South of the Border fun fact

The Amazon Rainforest is spread over 8 South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. Now that's a bigga spicy meataball!!

2nd S.O.B. fun fact of the day

As duly noted by my faithful and brilliant follower, one Django (funny, but I have a son by the same name--coinkydinky? I think not): Charles Darwin did, if fact,establish his main arguments for the Theory of Evolution while living in the Galapagos.

I Feel Pithy, Oh So Pithy

Don't know why that great song keeps being played in my mind. I suppose I need to be full of pith and vinegar to be readable. It's a bumper sticker world!  I want to be the pithiest of the pithy.

Pink Panama with a Purple Hatband

Can't wait to get to the Otavalo Market. I am bound and determined to get a Pink Panama. I can change hatbands. I'm curious. Can I get one custom made? Anyone? Anyone?

South of the Border fun fact

One of the delicacies of Ecuador is Tronquito. It's a soup that is, shall we say, the alternative to Rocky Mountain oysters.

Today's Fun fact redux

Django pointed out that today's fun fact is, in fact, not much fun. But, it's a fact jack and it's S.O.B. so I'm stickin' to it!

Journey to the Center continued

In answer to my 4 corners/ equator question: we arrive in Quito in the spring and 2 hours later we will be enjoying a fall day in our destination. It won't give me much time to recuperate from spring fever but it will be a 2,000 ft drop for the gasping for air 10,000 ft. altitude of Quito to a relatively, nothing like sea-level but breathable, 7,800 ft. A thermos of canela/panelo tea awaits us to ease the transition. Our Bolivian friends brought us Coca tea which they said is good for that (they are at a nosebleeding 14,000ft), however I have been told by those in the know that the dogs at the airport will think it is something else, and that would ruin our trip. So, no brainer here,we leave the tea at home. See how friends keep us safe?!

South of the Border fun fact

Cotapaxi (17 miles south of the capital of Quito) is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. The main danger of an eruption would be the ice flow from its glacier!

Preparing for the Journey to the center of the earth (equator, that is)

Woke up in my brave new world thinking about the equator. Is it a line? Can we see it? Can we stand with one foot in spring and one in fall like standing at the 4 corners with body parts in 4 states? Something to look into today. I'll get back to you.......

South of the Border fun fact

The Galapago Islands, which are off shore but part of Ecuador, are named for the giant tortoises found there.

South of the Border fun fact of the day

Did you know that Panama hats come from Ecuador? They are made from the plaited leaves of the Toquilla straw plant. I love hats and plan on buying a few differents colors and style--they pack well. FDR anyone??

Let Me Entertain You

Hello world! This is the start of something new and beautiful. For me, life has always been a series of moments held together by duct tape. There have been great moments, sad moments, funny moments, broke moments, satified moments, hungry moments, creative moments and every other type of moment that make up my own special human condition. The moments I have always tried to avoid are boring moments of which there have been quite a few lately, so now is a perfect time to shoo them away into the netherland of a giant yawn.. Is that possible? I say, why not, so let's get this party started.
Oh, I almost forgot, you don't even know me. Well, that will change right now. I am the Gringa. I have been named that by my Argentine husband. I don't think it's quite like being named Ms. Fabulous or Mrs. Gorgeous, in fact I think it's a bit insulting, but since I believe it's a twisted term of endearment just for me, I have embraced it. I even have it embroidered on my luggage. No tatoos yet, but who knows what will happen tomorrow or the day after. My new life is starting right now. I am a newborn. I will start my new life without turning blue or screaming but I am prepared to work hard for attention. Since I have plenty of practice with7 siblings in my past life , this will be a walk in the park. Now, however, it's nighttime so I must carry a big flashlight to shine on the rocks that always litter the path. Maybe now these rocks will turn out to be giant gold nuggets. Ah, the possibilities.
In October we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary  and we will be going to a small village in Ecuador. The town is Cotacachi and we found it on Househunters International. This won't be a trip to Rome, Buenos Aires, London, Paris or Madrid. This will be an adventure like no other I've had. This is an adventure I cannot buy. This is one I must earn. I am making friends with people I have yet to meet, but are making me feel safe, like friends do.  I am already discovering my new culture, new style, even a new language beside the Spanish I speak (so poorly). My new life will be away from politics, religion and anything that reflects on the negativity in the world. This is a new reality. One that I will create with an abundance of available material to build this new foundation. It will be my world of color, of simplicity, of cooperation, of good health and good nutrition. It will be filled with more beauty than I have known. Beauty that must be discovered, not that I can pay an admission price to see. It will take work to uncover it, but it will dazzle in a clear and perfect way. I will start to document the plans for this incredible upcoming joyful journey.