quito - part 1

outside our cabin (cabaña)

So, while Emi & her Papa are out at Fafa's shop (Farmor - Marcus' mom), I finally have a chance to update the blog and put up some new pics. This first group is from our overnight stay at Arasha' Resort & Spa near Mindo. The resort is located in the rainforest, about a 2 hour drive from the city. It was amazing to have only driven for a couple of hours and yet be in such a completely different ecosystem. The foliage and flora was just out of this world and for as remote a place as this is, the services, spa, food and the resort itself were 5 star all the way. Marcus and I "enjoyed" (in quotes because really, I can't enjoy stuff fully without my Puchis with me) our 24 hour mini-vacay. Emi stayed with her "A" and the two had a grand time tearing the house apart, putting it back together, playing babydoll, eating all sorts of goodies and going downstairs to the park about 3 times in 24 hours.

Otherwise, this first week has been all about visiting with 3 of her 4 grandparents and playing with cousins, aunts & uncles. She loves spending time with all the "niñas" (girls - our friend's kids) and with her prima Sofia (" 'afia" as Emilia calls her). Thursday we went to my "Gero's" house - my Tio Gerardo & Tia Marcela are well into their 80s and the closest thing I have to grandparents. They are the most spectacular people you've ever met in your life and every Thursday, for as long as anyone can remember, they have always had an open invitation for lunch at their house - sometimes it's just the 2 of them, sometimes it's close to 30 people. This Thursday was average - 12. Lunch is always the same on Thursdays - locro (a potato soup - but so much more), choclos y abas (corn on the cob and fava beans). I know it sounds gross but it's the best comfort food you can imagine and I'm so glad that, even if she'll have no recollection of it, Emilia has had the opportunity to take part in this lunch at least a few times.

a little down time, watching "George" on the DVD player loaned to us by Kate's mom, Anne. Thank goodness for everyone's blogs - we look at the every day to see what all our pals are up to!

Friday was a big treat as we took Emilia with "Fafa" & "Abu" (Marcus' parents) to the zoo. I was a little worried thinking it was going to be a bunch of very poorly cared-for animals, but it was really pretty nice with all sorts of exotics like tapir, an amazonian bear, and even a condor. Emilia ran her grandparents ragged as she sprinted through the zoo. I think everyone, including Emi, really enjoyed an afternoon nap!

window shopping with Papa

So, this is a very poor picture, but here Emi is playing with a total treasure... my babydoll crib which is older than I care to admit. As you can see by the fabric... it's a total 70s wonder. A made a ton of babydoll clothes and we've spent HOURS dressing and undressing baby and putting her in bed.

Today (Saturday) Marcus, Emilia, "A" & I went out for lunch to a restaurant called "Taita Pedro" in the valle (valley) of Tumbaco - about 15 minutes from the house. This restaurant specializes in traditional Ecuadorian cooking and is super "old-school" (as in, you walk into the restaurant, and there's Mr. Whole Roast Suckling Pig looking all tasty and delicious). Emilia enjoyed what I think might be her first "plato de hornado" - slowly roasted shredded pork, a potato pancake filled with cheese (yes, fried in lard -because frankly, lard makes everything taste better), a small salad, roasted sweet plantain, avocado (that actually tastes like avocado should), a little ultra crispy slice of heaven known as fried pig skin and mote which is a type of corn.

feast!

Tomorrow is another big day as Marcus & I are hosting a lunch for our friends and their kids - about 30 of us will gather outside in the garden of my mom's building. Should be a good time!