A Visit To Ecuador!

Good morning.    How about a visit to Ecuador to see how Joyce and Ken are doing.    They have been enjoying their new home and have had several moves around the area before settling into a new apartment.  Joyce writes about their adventures and sends e-mails along with a phone call now and then.    It has been a true adventure and a wonderful experience for Joyce.   Sad to say Ken is a victim of  Alzheimer and has been failing, although she tells me he seems to be content and happy.    His grandson who works for a Christian organization was in Ecuador on missionary work and they had a wonderful visit.   Joyce has found the medical help in the village is really great  and the people very friendly.    

Joyce has been busy trying to find furniture for her new apartment.   I'd say she did okay and found some different styles and comfortable seating for them.     She mentioned that the world is small as on the Fourth of July they went to a restaurant and shared a table with five other people.  All came from Oregon within twenty-five miles of each other .   I wonder what led them all to this village in Ecuador.     It certainly sounds like an ideal place and you do have to learn how to speak Spanish to get along.  

Son John had just received a card folder of places to visit and one of the cards had information about Ecuador and it was called 'The Highlands" ;  Joyce said they live at 8,500 ft. elevation.   So, according to this card they walk from one hacienda to another through valleys surrounded by volcanic peaks and traditional villages with great markets.    If you remember the original blog about Joyce and Ken then you would have seen pictures of their market and town.    It sounds like a lovely place to visit and I have been invited but hiking and altitude would probably do me in.  

So today think about saving up for future vacations and put Ecuador on your list, along with Panama, China India and Greece.    I think if I had money for travel I would go to Italy first, then on to other destinations.   They have walking tours I never heard of and they sound exotic and fun.    Meanwhile Rick Steves has a wonderful program on PBS and takes you to all over to places ordinary tourists do not go.    It is not the same as going on your own, but to those of us who have the desire but no longer the stamina for travel, it is the best way to see our world and all the beauty in it.    Don't put yourself on 'hold', make your seconds count and keep an open mind.   Hugs to all