La Familia.

This post is dedicated to my college friend, Luz , who so graciously suggested that I stay with her family in Manta when she heard I was going to Ecuador. (And when I get back to Boston, she may or may not kill me for putting up this picture of her. Luz, at least it is only a picture... I WAS going to post some old home video footage of you dancing at a family party, but it got mysteriously deleted from my camera...)

Welcome to Manta!
...and welcome to the coast of Ecuador in the off-season. Hot, but cloudy most of the time.


"Abuelita."This is Luz´s grandmother who I stayed with for 5 days. A 5 days in which I was not allowed to stop eating for more than 5 minutes. She´s adorable...even if I could not understand a thing she was saying! I figured out why one day when, tired of never understanding her, I busted out my dictionary and looked up one of the many words that were not registering with me. "Clemency."

Dear Abuelita:

You are the coolest. Your food is amazing. Your generosity tremendous. But please, for the sake of the next gringa who is lucky enough to have the opportunity to stay with you, stick to simple, non-religious terms in regular conversation. Preferably ones with one syllable. Learning a second language is difficult...you have to start small.

Much Love,

Your Gringa Sarita

Now, on to what I did in my time in Manta...EAT!

A few examples...

Eating Lunch...
Oh man, the Soup in Manta is amazing! This one, Viche, is my favorite. It is filled with fish, big hunks of corn and vegatables and has a slight peanut and lime base. AMAZING.

Cousin Leo
Hanging at the mall with my little Divas, Genesis and Antonella.What is there to do in Manta? Well the beach, of course! Genesis, Antonella, little Aaron, and the older girls Estefenia and Gabby.I´m telling you, they are little models in training...Me, not a model in training. But a very nice beach sunset scene.The cousins are a big fan of posed pictures!

And when we got home, a little after-beach reggaeton dance party.
Some other activities included hanging in the garden picking "obos" from the tree to take to the beach. (obos are like miniature limes, but with a pit in the middle. They are eaten as a snack with salt. )

Antonella. So cute. Last year she won the title of "Reina" (Queen) at her school. Which apparently means that you are the most beautiful in your whole ELEMENTARY-MIDDLE school.

OK. Just on a side note. I still can´t get over the size of the fruits and vegetables here. I mean really, LOOK at those carrots.

I also got to go to a really fun day at Antonella´s school. Because she is the reining "Queen" she had to make an appearance at this year´s big show. In addition to the contest to choose the new Queen, each grade performs a dance. SO CUTE!!

This is Antonella (on the left) with her class. The sign is because they are rooting for the girl from their grade to win this year´s Queen. Can we also note how much taller Antonella is than every single boy in her class!!
Some pictures from the class dances. SO CUTE!!

And now for the "Miss Queen of Antonella´s School" competition.

Not sure, but maybe this is the Swim Wear portion of the compettion...


And now for Evening Gowns. The Girl that is second from the left won this year. She was pretty, but all done up in hair and make-up. I am proud to annouce that our little Antonella won the contest au-natural last year. I asked them if this whole "Queen" business was based on grades and talent too. Nope. Strictly a beauty pageant. Getting them focused on the important things at a really young age...

Cute Ecaudorian baby that everyone was in love with because she is "rubia" (blonde hair, light eyes). They were going on and on about how she looks like she could be my daughter!!

And now onto the big event. The "Fiesta de Cumpleaños" for Diego and Paul. (That is pronounced "Pow-Ool" for all of you gringos who I know just said it wrong).

So, what is a Birthday party like with Luz´s family? Wild!!

It entails a lot of dancing...A lot of Tequila shots...Lots of goofy Aunts (pretending to drink beer for the sake of the picture)...A Piñata...And a lot of food, including a big cake!And now for some shots with the family...

Little Genesis and Estefenia and Gabby.

Paul, one of the Birthday boys.
Genesis again, and her brother Aaron.
Antonella´s brother Anthony. Tio
That´s Antonella´s mom on the right.
I spent my last day there at Tarqui Beach watching the fisherman.

..and boatbuilding.

Huge Colorado fish! Fishing boats...Bringing in the haul...Where there are fishing boats, there are birds. Alfred Hitchcock-like birds.
Biology students performing a dissection.

Cutting up big chunks of fish!
Piculo and Albocora fish!
The gringa pretending to cut big hunks of fish with a machete...
The locals who were very excited about this and wanted to jump in the picture.
Mmmmm. Huge camarones (shrimp). My last night in Manta we went to the park.

That´s right, who´s the Reina now?? Hmmm, I think the throne really suits me. Please have one ready for me when I return to Boston!

Luz! Thank you AGAIN and AGAIN for this opportunity. The kindness and generosity of your family is amazing! I will definately keep in touch with them. And although it was exhausting speaking in Spanish 24-hours a day, it was the BEST practice. They made sure that I send you lots of huge brazos and besos!! So, we definately have to get together when I get back to Boston so I can deliver them!!