Longest week

After possibly the longest work week ever it seems a little unfair to have what seemed like an unusually short weekend! But guess that is life, to combat this I am going to try not to be in bed ridiculously early during the week and start to do something with my evenings!
Anywho, had a good weekend with a TGIF at my boss's house, this one was better than last year's (mostly as last year I fell deathly ill after). Saturday had lunch at the in laws (by lunch I obviously mean 6pm), I am learning now that a 1:30 invite really means 4 or 5.
And yesterday brunch down stairs with the babies.

We are still watching Cotopaxi, although the longer it just gurgles the more people are relaxing. Of course, you cannot live in fear, but one does worry that people let their guard down. I have my safety mask with me, probably not enough water but at least 20 cans of coconut milk, and now that I think about it zero supply of wine. Must fix that today.

Quito Wine Club Year 2

Year two of Quito ladies wine club kicked off at my flat last night with a fantastic turn out.  Ladies brought back wine from their travels over the summer, this combined with some nibbles and celebration bubbles led to a grant night.  We also made some much needed admin improvements and I am even going to use my new knowledge of google drive to keep us (well me) a little more organised.

 We had a great turn out, a much needed night off after a tough week at work, sadly today now may be tougher!

Middle School

This has been the longest week of my teaching career, ever. I cannot believe it is only Thursday, Tuesday feels like weeks ago. Who could have imagined the transition to middle school from high school could be so huge! It isn't like I have not taught these ages before(in my other schools there was no separation of the two sections), but it is totally different when it is a separate school. I am not sure I can totally put my finger on why. I think the grade 8's stay younger, as now they are the oldest of the school. Whereas in other schools I have taught at the secondary school has started in grade 6 so by grade 8 they have had a few years of influence from the much older grades. I also do not remember grade 6 being so little and have to watch my jokes and my teasing of them (already made someone tear up by suggesting they might have a crush on another student, something I regularly did last year). Besides just the changes of the kids and teachers around me, the school has massively stepped up their use of technology, all of a sudden I need to keep up with posts on edmodo (much like Facebook for teaching) and helping them keep up with their academic blog.
But I am excited, looking forward to a year of learning for me and them. I am excited to be implementing my favourite program, Challenge by Choice, learning how to use technology in the class room and remembering what is age appropriate!

Just outside my classroom, after being stuck up in the tower last year away from everyone, I am excited to have people around and this beautiful garden to sit in.

Cotopaxi Huffing & Puffin'

Apparently no one can say why or when a volcano will erupt and here in Quito people are anxiously watching Cotopaxi's movements. There are evacuation plans in place for those in the immediate danger (although would be a disaster for the animals) and for now people are very calm, as it could take months for anything to happen, if anything at all.
Yesterday me and Jodi went on a beautiful hike, in what is pretty much my back yard. The skies were blue, an amazing day, until you looked South and saw Cotopaxi huffing and puffing again.

It has been a beautiful week, sunny skies all days. The only thing that tells you that danger is close by, is obviously the picture above and all the dust everywhere.

My New Staff Room

With kids coming on Monday most teachers are running around preparing lessons and classrooms to help free up the weekend. But I am not most teachers. I have been stressing about making the best staff room ever out of half of my huge classroom. I have now moved to middle school and was shocked to learn there was no teacher space. Where would we eat? Socialise? Share our frustrations? I could not have that, so I worked all week at getting equipment and snacks ready for a grand opening of our space.

I had a big turn out and am very excited to host many events here. Now I gotta start planning my lessons, it is a long week ahead!!!

Year 2 Cotopaxi

This weekend, the final weekend before school starts was spent reconnecting with the Academia Cotopaxi folk. It was great to see everyone and catch up on the last eight weeks.

Now in meetings for the week before the real fun begins and the kiddies arrive.
On a side note, we are not covered in ash or lava just yet.

Lady Lola

Clearly Lola is considered spoilt by most, and I will agree that the odd time she receives extra special treatment. But sometimes I forget just how pampered she may seem to most, visiting the coast or villages outside of Quito reminds me. The coast has a large number of friendly dogs wandering around, not bothering any one, for the most part looking well kept. But of course none are on a lead, families and children often burst out laughing as I walk by with Lady Lola with her Swiss gold collar and lead. They almost roll over laughing when they see me ordering her some rice or carrying her across the hot sand so her paws do not get hot.
We had another great time with Lola on the beach. I am not really bothered if I seem a bit over the top, to me she is worth it.

Mellow Mompiche

I think Ecuadors coast is quite amazing each beach town I have gone to has been different with its own unique vibe. Tonsupa and Atacames totally about the party, Canoa huge beach with fantastic food and a little dancing, Montanita with a big party scene but totally different than Atacames, and now Mompiche.
Mompiche reminds me of traveling in Thailand (well some places), very relaxed, hostels of bamboo and the travelers you find here are totally different to the beaches half an hour to the North. Although the weather has not always been great this beach trip, I have had such a good time, just what I wanted. The hostel we have stayed in, La Facha, I would recommend to anyone. $25, a night for a room sleeping three, the food has been amazing here (although takes a long time so you have to order when you first get an inkling of hunger) and the vibe so relaxed and warm.

Mi Hermana

Happiest of birthdays to me beautiful, brave, strong sister, Nicola. Wishing I could be there with her today, well most days, but happy she is a part of two fabulous super supportive British families the Richardsons and the Hopkins and I am sure they are ensuring celebrations!

She is my biggest blog fan (possibly my only!), my little sister, and the women I look up to most in the world.
Happy Birthday Nicola!

Mompiche Beach

It is definitely high on my list of beach towns I love in Ecuador. Before coming I heard that you should come here only if you love Argentinian hippies and Mosquito's. There are certainly a lot of Argentinians who may or may not be hippies, not that matters either way as they all seem lovely. For the Mosquito's, I have seen very few, instead I see an amazing fishing village with a beautiful beach, lovely people, and yummy seafood fresh off the boats.

We have now woken up to another day of exploring, we may even go to a nearby island, good times!

Change of Plan

Well I must be getting sensible in my middle years, this morning I am sipping coffee (this in itself is unusual) in Ecuador when I should be in Colombia. However, Luis and myself postponed our trip due to a little over spending this summer (old Amanda would never do this, or should I say young Amanda). Instead we hit the road and I am now in one of the last beach resorts that I wanted to hit, Mompiche. Canoa is still top, but must say this so far is a very close second and we have only been here one night. The town is very 'chill' and I love the bamboo hostels and the long empty beach (very different from Atacames which was packed by 8am). Looking forward to a relaxing four day last beach holiday before school resumes next week.

Pichincha, Quito

With only a handful of Karen hours left and a beautiful sunny day we decided to do something I have wanted to since arriving, go up Pichincha.  Pichincha volcano is what I wake up to every morning and sit and look at on my veranda almost every evening.  It has magnificent views of the entire city (well so I had heard) and Luis always goes on about how we should go, but we never manage it.  Well yesterday coupled with my desire to be the best hostess ever we finally made it up.  We took the cable car up and then hiked around taking in the views and of course some pictures.

 Beautiful views

 We made it past this, but last screen shot of our altitude

It makes me giggle at the airport and up places this high, that people just do not realise high altitudes are cold.  When I arrived from Miami last month at 11pm, loads were wearing t-shirts and shorts and looked generally shocked when everyone in arrivals were in huge coats.  Same here, Quito was beautiful yesterday but this is 1000m's higher, some people were just not prepared. We were.
I never realised how huge Quito is, East to West not big at all.  I can see right across to the other side, 20 minute drive.  But North to South it is massive, I could not believe how much bigger the city is then I thought.  I really in truly have only seen 15% of this city.

Road Trip Ecuador 2015

Took us from the airport straight to Banos, the entrance to the Rain Forest. We next had a one night stop in Quito before heading to beautiful Mindo. We love Mindo, if you are visiting Quito it is a must under a two hour trip and just so lovely and different then the city.
Then we made the trek to Canoa, again a place we both loved. I have been to almost every big resort area and this is by far my favourite.  Cute town, full of lovely restaurants and a great beach. Suki bar is my favourite, so if you visit, you must check it out.
Our finally stop Atacames, totally not what I expected, but I really liked it. The beach is huge and definitely lots of dancing going on.  The food was fabulous and at no point did I ever feel unsafe.  The place we stayed was really nice too, Casa el Morro, off the beaten track and just a nice place to be. We have now headed back to Quito where I preparing our first meal with veggies since we left!
A great trip and I am so sad it went by so quickly! Love my Kanda time!

Atacames, Esmeraldas

The next stop in our road trip has brought us to Atacames, Esmeraldas, this may surprise some as it is meant to be the more dangerous town in the region (it is next door to Tonsupa, where I was robbed). But I want to see all the beach resorts, and trying to conquer my fears, and it helps Luis has joined us for the last leg. So far so good, beach is huge and nice, they have some great beach bars and a very lively atmosphere. In fact, I can say I am pleasantly surprised.

Us and Hap, our new best buddy who we drove up the coast from Canoa. Properly one of the nicest men I have met.

Canoa Fun

My favourite beach (so far) is definitely Canoa, so of course that had to be part of our road trip. We have spent three fabulous sun filled days here. It really is such a great town, not too big but not too small. An active weekend nightlife, suspect it slows down during the week, the food is delicious and everyone super helpful and friendly. We stayed in the same place I did last time I was here, and people all remembered me (well actually Lola to be fair) which is very nice.

Canoa has yet again not disappointed me and I shall return!
Tomorrow we head to the next beach on our road trip, Atacames.

Mindo Madness

I love Mindo!! Like properly! I think (besides beach), it is my favourite place in Ecuador, in fact I know it is. We had a fabulous time there and I will post pictures once our road trip is over, as stupid app is not working properly!
We are now in Canoa enjoying beautiful sunshine, yummy food and probably too much rum!
10 days later..
I have finally got my pictures to post! Yippee!

I think I have bigged up Mindo enough on this blog, but really is a must see.  A must eat there is a chocolate brownie from the small chocolate manufacturer in Mindo.  You can do a tour of the process, but I only would if really into how chocolate is made (I was not impressed).  However, the brownie is the best I have ever had!