I thought I had a picture of the toilet when I downloaded..will have to check for it.  Beautiful wood toilet seat and cover - I've never seen one like it.  Check out the window above the bathroom door - Christa said at night when the bathroom light was on, it was a beautiful glow.

 
We spent a considerable amount of time while at the beach....at the beach.  I think it was 3 total days - in a hammock in our cabana from after breakfast until near supper.

Our entertainment

This is me - just under our deck at the butterfly suite...OMG I look like a tourist and I'm not talking about my lack of  leg color!!

 
It was just crazy beautiful and very quiet and peaceful - many times we were the only ones on the beach. 

The city of Porta Lopez is at the corner from where I was sitting to where the mountains sit to the west..easy walking distance from Hosteria Mandala.  Lots of shops, a fish market - actually where they unload the fish from the boats--and several restaurants.  We drove thru a couple of times but didn't actually get out of the car.

Aureloio and Maja have 5 large dogs who sleep on the veranda during the day.  Each day we spent on the beach, we would see Aurelio taking all of the dogs for a walk along the beach...I would always think..wow..what a life.  The fellow above was christened Marmaduke by us.  He was my favorite...spent the afternoons laying in either the men's or women's restroom...a nice place to get away from the crowds and get a good nap in before dinner.

Then it was time to head back to Quito.

Back tomorrow...

     http://www.hosteriamandala.info/menuin.html

The pictures are beautiful - but you can't capture the beauty and the feel for this wonderful place in a picture.  There are many of these paths and they all lead to private rustic lodging/cabins.  I posted the link to the resort in case you want to go in and browse around.  For starters.  We (4 of us) rented the Butterfly room - or Mariposa room.  Queen and single downstairs and larger than double upstairs in a loft:
 

This is the view I woke up to every morning

The deck with two hammocks.  I slept in a hammock my first night...

We ate every meal on the bamboom and thatched roof veranda - excellent food.  I mean homemade excellent food...fruits, italian, sea food, delicious desserts, 1/2 liter Pilsner beer for $1.70 on and on

There are other pictures of the veranda and dining room but it is taking a long time to download.
Prices were unbelievable.  4 of us in the butterfly suite eating every meal on site plus desserts and a few drinks - $1200 for 6 days - $600 per couple..Because of the season, we did have a few mosquitos but bug spray WOULD have kept them away.   It was suggested that we return in May, June or July - no bugs and nicer temps.  The times we spent in our cabana on the beach was beautiful - wonderful breeze off of the pacific, but there was no air in the room - I was comfortable with a fan on me but I have to admit - was a little uncomfortable before we figured that out.

We flew into Quito - the Ecuador capital.  Then flew to Purto Lopez on Aero Gal airlines.  It was raining when we arrived - they handed us umbrellas as we disembarked and walked across the tarmac to the airport building.

More on the adventure next time!!

It is good to be home. Left Ecuador around 7 am eastern time and arrived Des Moines 2300 Central Time. It's a long trip by air but a blink of the eye if you consider how long it would take traveling northbound on the Pan-Am highway. Because I had only precious minutes of internet time, I used the "note" portion of my IPAD to keep notes because I knew I would forget little details...and I did not want to forget one little iota.

The first thing I must say is how incredibly wonderful the Andrade family is! I first met Veronica Andrade Breon several years ago as she was then the wife of a fellow I worked with. I reacquainted with her a couple of years ago when we happened into Greenburgs Jewelers at Valley West Mall in Des Moines...was it fate??? I had mentioned to Veronica that my brother-in-law and girlfriend had taken a trip to Ecuador and they were going back taking "He" and I with them...I asked to get together for lunch or dinner so she could give us travel tips. During this meal, she not only brought her husband and adorable daughter, Emily, but her parents, Fabian and Elvia Andrade. This was our first experience with the gentle Ecuadorian culture. They not only gave us a look at their country using words, they offered us their apartment for lodging during our stay in the capital city of Quito. When I say apartment, I mean full size house on the 3rd floor of a building in a gated community. Did I mention 4 bedroom - 3 bathrooms or did you pick up on the 3rd floor detail Then had us met at the airport by Fabian's sister, Susan and her husband Paco and their grandson, Xavier, as our interpretor. I immediately adored these wonderful, loving people as soon as I looked into their eyes! Because of the luggage and number of guests issue, they also rented a car and driver to make our short trip to the "apartment" more comfortable. I love that Paco loved my name and it rolled off his tongue like honey. Susan and I tried to work thru our total lack of spanish/english understanding using lots of sign language and feeble attempts at finding familiar words...nothing really worked other than hugs of love and appreciation....

I learned right off the bat that they call the United States - OO-SA - (USA). My first understanding of the language. Isn't that just funny...

Elvia set us up with a driver who charged us $40 - $60 a day to drive us where ever we wanted to go. Keep in mind, Germone spoke no english.

The first little detail that quickly came to my attention was the fact that street markings ie. street lines are only suggestions - it is a crazy, crazy place to drive. I'm not sure there is any way for me to explain to you how unprepared I was. Let me start off by saying that it is not unusual for 2 lane streets to become 3. Weaving in and out of traffic within inches of bumpers is the rule, honking, honking is not an American road rage experience, it is a courtesy for the most part. Hey...I'm here, Hey, I'm going thru, Hey just to let you know....HonkHonk. I didn't even find myself stressed out as we passed slower moving vehicles on 2 way mountain highways as the vehicle behind always allowed us back into the traffic flow. The best way to make my point is to think about driving on a two lane highway...we learn with experience how far ahead the oncoming traffic must be in order to safely make a complete pass and be able to get far enough ahead of the "passed" vehicle to safely merge back into the lane. In Ecuador this must be a few car lengths - if it doesn't appear you have enough time, the car behind you slows to allow a safe merge for you...rather than honking and speeding up and destroying everyone's peace of mind with road rage. Interestingly enough, I can count on 1 hand the number of accidents we saw along the road. I'm not sure what the reason is for the safety amongst the chaos but I did not fear. Did I mentioned stop lights and stop signs..ya...just suggestions

This is where I will end for now. I am home - things need to be done.

Until next time....

Relaxing.
We were told that there was a beach 5 kilometers down the road with white sand so we started there...not so white just a little lighter than we were used to. Because you cannot spend a lot of time in the ecuadorian sun when you are as incredibly white as we are, we decided to head back to our cabana and hammocks. One little detail that I find totally unbelievable is the temp at the equator. The capital of Ecuador, Quito, has a higher elevation so the day we headed to the Middle of the World, I was wearing a jacket...by the end of the day, we were in shirt sleeves.

Today, while sitting at the Pacific Ocean at the equator, we were chilled...shocking to me.

What upsets me is the number of dogs. Obviously no spay and neuter rules. Dogs everywhere - obvious mothers and puppy's everywhere. One of the most fun things are the 5 large Dogs owned by the owners of the Hosteria Mandala who lounge on the wrap around bamboo and thatch veranda. The large black great Dane which we have christened Marmaduke sneaks into the restroom to sleep when the door is left ajar.

This trip is an incredible adventure.

We have an incredible advantage traveling with Spanish speaking friends; but I must say it is not imperative to speak the language to totally experience the Hosteria Mandala at Porta Lopez Ecuador. The adorable couple who own and care that your trip is spectacular are Swiss and Italian...she is a long legged middle age blond with a happy smile...he is a braided gray hair italian with a mustache, gregarious personality...Antonio and daaa-veed are the waiters who greet you every meal, are happy you are here and remember your habits. During our first night here, Dave made the comment that it is so wonderful that they can make a lot of mistakes and not ruin it. My biggest complaint is the puckering fruit juice they feed me every morning. I could add sugar but why? It Is the experience I wouldn't want to miss. Because Dave understands the language and can speak the language, we have been a little more adventuress. We drove two hours down the coast yesterday and witnessed incredible beauty not marred by American standards. I do not and will not understand the lifestyle of simplicity and living standards in the villages but this is my issue not there's. They are doing fine and do not need my sympathy. Christa took high school Spanish and has figured out word association in order to learn phrasing. It is shockingly easy to pick up. The MAndala is all inclusive in theory but without the set price. They just keep a running talley of your food and beverage expenses. Like $1.70 for a very large pilsner. Presently laying I. Hammocks in the beach cabana. Be back soon

• Madonna - boring...In some freakish obscure place in the back of my mind, I hoped she would end up naked on the stage so the media would move from politics.
• Moderation is a good thing.  Too much fruit in order to: 1.  Stay on points target for WW and 2.  Stay healthy is not a good thing.
• I'm just not feeling well - headache/stomach hurts and I have bouts of ewwwww
• My anxiety level is making me breathless.  I've been all over the United States - flown over the Pacific - slept in truck lanes of Ohio truck stops...but Ecuador?  I'm not sure what is going on here?
• CPAP users - yes...you should use the humidifier portion of your CPAP especially in the winter time.  It has made a huge difference in my sinus issues...TMI?  I think the headache today is from the over indulgence in natural fruit sugar (see bullet number 2) or maybe I just have something?
• It is off and on snowing

I'm going back to bed to watch some recorded TV and doze.

Until next time....

Often I'm totally stunned when I hear someone voice something so opposite of my views that it would appear they are here visiting from a different galaxy.  For the most part, I feel free to express myself when necessary..but, I very seldom argue or initiate conversation with someone or about something where there is no middle ground at all.  If they want to sit down and have a discussion and explain to me what they think - bring it on - you can always learn something by keeping your mouth shut and your ears open.  I think a good old fashion discussion is good for the soul...but arguing about stuff worlds apart  is just not worth it.  I don't want to defend myself and have no desire to be forced to listen to their rants....and if we totally differ, do they really want to listen to my rants..uh, no.

Which leads me:  I am not picking on Paula Deen here..in any way, shape or form...this is just about a couple of blogs which obviously stirred up a lot of conversation on line and off line.  What really has surprised me is the degree of agreement or disagreement.  My initial thoughts were - who cares..why does the media think this is news..gossip shows - of course, but the main stream media..give me a break...she has diabetes - then as the story progresses, she has had diabetes for awhile and then a drug company hired her to advertise for them, thus she comes out of the pantry.  This is no different than any other crap that comes out of the mouths of the "designated publics right to know people".  What surprises me .... before she came out - she was the adorable, southern speaking, closet smoking, eat your butter it is good for you Paula Deen...now she is defended by half the modern world and hated by the other half.  I'm soooo soooo surprised by the strong opinions on both sides.  It's like a line has been drawn in the cake batter between those that do and those that don't. Whatever your opinon - go for it - but for goodness sake - respect the person with the opposite opinion..they have just digested the information with different filters.

Until next time....

I feel as though I need to start breaking some rules and make lists.  Preparing for the trip to Ecuador, I find myself stressing out because I think of something I need to take or do and hope I remember it.  Lately I have been understanding the reason for lists.  When you try to commit everything to memory, it can be very stressful because you are afraid you will forget something....so the questions:  why not write it down...well, here's why.

I've always thought that if you make lists, then you stop looking outside the box...My opinion...people who make lists rely totally on the list - yes...perhaps they don't forget things...but what if something doesn't make it on the list, are they able to open their minds to think about other things or just rely on the list.  It's just like the one button feature on your phone.  When you use the one number instead of memorizing the phone number, what happens if you are using another phone and need to call someone..where do you pull the number from...it's not in your memory because it has been assigned one (1) number.  Especially family or numbers you call all of the time...I'm guessing that if I'm not around and "his" phone was dead, he wouldn't even be able to call the girls because he would have no idea what their numbers are.  I"ll bet he would even have to think long and hard to know what my number is...I think he can call home without a problem and he doesn't get lost on the way home..but he certainly wouldn't be able to call anyone...

So..when you make a grocery list and are scurrying thru the store from one thing to another with your little pen in hand, do you even have the presence of mind to know you need salt if it isn't on your list.  If it isn't written down, do you even remember to pick up your psych meds even though you know you desperately need them...well, I forgot because I didn't put them on the list.  Are you with me here?

What was I talking about???

Until next time...

I don't know how long it has been that I have said that.  I'm beginning the 3rd of my 3 days off.  There is nothing I HAVE to do...NOTHING..in fact, there have been no commitments except an appointment at 10 yesterday morning which took 45 minutes.  I'm totally relaxed and happy.  I love this nothing on my calendar, no commitments, Nina time...Even the dark, cloudy, cold day is okay with me because it allows me to sit in the house and not feel I should be doing something outside. 

I don't even have anything to talk about....

 One really positive spot Newton has is the Hyvee corner.  After an appointment this morning, I stopped for groceries where I found everything I wanted except Ken's low cal honey mustard salad dressing.   I picked up our prescriptions - The same pharmacist I've had for 30 years...I had them make me a roast beef/swiss cheese sandwich at the deli and caught up with a woman who I worked with for several years when the Newton police department and sheriff's office were in the same office building.  Then the highlight of my day was pulling into the HyVee gas lane and an employee came out and filled my tank and washed my back window...which he tells me they do every Tuesday morning from 8a to noon..wow...old fashioned service.  Then I went into the station to pay ... if you go in and not pay at the pump AND take your Hyvee Food Store receipt, they give you a few cents off per gallon.  Local Newton boy, Joel Jones, who manages the Hyvee Gas has it all going on.

Oh...and frozen fruit...love bagged frozen fruit from HyVee - I eat it frozen - it is a real treat!!

Until next time....