JodiFit

We have all finally smarted up, why pay for what is most of the time an average CrossFit class when we have Jodi. So now a group of us have started what I am affectionately naming JodiFit. She is properly amazing, the best instructor ever and we are thrilled to have her!

Part of her group

Every day she gives us a tailored work out and then she also posts on line other ideas in case we cannot make a session.
Love JodiFit

Cumbaya, Quito

Just down the mountain, not too far away lies the valley of Cumbaya. I went yesterday properly for the first time (have driven through before), it is 5 degrees warmer than the main city of Quito so already I am love with it.

 First we took a walk along a reservoir

 Lola posing off

 Me and Luis

 A fairly delicious Sunday lunch

 Then out for traditional Ecuador ice cream which uses no cream, just ice, sugar, flavour (from what I can tell). The picture above is of the making of the ice cream. A great Sunday after a fairly calm weekend.

5km Fun Run

I arrived at the Academia Cotopaxi family fun run yesterday morning fairly grumpy and determined to be a spoil sport and not to run. But at the last minute I realised I was being ridiculous and decided to join in. Very proud of myself as finished, and a very respectable finish and I know 5km is not a lot but at this altitude it is more like running 50km (I have kinda just made that up, but it felt like that).

 Before the run with the Cougar

After finishing, with a friend of mine Nick. So reckon I should start training for a marathon now :)

Wine Cocktails

I have run a wine club for eight years and never have I seen a more inventive theme then last nights 'wine cocktails', put on by fabulous Shannon. It was truly amazing and I came away with lots of new favourite drinks and of course a little headache this morning..

Another successful night. Thanks so much to Shannon for such a brilliant idea.  The fuzzy picture above is to represent our fuzzy heads this morning!

Lola Swim Star

I am so so proud of my Lola Cola, really could have cried watching her with pride yesterday swimming after sticks. For almost 9 years Lola has hated going in the water, she was very nervous, and barely put her paws in. But now she looks like she could be headed to Brazil in 2016 and what made this change, swim lessons. Lola has been going to doggie day care for the last month and they said they were teaching her to swim (in a life jacket) and now look at her!
She was amazing! Her doggie day care is amazing, I think next they are training her on the agility course (which we actually did in England for a bit).

Traditions, Banos

I was not only lucky enough to visit Banos but also it happened to be a huge weekend there celebrating their virgin (a confusing celebration for me as to do with the virgin coming from there, although accepted that she didn't, never mind as when in Rome and all that). There were loads of celebrations and fire works every half hour all day and night (Lola hated it there), and lots of traditional events going on.
On the way back, we stopped at a town that made a traditional ice cream, every second shop sold it. Yummy! Great weekend :)

Banos, Ecuador

Luis has returned from a great trip in the UK, where he visited and stayed with the wonderful Hopkins clan.  While he was away he had his birthday and I thought we must do something special when he returns.  So I decided to take him to beautiful Banos, Ecuador. The gate way to the Rain Forest and fabulous.

We spent the day taking a tour of waterfalls and the spectacular scenery that Banos has to offer.

Thanksgiving Celebration

I love having three Nationalities to claim, mainly as I love hosting events and it gives me loads of holidays to participate in. Last night, I proudly waved the Canadian flag, having the Canadian crew over for Thanksgiving dinner. I have so much to give thanks for this year, wonderful friends and family world wide, having the opportunity to live in a great new country, new fabulous friends and much more.

We also had a few special birthdays to celebrate, Happy birthday Jocelyn and Gabbi. The only down fall of the evening is I forgot the stuffing in the oven, could not believe it, the best part and I forgot it!

Rafting in the Amazon

I have wanted to go white water rafting for as long as I can remember, nothing like waiting to do it in style on a river that feeds into the Amazon. We had a brilliant four hour tour, it was properly amazing, scary at times but brilliant. Usually the river runs at a category 3 out of a possible 5, but yesterday it was a tiny bit terrifying 4. I cannot wait to do it again.

It was really fantastic.  I refused to fall in so now my poor thighs are a little sore from the grip.  But altogether brilliant!

Monkey Beach, Misahualli

After what I can only describe as the perfect morning, we headed down the road to a small town called Misahualli (otherwise known as monkey beach). A great little riverside town that would have been a little more fantastic had our lunch taken less than 3 hours (I thought Kristi may eat her own arm at one point). But we got through it, had a little boat trip, and played with some monkies (Lola was not a fan).

 This is where I learnt what 'hangry' meant, and I never wish to see it again!

(This wild bird was not a fan of me taking pics)
Altogether a really interesting day, it is so hard to believe that this is only a few hours out of Quito, it is an entirely different world.

Tena, Ecuador

Two days ago I was on top of a mountain and now I am in the Rain forest, Ecuador is an amazing country. Minutes after me and Mark returned from our school trip we jumped in his jeep (throwing Kristi and Desiree in car first) and headed to the Amazon.  I woke up in the best mood ever, to sunshine and tropical weather.

We started our long weekend by taking a long hike to the most beautiful waterfalls.  It was like out of a movie.  It was also properly freezing so me and Lola decided against a swim!

Mount FuyaFuya

Today we climbed to the summit of Mount FuyaFuya, 4200 meters high. Like properly climbed, the last few hundred meters with ropes, gripping rocks and pulling ourselves up in the rain. It was fantastic, definitely could have been better conditions but to see everyone so excited after finally making it, it would not have mattered if it snowed.

 Jimmy looking so happy for the climb.

Beautiful views

At the summit, it was very steep so we had to take ropes up and everything.  I felt like a proper climber (except that I was slightly terrified and had people all around me to help).

4200 meters, in the rain, fabulous. The kids were so excited, as most did not think they could do it. I also was pretty thrilled, I must say that I thought getting down was far more painful then up. We have now arrived at our hostel for the evening activities to begin.

Discover Ecuador

Every year each year group in the high school visits a differ even location outside of Quito. I am on the grade ten trip, not far out of Quito, Guayllabamba, camping and hiking, amongst other activities.

 Beautiful magical waterfall (meant to be blessed)

 Taking a break and learn about our surroundings

 A visit to a condor sanctuary

A great first day ended around the campsite. Tomorrow we have an early start climbing up a mountain.

Nono, Ecuador

Nono is an extremely deceiving name as I think all that went today think a better name for the small town is Yesyes. It is located just over the mountain of the other side of the city (turn left at two donkies at the top and go straight down) into a beautiful valley. Today me, Lola Betsy, her husband Roman and their dog Lucy made the one hour journey to hike to a cascada.

A really lovely day out of the city. There are so many places to visit, this one is not really a popular destination or one I could find much on line about - but it should be.

Celebration of Winter

So apparently we are in winter here in Quito, this is what the locals tell me anyway. Well if this is winter, I actually may to learn a season that I have never been a big fan of.

These are just a few shots around campus and the park over the last few days. It has been a beautiful week, combine the weather with delicious sushi and Mexican dinners with friends and I think I have a perfect week in the making.