Quick Update

Language of Ecuadorians:
One honk-Hey, Hola Amigo
Two honks-move, coming up fast, need a ride?, boo, look at those whities!!
Hand swivel-no room sorry
Hand down-need a ride please
Two honks-life is better when you honk all the time

Sometimes I feel like I´m back in New York City. Ecuadorians love their horns for good and bad situations and they are crazy drivers. One taxi we took they stuck us in the back of the truck and procedded to go over 70 mph. That was by far the scariest moment we have had with vehicles so far. I jumped out of that truck as fast as I could, even Nic was glad it was such a short ride.

This is our last week with Marco and his family in the Amazon. Its kind of sad but I´m ready for something new, so is Nic. We did have a small break in Baños which was really nice. We walked around and found our new favorite gringo spot, Casa Hood. We ate garlic bread for a buck, I had a salad with half an avocado in it, and Nic had this amazing Almuerzo, which is a set lunch you can buy. They offer almuerzos everywhere for 2 or 3 and it includes soup, juice, a dish mostly chicken, and a dessert. A ton of food for not very much. Casa Hood also had a really great book exchange. After a quick walk we went and treated ourselves to a massage and facial. An hour and 15 min for $20. Well worth every every penny.

Thinking of everyone lots
more photos soon, maybe tonight.

Armadillo Time

Armadillo, they went out at 10 and didn't catch the bugger till 4 am.

First bake.

Shower/washer machine/armadillo cleaning station.

Cutting begins

There was a sad moment when we realized that sack was full of babies.

Three of them, Isaac put one in a jar later on.

Ready to go. All the guts and babies were later cooked in a big sopa for the perro Tony who helped catch the prize.

Photos!!

Nic hates this.

Our little room in the jungle, near Puyo

This photo is for my mom.

Anybody want to buy some land 20 hectares for $50,000? Beautiful with a warm river flowing threw it.

Nic jumping in the river.

I'll post more photos tonight. We have the weekend off right now to enjoy ourselves in Banos, gringo town with lots of fun shops and candy stores.

In the Amazon!!

We have reached one week today!!

My new favorite ride is the bus system now. Every ride has more to see and more thrills to freak Nic out, I love it. We went through a tunnel which had water leaking everywhere, it reminded me of a bad Disney ride then as we came out you could looked down a really steep drop to this beautiful river, at this point Nic switched spots with me so I would have the window seat. All together we were on a bus for about 9 hours and I enjoyed every minute.

Now we are in Puyo which is a really small town about an hour away from Baños. It doesnt get many gringos so we stick out but luckily we have a local to show us around. This is where it gets even more amazing. The place we are staying at is right at the edge of the jungle, la selva. There is organic farming, finca, all over the property. The first day all we did was weed but each pull of a plant brought more bugs to see. I could walk around for hours taking photos of different things and writing in my journal. Marco, an amazing person that makes Rambo look like a child, has so much knowledge of the local area and all the medicinal plants the selva has to offer. The first day he took us around and identified many plants. I´m hoping I´ll have another chance to do this with him again later because I was unsure if I could take my camera out or not. Each day and everything is great, even the tough work in the garden or the gathering of huge leafs in the jungle.

My spanish is getting better but I´m still having hesitation speaking in spanish. It doesnt help that Nic enjoys talking almost as much as he does eating but my undestanding is getting better. Sooner or later I´m just going to start spitting out perect Spanish and make Nic look like the white guy, just kidding.

The food!! Fruits, meat everything tastes so good here. Its a combination of the hard work and this sun but it really does add to the experience. Everytime we eat though all I can think of is my mom telling me I shouldn´t drink that or eat that. Well I have listened a little and still refuse to drink the milk which is from the cows of a neighbor so be proud mom lol. Nic and I have both been very fortunate so far with no food sickness although the malaria pills did make me sick one night.

Not sure when the next time is that I will have a computer but hopefully its soon. Thanks for reading everyone and miss you guys all very much. When we are back in Riobamba in a couple of weeks we can set up skype times for anyone that wants to talk to us.

Love
Nic and Kenzie

Finally Here

So after almost 24 hours of traveling we are finally here in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Things went smoothly, all except the fact that they lost our luggage. So the 25lbs of stuff that is our life is missing, with no phone number to give and only an email. We had to extend our stay here in the city for two nights, it might lead to some new and fun things but its going to hurt our tight budget. I'm still so excited that I'm having a hard time seeing the negative.

The good news is the hostal let us get into our rooms early so we are here now, relaxing and enjoying this comfy bed. Nic says he can hear the birds outside which is pretty neat. The plan at this point is to take a quick nap and then go off and explore. Find a cafe and enjoy ourselves for a bit. Apologies for any other travelers that might come across us because our soap was also lost. I'm sure we will find a drug store or something by the end of the day.

I'll keep you guys posted, for now buenos dias todos gentes.

Last night in estados unidos

Nic here, w/kenzie on my shoulder :)

We've got lotsa love for all of you here at home. We'll miss you all .  I've enjoyed everyone's company and companionship.  Thanks for all your Love and support.  We couldn't be doing this without our support groups (family and friends).  Thanks SO SO much everyone.  We're blessed to be going on this adventure to a distant land, and cherish all of our relationships we've had back at home here in the Pacific Northwest. 

I'd like to say that we'll be posting frequently, but even weekly posts will be hard.  We'll notify you all when we arrive to our hostel in Guayaquil, Ecuador on Saturday, afterwhich we'll be observing their independence day :) 

Peace and Love ,

Nico y KenZ

Leaving Soon

We have two full days left to spend time with our families and I can feel the emotions getting more and more tense. There is so much excitement but at the same time theres sadness to be away from our loved ones. I'm realizing how much I truly appreciate both mine and Nic's family. They have been so great and supportive, more than I could ever hope for.

Thanks everyone so far who has supported Nic and me throughout the beginning process and who have dealt with my overwhelming amount of stress (poor Nic). I especially want to give thanks to God and everyone's prayers that I KNOW have helped tremendously. My church is my extended family and I will miss them so much.

Also for everyone who doesn't know my contract finally was approved last thursday, day before its due, so I will be getting credit for this trip thanks to Rob my advisor.

This is kind of a pathetic first post and a little disorganized but I'm struggling with writing something like this that I know anyone can see. I'll get over it soon enough, many more to come!!