Mom's Visit

Monday night around midnight, Maria Paz and I went to pick up Mom from the airport....it was incredibly exciting and we stayed up late like little kids at a sleep-over talking. Mom met the host family the next morning before we went out with Aviva to Teleferiqo and Quito Antigua. Abuelita served Locro soup for lunch and then Aviva, mom and I prepared pizza for the family and Nora's host family. The next day mom and I headed to Tena where we had an awkward encounter with my other host family, but a great time visiting the hospital and seeing the town. Then we spent a few nights in Banos where we went hiking, walking and just exploring, playing cards and working on sketchbooks. On mom's birthday we took a bus to Cayambe and stayed at the oldest hacienda in Ecuador, Hacienda Guachala. It was beautiful and we were the only people there! At dinner they made a fire and the whole meal was great - quinua salad, soup and trout. When I had made the reservation, they asked if I wanted cake served for her birthday...well, I thought they had meant maybe a slice, but instead they brought out a huge birthday torta, so we gave most of it to a really nice woman we met who works there. We took a horse ride in the morning and the guide asked me to marry him and live on his hacienda....awkward moment. We spent one night in Otavalo at the indigenous market and wandering around town looking at all the small stores and incredible outfits people wear. Going back to Quito was wonderful, but I am so sad to leave my family. We played cards for the last time with Pedro and Maria Gracia before packing everything. Maria Paz brought humitas for a good-bye merienda and I realized how much I will miss this family. At 4:15 am, Francisco and Maria Paz brought us to the airport and we had plenty of time before our flight to Dallas. Back home in LA it was exciting to see Chloe, JH and dad and so strange to be here. Also, getting everything ready for Jamie's wedding has kept me very busy and at times it is so confusing / frustrating / wonderful to be back. The strangest moment was sitting in a Beverly Hills dress shop for the bridesmaid's fitting and seeing all the crazy rich people come in and complain or throw a fit about something small - like a veil. Anyway, the wedding is today and it will be beautiful and I feel honored to be a part of it. Everything reminds me of Ecuador and prices seem so exspensive. This morning i ate a chirimoya, my favorite Ecuadorian fruit, which mom managed to find at the open market here.