Zip Lining...

 
 

We made it to the top of the hill... and we're out of breathe! 

Cuenca Canopy Zip Lining was great! Our guides, Mateo and Ecuadorian Carlos, were fun and I found out Mateo knows English! Mekai and Jaymee were googly eyes for Mateo and not worrying about what they were saying. On our last run, I asked Mateo if he knew English, he does. The girls were embarrassed and we all laughed about it. I was too busy wigging out over Ecuadorian Carlos to flirt with 20-something year old Mateo! This guy looks exactly like my friend Carlos Rivera back in Utah. It was crazy! Even the way he walked was wigging me out. Such a fun day with the crew!

Cuye...

Tonight... we're eating CUYE!  Also known as guinea pig. Cuye is a delicacy in Ecuador so of course I had to try it! It wasn't too bad. It was chewy and tasted like salty turkey meat.

Even comes with its teeth, nails, and hair still intact!

Teaching the girls about anatomy

Lucy, Laura, Secret Circle, & I'm Staying Here...

3 weeks left! 3 weeks! I can’t leave. I won’t leave. Part of me wants to stay. I love the country and I love my kids. I want to stay so I can spend the holidays with them. Financially I could, I just would have no money once I got back to the States. But thinking about spending the holidays without my kids makes me sick. I want to be their family for Christmas. For as much I want to stay, there’s part of me that needs to go home. Not sure why. Maybe to make some money in Park City. I think it’s more the volunteers persuading me to go home, really. The thought of staying longer with them is an absolute no! Not sure what I’m going to do. I have 3 weeks to get it figured out!

Today is my day off in what seems like forever! Last Monday thru Wednesday was spent in Banos by Quito. Such a blast! We hiked the Devil’s Cauldron, we went on a cable car ride, 3 runs zip lining across a massive river, soaked in some thermal pools (what an experience that was!), ate some fresh coco taffy right off the taffy pull, and went on the Swing at the End of the World. So much fun in 3 days! Once we got back it’s been work work work! Half the girls were out sick this week. I was exhausted! I’ve been able to sleep the last couple of nights which was very much needed. I only have 3 shifts off left. I think today I’m going into town to finish up some shopping. I got to get my shopping in! The stuff over here is just too good to not buy it all!

I finally had my break through with Lucy! Apparently she likes to cuddle. After lunch she goes on the mat and the other day we finished early so I lay down by her side. She snuggled right up to me with a huge smile on her face. I fell in love! She buried her head into my chest and just smiled and laughed. It was so precious. Lucy can be such a pill but after that, we’ve become buddies! Love my Lucy Lou!

Laura has become my special one! She calls me MawwMee! It’s the most endearing, precious, heart tugging thing ever! She called my mommy a time of two before I left for Banos but I didn’t think much of it. When I got home I went down to say hi to all the kids. Laura was on the toilet, as usual! I peeked my head around the door to surprise her. It took her a few seconds to figure out who I was but then she burst out, “MawwwwMeeee” and swung her arms open wide for a hug. I could have cried! Hugging Laura on the toilet is the best thing ever! I will definitely miss that for sure! Ever since then she always calls me mommy! I don’t make a big deal out of it because of the other volunteers but I love it. Her big smile with arms open wide calling mommy is something I will cherish forever! I love my Laurita!

The other day I had a whole bunch of children surrounding me. I had sat down beside Martin C. to chat with him. Then Nancy came where we told each other who are boyfriends are. Her boyfriend is Paul from school, Martin’s is Clarisa, and mine is Enrique Iglesias. Martin couldn’t stop laughing at the fact that Enrique was indeed my boyfriend! We then made it a secret circle where we shared other secrets! Soon Dome and Dayana came and then Laura made it over to us. We were just hanging out. It was great! It was special having the children surround me, just to hang out! I love these ninos!

Blanca is in the hospital. First it was pneumonia but now they’re diagnosing her with other things. She’s not dying but we’re not sure when she’ll be coming home. Hopefully before I have to go home!

Everything is great! This is the best decision I could have ever made. These children have become part of me. Ecuador is amazing! I love this country! Wish I could stay longer or at least come back and live here for a little bit!

Fall Ball...

After being at OSSO for a few weeks I started to think of activities I could do with the children that they would never get to do otherwise. One idea that came to mind was PROM! These children would never go to prom or any dance like prom so, I put on a prom for OSSO! There was a poster, balloons, backdrop for pictures, cookies, and lots of dancing! I even made little bow ties for the boys to wear! It was a blast and everyone was really into it!

{Fall Ball 2015}

 

 

The Hills Are Alive...

Today, I went horseback riding through the countryside! Me! Horseback Riding! I was so excited and did not want to miss out on the opportunity. So, I took Benadryl the night before, regular allergy meds in the morning, and then more Benadryl afterwards. I did great while riding but afterwards the hives came and the closing off of the lungs. I was fine after we left the horses. Yay! I survived!

 

  

  

Getting to know the horses

My horse, Newton

Let's do this!

Ashley had Uviya and Cara had Andrade

Tour guide, Carlos... he was a hoot!

 

 

 

 

 

My "The hills are alive, with the Sound of Music" Moment

 

 

 

 

 

These trees were to my left

And these trees were to my right

Riding was amazing! We took it slow for the most part because the trail was uphill and rocky. When we got to a nice long smooth part of the trail, we cantered into a gallop. It was awesome! The first time we cantered I was laughing so hard I could't breathe! Everything was shaking and all I could do was hang on! It was hilarious! We were able to stop halfway and take pictures and have a snack; Manicho candy bar and a mandarin. Carlos is full of knowledge and was educating us on all the facts about the area... of course I don't remember any of them! After riding, we went back to the house where Carlos made us lunch; potatoes with cheese, chicken stir fry, and mora juice. The house had the coolest things in it!

    

Carlos had to run into town and just left us in the house eating lunch. Not sure if he was suppose to leave us there, but he did. So, we took more pictures of the horses and decided to get walking! We weren't sure if Carlos was coming back for us or not so Cara and I thought we better get walking home! We were probably close to an hour away from home, in the country! Ashley wasn't for the idea but it was her choice to either come with us or stay there, alone. She dragged her feet behind us!

 

Just a tad swollen in the face...

And then there were hives!

Just trying to take a picture and they attacked my butt!

 

Cara enjoying the country!

We had been walking for awhile when Carlos returned over the hill. I'm sure he was thinking, "What are these girls doing walking in the country! I told them to stay put!" Carlos took us back into town but not without stopping at a little cheese factory first. The cheese was so good! Both Cara and I bought some cheese for only $3!

 

Today was amazing and despite my biggest allergy to horses, I am so happy I took a leap of faith and went anyways. The horses were beautiful and the country was I absolutely loved everything about today!