VISITOR, CUY AND RESTAURANTE EL CHE

When asked about why we live here most people laugh, because we tell them the truth. We did not want to work any more. We were perfectly happy in our home town, we had no problems with the political system, nor were we upside down on our mortgage. We just did not want to work any more. We left behind alot of good friends and a comfortable lifestyle, just so we would not have to work any more! Was it worth it, HELL yeah!

We do miss our friends, but occasionally we get a surprise and one of them gets to come visit us! That was the case 2 weeks ago, when our friend JD came to visit.

We met JD through mutual friends way back in the days of life in the US. He was a young kid in the local music scene and needed a place to stay for  awhile. We invited him to come stay with us till he found  a "day job". JD ended up working for Randy and he became part of our extended "friend family". JD is a traveler. He is only 29, and his passport is full and pretty well worn. We were very happy to hear that he was coming to Ecuador to look around; would we be home? Well HELL yeah.

We did the double decker bus so he got the lay of the city, and the next day he was off exploring the town on his own. While here he wanted to experience the true culture of Ecuador and have some Cuy (Guinea Pig). Once we explained the price of going out to eat Cuy he realized maybe he would have to forego this adventure. Randy, not wanting to have a visitor disapointed suggested we go price the Cuy at the local Coopera Market. There they were only 6.50 each, and Randy could BBQ them. I immediately told them I would save them even more money and I would eat Chicken.. I am such a thrifty person!
****If you have a queasy stomach the following photos my be a bit gruesome. ****

Randy (ex 17 yr Vegan) could not stomach the extra cleaning and preparing of the Cuy so JD got the honor. I grabbed my camera and captured the event; Randy cowered in the living room.

Even though they complained about the size and not having much flavor, they both prevailed and consumed their dinners, as evidenced by the bone pile below.

After having the cuy, we decided JD needed some more everyday traditional fare, as well as a visit to a local restaurant that is somewhat of a shrine. A memorial restaurant to Che Guevarra, and they have really good food.

JD agreed, the pork and sides were great, and there was no hesitation when eating!

Hurry back JD, next time we will try to get you up to the Shaman for the "spritual cleansing and journey"!

CINCO DE MAYO AND CORNBREAD

Our friend Vicky, who has been house sitting in Paute for our other friend Jani, invited a bunch of us over for her Cinco de Mayo party. Knowing that most of the invitees did not know the way; Randy and I met them at the bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre) and hearded them through the bus station and off to Paute. The bus was cramped, and as I warned Suzanne Thurston.. they will put as many people in the isles as in the seats.
So our happy crew of the Clark family, Suzanne Thurston (2nd day in Ecuador and doing a road trip AWESOME) and us, found seats and paid our .75 each to ride 45 minutes to Paute.

Randy and I were very happy that we  figured out where to hop off the bus (the route had changed..) We were right across the street from the house.. How easy is that! As we came up the drive I saw the pinata that Vicky had told us about.

Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated here. Vicky was determined to not let that stop her. She enlisted the help of her neighbor children, a bunch of flour, water, glitter, paint and IRS forms and came up with a pinata for the party.

We were served a mix of mexican foods and beer as everyone visited and got to know each other. Some of us had only met on Facebook until this day!

The refrigerator is Vicky's. It is sitting on a pallate waiting for its new home.

After all the grown ups socialized the little girls who had made the pinata were very anxious to get to this pinata! It took a bit of urging but finally they started swinging at it and in the end it need some heavy duty pounding but they got to the candy.

It was a fun day, and great field trip for all the folks who went with us on the bus! Thanks Vicky we had fun!

Vicky Capers!

Today it is COLD. My weather link says its 59. But I think in the house its still in the 40's. To that end. I decided today would be a great day to make cornbread. Yeah, I know. I dont cook.. but on occasion I do like to bake. After consulting the internet and finding a high altitude recipe that I had all the ingrediants for, I proceded to trash the kitchen that Randy had cleaned while I slept in..

It turned out pretty good. I have an issue with the oven that is yet to be resolved. It heats up too slow and I am too impatient to wait for it to come up to the correct temperature...so it was a bit singed..

It was very good though.. and while I baked, Randy as usual was helping in another part of the house..Yeah, I got it good!