Ecuador Time

06/12/2013

OK, I know I have been remiss in getting my blogs out.  I have excuses – none of them good.  For some reason, when I couldn’t connect to the internet, I just assumed I couldn’t blog.  That was silly. 

So, starting again:

We moved to our rental house on the sixth.  The house is really cute and works well for us.  It is open and airy, single floor, and I can gain full access to the master bathroom using my scooter.  There is no way that would be possible with the chair, but we knew that was a strong possibility.  We made a really good decision in buying the scooter. 

 We had to stay at the Hostel Luzcelinda almost a week before we could move to the house due to what is commonly called around here “Ecuador time”.  Troy will appreciate it as being the similar to “SCA time”.  Things get done when they get done – if they get done at all.  So when we were first told about this house, two weeks before we left Quito, we were told that the fence (for the dogs and for security) would be done in the next week.   When we arrived, no fence was installed.  In fact not much had happened since the owner found out she had probable renters.  Jorge stepped in and started managing things – including the owner.  The fence got built, water and power on, drinking water and gas delivered, appliances and furnishings we bought were installed and/or delivered.   And we moved in.  Jorge informed the owner that no, we were not paying for rent before the house was habitable.   Then we ran up against our biggest roadblock. 

Internet:  We were assured it was available and relieved to see the house was wired for it, but the first company we checked with, the largest company  which is cable and our preference, first said that we had to have our cedulas in hand before they could help us.  (We technically have them, but not the actual card which was supposed to be mailed to us.  But after we moved out of Quito, the powers that be changed the rules again and you now have to personally pick them up and Nora couldn’t pick them up for us as they require the passports.  We had to send her our passports and a letter stating that she has our permission to pick them up.  They should be here tomorrow.) Then the internet company said there had been an accident just up the street from us and the cable severed.  They said they would be fixing it (again – Ecuador time) but in the meantime were arranging for other companies to pick up the services here.  Yesterday, Jorge checked with them and they decided they weren’t going to fix the cable, nor would they try to find service for those of us who live here.  Smaller companies, which use antennas to send the signal, said that they can’t reach our area.

Jorge has an internet thumb drive that works off the cellular system.  He is going to bring it out here today or tomorrow to see if it will work here.  It should.  We have a strong cellular signal.  If the thumb drive doesn’t work, I will check out dish service, if that doesn’t work, we will have to move again – closer to town.  Bottom line:  No internet – no deal.  That was the deal when we moved here, and it still is.  In the meantime, I will continue to try to keep you updated on what is happening by writing these blogs and sitting in the hotel parking lot just up the street to use his Wi-Fi to send it.  We need to get a large umbrella to block the sun while I do this as I cannot see the screen otherwise.   There is a gazebo there but with numerous steps and obstacles.

 

So, for the time being, we still do not have internet.  And no Magic Jack.  We do have contact, should we need it, here in this country with our cellular.  The problem arises if you need to contact me.  Should that happen, contact the Quito Hotel Bonanza (you will have to go on-line to get the Magic Jack number as I don’t have it right now and cannot get on the internet).  They can then call me.

On the plus side, the weather here is neither hot nor cold.  It is sweaty during the sunniest part of the day, but down-right pleasant any other time.  It is rainy – but that is why it so lush and green.  I am having an on-going battle with mosquitos – but I have that fight anywhere I go, it seems.  We are both healthy – only minor bouts of Montezuma’s revenge, so far.  The dogs are doing great.  I think they are just happy to be someplace other than a tiny motel room.  They get to go outside without a leash and visit through the fence with all the neighborhood dogs that roam freely.

I have been experimenting with local foods.  Plantain has been a favorite when sliced and baked or fired.  A lot like a potato.  Rice, of course, is a staple.  Wheat…well what can I say…my freedom of wheat sensitivity came to a crashing end.   With corn being such a staple around here, you would think that corn tortillas would be easy to find.  Not so – wheat, yes, corn, no.  So I have been learning to make arepas myself –kind of a fat corn tortilla.  Papayas are everywhere, and a gazillion fruits I have yet to master the names of.  Some are yellow – sort of pear shaped that you peel the skin off (it is hard like a shell) and scoop out the greyish non-appetizing center, It is wonderful.   There are a number of similar fruits.  One is the fruit of a cactus.  Very pretty to look at, but again, break away the outside and eat the inner goo which is so yummy (supposed to help digestion).  We have been learning about some of the herbal plants that grow everywhere (thanks to teacher Jorge).  A tree that grows by the side of the street whose leaves are crushed and made into a tea that helps cleanse the kidneys, lemony grass-like plant (lemon grass? – I miss my internet) in our back yard that is supposed to help you sleep – I was wide awake for hours, but I felt great.   I am not sure how a person would go about starving around here.  I love the eating patterns.  Except at the Hotel Bonanza, which catered more to the Americans, the norm is a huge breakfast of eggs, plantain, fruit – usually 3 or 4 types - breads, fresh juice, and of course, coffee.  I am always full after just the fruit.  Lunch is again a feast of fresh juice,   some kind of meat, sometimes in a soup – usually chicken, but also fish, tough beef, pork – lots of rice, potatoes, fruit…it goes on.  Supper is a snack.  I sleep better, feel better and I am never hungry in the evening as I thought I might be.   I have tried pig stomach (interesting but not a favorite) fish soup that surprised me by being sweet/sour, and a number of things I’m still not sure what it was.