On our last trip to the States, my brother-in-law asked me what a "typical" day was like for us in Ecuador. (In the town where I was born, not many people have had a chance to travel to other countries.) After telling him, I thought that it might make for a good blog entry. Since we're still adapting to our lives here, and with every mistake we surely must be learning, these aren't necessarily "typical", but it's what we do eight days a week.
Every day starts the same. We make breakfast, I read the news today (oh boy!), and catch up on messages. It might sound mundane, but it's wonderful to be here (it's certainly a thrill). It's spring here so we have clouds and sometimes rain, but it's always warm and the people are friendly. Who could ask for anything more? It's a magical mystery tour that brings a new opportunity.
Last Friday, we met our friends Joan and Vic for lunch. (Vic feels that he is a lucky man who made the grade, and I completely agree!) They've been here for about a year and are willing to help out somebody new. Living is easy with eyes closed, but they've followed many of the same procedures that we have and are a great source of knowledge.
On Saturday, we drove up to Puerto Lopez to have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Patacon Pisao. Our friend there, Jaiben, speaks very good English and helps us to improve our Spanish. (He helps you to understand; he does everything he can.) Great crepes!
Sunday was a day for doing chores around the house. Washed the car, sorted things we had packed, etc. We didn't have power much of the day; when your lights have gone, you break out the Kindle and read. Some people can't go an entire day without internet, but it doesn't matter much to me.
Monday was a shopping day. Yesterday, we had no power; today more of the same. New power lines are being strung just south of us, so it's a temporary situation. We need to register the new car, so we needed to get jumper cables, reflective triangles, etc. (required for registration). Ask me why we need these things; I can't tell you.
Last week, we opened a savings account at Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil. On Tuesday, we decided to take the bus to GYE (about three hours) to get the ATM card for the account. (No, they don't issue the card the same day. Many of their practices are helter skelter, but I have to admit it's getting better.) The bus leaves Olón at 5:30a, and there is a local bus that picks up everyone along Ruta Del Sol to catch that bus. Again, though, we had no power in the morning and missed that bus. Walking up to the road in the pitch black darkness, we lost our trail on the driveway and almost walked off a six-foot drop off. Help! Emily caught us in time though (she's not a girl who misses much) and we decided to abort the bus mission for the day. (Gee, it's good to be back home.)
Instead, we decided to go to the ANT office in Santa Elena to register the car. With a little help from my friends Joan and Vic, we found the office in the new bus terminal. However, the registrar at the ANT told us that, "You can't do that"; the car was already registered when we purchased it. Unnecessary trip; we drive my car back home.
On Wednesday morning at 5:00 as the day begins, we successfully make it to the bus terminal. We get a ticket to ride the 5:30a bus to GYE and arrive at the bank at about 9:30a. It was a relatively comfortable day in GYE for a change (that is I think it's not too bad). We stop and say hello to the guy at the service counter to pick up our ATM card, but he told us their computer system was down and we would have to come back later. You know my temperature's rising when I hear this, but Emily and I just smiled and said, "Okay!". There were things we said today that we wouldn't ever say to the locals, but I'm learning to just let it be. I'm adapting to life here, and I'm doing the best that I can.
(I feel some sympathy for the people working at the bank. They know that one and one and one is three. You tell me it's the institution, and I'll agree.)
We went back to the bank at 11:30a, hoping the system was back up. (I'm thinking, "Please, don't let me down!". We want to catch the 1:00p bus back to Olón.) The service rep saw us at the back of the line and waved us to the front. After signing a couple of forms, my heart went "Boom!"; we have our ATM card! Do you want to know a secret? In over a dozen trips to the bank, that was the first time that we actually left with smiles on our faces. Could the trip back home have been any better? I say no!
Thursday, we visited a new friend, Dave, and saw the house that he's building on the beach in Curia. Nice place.
Every day in Ecuador brings new opportunities and experiences, and for Emily and I, we are doing tres bien ensemble.
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on.
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