Ciao 79

It has been three days in one today. Last night we stayed in the city of Ibarra to check out a music festival (sort of) after visiting our host family in La Esperanza and then we went to Otavalo to do some Christmas shopping for the fam. I figure that we will give our family all their X-mas presents to them when we are home next week (oh my gaaaawd!!!! The wedding is in one week!!!!) The market was pretty cool. We got there early and avoided the insane crowds. We bought lots of cool stuff (I am sure I would have bought more if I had the time and dinero), then we headed to Quito to try to catch some college football games on t.v.... Unfortunately the only games on were the freaking Florida and Michigan games (UGH!!!)... and those were both blowouts on the badguys behalf... Interestingly, we ran into some Huskies who were also looking for the OSU-Washington game on t.v. There was some good natured ribbing going on... and some of us were talking smack. But the two couples ended up being really cool...especially since they picked up our tab---our tab being the many beers and bar grub of 8 hungry and thirsty Peace Corps Volunteers. As they walked out, they thanked us for our service and told us they picked up our tab. It was sooo awesome. So, here's a public shout out to our new Washington friends.

And here's an even bigger shoutout to my childhood friend/lil sis, Beth and her new son, Anthony who was born TODAY. Can't wait to meet you next week, lil' Anthony!!!