Return to Ecuador!

Phillip and I are returning to Ecuador for another five weeks. This time, except for the initial and final nights, we will stay in one place, Bahia de Caraquez. I’m glad we saw the Ecuadorian countryside on our previous visit; however, this time our goal isn’t sightseeing – it is learning Spanish.

The map shows where Bahia de Caraquez is, on the Pacific coast. The lines show our route: fly into Quito, spend the night, fly to Manta, then a taxi to Bahia and the condo where we will spend our five weeks. I’m sure we will do some sightseeing – it is whale season – on the weekends, mainly. I’ve got to have adventures and take pictures to put on this blog!

During the weekdays in July, I will attend one-on-one Spanish class for three hours a day. Although a coastal town, Bahia doesn’t seem to be very touristy, which means I will have plenty of practice for my Spanish as we go about the town. I’ll be teaching Phillip what I learn. I figure that I will be a more patient teacher for him than anyone else would be. And he couldn’t sit still for three hours of class. I have no doubt that Phillip will find things to occupy his time while I am in class. He wants to meet local fishermen and go out as free labor with them on their boats. If they want to pay him, they can always pay him in fish!

We’re actually taking two suitcases this time. One packed just like we did before and the other with things we know we can’t get in Ecuador or can’t get easily: a jar of peanut butter (none in Ecuador), a bottle of Heinz ketchup (they sell ketchup, but it is a pale imitation of USA ketchup), a big bottle of shampoo (outrageously expensive compared to USA prices), books in English for me to read, zip-lock food storage bags (for the leftover fish!), a jar of Cabella’s pecan honey seasoning (for the fish!) and Phillip’s Magic Bullet blender (to make our own “bebido con leche” drinks). Sounds like Phillip had better catch some fish!

I won’t try to post to this blog every day, but I will post when I have pictures to show and stories to tell. So… until Ecuador, adios.