This is Mitad del Mundo. It is called the "middle of the world” because it is located on the 0 degree latitude line that circles the earth. This line is called the EQUATOR. Do you think they named the country of Ecuador after the equator? Do you see the yellow line passing through my brain? It gave me such a headache. See if you can find Mitad del Mundo on a map. I live a few miles south of there in the ancient city of Quito.

The natives here were the first to grow corn and the first to make pottery in America. They were conquered by a great tribe called the INCAS. Soon after that the Incas were conquered by soldiers from Spain. That is why everyone here speaks Spanish.

We are in a valley in the mountains called the ANDES. Do you remember learning to ski in the Rocky Mountains? Our altitude is very high. That means we live near the clouds. Sometimes I climb an old volcano and then I am above the clouds. It is kind of like being in an airplane except you are standing on the ground. It makes my ears go pop. Is that why you call me Popop?

Below is a picture I took above the clouds in a country called Guatemala. It is in Central America. See if you can find Ecuador and Guatemala on a map.

Puesta del Sol, Playa de Canoa, Ecuador Pacific Ocean near O degrees latitude

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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

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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.