November: Oh My Year 3

Wow!  It is hard to believe that we are starting on our third year in Cotacachi and still lovin it! We have learned so many life lessons during out time here and made new and interesting friends. I can tell that during year 3 we are more settled in life. So as I started to work on my blog I began to think what on earth do I have to write about. Then I started looking at my pictures and it sure has been a busy few months! So here we go!

I hope you will go directly to the website to enjoy the music Cancioncitas de Amor by Romero Santo which will put you in a happy Spanish state of mind. I think those folks that register may have a problem listening to the music due to a problem with wordpress.

Fort Lauderdale Adventures

In October, we decided to escape from paradise for a week and traveled to Fort Lauderdale on a shopping mission. We had a great week of shopping and dinning at our favorite restaurants. It was nice to not have the pressure of visiting with family and friends like we do when we go to Texas. My daughter and her husband live in Florida so we did get to visit with them for a day. We have decided we must do this again! We flew executive class on Tami Airlines which I would not recommend. Next time we will try a different airline. We were hoping by flying executive class we would be allowed more baggage. But no only 2 bags each at 50 pounds. The service was terrible and nothing special about their business class. Live and learn.

I highly recommend the Premier Hotel economy pricing and we were delightfully  surprised with the location and room. We were in room 312 which included a small balcony and easy access to the beach just right across the street. There was a multi million dollar condo construction next door but we were never bother by the noise . Plenty of nice beach bars and little restaurants plus the galleria mall only 2 miles away. Surprise the owners are from Argentina and most of the guests from South America so we got to practice our Spanish.

Halloween 

What a surprise to find out the some of the Ecuadorian’s celebrate Halloween. One of neighbors hosted a great Halloween party.

Art Show

I am so lucky to call these local artist’s my friends. First annual local artist show.

Did Someone say Party at Steve and Darlene’s?

Some of our neighbors invite us over for a party. Wow what a surprise to have a local band get us in the party mood.

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving with friends at La Mirage. So this is what we had:

Creme of Pumpkin with Ginger soup (wonderful); sorbet of rosemary, traditional turkey with non tradition stuffing (not grandma’s); whipped potatoes with horseradish (yummy) sauteed shredded Brussels sprouts with smoked and ham and toasted pecans; sweet potatoes (never had anything like it before); beet and tangerine salad with cranberry dressing (yummy) ; and special cheese cake all served with a glass of wine.

Three years ago on Thanksgiving our container arrived so this is an extra special day for us. Last year we celebrated Thanksgiving with friends for a good old fashion traditional feast.

New Old Restaurant Discovery

Sandra Baquero told us about this restaurant that is supposed to have the best fritata’s in Ecuador. Best part is right here in Cotacachi however it does not have a name or address on the door.  You would never know about it if not taken there by someone that knows. It is open only on Saturday from noon until 4:00 pm or whenever they run out of food. This had been a family tradition in a building over 100 years old. We were told that Ecuadorian’s travel all the way from Quito to dine. Yes, the fritata’s were very good. The rest of the food was typical Ecuadorian fare with boiled potatoes, hominy and of course corn on the cob. Yes, we will be going back and taking some friends with us.

Memorial

This has been a sad week for many of us since Vickie a neighbor suddenly died. She had been ill for a few weeks and her husband took her back to the United States for additional treatment.  Vickie and her husband hosted the  neighborhood Thanksgiving dinner last year and this year the Halloween Party.

A memorial service was held in the La Mirage Chapel to celebrate and remember Vickie. Afterwards we went to the La Mirage Bar to toast Vickie. Then some of ended up going to dinner at La Mirage.

Hugs to family and friends!