chicken dance

Connections, perceptions and observations, all the while hoping not to end up like this poor chicken feet up in a bucket. A compilation of our memorable moments in a nutshell...

The happy birthday song on repeat for the duration of a flight from Bogota to Quito by a man enjoying the complimentary whiskeys while gushing compliments and questioning someones marital status. Sharing his thoughts on how beautiful we are and how Audra was not a good name for Audra, saying the name didn't fit her beauty. At the end of the flight passengers offering reassurance and admiration of our patience.

Arrival in Quito. The unknown, would we be picked up? Where to now? Plan B? Nope we only had a plan A. Conclusion: hugs, laughter, smiles. 24 roses on a 24th birthday, food, food and more food. Hot springs, exploring muddy back roads, enjoying the expansive beauty of the Andean country side, an old friend turned into an adventurous guide taking us to places we never would have imagined. City lights, broccoli fields, markets of meat, fruits, nick knacks and cleansing of the spirits- literally. Food being kindly offered and 'no thank you' not being accepted immediately leading to... just a little, little bit. Of course, their perception of 'a little bit' is a hearty portion similar to a meal size. Wanting to share all they have, plus a little more food on top of that. We'll be back.

The other half of the nutshell. Hello humidity. Hello Panama. Our bones thawed and the down vest and fleece jacket quickly found their way to the bottom of our bags. Taxis, shopping (someone's least favorite activity), the famous canal triggering memories of people long past, and a historic district with it's very own Casa Blanca. A hostel bed with a midnight, bed slat dropping mind of it's own and muggy adventures on a bus to paradise to reunite with an old friend. Shy smiles from little ones, mothers holding their children close, timid glances at the two sweating gringas, a young college student afraid to speak English as a fearless mother blunders her way through spanglish, exchanging emails and the wheels on the bus go round and round...

Paradise found in the form of Achotines... hermit crabs moving like leaves blowing in the wind. The ocean sounds and smells, early morning hikes and monkey watching, horses, exploring 'the ranch', orchards and knee tiles. Snorkling, puka shells and private beaches, feeding (not eating) yellow fin tuna, sundowners in the cabana, fresh banana ice cream, sunrise hikes and one last snorkel.

Goodbye paradise and back to the city, back to Bogota. As we touch down, out come the fleece and vest once again. A daughter that sighs happily and says this feels like home. What more could we want? Oh wait, after all that food, of course, the time must be found to head to the climbing gym. There she goes like a spider scuttling up those walls. Me, I settled back with a still full stomach and a book of Sudoku!

la pollita and her mother.
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