One of our homes in the jungle

The view from our bedroom window

The open window back there goes into the kitchen.  

Behind (separate building) is the restroom.

Can you spot Pepe the parrot?

Zoomed in

Living room furniture

Just looking at his hat makes me sweat!

Kitchen

Restroom / Laundry facilities

Chontacuro

Here's what Wikipedia says about this Ecuadorian Amazon delicacy:

The name chontacuro comes from Quichua and means "worm of the chonta or mayón."  This dish is part of the daily diet of the indigenous Amazon people and can be eaten raw or cooked.  Chontacuro has curative properties in alleviating coughs and asthma.  In addition, it contains vitamins A and C.

The chontacuro is an insect that is harvested from the Chonta Palm, where the worm grows in the trunk, in white larvae that can measure between 5 and 6 centimeters in length and 2 centimeters in diameter.  A certain kind of beetle lays its eggs in the trunk of the plant, and 10 weeks later the eggs are transformed into the larvae, which are then harvested for consumption.

Yum yum yum!!!

I had three.

It took quite a while to convince Eli to try one.  

While I probably wouldn't order them off a menu, they're actually not too bad!

Naptime on the floor

Naptime in the hammock

A new baby

Andrew Emmanuel was born on January 13 and immediately found his way into the hearts of all.

The whole family

Karen and her kitty

That's one tolerant cat, let me tell you!!!

Happy Birthday, Sra. Emma

To celebrate this sweet lady's birthday, we enjoyed a frozen yogurt treat after our afternoon Bible study.

But at least we travel...

FIRTS CLASS!!!

Quito to Lago Agrio

So, while this is probably my least favorite bus trip in all the world due to the effect it has on my stomach, the scenery along the route is beautiful.  I spent about 15 minutes trying to take pictures out the bus window on Jan. 3 as I traveled back to my field before deciding that the photographic efforts were not helping me cope with motion.  So, I'm not sure you'll ever be able to enjoy the beauty of this part of the world unless you come and visit me, but maybe this will give you a tiny idea.

Lots of trees...lots of water...lots of roadwork

Take the curves in this sign and multiply them by a few thousand, and you'll have the numerous reasons my stomach is less than thrilled about this trip!

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know it's the month of February, but I haven't had much opportunity for blogging in over a month.  So we're playing catch up again.  

After Karmen left, I had a few days in Quito before returning to my field.  On Jan. 1, there were four of us workers in town for lunch with the Túquerres family followed by the Wednesday afternoon Bible study.  

Lots of variety in the meat selection - pork, beef, lamb and guinea pig.