More Ecuador Pictures

Well first a little E & G shot ... though Estelle doesn't look all that thrilled. In addition to my digital camera I had a couple with real film along for the trip. I finally got those photos developed - despite the fact that I actually bought prints, I think I prefer the quality of the digital pics. Oh well, I did get a nice variety!

It seems everywhere we went, futbol was prevalent. We were waiting for Joe in the airport and started hearing cheers, whistles, and hissing. This is the Americas team from Mexico that were coming to Quito to play Liga. (Must stand with both fists raised and shout "LIGA LIGA LIGA").
On Thursday evening in the Hotel Quito, the Ecuador team was there. I got this player on film - there seemed to be lots of press and photographers trying to capture his image or a quote. Can you identify him? I certainly can't.
a grainy picture of their team bus outside the Hotel Quito ... And the stadium where Ecuador plays (at least I'm pretty sure this is the Ecuador stadium, there are at least 4 "major league" teams in Quito).

These unusual flowers from the trip to Papallacta - supposedly poisonous and used for nefarious purposes. I didn't sniff to check them out further. The river in Papallacta (boy was it ever COLD!) El vaca ... a cow ... giving me the "so what if I do?!" look from the mountainside.

This view of the Presidential Palace from the main square in the historic district. I'm still in awe of how close people were allowed to walk, despite the level of security - guards with machine guns casually standing on the street corners.


I love how these 2 pictures go together ... we toured Hospital Vozandes Quito and Joe paused for a grin at the Rabies clinic (can you see the small print on the sign to the left of his head?). Michelle's bunny Boo is very smart and does NOT have rabies...

And finally the roses. This was one of probably 10 bouquets in this particular hotel lobby. There were at least 11 more this size and quality there, and in the other hotel lobby we visited. I should have grabbed some at the airport to carry home, they were really spectacular.

Ecuador

The journey to Ecuador (May 31 to June 7) was for the purpose of presenting information on the treatment of swallowing disorders. We had 2 days of conference in Hospital Vozandes Quito with some terrific people helping to translate and facilitate.
Here's Patty and Michelle and I on Monday evening before we left for the Panecillo to have dinner at Pim's. This statue is at the highest elevation in Quito, overlooking the city. She is a representation of the Virgin Mary.

Here is a view to the north of Quito from the Panecillo, and you can see the lights of the Basillica. On Wednesday we travelled through the Andes mountains to a community about 1.5 hours east called Papallacta. We had a history lesson from our guide / driver Julio and had the opportunity to photograph the beautiful scenery. We hiked for a little bit along the River Papallacta (they have a hydroelectric plant in the community) and enjoyed the pastoral landscape with cows and horses grazing on the mountainsides.



OK I'm being brave showing these pictures - but the experience in the hot springs was very relaxing ... the dip in the FREEZING river was painful!

Joe had a "grande" beer after we got out of the hot pools ... we ate and ate and ate this week!
Patty, Michelle, and Karla were such great hostesses and really have a great vision for developing an effective dysphagia program in their country.
Thursday afternoon we had the opportunity to tour the Centro Historico after Joe presented at the Panamerican ENT Congress in the morning. We went into some very ornate baroque churches and again took lots of pictures of the people and places.
This pesky rooster crowed each morning around 4 AM in the yard next door to the guest house.



This is one of the guards at the Presidential Palace ... amazing how close we were allowed to get!






On Thursday night we were entertained by SEFAL before our Friday presentations to about 150 SLPs. Joe learned how to dance, sort of!



I'll post more pictures and tell more stories as I get them developed. I have to say I learned more than I taught and look forward to returning.