Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Panama!

Spent 5 days in Panama last week for a teacher's conference. http://www.tri-association.org/newsletter/highlights.htm
It was great to catch up with Sinead, who left Quito for Panama last year...went for some great runs and did a few jungle hikes on the weekend. Also caught up with former collegues from Bogota.
This photo of Sinead is taken in the pouring rain....yet no need for rain gear!
Sinead's Grade 1 class at the Metropolitan school, right across from the Miraflores locks on the canal. An i-pad for every student! and a Smartboard in everyclass. http://www.themetropolitanschool.com/index.php
Panama city has changed alot since I biked there from Guatemala city 12 years ago. It has quite an impressive skyline. Apparently there are no major earthquakes and no hurricanes, so these skinny little towers shouldn't fall over. But what really impressed me about Panama city? You can put your toilet paper in the toilet! (But unfortunately it gets flushed straight into the bay!....sewage treatment plants are in the works)
The Donald Trump tower....tallest buildingin Latin America...the curved building that is.
Great to come home to kids that are always so loving! :)

Monday, October 3, 2011

No TV? Then dance!

Bits and bobs 4

Well...Blogspot has made some changes....these pics should be in the opposite order. This is the playground at the residence of the US ambassador to Ecuador. Went there for a potluck lunch.
Papi Mon came for a visit!
Note the Photo of Darren and family on the wall behind. And the NHL toque.
87 years young! Boy is this guy strong. He took 3 taxis and 5 different buses to get here, as there was a strike half way.
Carla dances for papi Mon
...and with Papi Mon
Oh what great hugs! So happy to see each other.
Dad's 49th....not enuf wind to blow out the candles...so Carla took care of that problem.
Don Ivan and Tia Betty
The Buitrago clan from Bogota.
Prima Betty, Ramon and Dario
Mom wins another $200 for 1st masters runner and second woman overall.
They love sleeping in the living room!
Carla's hand me down, from a student in my class.
Daddy's little helpers. They volunteer now...not sure it will be the same another 7-8 years down the road...or less.
Carla loves oatmeal and brown sugar for breaky!
Asleep outside.
Out the back door.
These last 3 pics remind me of BC, esp when wet. Guess I don't need to go home then. That's Carla wandering around with her umbrella. Those are Cyprus trees I think.
View out the front window. Volcan Pichincha with snow.