We had a short week at the clinic this week because Maricela, who works at the clinic, got married on Saturday. So we had half of a day off on Thursday and all day Friday off so everyone could help prepare for the wedding. We decided to take a short day trip to a zoo near Quito. Thursday we "food-hopped" on La Ronda and tried several different types of food (which were all delicious), and then we saw a couple more churches on Friday morning before we left for the zoo. It was an expensive taxi ride, but I am glad we went. Unfortunately, Stella did not get to see her blue-footed boobie, but we did get to see the giant Galapagos Tortoises and some other really cute, and really ugly animals. We took the same taxi back to the bus terminal and thought we were getting there an hour early...however, there was a ridiculously huge line of people going from Quito to Santo Domingo (why, I am not really sure). We waited in line for an hour but still got tickets for the 3:30 bus which left about 10 minutes after we bought our tickets. God has really taken care of us this trip, especially when it comes to catching good taxis and buses.
When we got back to the apartment we had a nice relaxing night of movies and TV shows. I enjoyed just chilling at the apartment for a little while since we had been running kind of crazy all weekend. Saturday we had a lazy day in the morning and then after lunch we actually started packing!! It's crazy that we are already at this point. When I think about working at the clinic, it doesn't seem like it has been very long at all, but when I think about being in Kentucky with my husband and family, it seems like it has been an eternity! Although I dislike packing, I am trying to think of it as a life-size Tetris game where my husband is the prize at the end :) Saturday night was Maricela's wedding. (It would be more accurate to say Saturday night and Sunday morning.) The service started late, as most things do in Ecuador ;) , but it was beautiful. Of course I did not understand everything that was going on, but I could tell that they bride and groom were very happy. After the wedding and pictures, we all went to her parents house where the reception was held. There was A LOT of dancing! Since I was one of the only people there that had zero Hispanic blood in my genes, I was also one of the only ones that could not dance, not like they do anyway. Fortunately I couldn't understand what people where saying if they were making fun of me, so I still had a great time. I danced with a crazy old man, some of Maggie's friends, and another guy that was a little too much for this married girl. We finally ate supper around 11:15 and then danced some more. Stella and I were hoping to have cake, but since it was already 1:00 am and the shindig was supposed to continue until 6 in the morning, we decided to not wait around for the cake.
Today we walked around Santo Domingo to see if we could see anything new and different. After eating a piece of cake at a bakery (since we didn't get any wedding cake last night), we came across a market that was full of clothes, jewelry and other accessories. It was also a day of "last's" today. We did our last load of laundry by hand in Sto. Domingo and our last trip to the infamous Shopping.
Although I am very ready for Friday to get here, I am going to do my best to enjoy the 5 days I have left in South America. I am hoping for an interesting week at the clinic and a laundry-free week at the apartment!
The Galapagos Turtles
Stinky pigs that looked like wart hogs
The Spectacled Bear
Cute little frog. All of them hid in the Bromelia
I went all the way to South America to see a white tailed deer.
The buck, in velvet.
My favorite, aside from the turtles. He looked like a mix between a weasel and a monkey. The name on the sign was cabeza de mate, whatever that means.
Cute monkey.
Again, all the way to Ecuador to see a turkey. These were a different type though I think.
Llamas!!!
Hoot owls.
A replica of Jorge. The 800 year old Galapagos turtle.
The happy couple, Maricela and Renee.
The beautiful bridesmaids. Starting from the left: Maggie, Barbara, and Lijia. These are the three of the bridesmaids that we work with at the clinic.
Stella and I waiting to throw roses for the newlyweds!
Here they come!!
Looks like a great time - best wishes to Maricela!
ReplyDeleteI think Lonesome George died last year. :(
Have you been out to the botanical garden?
-Melody Ryan
It was a great time! We actually went to the botanical garden in Quito when we did the tour bus. There are a few pictures on one of my older blogs. The roses were beautiful!! We enjoyed it. George did die last year. The funny thing is, the zoo still has a sign that says something like "We wonder how many more years he will live." I think it is time for an update :)
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