Turtles, Sea Lions, Shark and More

Yesterday was our first tour of the day, well actually we had two tours. First Luis took us to the turtle breeding centre and our next tour was a snorkeling, shark and penguin searching tour. Both tours were brilliant although I thought the first tour guide had a bit of an edge. ;)

We spent the day exploring Isabella and looking at turtles, sea lions an baby sharks.  Followed by some Coco Locos, dinner, drinks and bed. Great day!

 

Miss. Prosecco

First day was a fabulous day, just lazing around before all the tours start today. Some beach time, snorkeling but the best part was going to the dock to pick up my girl Maria and her cousin Andrrea. It is so great to have the Romanians here, I have missed Maria so much since coming to Quito, and am so excited to have her here!

Me and my girl!!! A huge part of my life and blog in Basel and so happy to see her on here again!!

Galapagas Time

I have banged on before about how beautiful Ecuador is, in fact I was sure the Galapagos would be a let down because of the hype. Boy, was I wrong. Blinking beautiful and I have only seen a very small part of it. Hotel on the sea, dancing under the stars and a whole lot of wonderful wild life, safe to say this is going to be a fantastic week.

We arrived safely to a beautiful place, and had a great first day and night.

Easter Break

Yippee!! I am so ultra excited for this break, heading to paradise with, with Luis and a very special friend from my Basel days. But first we needed to kick it off properly with the Cotopaxi crew.

Looks like everyone is about ready to go!
On a side note, I completely under estimated this wisdom tooth thing. When people told me weeks or months of uncomfortable eating, for some reason thought I would be different. But nope I have only had smoothies, jello and ice cream since Monday and this does not seem to be letting up anytime soon. I am so hungry and if I never are a yogurt smoothie again I would be a happy girl!

Wisdom about Wisdom

First thing I have learnt is that when people tell you horror stories about taking out wisdom teeth, they are not lying. Yep, it hurts like hell, and the after math ain't pretty but it is only teeth and the wounds will heal. But I have learnt some other key things, what in the world do they charge thousands of dollars/pounds in other parts of the world for...! All you really need is some huge Ecuadorian (biggest I have ever seen), a little bit of drugs and dentistfied pliers. Really, if you are getting them out, take that money, come visit me (probably same as flight) and spend a hundred bucks to get it done here.
The other key thing that I have learnt, well not learnt, but was reminded of is how lucky I am have to Luis. Not only did he take me and hold my hand while the big huge man yanked out my teeth, in the midst of the pain he almost had me burst into laughter (which may have made things worse had man slit my tounge off or something). He kept saying (without even realising), 'I am so proud of you', 'It is almost out', 'Oh I can see it', 'Just one last bit of pain', I can imagine that is just what he would have said if I had been having a baby (well that is what they say in the films anyway). It was so funny to me, it made it slightly more bearable.
(Here is where I was going to put picture of them, as I took them, but thought may seem gross to most).

US Visit

Last night I took a little visit to the United States of America to participate in a trivia night. And I learnt that I am a pretty good quiz master, as this one was terrible. First off it was really difficult, but because all the questions (not just the odd one) were totally obscure. There were no categories to the rounds, no real thought and some questions did not even make sense. This sounds a little bitchy, but when you do a pub quiz (well at least when I do), you have to put loads of thought and try and make it fun for all (getting very few questions right is no fun). And we definitely got very few questions right! Anyways, it has inspired me to reopen my pub and start doing some quizzes. So watch this space!
Equally frustrating, no phones or cameras allowed inside! I mean I guess in one way this is not a terrible thing as did I really want pictures of us losing anyways..

Rainy Days and Medicine

Finally and annoyingly the Quito forecast has been correct, 5 days in a row of blinking rain. Honestly, since I have been here there has been only a couple of rainy days, sometimes it rains in the afternoon but rarely a full day. Until now of course, where you cannot see I live in the mountains and I have to wade through a small river to get to my class room.
But I could care less, today in my eyes it is bright sunshine. I am
in awe of modern medicine and forever thankful for countries that are wise enough to have universal free health care. I just really cannot believe that all counrties do not make this an absolute priority for their nations (clearly the lawmakers are not the ones who suffer for lack of). Anyways, I am in a good mood so not going to rant, but again very thankful.

Lola is definitely not enjoying the weather, I have to drag her out everyday. And although not miffed by the rain today, I am also hoping it ends very very soon.

My Sister

Sisters come in many shape and forms, I am lucky enough to have many people in my life that I would consider a sister of mine. The ladies that I know best and that know me best. That I share all my thoughts with, happy moments with and also the not so happy ones. I love each and everyone of these girls and feel blessed to have them in my life.
Today, I just want to share a little about the strongest, most beautiful sister I have. The one that has been with me since the beginning, the sister that I cherish and love more than anything in this world. Nicola, the most inspirational women I know, also possibly the most caring, genuine person I know and I miss her everyday, now that we live so far apart. She knows more about me than anyone and in my happiest and saddest moments the girl I want a hug from. She has an amazing character that I can only one day hope to half live up too and I want her to know (assuming she reads this once and a while ;))that I love her very much.
Nicola (Garwood) Richardson, I love you more than words can say. Thank you for being there for me always in the past and for all the times in the future.
I hope everyone is as lucky to have the sister that I do. xox

Margaritas and Brunch

Another weekend filled with good food, good friends and lots of laughs. Starting with Margarita Friday and ending with a delicious Sunday brunch in honour of Jodi's birthday.

I think Friday happy hour is about the best way to kick off a weekend.  I love our fully catered staff events but I must say I do love an evening of margaritas and a group of friends.

$15 for Bloody Mary's and bubbles, are they crazy? Have they met me!  And on top of this the food was fabulous too!

Spider Dog

Some may remember Lola's courageous leaps out of my flat window in Switzerland. Both times jumping out my window to a ridiculous drop and both times surviving pretty much unscathed. Well, she has out done herself this time. While I was away she broke out twice in the same day. The first time Dylan saw her on the road, wondering how she got out of the locked building. He has a key, so returned her to flat, when Luis then arrived home to find her gone again. They discovered it must have been from the top balcony (as only door open), just as the search team was about to leave, Lola came scurrying across the roof top edges and squeezed back onto my patio (also fairly tricky). How she managed to get to the road and then back up again, I guess I will never know. The lesson learned here is everything must be bolted shut at all times!

Spider dog Lola looking all chilled in innocent in the park yesterday.

When days before she had escaped running across these roofs (poor Luis must have been terrified). Naughty Lola is now banned from patios.

The Future of Education

I am now back at my desk in Quito reflecting on the Innovate conference I was at last week. It was really so inspiring, so many good ideas, insightful research and enthusiastic educators. Nothing was too far fetched from what I already know from being a teacher and see around me, the traditional model of education that most of us grew up with has no place in the future of education, in fact it probably never did but now we have research to prove it. I think people want to dismiss this quickly as we were all taught that way and we are clever and produced geniuses. But if we can take this even further, make it better, surely we should and if we do not, and ignore all the evidence surely we are failing our kids. I hope in my career I see the traditional model being thrown out the window, and being replaced with integrated methods, project based learning and other models that some schools around the world are using.
I am also thinking about how much I loved Brazil, the people, the music, the food, and of course the caiprihinis.

I had an amazing experience, a bit tired today but cannot wait to go back and explore Brazil further.

São Paulo Jazz

I am now running on about 6 hours sleep over the last four days, but totally worth it. The last day of the conference and I am hoping I make it through (what is not helping is Desiree tricked me into going to a primary school touchy feely session!), but it has been totally worth it.

Who knew that I liked Jazz!

And an early morning feast. Today we are touring the city (after I somehow survive this session) but I definitely need to return one day soon.

Innovate 2015

Sometimes conferences can be a bit hit or miss, but this one is definitely a hit, and not just because of the location and the weather. Quite honestly before I came I was feeling completely unmotivated but now feel inspired once again. Have learnt loads and have a million new ideas to implement. I think it is such an exciting time for education, great new techniques and research, time to put 'traditional' teaching to bed.

I love graffiti! I am so decorating my house with spray paint.

São Paulo I love you!

I am in love! With this city, the beauty, the temperature, the night life and even the meet filled restaurants (best salad bar ever). We had a great first conference day, even if we were exhausted and running on three hours sleep (late flight), followed by drinks, yummy dinner and dancing. The city is vibrant, green, beautiful and we may never leave!

Conference

Caprihinis

Saud!

We had a great night out, funky bar, great music, we just love this place!

São Paulo Bound

Yippee!! Off to Brazil for a four day work conference and even better an amazing group is going.. Excited for the conference, the Caprihinis (not spelt write I am sure but a delicious Brazilian cocktail), hot days and the beach!

Yippee!! Not the best photo but we are trying to express our excitement!

Family and Memories

Yesterday I finally met the entire Endara crew, Luis's sisters and children. I also realised if I ever am going to cook for this crew I am going to have to take a few lessons first. Three courses, all delicious, and this was lunch, how would I ever cope with cooking them dinner!

Luis and all his nieces and nephews.

And then I was sent an amazing bunch of photos from an amazing holiday (this was the only 'postable' photo!) that made me a tiny bit sad and Basel people homesick. These were the remaining disposable camera shots of kadooment 2013, best holiday ever. Missing these gals loads and looking forward to our next holiday (whenever that shall be!).