Year in Review

We have completed our first full year in Ecuador. Below is a 12-month photo summary. 

We arrived in Quito in January. This is our first experience with cuy (guinea pig)!

February 15th we arrived in Cuenca. Our new home. 

By the time March rolled around we had developed close friendships. 

In April, I visited the City of Saraguro with my Spanish class. 

Mother's Day surprise visit in May!

In June, we said goodbye to Mike's sister Peggy. 

Our friend Joe visited in July. 

We visited the City of Paute in August. 

Visiting with Mike's dear friend Star in September. 

In October we said goodbye to Mike's niece Jennifer. 

November was a time to celebrate in Cuenca. Tres de Noviembre and The Day of The Dead. 

December and Christmas in Cuenca. 

Parade of The Innocents

If the calendar indicates a holiday you can rest assured that the 500,000 residents of Cuenca are going to celebrate. And last night was no exception. Here is how Epiphany is celebrated in our city:

Life is good!

Happy New Year

Traditional Ecuadorian New Year's Eve celebrations are definitely different than what we are used to in the US. The popular way to celebrate here is by burning effigies. It's all about burning away the bad things from the past year, "out with the old, in with the new." Masks are placed on them and made to look like politicians, celebrities, or cartoon characters. Some of them contain fireworks which makes for an interesting display. Another tradition is one where men dress as women, block traffic with ropes, and then collect a "toll" in order for traffic to pass. Allegedly, the money collected is given to a charity. And of course fireworks are popular and light up the skies at midnight. Below are some pictures from New Year's Eve in Cuenca, Ecuador. 

The effigies come in many sizes and styles. 

A variety of masks to choose from. 

The effigies were seen being transported on bicycles, taxis, buses, and cars. 

CNN? Not sure what this was about. 

These guys were each trying on the wig. 

Here are some pictures taken around town after dark. 

Here are Mike and neighbor Nancy modeling their 2015 eyewear. 

Happy New Year!

Christmas 2014

We have had a very nice visit with family and friends this week. Here are some highlights of our visit. 

Mexican food at El Potro with Greg Croushorn and Mark Etheredge. 

Dinner at Mary Mac's Tea Room with Mark Jones and Ron Hoffman. 

Travelled to Columbia, SC to visit my Dad and Step-Mom. My sister Sheila also drove over from Georgia to join us. My nephew was sick with the flu and was unable to make the trip. 

Me getting a scalp massage from a kitty!

Santa on Christmas Eve at Lenox Square Mall, Atlanta. 

Enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner with Bill and Barbara. 

Mike and I enjoyed Christmas Day with my Mother, Sister, and Nephew (recovered from the flu). My Aunt and cousin made a brief appearance. 

Preparing fried okra ... One of my favorites!

A beautiful day! Not a cloud in the sky. 

The Ecuadorian coffee hung by the chimney with care. 

Headed back home to Ecuador on Saturday. Looking forward to ringing in the New Year and celebrating our one-year anniversary in Ecuador on January 8, 2015.