Galapagos Islands Day 1

Since I was going to be in Ecuador to visit my sponsored children, I thought I’d hop over the the Galapagos Islands.  I flew into Baltras airport on Santa Cruz Island.  When we landed, we had to take bus 10-15 minutes to a boat to hop over this little bit of water, then took a 45 or so minute bus ride ($2) into the town of Puerto Ayora.  I stayed at a hostal that was just a few blocks from where the bus dropped us off.  Germania de Hospedaje was great – I had my own room and bathroom and there was AC and hot water!!  

That afternoon, I walked to the Charles Darwin Research Center and found out a lot of info about the tortoises and the breeding project. 

small tortoises in the breeding centers

Path to the Charles Darwin Research Center

 Lonesome George was the last Pinton Tortoise  and they tried for decades to reproduce him.  It didn’t work and when he died in 2012, then sent him to a taxidermist in New York.  Poor George.

I explored the town of Puerto Ayora a bit.

The most common bird killed in the day on the way to the research center is the yellow canary and at night owls are killed when they try to feed off the canaries.  They put these owl murals up to remind drivers to go really slow to save the birds. 

Visiting Nicole, Genesis, and Cynthia

Today I got to visit with 3 girls I sponsor through Compassion International.  They live 4 hours from Guayaquil so I didn't get to see where they live or their project center. I paid to bring them down to Guayaquil and they got to spend the night in a hotel.  The girls and their mothers had never left their town so they enjoyed seeing the city.  Their mothers said the girls rode up and down in the hotel elevator because they had never seen one before!

Compassion's representative, Leo, picked me up at 9:30 and we went to meet the girls at the boardwalk area near the Ferris wheel where I was yesterday.  Nicole is 13 and came with her mom and 1 month old baby brother.  Cynthia is 11 and came with her mom and they were very proud to be dressed in traditional clothing.  Genesis is also 11 and neither of her parents came, but the project center director and the girls' pastor both came.  The girls were all friends and two of them go to school together. It was nice they got to experience it together.

Nicole's mom, Genesis, Nicole, Cynthia, me, Cynthia's mom

Security wanted their picture with us - I felt like I was in India

Cynthia, Nicole, Genesis

They were really nervous about the ferris wheel (one of the moms refused to go), but ended up enjoying it. 

Cynthia's mom was nervous, so was the director

The girls were nervous too

After the ferris wheel, we went to the zoo.  None of them had ever been to a zoo.  I'd say 2/3 to 3/4 of the animals were local animals - birds, iguanas, crocodiles, tortoises, etc.  Many of the animals were taken off of the Galapagos by Ecuadorian tourists an then rescued and put in the zoo.  There were also some exotic animals - zebras, jaguars, mountain lions etc.  The girls loved the animals.

riding in the bus to the zoo

largest rodents in the world. Real life RUS

coral snake

We went to a mall foodcourt and it took them forever to decide what to order - they never get to eat out at restaurants. 


After that, we went to a small park known for iguanas, pigeons, and turtles running around.  The girls all told me what their favorite part of the day was and they mom's, the center director, and the pastor thanked me for supporting the girls.

Cynthia petting an iguana

We watched these turtle try to climb up and repeatedly fall for at least 15 minutes.

Iguanas everywhere!

Cynthia sat with me on the ride to take them to their hotel.

Visiting Aurelio

Aurelio has been one of my sponsored kids for 9 years and I finally got to visit him.  He lives in Guayaquil and I arrived last night (after being stuck in Lima for almost 8 hours!).

A representative from Children International came to take me to their operation center and I got to meet some of the workers and hear what they do there.  Aurelio and his mom were waiting for me.  He made me a gift and a card - so sweet. 

He was very shy and it took awhile for him to warm up to the day, but his mom was super chatty.  She asked me a ton of questions and wanted to take lots of photos.  She even asked about Charlie and Natalie within 10 minutes of us being there!  She also asked a ton of questions about India.  We communicated quite a bit in Spanish, but Anita was there to translate if I needed help.  

First we rode a ferris wheel which he had never been on one before. 

his mom and Anita - the Children International translator who went with me

Then we went to an arcade and played.  Aurelio, his mom and I played some games together including bumper cars!!  He and his mom played some games together - she enjoyed them as much as he did!!  

We ate lunch and then we went to their house.  He is 12 and has a 10 year old sister, a 15 year old brother and two other siblings who are older and married.  His mom is 39 and has 5 kids and 3 grandkids.  At the house, I met his dad, his older sister (and her 3 year old son) and his sister.  The whole family was nice and very proud to show me where they live.  They definitely live in extreme poverty, but you can tell everyone is loved and happy.  

his mom, sister, dad, sister, Aurelio

Most Intimidating Move Yet

Seven years ago, I made the big move to international teaching.  During that time, I have visited 44 countries and learned about the world and myself.  I earned my masters degree in educational technology and have grown in countless ways through many professional development opportunities. I have met so many people from around the world who have taught me so much and have enhanced my life in so many ways.

It is with very mixed emotions that I am moving back to Texas this summer.  There are many positives to this move.
1) More time with my 8 nieces and nephews.
2) Getting to be a part of a stable church community.
3) Reconnecting with friends.
4) Participating in American holidays that I miss.
5) I get to contribute more to my retirement.
6) Being in an English speaking country.

But there are many things I'm nervous about.
1) I don't actually have a job or health insurance as of right now 😟😟😱
2) I have to start all over - get a car, furniture, dishes, everything
3) Missing traveling and being around others who travel a lot.
4) Being in US public schools instead of international schools.
5) Adjusting to living in the US.  I have been reading articles on repatriating and none of them are very positive. 😒
6)  Did I mention I don't have a job?!?!?

I am actually far more intimidated about this move back to the US than I was when I sold everything I owned and moved to India. I hadn't planned on moving back this soon and I'm a little cautious about it.  I'm trying to take it one day at a time and see how it all unfolds. 

I'm leaving Brazil on June 10th and flying to Ecuador.  I'm spending a few days in Guayaquil to meet 4 of my sponsored children.  I am so excited!  Then I am flying to the Galapagos Islands for about 6 days then flying to Illinois to stay with Brianna, Ben, and the girls for a few weeks.  Then I will arrive in Texas on July 16th with no job and no home!

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”