Ecuador Day 47

Day 47...still no news to report.I am trying to contain my frustration that we have not gotten our adoption decree yet. I don't really know what is going on due to the lack of communication from MJ. Again. She told me yesterday that she would be going to the courthouse first thing this morning to see what is up. Of course we have not heard from her. Ugh. So I guess this means Devin will be going home without the decree and I will need to fax him a copy or something when we get one. Easier said than done since I have no idea where to fax things from here and we don't have a fax machine at home to fax to. The further and further we get into this mess of a system, the more determined I become to be the most efficient caseworker ever for my clients. Not that there is any comparison to the two processes, but still.

Anyway- today started on a rough note as Devin spent the night and this morning ill. He is sure that it was the hamburger from yesterday. Robin's hamburger didn't sit well either, so that was probably indeed the culprit. After spending the morning in bed, he determined that he was well enough to get up and going this afternoon.

We first stopped at the El Jardin Supermaxi as the Schinnerers had mentioned a large bookstore there. I have been hoping to find some more books to read as the two I brought are finished and I think I am going to be exceptionally bored without Devin and 2/3 of the kids here starting Monday. The book store was a success. It was huge and half of the second floor was dedicated to books in English. Wahoo.

We then walked to the Carolina Park to meet Robin, Jim, and Pablo for some basketball. Well, the boys and Hallie played ball. I think Devin especially enjoyed that. While there, we were witnesses of our first wreck in Ecuador! Well, actually, we heard more than saw-- but it sounded pretty awful. We knew something was up when huge crowds were gathered. Sure enough, we soon saw a pretty damaged car. We are not sure where the other car went that he hit-- but an ambulance showed up, the police, the whole bit. It's just amazing that we haven't seen a wreck earlier as the driving here is....well, something else.

We stopped at a movie store and then made our way home in time for dinner. Super exciting day, huh? 

Here is a unique thing about Ecuador...everything is made of concrete. Concrete all the way-- as this building going up shows. I have never seen use of any other building material, period.

Jacer making his way over to the ball players- of course he wanted to play too! Don't mind the little bum hanging out, he stretched and busted through the snaps. It might be that he is growing out of some of the clothes we brought him...

Flor and Jim taking a shot

See that car there across the street? Yeah, that's some wreckage!

And since this post is so boring, might I add a few more Unique Ecuadors for you:

*There are an abundance of performers/peddlers/acts on the streets. Every major corner has multiple people selling things and often times someone performing. Juggling, clown tricks, uni-cycling, magic- you name it, you can see it on the streets here. The acts perform during the red lights and then walk around collecting money from those in the cars. Things for sale are most commonly fruits and vegetables, but it is also common to see sunglasses, cell phone chargers, flowers, chocolate, or any array of other items. The funniest is that Robin and Jim have seen a lady selling Rosetta Stone (the language guru) on the corner near their house. I wonder who drives by and thinks, "Yes! That saves me a trip to the store for the Rosetta Stone I was needing!" We were told that the average income for the sellers/acts on the street is $8 per day. Whoa.

*There are an abundance of buses here going every which way. However, buses rarely, if ever, stop. Instead, a man is hired to stand at the door and yell to the passersby where the bus is headed. If anyone feels like joining, they must make a run for it and hop on before the bus picks up too much speed. Today we watched a family get on the moving bus while shoving on boxes, gear, and gas tanks (must be from their business of some sort?) all the while trying to get each member on as well. Kind of comical, although definitely dangerous as well.

*Eggs are also not refrigerated here. They sit on shelves in the stores. We however, refrigerate ours. Not sure if it helps, but better for our peace of mind at least. Brown eggs are much more common than white eggs.

*Due to many hospitals here being free to clients, it is not uncommon to pass by and see a line going out the door and wrapping all the way around the building.  

*When you go to renew your car tag each year, you have to pay all your parking fees and fines and then your tickets. The police here are known to be "crooks" and they can write you up for anything while you are driving or your car is parked. It doesn't show up until your tag is renewed and you cannot dispute them. So, you do not make any police officer mad so he won't write up your vehicle for bogus violations and you show up to the tag office with lots of money. Our English teacher says this happens a lot. Her tag was almost $300, which 1/3 was for fines. (From Robin)



Have a good weekend all. I will be trying to enjoy it while not thinking too much about my husband and two kids returning home on Monday. I'm depressed about it already. Sure wish this process would hurry up so that we can join them!