Our Neighborhood

We live in La Loma Grande a very traditional neighborhood of the Centro Histórico. When we bought our apartment we did not think much of the neigborhood and we paid more attention to the building where our place is set and the beautiful view we have from our apartment. At first I was a bit afraid of walking in the street outside our apartment building. So many people come and go all the time and we learn that in part of the neighborhood some people sell drugs. That made us feel uncomfortable. However, with time I have come to like very much this neighborhood and it is because I have come to know the people who live here. It is a very friendly place, everywhere I walk I see someone to say hi " hola vecino" and sometimes I stop and chit chat about anything.
I don't know if other neighborhoods in Quito have all we have here. In just one street of about 1/2 mile you can find: A historic church, a fire station, a police station, bakeries, farmacies, several little groceries stores, restaurants, medical center and dentists, fresh fruit and veggies stores, tailor, chinese food, electronic repair places, shoe repair places, hair salons, kindergarten, elementary schools, high schools, internet services, a cultural center in restoration, a hidden park, clothing and shoes stores, and other places that I am sure I'm forgetting. You just need to decide what you want or need and go out the door, walk few minutes and find it!
Living here makes me feel like we are part of a community and that people are friendly. It is also a great contrast with our lives in Yanapana where nature is our community.

View of the street we live on seen from another hill in the city

The street we live on

Another street in the center of Quito

Views from our roof top

Life in another dimension

If there are other dimensions Yanapana is probably in a different one than the one we are used to. It is difficult to explain the change we experience there but it is real. You need to go there and be there for few days to see what happens. For example, when I am in the city I worry a lot and I always want to be in the next moment, doing the next thing, thinking of another project but when I am in Yanapana everything is still, quiet, you are more in the present, no hurries and worries. The overwhelming but organized sounds of nature keeps your mind busy. There is the never ending sound of the river, the birds here and there, the insects, the rain when present, etc. Life is rich and we become part of it. We feel rich and happy. The air is fresh, the water is clean (from our own spring) and all is green around. There is always something new to see.
We go to bed as it gets dark and read quietly in our tents but soon fall sleep only to be awaken buy the sounds of the morning birds and rooster.
Make plans to come to visit Yanapana sometime in the future, you will feel in another world.

Getting you updated

As always many things have happened in our lives here in Ecuador, it seems like there is so much to do and I do not post as often as I would like.

Mateo and I spent 5 days during in Semana Santa with my grandmother in Puellaro, my home town. I wanted to show my son the place I grew up and all the traditions we follow there. He had a great time with family.

We rode in the gusanito

played with water many times

played with other children in the family

Had his 2nd birthday! and celebrated with all the family. Pat made a yummy chocolate cake.

Since it was raining so much in Quito and it was cold, we decided to escape to the coast. We stayed in a nice hotel with swimming pool and a nice view of the ocean. Like always we ate only seafood and enjoyed ourselves in the warm climate.

View from our hotel room

Ice cream for Mateo, he now recognizes the ice cream man!

First time playing in the sand, he did not want to come out.

Fishermen arriving to the beach

We bought fresh fish and shrimp to take home. Mateo wanted to hold the fish

Tea with honey

Tea with honey is Mateo's new favorite drink and he asks it all the time to his new favorite parent - Pat! My husband of course is so happy for this. We also have a chatty 2 year old child who is repeating many words and it is fascinating to hear him. Here are some of his words: papaya, banana, bubble bath, bubbles, all the things he likes.

Last week we went to check out a day care center and we liked it very much but Mateo wasn't that convinced. Since we don't need him to be away from us yet we will wait until August. He will be in day care from 8:30 to 12:30 and then he will spend the afternoons with Pat while I go to school. I am going to miss him so much.

Checking out Rocotin - the day care center

Mateo got his first guitar this week. It will be nice to see him someday play one of Pat's 4 guitars.

Another first experience Mateo had this week was to play with dough. First I made it with flour and water and then we got the play-doh at the store. He LOVE it!

He is getting so tall!

This is one of the animals we saw today at the Zoo. It was our first time and we all had a great time. I think we will be coming back to this place again.

Going to see the President

On Mondays at 11:00 a.m. the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, comes out to the balcony of his palace (house) and greets people as the change of guards takes place. We have attended this event few times in the past, and we like to go whenever we can especially because it is ten minutes away from home.

The President was not present today but we all enjoyed very much the presence of a lot of people, the nicely dressed guards, music and the horses.

Life in Ecuador is good!

Life is good and busy! I have not made time to write on this blog because we did not have internet for quite sometime and now that we do, I have been spending my time on other projects. I want to continue this blog, and I hope to do it at least once a month.

Mateo is growing so fast! I think he just went through a growth spurt because he went from a lousy eater to an eager eater which was pleasing to see. I can't keep up with his hair and I need to cut it quite often. Seems like we have settled into a nice routine lately. Sure is nice to sleep in and then have a slow morning while we eat breakfast, shower and clean the house. Before midday we go out for a walk around the busy streets of Quito. Mateo enjoys it so much that almost always falls sleep in the Bob (the stroller).


My mom moved in with us for a month, it was a nice month because we got lots of help watching Mateo. Pat and I took advantage of this and went out more often. There is always business to do in the city.

We have not gone to the land yet because we need to have the car checked and maybe change the tires. We got a used Chevrolet Rodeo that is very roomy.

Mateo enjoys very much the company of Anita, my girlfriend's children. They are older than him but that is what makes them very interesting. There are lots of things to learn from them. I am very glad I can keep in contact with an old friend.

Bath time is very special for Mateo, he has graduated from playing with rubber ducky and moved to more interesting creatures. He has his entire zoo accompanying him while he soaks in the water. Trying to get him out is a battle I have won with the animals but not with Mateo ha ha.

Lately, he enjoys sitting by the stove (we stand by him, don't worry, we won't burn him) and watches us cooking. He knows what he wants and does not hesitate to communicate it to us in any way he can. Also, he is sleeping in his own room and he is also sleeping through the night! I am so happy for that because it means I am also sleeping through the night :)

Back AGAIN in Ecuador ---LOL

It is not a joke, it is for real! We are back again in Ecuador and this time for good.

I will continue to write about our lives here. I think this short trip to California was necessary for us so we can say GOOD BYE to everything one more time. It was necessary to value what we have here in Ecuador and realize that all the dreams we had for so many years are possible. It has not been easy to settle down here but after this California trip, things have been much better.

Mateo is so happy to have "tita" abuelita near by. I am so happy to have my family around.

Life takes you places and you need to make the most of it!

In the airport in our way back

He loves brocoli

Mateo's cousin Isaid on his first birthday