Pesca Sunday

Yesterday I went to a place just outside of the city where you catch your own trout and then you or a restaurant cooks it the way you wish (or you could skip the fishing bit and go straight for food like me).  I think it is a bit much to call it fishing anyways, the lake is so jam packed it only takes seconds for a bite.

(pictures lost in the big photo loss of 2016)
Later that evening watched a film with some friends (the maze runner, I was not overly convinced but love having movie popcorn, so did not really matter) followed by an early night, a great end to a lovely weekend.

Great Greek

Actually the word great does not begin to describe our meal, I just liked the double G title. Jodi and Dylan had the most amazing Greek dinner ever, with contributions from all.
(pictures lost in big photo loss of 2016)

Dave's Birthday and Bon Voyage

I cannot believe it is time for Dave to go, it feels like he is part of the place now. We did so many things in the last two weeks (sleeping not being high on that list), it really has been an amazing time. Last night I big group of us went to the old town to not only say good bye but also to celebrate this special guys birthday.

I guess all good things come to an end, although I do think that is a rubbish and sad saying, so this must too. It has been great having him here, best of friends for 25 years, sure we will be for 50 more, I will definitely miss him. Until our next adventure Mr. Hopkins.. Bon Voyage!

Quito Ladies Wine Club

Last night was the launch of the Quito Ladies wine club and much like my wine club in the UK and Basel it was jam packed with some fantastic ladies (also much like the other ones, the day after is slightly painful).

I am pretty proud and excited to be launching my third wine club.  We have started with a great group and we had a great night trying some South American wine.
I know I always always say this but guess it is true and maybe I am just lucky but once again a fantastic group has joined the wine club.

Ecuador Dinner

Well not quite Ecuardian food (more like Italian), but it was full of my new Ecuadorian friends. It started as a thank you to the people who helped look for Lola and expanded as we met some new friends in Mindo. Me and Dave pulled off a grand dinner, considering we were running around like mad people minutes before they arrived. We are even considering a business in entertaining (well I have been wanting to do that for 20 years anyways).
It was a lovely night and again a big thanks for those who helped with Lola. Great to have new friends, and certainly an encouragement to learn the language.

Mindo Madness

I properly love this place and the people I have come here with. What a fabulous day today, full of beautiful sunshine, waterfalls, chocolate fun and loads of food. It is such a great little town with so much with so much to offer for everyone.

A trip to the chocolate factory and then a we had a fun filled night on the town. I properly love this place and can see many adventures happening here.

Cloud Forest, Mindo

Two hours out of Quito and we are in the beautiful, tropical cloud forest in Mindo. Fifteen of us have traveled for a fun filled, weekend and it is gorgeous.

Just finishing our fruit filled breakfast and then heading to the waterfalls for a dip :)

Lola, Friends, Ecuadorians and Facebook

For those who know Lola, you know she is terrified of loud noises and that a thunder storm pretty much puts her on the brink of a heart attack every time. So yesterday when I was walking Lola through the park, unaware of the dark clouds behind me, when the first crash of thunder hit she was off. And to follow was the loudest thunder storm I have ever heard and I knew she could have run for miles, anywhere . After a few pointless hours calling in the park (it was now pitch black and Jodi convinced me possibly was not the safest place), I hit the streets as did friends and neighbours. And what happened next was amazing, people coming out of their houses to help, giving advice, taking my phone number. A fabulous couple (coming to dinner now Tuesday), even got in their car and drive around.
And then finally success, as me and Vanessa were walking and calling (me almost on brink of breakdown), a woman and her daughter drove up and showed us a picture a friend a of a friend had posted of Lola on Facebook. She was amazing, drove us to her house so she could find out from friend other persons number and then took us there to get her.
Four hours on, with swollen red eyes, I finally got her, with so many people to thank.
I have never met a nicer collective people and cannot believe how much they went out of their way and also Facebook how much do I love you now.
And that is the end of another Lola drama (think she gets upset she is not on here enough). Thanks a million again to all my wonderful helpers.

Demonstration Fun

Yesterday leaders of eight Ecuardian organisations protested against a Labour law code being discussed that would raise public transportation costs, the passing of a Hydro-Resources Law and in support for free tuition to public universities. Due to this the school shut half day due so everyone could get home. Although, I would have loved to have gone to seen the protest, I thought my Dad may not be too happy so instead organised a lunch at a great Italian restaurant.

Of course I wish to live in a peaceful place with happy citizens but I must admit that the odd demonstration that allows a friendly lunch seems like it would be okay.

Crossfit, Quito

Jodi (Crossfit Queen) inspired a group of us to join Crossfit here in Quito.  We are the first 'foreign' group that they have had and think we have done our selves proud.  We are finishing our second week of induction and I just love it (actually that is not quite true, I hate it during, and love it after).  I think we are definitely doing us gringos proud.

This is not at the gym or even near it, but just thought it was so pretty walking Lola last night..

Termas de Papallacta

After what was a bit of a long day and late night, a day at the spa was definitely in order.  So Dave, the neighbours and myself got out of Quito and headed to the hot springs of Papallacta.  A beautiful and at times bumpy ride, but well worth it after a scrumptious lunch and an afternoon lazing in the hot natural springs.

This sign made us think twice of what sort of spa we were going to...

 A very needed lunch after a late night the night before.

 Relaxing in the hot spring pools

 We all had to wear super cool swimming caps...

 A lovely drive home, and then out for sushi to make our perfect Sunday complete.
 

Patio Heater Party

It has been talked about since my arrival and finally happened last night, the patio heater party. It is possibly the best purchase I have ever made, I am literally in love with my patio heater!
Great night, again love my heater!

Hopkins in Quito!

Wonders never cease, Mr. David Hopkins is in Quito!
Now I hate being a sceptic, but I never really believe Dave will make it somewhere till he actually arrives. Even when he said he was boarding the plane I still thought he may just end up in Bogota. But here he is, sitting on my balcony having his first beer, of possibly many!

Soooooo excited!!!

Lola's Quito

One of my biggest concerns about coming to Quito was Lola.  In the UK and Basel Lola had so many people who loved her and looked after her when I was on holiday or just busy.  Also, I had such nice walking spaces in the UK and Basel, and was not sure I would have the same moving to a city ten times the size of Basel.  But we seemed to have landed on our feet once again.  Not only does she have a wonderful park behind our house but she has also made many doggie walking friends (as most people who know Lola know she does not always get on with every dog).

 One of her new buddies, Sadie, she also has Lucy.

 I cannot get over the beauty and size of this park, yesterday after four weeks of going in it every day I still managed to get lost.

 Lola just loves it.

But her true loves, the people she adores most are my neighbours.  After making me a lovely Thai meal last night we then sat to watch a movie...

... and she went and sat with Jodi! I could not believe it, left me sitting all by myself (looks like I have another Asa situation on my hands!).

Guapulo Festival Fun

What a great Saturday, a day with the ladies, nails and lunching and then off to Guapulo festival. Beautiful sunny day, I must say I am really falling in love with Quito.

It was amazing, definitely no health and safety as fire and fire crackers were being shot into the crowd, but great fun. The only downside was I had a major craving for cookie dough, and me and the girls could not find any (it was pretty funny!).

TGIF

You know you work in a great place when your director announces that she is hosting a fully catered TGIF for the entire staff after school.
Free drinks, food and loads of lovely new people to get to know.

(pictures lost in big picture loss of 2016)

Vroom Vroom!

Is the noise my new car makes! I am very excited to finally have my new (well used but new to me car). No more taxis to and from school (apart from Wednesday which is my non driving day, all cars have one) and even better than that I can now plan my weekends out of the city!

I now just have to get use to the driving, very very defensive driving!

Patio Heater Fun

Although Quito enjoys warm (even hot) sunny days the minute the sun sets behind the mountain it can get fairly chilly. And as I love entertaining and being hostess with the mostess, purchasing a patio heater was crucial. Best decision ever, tested it out last night and I love it!

 New faces and old, it is so great to be back in the same city as Mark!

A great night, patio was a success, so soon it is time for the all important patio party.

Schools In

It has finally begun, the whole reason for my move to Ecuador, school has started. And I have hit the ground running, being sick last week certainly has not helped, but there is also loads for me to learn and do. That is okay though as it is great to learn about new systems and see different ways of teaching. This will all be helpful when I return to the UK in the aims of helping to fix an education system that by all accounts is getting weaker and weaker by the day. My wonderful sister, Nicola, sent me a link today about compulsory setting that makes my blood boil! These people are cream crackers, enforcing an age old system that has been proven time and time again to be ineffective to all learners, it drives me crazy (I mean all they have to do is look at any modern day research or effective systems to see that they are deluded)! For more on this please copy and paste this link:
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/03/schools-separate-pupils-ability-setting
But so this does not totally drag me down today, here are some photos of the view of my lovely new class room, actually a lot like mine in Switzerland.  You cannot quite make it out but there are mountains all around.

I love it, even if it is a bit secluded, being miles away from the rest of the campus. It is good for exercise though as up four floors and I am up and down twenty times a day!