Bugs Bunny’s left turn

I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque.  

My first introduction In life to the idea that there was a place with the unusual moniker “Albuquerque” was in a Warner Brothers cartoon.  But with his distinctive bunny accent, Bugs rhymed it with the word turn.  That wascally wabbit!  

Today, we woke up at a hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is the hot air balloon capital of the world.  I am officially fifty years old as of this morning (at 6 am, according to my parents’ recollections), and to celebrate, we’re headed up, up and away tomorrow morning.  This morning, we did a trolley tour of the city, followed by enchiladas and chiles rellenos with a pair of margaritas.  Arther that, we decided to head back to the hotel to change clothes for our evening, which will see us head to the top of the nearby Sandia Peak.  As we learned this summer, altitude changes the weather a bit.  It may not be the right night for shorts and sandals.  

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a convenience store to pick up a few bottles of water and a little bit of wine for the hotel room.  And while it’s great that we had a nice morning- while it’s grand that we are headed out to float peacefully above it all tomorrow morning- while it’s wonderful to enjoy a new place and its cuisine culture and scenery- I got flippin’ carded.  On my fiftieth birthday, 29 years after I was old enough to buy alcohol, I was asked by a cashier for my ID.  On my birthday.  And I didn’t see Cas tell the girl at the register to do it, either.  He says he didn’t.  So it was legitimate.  I got honest-to-goodness carded on my fiftieth birthday.  

So happy birthday to me.  

We’re headed out in a little bit to take what they call a tram to the top of a mountain.  I would have gone with cable car or gondola, but the box-on-a-string is taking us up for some beautiful views this evening.  We’ll probably make a photo album after, but for now, here’s a pic of me and my guy, about to hop on a sightseeing trolley this morning.  Happy birthday to me!  

And just like that

We’re back in Dallas, back in the house and waiting for the first of many loads of laundry to finish up in the dryer.  We popped the new refrigerator magnets on the freezer door and put on some decidedly comfy clothes.  We’re looking at nearly three weeks of mail and determining that there wasn’t much of value or consequence delivered to the mailbox in July.  

Tomorrow is Monday, and life goes on.  The city returns to work.  I have to go back on Thursday, in fact.  Seems a little early to me, but school district calendars run through a million layers of public input and school board approval, so I suspect my complaints would get a little drowned out if I bothered.  

Cas and I arrived at DFW before lunch.  His mom and stepdad picked us up, and the bunch of us went out for a cheeseburger and a margarita.  Nothing says Welcome back to Texas like a big burger and a Tex-Mex cocktail.  

We’re hanging up the travel toothbrush for a while- but not that long, actually.  I’m going to go ahead and turn 50 in just over a month, and Cas has a three-day-weekend getaway in store for us.  I am, as ever, down to clown.  

In the meantime, we’ll live with the memories of the river, the mountains, the volcanoes, the ancient Incan cities, the unfamiliar creatures, the other-worldly scenery and the excessively fancy hotels.  

Cheers, everyone!

One last time, here’s the Photo Album.

Who called the cops?

It’s our last day in Ecuador, and as such, the last day of this vacation.  Cas and I just woke up from a nap- kind of a necessary thing, given the plans for the next several hours of our lives.  It’s creeping up on 6pm as I write, and at 8, we need our packed bags ready.  The tour company has arranged for an 8pm check out which is something I have never heard of before this trip.  Latest late checkout ever.  At 8:15, we meet the tour director in the lobby, and he takes us (along with the other four people flying into Houston) to the airport.  There, we check in, clear whatever hurdles we need to clear and hop on a flight at 12:40am to Houston.  There, we land at something like 6am, and there we stay until we hop back on a flight at 9:30, and we’re in our house before Sunday lunchtime.  Crazy, no?  It must be the best way to do it.  I have learned to not ask a lot of questions in Quito,  I just assume that everything is being done to keep us as safe as possible.  

Case in point: Our police escort was back in motorcycle-revving action today, escorting us around.  I’m sure they were there when we went to the Pichincha Volcano first thing this morning.  They were definitely standing around the local market we visited after that, and they rode alongside our walking group as we marched from a bus to an entry point for the botanical gardens.  The words don’t match the actions.  We’re reassured that we’re safe, then we have police ride along as we walk.  It’s hardly soothing.  

Regardless, we leave soon, and hopefully, return to the usual level of police presence in our daily lives.

The trip to the Pichincha Volcano was very cool, though.  We took a cable-driven gondola to the top of the thing, lifting us up to over 13,000 feet above sea level.  From there, we walked around- and up- to 13,140 feet.  There were a pair of playground- style swings way up there, and we gave it a little go.  Usually, Cas and I find playground swing sets and go a while before leaping off forward into a kid-style run.  This time, we decided not to run that kind of risk.  There was only so much space in front of the things before the descent would begin, whether you wanted to or not.  

Leaving there, we were pretty dirty.  Cas shot a little sunblock at the tops of our feet in our walking sandals, and I am pretty sure that sunscreen helped more dirt stick to our feet.  When we left there, I needed to clean my feet for sure.  We almost didn’t have time, but I ducked out really quickly to the hotel room and grabbed my travel pack of baby wipes while everyone refilled their water bottles.  I don’t think I could have continued the day the way I was.  

With newly clean (ish) feet, we went to a local market and saw how the folks on Quito bought vegatables and meats while hustling through a fast-paced food court.  It was weird- we were there around lunchtime, but we were advised not to eat anything for fear that some of the local food preparation may not agree with our stomachs.  You don’t really have to tell me that sort of thing twice, but it does seem cruel to take me past food vendors and folks selling fresh fruit when I can enjoy none of it.  We stood there, waiting to move to the next destination under the close watch of our personal police escorts, who, I assume, could eat whatever they wanted.

The botanical garden was nice, but we spent a pretty long time at the beginning of our visit talking about the temperate regions and political motivations for different environmental restrictions in Ecuador.  I would have loved to spend that 30 minutes looking at flowers, but different strokes for different folks, right?  Regardless, we did finally get moving and we saw some beautiful things.  

And that was all she wrote.  We got back to the hotel, waved at the cops and split from the group for a large, belated lunch.  Now, it’s packing time.  Oh, and it’s our anniversary.  We are not exactly proceeding with the usual level of anniversary romance.  We took a nap, grabbed a shower and are busy shoving dirty clothes into a pair of wheeled bags.  I feel like we should at least be doing that last bit by candle light.  Alas, no.  And tomorrow, when we’re home, I think all I will really want will be a cheeseburger, so maybe the big anniversary dinner can hold off until the next day.  

For now, though, we pack and prepare.  See you back in the US.  Of course, here, again is Our Photo Album.

Coming soon to your local grocery store

Today, we went to the actual equator.  Remember when I said we were at the equator?  Yeah, well, since the identification of that spot, apparently scientists got a bit more precise and there was a little tectonic shift- the actual middle of the earth was the spot where a giant sundial sits.  On the equinoxes at exactly noon, there is no shadow cast from the post of the sundial.  It’s very interesting to think of it- the sun is so directly overhead that any shadow would aim straight to the base of the object.  The diameter of the sundial’s center post is pretty large, too.  I mean, here we are, standing inside it:

It was kind of neat.  I have been taken aback this whole trip with how nice the temperatures have been.  We are at the very equator, and we’re in a nice, breezy environment.  The sun is shining and the air is a good temperature- it just lacks the regular level of oxygen we’ve come to expect in air.  

From that spot, we went to a rose plantation.  They grow lots and lots of roses in Ecuador.  They apparently can grow very straight stems, owing to the direct, overhead nature of the sunlight.  The rich, volcanic soil plays a pretty heavy role in the process, too.  The place we visited had a whole production floor where flowers were brought in on a zip line-style system, sorted, prepared and packaged for sale in other countries.  Because we’re all from the US, he showed us a crate of packaged dozens of roses headed for Costco stores on the US East coast.  They were right next to the ones heading to Whole Foods locations.  You can probably find Ecuadorian roses in your local grocery store, though I haven’t noticed a nation of origin being listed on any bouquets.  The man who took us around talked about how the production process ramps up leading up to Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and peak wedding season, which he can tell you is June.  I guess in that business, you pay attention. 

The rose plantation was interesting, and they served us lunch in a house on the property that was attached to the church that once belonged to Jesuit priests.  Apparently, the Spaniards got a little cranky with the amount of property and influence the Jesuits had, so at a certain point, the Jesuits were booted from the whole darn country, leaving lots of beautiful things behind.  

We have a farewell dinner with our group tonight.  They sure do feed us on this trip.  And tomorrow morning, we’re taking a gondolas up the side of a volcano to have a look around before heading to a local market and seeing the botanical gardens.  That’s it, too.  That will be all she wrote.  We head out at a very strange time- our flight leaves 40 minutes after midnight, so technically on Sunday, even though we’ll get to the airport late on Saturday.  I am sure there is some logic to this.  I am also sure I don’t know what that logic is, entirely.  Either way, we’ll be home Sunday afternoon and back to our own bed, our own shower and our own flat, less-than-scenic city before you know it.  

In the meantime, of course, have a look at Our Photo Album.

Whistling in the dark

So last night’s dinner was one for the books.  We walked down a few flights of steps to a dining area inside of the lava tunnel we visited the day before.  Here’s Cas, sitting at a table in the inexplicably spooky, dark underground space.  

It was totally different.  They served five courses, all paired with beers or wines that matched well with the food, and every single thing was spectacular. 

The one thing nobody saw coming was James, whistling in the dark.  I know that expression doesn’t exactly fit- it usually means to face a fear- but June’s very tall son James whistles in perfect pitch. He whistled out a spot-on “I dreamed a dream,” followed by “What a wonderful world.” 

It was one of the most remarkable things I’ve heard in a while. I can barely whistle a few notes, but this kid can really make music.  Cas took a bit of video, so check out the photo album if you want to hear some of it. 

We’re off to Quito in a few.  I’m writing from the airport, about to leave the beautiful Galápagos Islands. 

See you back on the mainland! 

Check out Our Photo Album.

Can you tell a critter from a hole in the ground?

Okay, okay- I literally walked out the door while uploading that last post.  I didn’t talk about the important stuff like the animals we saw or the things we did.  I seriously think I just discussed the oddities in my visual field.  Sorry about that.  

So, yeah, anyhow.  Yesterday, we did a nature walk, had lunch on a yacht and followed that with a little snorkeling in the ocean.  It was pretty awesome.  We saw sea lions occasionally rise from their beach time slumber to argue over territory or girls, only to lay back down and relax. We saw iguanas and ancient cacti.  We saw a lot.  It was very cool.  Cas certainly took some snorkeling photos, but I just didn’t want to try.  I am a weak swimmer, and I don’t suspect that snorkeling in the open water would help my confidence.  

Last night, we got a fire going in the fireplace in Villa number five.  We ordered room service and a bottle of wine, and we just watched the fire crackle and go.  It was kind of relaxing.  Today, we saw frigate birds and iguanas.  

Today was cool, though.  We saw the illustrious blue-footed boobie.  It was just as strange as you’d suspect.  We saw other amazing creatures on our walk.  Cas had a second opportunity to snorkel today, and I took the time to walk out into the ocean, then wander around on the beach.  When I walked to one rock outcropping from a different one, I was approached by an iguana.  He walked toward me, so I tried to back up.  They say you should keep six feet between yourself and another critter out there.  Every time I backed off, he walked up.  He followed me across a pretty good piece of sand.  

When we got all done living our yacht lives, we had a few other things to do.  We had to visit the Gemelos, which are the twin sinkholes that aren’t sinkholes.  They’re holes left by magma pocket or some such nonsense during a previous volcanic eruption.  After the twins, we planted trees into significantly smaller holes in the ground.  Apparently, the trees that are supposed to be around here are being overtaken by blackberries and guava trees.  It’s not that blackberries or guavas are bad- it’s just that thye’re better at persistence than the native plants, and those are the ones that the conservation folks are trying to bring back.  

And with that nugget, I have to hit the hay.  I am so tired I can hardly see straight.  I must talk about the lava tunnel dinner (AKA dining in a hole in the ground)- but I need to do that tomorrow.  I am seriously wiped out.  Good night, folks!  

Check out Our Photo Album.

Public Service Announcement

I am currently a walking, talking public service announcement to remind others about the importance of  sunscreen.  Look at my legs, and you’ll remember to grab your own tube of Coppertone.  Okay, okay- usually, I have to put on sunscreen to look out a window, but somehow, yesterday, I was very diligent about my arms, neck and upper body in general, forgetting just before our nature walk that I have legs, as well.  Ah!  The legs can get burned just as easily as the arms.  This concludes my public service announcement.  Wear sunscreen.

But to the rest of the story- we took a van to the water, hopped on a dinghy and rode out to the Santa Fe.  It’s a small yacht- in case I didn’t sound fancy enough.  We spent a few hours moving from one island to another (The Galápagos Islands are many- it’s a whole archipelago- and on the way, I suspect a good quarter of the folks in our group had some level of seasickness.  I know how to solve that for myself- just be in the open air and look to the horizon.  You’re all set.  Sadly, this doesn’t work for everyone, and the waters were pretty choppy.  Alas, we got to another island via the same dinghy (we dragged it behind us- that would have been a super-choppy ride) and walked around to discover sea lions, iguanas, crabs, birds and other critters.  It was very nice, and that sun was for real.  That’s when the sunburn really took form.  

After the nature walk, we had a chance to snorkel out in the ocean.  I felt like a dork with my floaty, but given my lack of strength as a swimmer, it was the right move.  I was never the swimmer.  You’re thinking of my older brother, Jeff.  I was the gymnast- a fat lot of good that did me with my snorkel…

But this time, I did okay.  The initial entry into the water was a little jarring and scary, and I did have a rather unique visual problem.  I have the beginnings of cataracts, so sometimes, I see little floaters inside my eyeballs.  I also used the recommended shampoo to keep the mask from fogging, and there were little floaters in the water in front of me.  My problem was determining which things I was seeing- in my eyes, my mask or the water.  Funny problem, if you ask me.  

But for now, we have to hit the road.  Another day on the Santa Fe awaits us.  On to the Blue-Footed Booby! 

 Check out Our Photo Album.