NGT Travels - Day One

Hi everyone - did you miss us?
We had a wonderful few days away, checking out some more of this beautiful country. This video is the first of quite a few - we saw some very interesting sights, especially in Otavalo, which we all loved, so I hope you enjoy them as I get the hundreds of photos I took sorted out. Doug started calling me a Camera Assassin - which is probably a good description of me. For every 20 photos I took though, I probably only got 2 good shots - however, it is worth it for the memories. On the first day - we didn't really do alot - just getting there was enough of an adventure for one day!

By the way - if you can't read the sign - it says "Free Beer for all Foreigners between 6 & 6.20pm"

Guinea Pig Lunch

We are on our way out the door to go up to Quito for our little gringito bus holiday - but I threw this together so you could have something to look at while we are gone.
You can see by the way I look in the video that it's a good thing we are going to have a break - I really need it! Even Mark, the work-aholic, said last night he needs to have a rest for a few days - it's been a hard month.
See you on the flip side guys!

Joanna's funeral

We have just had an experience that we really didn't expect to have in Ecuador, nor did we want to have it, but have it we did so I hope you don't think I am crass telling you about it.

Today was Joanna funeral and very sad it was too. Actually it started last night when we went to the WAKE - of course this is not something we do in NZ so that was altogether new. Really it just involved going to the KH where Joanna was in her coffin and paying our respects. Today the coffin was still open (well there was plexi glass over the open bit) and when all her little class mates filed in and then up to the front to see her - it brought tears to all our eyes, even Mark. After the talk which Agenor, our PO, handled extremely well even using the Catholic Bible at one point - as a lot of the Morocho's extended family are Catholics, we went with G to the cemetary. We weren't going to go but it seemed rude not to when we were offered a ride. I am so glad we did as the cemetary was very interesting. There are some graves underground but mostly they are crypts stacked on top of one another. G explained that this is where the poor people go and it costs about $4.00 per month for the family. If after 4 years they can't or won't pay anymore the body is taken out and cremated and the crypt reused.

Once we got to the place where Joanna was to be placed - the coffin lid was reopened and it seemed that the non witnesses wanted their turn. They crowded around the casket, crossing themselves and touching the plexi glass. One lady started saying stuff really loudly - I of course couldn't understand what she was saying, but it was to do with ancestor worship. It was then Agenor had to step in and ask her to please respect Homero and Nancy's beliefs - he had to use a couple of scriptures to calm her down but she did and apologized, which as Mark pointed out would never have happened in NZ with a maori funeral. It would have just about caused a riot! Agenor went round and gave her a hug which was very sweet of him. So then the coffin was closed and slid into the crypt and a worker was there with a hammer and nails to seal it up. The saddest thing I heard was little Josue (her brother) ask "Donde estar Joanna?" (Where is Joanna). Of course we know the answer to that one - she is waiting in Jehovahs memory, having proved herself faithful even to death, for the wonderful hope of the resurrection.

On a brighter note - we are off on an adventure tomorrow with the Willis' and Andrews. We are flying up to Quito for 5 days and 4 nights so we are really looking forward to that - it will be nice to share the experience with our Gringo Friends and be tourists for a few days.

I was going to post a blog today about our fantastic day out with Mark and Becky but sadly we got home to the news that little Joanna has just died. Of course we are very upset about this news but feel that as she was a very sick little girl and there was really not much hope, then it is good that it has happened quickly. Now she is sleeping and out of pain, waiting for Jehovah to resurrect her back into the loving arms of her family. She died faithful, having made a personal stand against having a blood transfusion, at the tender age of nine. Her parents can be very proud of this faithful little witness of Jehovah.

While I am on the subject - I would like to thank the friends back in NZ who wanted to help this family so far away. Along with donations we have already received -Alice and Terry, with the help of Antony, Rebecca, Ann and others - held a garage sale yesterday to raise funds and while it is now too late for Joanna - the family no doubt will appreciate their support. It is testimony to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses truly are a worldwide brotherhood.

English Study

Here is a picture of Frances, my one bit of normality each week, as we study in English. She is half Puerto Rician and half Dominician Repuplic, brought up in the States and married to an Ecuadorian! She speaks spanish perfectly but does not read it so yahoo - I get to study with her is english. Had a problem this morning with the opening prayer when I faltered many times because I kept wanting to say a spanish word instead of english so I am in real trouble now - I don't know one language and I am forgetting the other! Help I am loosing my identity!

REACTIONS

You will notice there has been an addition to the blogs - your reaction. Please tick one of the boxes - it will let me know whether you like the post or not. All you have to do is move your mouse over whichever reaction you have and click - simple stuff!
Gracias!

Here we are waiting for the other members of our GA group (Gringos Anonymous) - but only the 6 of us turned up today. I am worried that the others will forget the 12 step plan because they missed the meeting today so we may have to round them up for an emergency meeting.

12 Step Plan: (some of the steps following have been submitted by my kiwi friend, Alice - thanks buddy - I needed the help!)
*Step 1: Admit you are a Gringo and pretend you know no spanish (or in our case - don't pretend, it's true
*Step 2: Always smile - even though you are so frustrated you could burst-always remember you are in South America after all
*Step 3: Say "Claro" at every opportunity
*Step4:Learn to love soup - you will get it at every meal
*Step5:Carry an umbrella everyday - not only do you need it for the rain - but you will need it for the sun too.
*Step 6: Hang out with an awesome group. Which of course all Testigos de Jehova are, whether gringitos or Ecuadorian!
*Step 7:Have a great pair of walking shoes, or at least be prepared to have your shoes resoled every other month
*Step 8:Never trust little old ladies especially ones at a gate carrying a big stick!
*Step 9:Start writing a book "Life in Ecuador for Dummies"
Although trials may seem tough,Jehovah looks after you and the food is yummy!!!UMM???
*Step 10:Have a good Par-tay now and then with great friends - This will stop you going around the bend!
*Step 11:Accept any corrections to your incorrect pronunciation, graciously - and laugh at your mistakes, cause you will make a lot!
*Step12: Make sure you keep in touch with family and friends back home. In other words no matter what it costs - the internet is a must have

So the following pictures show what you get for Almuerzo (lunch) for a whopping $2.90
Soup and juice - a main dish - in this case spagetti cabonera and some sort of sweet - today's was cheese and cane sugar syrup - quite delicious and just what you need after a long morning in service.
By the way notice the popcorn in the soup - they actually serve a bowl of popcorn on the table - and everyone always puts it in their soup - it is really good too! I will be taking that tradition home with me.