feeding the pigeons in the park and the iguanas!

here be Iguanas!

Thursday afternoon we visited the Iguana park.

 I, in my youthful innocence, had expected it to be some kind of zoological park but no, the Iguanas are just wandering about a normal park. So weird but very cool! You walk along and there are the Iguanas; being fed with the pigeons, walking alongside you or having a rest on the benches.

  On Friday we walked along the Malecon (promenade) along the river. No, I don't have photos but take my word for it that it was gorgeous. Cafes, ice cream stalls, mini parks and huge old trees lined the walk. We could have happily spent the whole day there but we had serious touristy things to do! 

Las Penas

Our aim was Las Penas-this is a hill where you climb the 444 steps up to the top where there is a lighthouse and some pretty huge canons which were used to fight off pirates.

just about to tackle the 444 steps..bring it on!

at the top of the lighthouse on top of Las Penas. Was the view worth it?!

    Late Friday afternoon we headed back to Santo. 10 hours round trip for a 24 hour mini break, I'd never do this in the UK and yes I was exhausted but it was great!

Guayaquil

On Thursday Amy and I joined Claire and her fiance Edwin on a trip to Guayaquil. This is biggest city and the commercial centre of the country. I have wanted to visit all year but Guayaquil has a terrible reputation for crime and I just didn't fancy being robbed and murdered so I haven't been. However with Edwin and Claire there to fight off the robbers Amy and I decided to tag along and see what all the fuss was about!

   We had a lovely 5 hour drive south- Passing sun drenched banana plantations and shining flood plains. Salsa music playing and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze.

  We arrived to a busy and very hot Guayaquil. 35 C at least and high humidity levels meant we spend the entire time there exhausted and wanting nothing more than to pass out in front of the air conditioning unit. Our first stop was the British Consulate to sort out papers for Claire & Edwin (they are getting married this week.) The Consulate was...sweet! Stupid description but true. The lady was thrilled to meet more British people (Brits are a novelty in the British consulate?!) and we were ushered in with big smiles. Every photo of the Queen was very dated and each info leaflet proudly displayed was at least 14 years out of date. For sheer randomness though my favourite touch was the bottle of red wine proudly on display by the letter rack!

      After the paperwork got sorted we went to our hotel. Amy and I decided to save some money and go for a double room instead of a twin room. Over here a double is called a "matrimony" room and it caused quite a stir when 2 girls wanted a marriage room. We got some very funny looks and muttered comments; we later realised that we were both wearing matching rings and they look like wedding rings so obviously incorrect conclusions had been made! Prostitution is legal over here and the hotel had rooms available for day use and I swear we got a "day" room! Mirrors at the head and foot of the bed (very disconcerting to be able to see yourself from every angle!) not to mention a shower soo big it could fit about 5 people in it. Plus a thoughtfully placed phone directory right by the private phone...mmmmm. It is funny to be somewhere where homosexuality is condemned but prostitution is legal and socially accepted.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... I bought a return to ticket to Ecuador. Leaving 19th Jan and returning..well...I couldn't book my return flight for Jan 2012 because air companies only plan flights 9 months in advance. So my return was booked for April with the understanding that it would be changed to Jan '12 when possible. April came and Liverpool airport changed my ticket to 17th Feb'12. A perfect happy ending-break out the party Ewoks!!!

 BUT...it is a dark time for the young missionaries. In spite of having changed my return ticket the evil galactic empire known as KLM has secretly decided that a brave warrior (me!) will have her ticket deemed illegal and cancelled.This dastardly plan was discovered and the rebels and I fought back for many days but were finally defeated. In the end the Jedi warrior Lianne (A.K.A my mum) was sent forward to single combat; to do battle and restore justice to the land and my ticket home! 

  The battle began...the evil forces of KLM ranged against a lonely Jedi knight (think the determination Princess Leia but with the terribly English politeness of the Empire Officers.) Armed with merely a polite smile and the dreaded TEACHER'S STARE she spent all day wrestling with KLM. Hours and hours they spent in battle; phone calls were made, emails sent, notes written, managers brought in and finally...legal department consulted!

      In the final moments of the struggle KLM decided to re-establish the original ticket and allow the young warrior to return home to her people. This is a great victory and we await the 17th Feb with a new hope!

* Cue vaguely tribal drum music and lots of celebratory fireworks*

Today is the official start of my farewells. I spent Decmber tired and desperately wanting to return to England but now that it is actually happening...I don't want to leave! Why am I so contrary?!

This morning was the last day of school, the kids won't return now until the "new" school year in April so this was the last time I would see them.

 How do you say goodbye to a child? 

They don't understand that I probably won't return or ever see them again but I know it and it is upsetting.

     I have never considered myself as "child" person. I like children obviously but I have never wanted to be a teacher or work with children full time and yet here I am! I spent all my teenage years declaring that I "will never ever work with kids!" (famous last words.) and now I have spent the last year working in a school-not just lots of children but children with special needs!!
     The thing is; watching the kids go up for their certificates-"most calm", "biggest smile" and the highly valued "does her homework" I was so proud of them! I didn't think I would say this but I will honestly miss these gorgeous, tiring, hyperactive and wonderful children.

 

never will I forsake you

Once I commit myself to God then I am his forever.

Death brings me into His presence, no conflict or darkness can separate us not even all the powers of heaven and hell! But what about me?

I get angry, hurt and turn away. I become lonely or bored and drift away. I do not praise or pray-can I leave God?

I damage myself, sometimes I hate God's creation in me. At times it feels as though I can destroy what even the demons themselves couldn't break.

But my anger, pain and self loathing doesn't win. I may forsake God but He NEVER leaves me.

     "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you"

Hebrews 13 v 5

girly time-Ecuador style!!

On Saturday; Amy fancied going "out". We had to be out and about!!!  We wandered into town and stopped off at a jewellery  stall. Now when I say stall what I mean is-a man with jewellery pinned on an umbrella! And yes this is normal-our umbrella jewellers are everywhere in Santo! Amy and I bought ourselves a silver ring each which the man kindly inscribed for us. The inscription is...unique. Looks like it was done by a weak and drunken ant but as I keep telling myself, it all adds rustic charm! After we paid the princely sum of $3 each (so maybe not actual silver then!) we moved on. Our planned activity for the day was to get a manicure done. Everyone gets them done here (including some men) so we decided to go native and get pretty!

   The first parlour we went to had a new door being built so we had to stop the workers from working to get in. They were very nice though and all stopped working and ushered us in-very grand entrance. This was made even more embarassing by the fact that EVERYONE in the shop all stopped talking and avidly stared at us. Of course the nail bit was at the back so we had to walk past everyone before we could slide into a chair and try to pretend we weren't there. 2 minutes later we realised there was quite a queue and we didn't want to wait but..we didn't want to do the WALK back through the shop either. Another minute while we decided whether to shame ourselves or be cowardly and wait. We finally made the brave decision and left (kindly ushered out by the builders.) We finally ended up in a tiny shop and were "done" by a very sweet girl. I could have done without the friendly Columbian who spent the entire time telling me tourist attractions but in such a strong accent  Amy and I didn't understand a word (polite smile and a well timed "ah yes" sufficed) but..it was very nice.

Amy getting her first ever manicure!

pedicure for me

  We decided to end our very girly day by doing some baking. Spent 10 minutes debating over which bag of raisins was the cheapest and then did some mental currency converting and realised we were fussing over 5p. 

Error 1-Our proposed kitchen was banned because of toxic fumigation fumes (you just can't make up this kind of stuff!) so we cooked in the school kitchen.

Error 2 was using an oven which apparently didn't reach the temp  the recipe demanded. 

Error 3-MAY have been the total lack of baking tray so us trying to improvise with a GIANT cast iron bowl instead!

  In our defence though, I have to say the cookies weren't bad at all and got all eaten up immediately by my family so yay for us.