Halloween and Niki

I do not know when Halloween became such a big holiday in North America, but it seems like an actual proper celebration now, like people wishing each other to have a 'Happy Halloween'.  I remember it just being a day about dressing up and candy one night, and really for kids.  The last time I was in Canada I could not believe the decorations and the hype around it.  It is not celebrated in Ecuador but as I do work at an American school and there are a few Canadians too, it is definitely not going to be missed.  I am not sure how I feel about the new Halloween status, think it is a bit Hallmark, but as I do love fancy dress then guess not all bad.  
The theme of wine club last night was Halloween, not scary Halloween, just wear a costume Halloween. I boringly recycled my bumble bee costume from 'Bye Bye Basel', but it brought back some fabulous memories. 
To make the night even better, Niki (my Aunt in Barbados's cousins daughter, or something like that), joined me.  She is travelling South America is spending some time with us, she just got back from having a brilliant holiday in Galapagos and hopefully will join me at the beach.

 Sushi, Waldo and a flower

Garth our hostess.   A lovely night, she went over the top with food and drinks, but I am beginning to learn that this is the Ecuadorian way.  Now counting down to the beach!! Yippee!

Celebrating Success

The other day a teacher friend popped into my room, to tell me every day he walked by all he heard was laughter and people sounding like they were having fun.  He really thought it quite amazing, well rather odd that the students seemed to be enjoying class.  That seems so strange to me as the best part of my job is having fun with my students.  Most think I am slightly mad, but I think I can honestly say most enjoy being there.  Today I had a little mini party in each class to celebrate their brilliant success and achievements this first quarter.  I could not be more proud of how well they have done.

 Madonna functions project, one of quite a few.  Another generation I am helping introduce the fabulouslness that is Madge.

 Mathy Land Algebra game, it is actually pretty funny, and Mathematical.

We spent 15 minutes, having treats, playing games and I gave them a little short presentation, celebrating them.  It was just wonderful to see their excitement about the small event and to work even harder in the next quarter.  Definitely was one of those great teaching days.

Ciclio Via

Since I arrived I have wanted to do this, so very excited that yesterday I finally got to do it.  Every Sunday one of the main roads of Quito is closed for the day, for cyclists.  The road goes from one end of the city to the other.  I can honestly say that yesterday was the first day I have actually seen the city.  It was a wonderful three hour bike ride.  I am going to make this a monthly event.

The city is quite amazing, next time I will have to take many more pictures as it really is beautiful!

MS Happy Hour

Had a lot to live up too, high school one was pretty great last week. But Dan, of course, pulled it off. Another great celebration of another, what seems like right day work week.

Pretty much the best way to start the weekend. Now off to the schoolfamily run fun day.

Pumpkinpaloza

Between the Northern American thanksgiving there is an event celebrating the pumpkins (well at least that is what I have been told). In order to celebrate my neighbours hosted an everything pumpkin party. Who knew how many delicious dishes pumpkins could produce!

The rain managed to stay away and I think we did the pumpkins proud.

HS Happy Hour

One great advantage of being in the middle and high school is getting invited to both happy hours. In fact, it means that I have three in one month (hs, ms and full faculty) and I can only hope they are half as good as last nights was. Tacos (veggie ones too), vino and even a quiz, a great success!

 And I thought I was competitive, I really do not know what these two thought the prize was but they were over the moon excited.

My quiz team

Followed by a night out. These ladies loved me and Jessica once they found out Jimmy was neither of our boyfriends!

Thanksgiving Quito

I am ridiculously tired today, like eyes twitching, sick to my stomach tired. But it was worth it. After very little sleep Sunday night, I raced home Monday after school to prepare Canadian thanksgiving for the growing Canadian community here. It really was lovely, all the food that was brought was fantastic as was the company. Tonight Ecuador plays Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier, about a five minute walk away from me. The atmosphere will be amazing and usually I would be joining all to go watch, but really tonight there is not enough tea in China that could keep me from my bed and a movie.

Hand made turkey's, dessert you would die for, an all round brilliant night.
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Till Next Year

I was happy to wake up this morning to the end of Luis's birthday. Do not get me wrong, I love birthdays but a month before build up is a bit too much! But he had a great one and we had another lovely day yesterday. We joined Betsy (also visiting for the weekend) and her friends at night for dinner and drinks. Really the nightlife here is brilliant, definitely what I think is missing in Quito, good nightlife.

We are relaxing all the day in the hammocks before a late flight tonight. Tomorrow will be painful.

Casco, Viejo Panama

I love old cities, totally not into new sky scraper ones at all. The old city here does not disappoint either, lovely architecture, bright colors and beautiful squares. We spent the morning exploring, had another delicious meal and then headed back for some rest before starting the evening that would lead into what has possibly been the longest birthday ever.  I loved the colouring and buildings, walking to old city, and our super yummy meals.  A great day and the beginning of the much talked about, already celebrated birthday.

It is funny as I was traveling here, all the airport staff or customs were surprised to hear I was staying in Panama and not just connecting. This was slightly off putting, but I have been really surprised. I really like the city, one it is hot, big bonus for me, the old town is beautiful, and the restaurants have all been brilliant (to be fair I do extensive research on all the places we go). The nightlife has been great, it has been safe to walk all around at night and the bars and restaurants are all packed with people having a good time. Having a great mini-break here :)

Panama City

Although, it is not much of a half term, in fact not a half term at all, we do have a few long weekends a head of us and this is a great way to kick them off. I flew to Panama City last night to meet Luis for the first long weekend of the year. I was a little tired when I arrived but of course Luis was having none of that so we ended up in the old town to a restaurant/bar his friend chefs at.

Zao, Ecuador

Is possibly my favourite restaurant of all time. Cocktails are fabulous, fantastic food, service was amazing (Carlos even gave us a round of cocktails on the house) and the price is very reasonable. I suppose it helps that I also went with such a fantastic set of ladies. This is the second time we have met up in a year, which is truly not good enough, I intend to fix this problem!

Brilliant much needed evening with any even more brilliant set of special ladies!

While Waiting

There is no point sitting around waiting for eruptions, so we are all keeping busy as usual. In fact, the daily reports differ so much you do begin to wonder if anyone knows anything at all. I am even due to fly out of the country on Thursday for a long weekend, but I am thinking the chances of being stranded twice by an erupting volcano has to be low!! And either way, if I do get stuck it has to be better than my Iceland ash adventure in Moscow.
Anyways, I enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend with a little socializing and pre salsa drinks with the Cotopaxi crew.

The weeks just seem to be flying by, which is lucky, it is a very long first semester here in Quito (very jealous of all my Basel buds on holiday for almost two weeks!).

The 7 Military P's

I have definitely mentioned these before on this blog, although think I had it at 5 P's. But looking them up today I prefer the military seven:
Proper planning and preparation prevents piss poor performance.
I guess that is what the one million people in the supermarket this morning were doing, preparing, with it now looking like Cotopaxi will erupt fairly violently any day now.
We had already been this week to stock up but then an email from my Godmother asked me if I stocked up on the vino, cannot believe I did not think about it, so had to make another trip this morning (and candles).

Some of the overflow upstairs, lots of food and water in our storage downstairs. In all seriousness, it looks like it will be devastating for far too many, I just hope that the predications are wrong. Also, if it does go and I am out of contact for a while that is to be expected as power will likely be out.