Living The Good Life

I knew the first post from Ecuador was going to be a long one, so I broke it up into three different posts. Hope you enjoy them!

So far, the time Dave and I have spent in Ecuador has been a complete whirlwind. We arrived in Guayaquil at 2:00 am on Thursday morning. The director, Robert, had his driver take us to our new apartment (see pictures in previous post) and let us sleep in until 10:00 in the morning. By 10:30, Paulino had picked Dave and I up and we were off to take a tour of Puerto Azul, the school, meet my new principal, and finally join Rob and his family for dinner at his beautiful home. His wife, who is from Brazil, made us the most incredible South American dishes of coconut fish, rice, and lasagna. She also served us home-made coconut and chocolate chip ice cream. All of the newbies, which total six, spent the evening talking, laughing, and hearing about the unique aspects of Ecuadorian living. Friday, we had an informational meeting at the school. Besides getting the necessary school information, we talked with various people from the school and community. It turns out that we will have a doctor ...

Dave and I currently live in the beautiful Puerto Azul, outside of Guayaquil, Ecuador. The school I am working for, InterAmerican Academy , has provided us with a wonderful apartment 3/4 of a mile from school. The spacious apartment is on the second floor of a three tenant building, so it is quiet and peaceful. The pictures below are of our apartment, friendly visitors, the chef, and the neighborhood. Pay attention to the construction going on at one of the houses and what they use for scaffolding! Dave and I watched the workers climb up and down the bamboo poles, carrying tools and supplies. It was incredible! L to R, row 1: Entryway, Kitchen, Maid's Quarters, neighboring home. Row 2: Master Bedroom, Backyard View, In-house resident, Chef David. Row 3: Dining Room, Bathroom, Guest Bedroom, Morning Visitor. Row 4: 1st breakfast, Outdoor patio, 2nd bathroom, Neighborhood home.

Dave and I have been in our new home for about five days and have already discovered what we absolutely cannot live without during the next two years: Sunscreen: It is hot in these parts!! We knew that going in, but I don't think anything can prepare you for the blast of humidity that hits you as soon as the plane touches ground. And of course, it isn't as hot as it is going to get. It is winter right now in Ecuador--which basically means that it is not raining. Most people that we have seen have been wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts. The peoples' dress can be explained by two reasons; one is because they actually believe 77 degrees is cold, and the other reason is because looking nice and presentable is very important to them. Hardly anyone ever wears shorts or t-shirts, it is way too casual of dress. Dave was disappointed to learn that the majority of the clothes he brought would not work out for him. Many restaurants won't let you in the door if you are wea...

Dave and I are leaving for Ecuador in two days. It is hard to believe that we started down this path five months ago, it has gone by so quickly. As we have worked to get the house in order, our things packed up, and our documents ready to go, we have been saying goodbye to family, friends, and Boise. Last night our small group went to dinner with us and then had a dessert extravaganza afterwards (delicious strawberry/blueberry shortcake and chocolate brownies). We ate, laughed, talked and prayed. It was during the prayer that it really hit me that this was real, that we are actually getting on the plane Wednesday morning for adventures unknown, and that this amazing group that has supported, prayed, and loved us for the past three years won't be getting on the plane with us. I just started sobbing, overwhelmed with how much I love all of them and how much I am going to miss being apart of a group that laughs so easily and loves so much. Not only are we going to miss our small ...

This post is a little late in coming, but I didn't want to write about the wonderful trip I was able to take with my mom and aunt until I had some pictures to go along with it! At the end of June, my mom and aunt travelled to Seattle with me. I had to attend an AP Literature course and my mom and aunt agreed to keep me company when I was not in class. Now, it must be understood that Jan Silvers (the mom) and Juli Hall (the aunt) are two of the most fun people to travel and adventure with. It is not uncommon for my dad, uncle, or Dave to call when the three of us are together and only hear peals of laughter. The conversations usually go something like this: "Danielle? It's Dave." Only response laughter and then mumbled comment in the background. "What was that? I can't quite hear..." More laughter. "Yeah, I'm having a good time too. All by myself. Say, what's so funny?" Laughter, giggles, laughter. "Well, sounds like you're busy...

Whew...D and I leave for Ecuador in 14 days. We have only two more weeks before we are immersed in a totally different culture, living a completely different life. Actually less than two weeks because we fly out at the crack of dawn...give me a moment, I just need to breathe into this paper bag for a few minutes. I have been alternating between massive excitement and hyperventilation for the past couple of days. Oh, who am I kidding? It's been the past couple of months. Mostly experiencing the fear and exhilaration within moments of each other. I'm pretty sure that I have my husband convinced that I have multiple personalities with all the back and forth of emotions. Not to mention, the odd little tick I have picked up of resting my head on the table anytime Ecuador, or anything relating to Ecuador, is mentioned. "Would you like a banana Danielle?" No response because my head has hit the table. My indecisive nature is also kicking into full gear. Dave and I have pack...

It is hard to believe that seven years ago, Dave and I started out on this crazy adventure known as marriage. We looked through our wedding album during our packing extravaganza and we marveled at how young we looked and we remembered how excited we were to start our lives together. It really has been a wonderful seven years, and we have experienced so much laughter, love, and adventure. Here are some highlights: * Our honeymoon in California -Dave planned it perfectly to our personalities, the first half of the week there were absolutely no plans or schedule (to suit my favorite way to vacation). We explored San Diego, stopped at every point of interest, and relaxed. The second half of the week was planned out with things to do and see (to suit my husband's type A personality). We hit the beach and Disneyland. It was so much fun! * Moving into our first apartment together , which was in the basement of an older home in Nampa. The Irwin's, our landlords, were an older couple wh...

I ran across all of my old mixed tapes yesterday while I was sorting through my office. I sat cross-legged on the trundle as I ran through each and every one of them, reading the song titles and trying to stay adrift in all the memories that flooded me. I found the tapes that Brian made me each Valentine's Day for the four years we dated. They had songs by Smashing Pumpkins, Mathew Sweet, Phish, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, and Jane's Addiction. I haven't listened to those bands in years but I still know every word to those songs. Then there was the tape that Kevin sent me my first week of college. I think he knew that I would be a bit lonely and terrified and he sent me songs that would remind me of him and our old friends. There is a picture of Kevin in the 7th grade along side a picture of Ethan Embry in Empire Records , the movie we watched religiously our senior year of high school. The tape has songs by Cake, R.E.M, Jim Croce, and Oingo Boingo. I think even a song from t...