side of the picture.
Mississippi Mama with her birthday cake.
What is a birthday celebration without a little sparking juice?
Return to San Pablo Lake for Lunch with Friends
Train Trip to Salinas
We were long overdue for another adventure so a group of us decided to take the train from Ibarra to Salinas. Of course, the Horns brought along a pitcher of Johnny’s Bloody Mary’s to get us started since no alcohol was allowed on board the train.
The locomotive train is called The Liberty. The train gets its name from Ecuador’s struggle for independence from Spain 200 years ago. The train was beautiful and modern and we made one stop halfway and were given ice cream and then boarded for the rest of our trip.
We traveled through the rolling hills of northern Ecuador, and beautiful waterfalls, and slipped into dark tunnels. The tunnels were of special interest that are carved out of rocks that were part of the mountain for over 100 years using only shovels and picks. Once in the tunnel, it was pitch black and you could not see your hand. Our guide on the trip spoke both Spanish and English and shared the history of the train and Salinas. I was impressed that we had a police motorcycle escort blocking traffic during the entire trip.
Age has its privileges in Ecuador we paid $13 each for a first-class ticket compared to the $125 ticket.
When we arrived in Salinas we were greeted with song and dance by Afro-Ecuadorians.
I never could figure out how the women could dance and balance a wine bottle on their heads. There was not much to Salinas which reminds me of West Texas dry and wind blowing constantly. Salinas is known for its salt (sal) production.
Medical Healthcare Spanish
I am also taking a 5-week online medical healthcare Spanish course for nursing CEU credits. But oh my I have so much to learn!
Otavolo Animal Market
We go to the Otavalo Market on a regular basis but we have never been to the animal market. I thought I might not like the animal market but I only saw one litter of puppies, no cats, and the rest of the animals except for the chickens seemed to be treated fine. So as is said a picture is worth a thousand words.
Girl’s Weekly Hiking Adventure
Our adventure ended at Eddie’s Coffee Shop and we ended up walking 3 miles in a beautiful country.
Always Time for a Taco Bello Margarita
Note the Jennifer Lopez poster behind Carlos the owner. On the other wall is a picture of Jesus. So all bases are covered! We are so lucky he opened his little restaurant in Cotacachi. This is the closest to Tex Mex you will find and the best Margarita’s in Ecuador.
Carlos gave Bill a to-go cup.
Well, it is only the middle of March so more to follow in a few weeks.
Hugs to family & friends. Come visit your room is ready!
Texas Annie Ecuador
“All You Need Is Ecuador”
