Pequeño paraíso – a lo que ahora llamo ‘hogar’

(dated May 10, 2009)

He llegado a mi nuevo país hace un poco más de 1 mes. Todavía estoy adaptándome – el clima, la comida, la cultura, y la vida. Según mi suegro, se lleva menos de 90 días para producir glóbulos rojos suficientes para acostumbrarse a la altitud de 2800m (Quito/Otavalo). Es por eso que yo siempre tengo sueno. Sobre todo, me encanta el paisaje de aquí – las montañas, las playas, las plantaciones (cualquier cosa se puede cultivar aquí), como dijo mi papi, este país al que ahora llamo ‘hogar’ es un ‘pequeño paraíso’.

mapa

(dated March 28, 2009)

It’s my tradition to take a photo of my World Map before I take it down. So here it is, my world map from CasaYu. Now it is going to be put in the container, will be another 6 weeks until it is hanged again, in Casa Sharando ☺

My last 48 hours in the Middle Kingdom

(dated March 27, 2009)

I spent my last 48 hours in the Middle Kingdom (Zhongguo) in the capital. Paid a visit to the infamous Bird Nest. It is surely impressive. Went to Tiantan (temple of heaven), my favorite historical site in Beijing. Just nice walking around on a cold yet sunny day – watching the elderly playing chess, practicing Taichi, and ball-room dancing at the park. Also treated myself with a massage + facial – totally energized and ready for my long journey. Zhaijian Zhongguo! Hola Ecuador!

Packing my life away! Again!

(dated March 21, 2009)

Found myself sitting on the floor and bobbing my eyes out ‘why do I have soo much shit?’ ‘ I don’t want to pack anymore’ ‘ this sucks! I don’t ever want to move again’. The sudden notice from the removal company about the requirement of a notarized packing list (by Ecuadorian embassy) didn’t help either, meaning I had to pack everything in a day and a half and then wait until my passport to be returned from the port authority (on Wednesday) and then leave for Beijing on Thursday to submit the documents and have them return to me on Friday, return to Shanghai on Friday night and leave China for good on Saturday morning. CRAZY!!