Ecuador-Dia Uno

Even though we didn't get in and actually to bed until around 0300, we knew we had Sunday to do whatever we wanted. We didn't sleep in too much, but it was nice to get up around 0900 and get started.

This picture was taken from our floor looking over at the pool and terrace area. The wall that is covered with plants is actually the back wall of a huge Cathedral. We never made it to the pool, but it sure looked nice.

A bunch of us took off to head to the Lighthouse. All I had heard was there were 500 steps to get to the top. Ok. 500 isn't that many, right? So off we went. We first stopped at the church that was directly behind the hotel. It was HUGE and beautiful. There is an entire other row to the left of this picture. The architecture was amazing inside and outside. Later in the week I found out that this church has its first Pastor entombed in a glass case on the left side of the church. I also was told he was green. I never saw that.
After seeing the church we headed across the street to Iguana Park. Yep. Iguana's everywhere. Free roaming iguanas. And, yes, they were everywhere. There were feeding spots where they would put greens and fruit, but none of the iguanas were eating. But they were definately everywhere.

This picture isn't the best, but there are iguanas all over this tree. And actually it was like this with every tree in the park. I tried counting how many I could see, but Im sure I have missed some.

After Iguana Park we headed to the waterfront area which is called Malecon. Its a beautiful area that was packed. I guess because it was Sunday. There were lots of sitting areas, there is an IMAX theater at one end. There is a boat cruise that leaves from here and drink and ice-cream carts. Tons of kids play areas. After walking up and down the Malecon, we headed back to the hotel.

The elevators in the hotel were a bit 'small'. Im not sure that word even gives it justice. I immediately thought of Chris when I got in it last night when we were trying to get to our room at 0200. The 3 of us were about all you could fit in there. With NO luggage. You should have seen the 3 of us WITH our luggage. Now that was entertaining.

We had to be back to the hotel before 1300 so we could catch the bus to the Indian Market. Its a huge flea market area, but lots of bargains. At least thats what I was told. We took a 10 minute bus ride and everyone knew to be back to board the bus in 2 hours. We walked through, trying to see everything, but we were so turned around, Im sure we didn't see everything. There were tons of shirts, bags, purses, that were all pretty much the same no matter which booth you were in, but then there were some places that had different stuff. I ended up getting the girls some bags (now I wish I had gotten more, so thats definately on the list for next year), got some key chains and magnets.

I found a painting that I wanted. Which you can't see it in this picture but its the size of the middle group. The interesting thing about these paintings on canvas, you can twist the canvas, fold the canvas, do anything with the canvas and the paint doesn't crack. Pretty neat. I picked one out that I wanted and was told it was $75. Let the bartering begin.....lets just say I got it for $40. It was the only thing I bought myself. Yeah! But I love it, and think Ill hang it in the dining room.

After spending an hour at the Indian Market, we headed back to the hotel for a mandatory meeting. The rooftop was pretty neat. It was a huge covered area with lots of tables and chairs. The workout facility was up here as well.

We went over how the teams were going to work and then we met as an individual team. We were on the Purple team. Later to be known as the Purple Haze. Don't worry, we have already started working on the 'activities' for next year.

Met for dinner around 1800 and then we were planning on heading to the Lighthouse. Dinner was good, and then dessert. I had heard about the ice-cream and how good it was. But ice-cream wasn't what they brought us. It looked like pumpkin cheescake (almost). But it wasn't. It was flan. Sounds like phlegm. ha ha. It has a very sickly sweet taste. Too sweet for me.

After dinner, we had a group of us and headed out to climb the Lighthouse! Whats 500 steps. Out of the hotel, past Iguana Park, over to the Malecon and keep going. When we got to the end of the waterfront area and actually were beginning the steep climb, I saw step 001. Each step was plaqued with a number. When you looked up, it was a very steep climb. There were shops, stores, bars and houses all intertwined within a very quaint area. We were taking these steps pretty quickly until about step 150. At this point I knew I was never going to make it to the top. Step 150 and I had to get to 500. It wasn't going to happen. We ended up stopping a couple of times and then I felt better, I wasn't the only one that needed a break.

Yes, I did it! And it wasn't 500 steps. It was 444. WOW! And yes I'm glistening. But it was soooo worth it. It was amazing.

Seeing the lights of the city from up here was amazing. We ended up staying up here for about 30 minutes. The Lighthouse was closed, so we didn't get to go to the top but this was just as good.

This is the 13 of us that treked up the 444 steps. As you can see there are only 12 of us in the picture. Dillon didn't want in the picture so he actually took the picture for us. For ALL of us....

After seeing Dillon with ALL the cameras I had to get a picture! ha ha ha I believe at least one of these will have one GOOD picture!

Now for the trek back down 444 steps. Cherine and Dwayne were entertaining to say the least.

We got to the bottom and there were several vendors selling food, trinkets, singers entertaining, mimes.....Brad ended up getting his picture taken with this guy.

This was just past the Indian singers that sounded amazing....Im still glistening, if you can't tell! ha ha

We headed back to the hotel and for ICE CREAM. And yes, everything I had heard was 100% correct. It was amazing. So this became the ritual...well at least 2-3 more times this week.

What a way to end Dia Uno! Getting to know alot of new friends and having fun, a long way from home. Off to the elevator we went. We attempted to see how many we could fit.

I think there are six of us in there, but I don't know for sure. Chris, Brad, Parker, Cherine & me...but I swear theres someone else in there!

Off to bed...gotta be up by 0600 and ready to head out with luggage by 0700! Let the adventure begin.

South of the Equator, here I come! (And Bob too, of course)

About 6 months ago, Dr. Pauli had asked me to go on a medical trip to Ecuador. I said 'sure, why not'. That was it that got me into a trip that I would probably never forget. I went to a meeting to turn in paperwork and then picked up tickets and itineraries mid-July. There were alot of people going from Rex: Cherine (Pharmacist), Mike (Pharmacist), Dr. Pauli (Hospitalist), Dr. Dilorenzo (ER MD) and his daughter & Jolie (ER RN).

Bags were packed, including the medical bag I was taking, Kelley and Ali were taking me to the airport, I just wasn't sure how I was getting home! ha ha..Guess I figured, after a week, I would find a ride somehow. The flight home wasn't getting in until almost midnight...oh well, Ill worry about that later.

We headed to RDU around 10am. We were to meet our travel teams by 1030. Mike was our travel leader and he didn't have a cell phone, so I was the cell phone contact in case anyone was running late. You couldn't miss everyone when I got to RDU. Everyone had their Ecuador shirts on, except my travel leader didn't tell me to wear mine. When I saw Mike wearing his, he told me that Cherine had emailed him to wear it, he just didn't relay that to his team. ha ha.

On to the kiosk to check-in! I got checked in, Mike got checked in, Cherine, however, didn't get checked in! 1st of what we would call the "Cherine Factor". After Mike and I got up to the desk and checked our bags, Cherine attempted to get checked in. This took over an hour! ha ha.

After the majority of our group were checked in, we headed to the gate. THEN I guess, the adventure began. 2 hour flight delay, which was cutting into our connection time. Oh well, we did get to eat lunch and sit around with everyone and get to know each other, I guess.

We finally got out of RDU around 1600 with a 2-hour flight and now less than 90 minute connection on an international flight. We looked like a herd of buffalo coming through the MIA airport. But we made it, probably about 20 minutes prior to boarding! Yeah!

Now off for the 4 hour flight to GYE! Another story about Cherine, but Im going to have to get Brad to video it, so I can uplink it! Its too funny and I could never give it enough credit like Brad does.

After they had called our group to board, and I had gotten a few steps on the plane, I whipped Bob out with the camera and asked the Flight Attendant if she would get a picture with the Captain! Its funny, every time I ask this question, the Flight Attendants get excited. She said "sure". I gave her my seat number and went and sat down. She came back a few minutes later and said the Captain wasn't in the cockpit yet but she got one with the First Officer. Yeah! Bob has done it again!

We landed in GYE as well as 5 other international arrivals. So, needless to say, the Customs and Immigration lines were BACKED UP! We knew we were going to be in for a looooong night! After 2 hours through Immigration & Customs, we got our bags, went through one more check point and then headed out to meet our buses! This picture was taken around 0130 in the morning! We don't look too bad for being up all day!

From here we boarded buses, took a 20 minute ride to the hotel, waited on the guys to unloaded ALL the luggage. We grabbed our bags, and then went to the line to pick up room keys. We were actually the 1st ones to get ours! Yeah! Off we went. Room 302 for the week! Off to bed we went!

Go with your 1st thought....always!

We had a blast on the cruise. I had originally asked Chris to go and he agreed. Then I changed the offer. What is wrong with me? I continue to do this ALL THE FREAKIN TIME! I got the nerve up to ask him, then I almost immediately started talking myself out of it. Those feeling inside me scare the hell out of me. Why? It is feelings I have never had before. Why are they so scary? Why should great feelings be so scary? I think its because it makes me confront them and deal with them. Its definately easier for me to hide them than deal with them. Anyways, we went and had a great time. Even spending a week with my mother! ha ha. But deep down, all I thought of was 'what if Chris had been here'. Almost every moment was referencing how it would have been if Chris had been with us. How that would have been perfect! How do you look at someone and make them understand they mean the world to you. How do you express how valuable they are to your life. I wish so much that I hadn't thrown my hands up, that I had just talked to Chris. When I told him in the beginning I would have married him, I meant it. I had never said that before. And deep down, I still wish that wish will come true! I try alot to call him or text him and before I know it, Ive closed the phone or cancelled the call. Why? What am I so afraid of? Honestly, I think because I don't think he would ever feel for me the way I feel for him. How much I care, could never be turned toward me, right? I couldn't imagine. At the great age of 29, Ive yet to experience that. Marriage for me wasn't what any girl dreams of. That relationship wasn't what any girls dreams of. But what I dream of with Chris and myself, its perfect. But like they say, Im in my own little world! Yep, that about sums it up!

Its definately S-E-N-S-A-T-I-O-N-al!

Do we have to go home???

Not that any of us wanted to head home...but we always get entertained on I-95 with the South of the Border signs. My mom kept reading them ALL the way through the state of South Carolina. At one point, after we saw a sign that said something about putt-putt, when she went to read it (because Parker LOVES putt-putt), I said "if you read that sign, YOU are getting out to play with Parker and we are staying in the car", only because it was 104 degrees! Needless to say, Mom didn't read the sign...she just laughed!

It seems like every time I end up stopping they have changed it around. So everytime I know which store to stop in, it ends up being wrong.
Definately had to get a picture with the kids, Bob and the big Pedro! Well, Im not sure if this is the actual Pedro...but we will call him that for all extensive purposes..

We actually just wanted to get some tacky South of the Border stuff. The girls enjoyed trying on all the sunglasses. I would have bought all of them ,except they were $15 a piece. These reminded me of Willy Wonka glasses!

Of course, these were Parkers favorite! I think he's going to be a professional gambler when he grows up. Obviously, I hope he gets me the winner Powerball numbers when it is over $300 million! Don't worry, Ill share!

We also wanted to stop in to get some fireworks since the 4th of July is coming. Everyone got their own fireworks!

Another store, more glasses! Lauren liked these, although I think I need them for work!

I think Brianna looks like a 1950's school teacher! I think they fit the movie Grease very well!

These just remind me of a bug! Like a BIG eyed bug! YUCK! I like the glasses but not bugs!

These are perfect for something....Im not sure who they remind me of...but the girls liked them!

Parker liked these glasses even though they were girls eyes! ha ha... I love him~!

Yeah, proof that it was hot! Just plain miserable when getting out of the car! Like, take your breath away!

Not too far to go now......I did stop at Chik-fil-a to get dinner when we finally got home. Under 9 hours with multiple stops, not too bad for a carload of kids and luggage.

This, of course, reminds me that yes, I am back home! Sorry to see the vacation come to an end!

Day at Sea.....

Our Day at Sea....Brianna and I got up to head to breakfast early. We were able to grab a table outside. How beautiful! Brianna said she could definately get used to this!

I knew what I had planned.....go park yourself by WaterWorks, on the back of the boat, and lay out all day. Brianna sat out there with me for awhile. We were still waiting on everyone else to get up. Lauren had eaten breakfast with us, but everyone else was still sleeping. I knew Parker was going to hit the water slides all day, so that way I could stay with him and everyone else could do whatever they wanted.

We saw a waiter go by with the 'Tail' cups... Brianna had to have one, so off to the bar she went!

Not EVERYONE has a Tail cup! ha ha. As soon as the girls saw one they wanted one...so Brianna & Allison went and ordered drinks...just for the cup!

Dinner time and bread.....you should automatically think of Brianna!

We have had such a great week! Its been wonderful! The kids have had a blast!

The Maitre D' and the kids!