Hola amigos y amigas!
We are safe and sound in Cuenca. We had a lovely send off from our friends in Olón. Thank you Anna, Lily, Karin and Dave for your sweet goodbyes. Lumia started crying hard as soon as we got about a kilometer out of town.
But we had another crazy travel day! We arrived in guayaquil just fine and got our extra luggage to the hotel. Then, we made our way to the van center and ended up getting a ride with a guy in a pickup instead of a van with more people. So, it was just the four of us, which made me a little nervous to be on our own with him instead of in a van. But, we settled into being comfortable after exchanging names and getting some crop information. I did have to ask him why it looked like we were on empty and he told me the gas gauge didn't work.
Then, sitting at a stoplight all of a sudden there was a pickup careening diagonally toward us after squeezing its way between a stopped regional bus and another lane of cars. It slid past us and into the ditch. Disaster avoided by a couple of feet. Armpits sweaty and hearts a-thumping we drove away. Our driver Juan crossed himself when we went by the very next church. Certainly that could happen anywhere. Thank goodness it ended well for us.
But then...we made our way up into the mountains thorough the rain and curvy roads. All of a sudden when we were near the top of the pass, Juan said, "uno memento," grabbed his things and another guy Carlos jumped in to drive! Another person to get used to and wonder about. Luckily, the skies cleared and we were able to enjoy the beautiful drive down from the mountains and to our apartment where our very kind landlord was waiting for us. I had informed him too of our sketchy transport situation so he could be on the lookout for us. All ended well.
Julio took me to the grocery store and we are now watching the super bowl eating hamburgers! And the Hawks just tied it up! Go Hawks.
We are here for two weeks with wifi and a very stocked grocery store. It will be an adjustment from the heat - we will handle it.
Let us know how you're doing and thank your favorite deity for our safe arrival to Part 2.
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