This is a picture of Advent St. Nicholas Church. I like this church because I meet new people and we worship God together. They have church services in English, Spanish and German.

This is the season when we prepare for Christmas.  I enjoyed it when you explained Thanksgiving to me. Can you explain why we celebrate Christmas?

There are many parks in Quito. This one is named Parque La Carolina.

It is very large and has a dog park and horseback riding for children.

I had fun on this beautiful Sunday afternoon riding my bike and watching all the people having fun, playing futbol and volleyball.

There was also lots of food and music.

Lux and Beans would love it here in Quito.

Jude, can you draw me a picture like this? When you paint a large picture on a wall it is called a mural.
Draw me a picture that would look good as a giant mural, por favor?

This where I teach classes in English. It is so important to learn new languages. I am studying Spanish and it is so interesting. Your mom studies French because she loves Montreal, Canada and that is their language.

I am glad you like your school.  I like it too. When you look at the world map on the wall in your cafeteria see if you can find where I am. It is near the word “amistad”  which means “friendship” :)

Do you know what  “Gracias a Dios para Jude” means? Te quiero! Te amo mi nieto

It

Do you know the story in the Bible about Noah’s Ark? God told Noah to build an ark (a huge boat) to save all of the animals from a great flood. When the flood was over God sent a rainbow as a  promise that he would take care of Noah and the animals.

Do you see the rainbow in this picture?

It rains here almost everyday. In the morning it may be sunny and warm. In the afternoon it will cloud up and rain. It is not too hot or too cold here. I think the temperature is just right.
The rain helps make all the pretty flowers grow and bloom.

I always carry an umbrella, even when the sun is shining bright.

This is the view from my back window. I am blessed.

My selfie was photo bombed by a giant man eating insect! Do you ever get the feeling that someone or something is following you?

Did you know Panama Hats come from Ecuador? I wonder why they are not called Ecuador hats? I haven’t bought one yet. Laura looks good with a hat. Do you want one Jude?

Cave : como se dice "claustraphobia"

This the opening to a cave. I came out the other end about 10 meters later.

Llama llovin on the “active" Pinchincha
Volcano. The view of Quito in the valley
is breathtaking. Local merchants make money
from tourists with their llamas. Fifty cents for a picture. I don’t know who was more nervous me or him (or her I didn’t look)

Otavala, Ecuador.

I usually don’t like shopping
but this market was fun.
There were lots of colors, art, food
and friendly local native people.
I went with two Spanish teachers
and two other students. We practiced
Spanish during the two hour car ride
from Quito. I understand many words
but it is difficult for me to make sentences.
Therefore I listen more and speak less
which is a very good habit.

This lovely local woman sold me a nice
alpaca pancho, scarf and woven mat
for 40 dollars. One very good thing about
Ecuador for me is that they use U.S. money.
I didn’t have to learn a new money system
while I was here. My focus has been on
learning the numbers in Spanish so I know
how much change I should get back.
She was so nice to let me take her
picture and she took mine. We laughed.

Worst part of culture shock

OUCH!

The hardest part of living in another country is missing the ones you love. Even those who bite you!

Graffiti

JUDE el Artista

On the street down to Guapulo

Jude there is a lot of graffiti here. Some of it is not so good but some of it is excellent!  It reminds of when we went to the Graffiti Park at Castle Hills in Austin.

Centro Historico

Quito, Ecuador

It really looks like this

So this is a picture of a painting I saw in a restaurant in Centro Historico (Historic Center) Quito, Ecuador. The statue at the top of the painting is on El Panecillo, a 200 meter high hill of volcanic rock, 3016 meters above sea level. The statue of the "Virgin de Quito" is made of 7000 pieces of aluminum. It is said that the Incas once worshiped the sun on the same hill. I plan to make the trek up the hill soon. My photographs do not do justice to the charm and beauty found here but it is irresistible to take them.

Playa Same Ecuador

Warm Pacific Ocean beach with good waves 

There are many holidays to celebrate here. We arrived at Playa Same on a Sunday of Independence Day weekend (diez de octubre). There were lots of families here swimming and having fun. The next day everyone was gone and we had the beach to ourselves. This is a picture from "Restaurant Tarazas". Pepo the proprietor was very gracious and the food was excellent. In the middle of the picture is a young man at a booth mixing delicious drinks of all kinds. He is very entertaining and affable.

Bus Ride to Banos Ecuador from Quito

notice what side of the road he is on

This was on the way south from Quito to Banos.What made this even more exciting is that much of the ride is along mountainous passes where you can see down into the valley. Traveling by bus is extremely inexpensive. I believe this trip cost less than $4.00. By the way they use U.S. currency in Ecuador so their is no conversion. Just brush up on your Spanish numbers and you will be fine.  There is a rhythm to driving down here much like the music. It is aggressive and straight ahead. You cannot hesitate and the horns are used less for anger and more to let people know you are coming, ready or not. You can ride anywhere in the city on a bus for a quarter. I talk about the taxis later.

On my way to Pailon del Diablo near Banos Ecuador

I wasn't scared

This was part of the excitement of getting to the falls. Honestly I felt safe and the view of the gorge was breathtaking from this angle. The bridge swayed a little bit which added to the fun.

Under Pailon del Diablo with mi novia Laura

Con mi novia Laura

Cold, wet, excited, happy….

Pailon del Diablo (The Devil's Cauldron)

I took this with my iPhone. The picture does not do it justice and there are no words to describe it.

Hola Jude

This is your "Popop" writing to you on a 

"blog" from the city named Quito in the country of Ecuador. 

 I have decided to write to you because I 

miss you very much.

In this blog I will tell you what is going on with me here in

South America. You can send messages to me on my e-mail 

coopermj1984@gmail.com. I will post your messages on the 

blog if you want.

This morning I wanted to post some pictures I have taken here since I last saw you on your mother's birthday October 3rd, 2015. You and I had fun the day before riding our bikes all the way around White Rock Lake. It was kind of scary and it was a long way (about ten miles) but we did it! 

We rode to the Krispy Kreme the next morning. I ate too many donuts. That afternoon you and Mommy and Brian took me to the airport and I flew here to Quito, Ecuador. It is a long way here. I flew through the air for ten hours.You can look at the pictures I have taken since I got here. In my next blog I will tell you more about the places I have been and what I am doing here. I love you and miss you. 

Popop