On Floreana Island we took a hike at Punta Cormorant where we saw flamingos, shore birds, Sally Lightfoot crabs and a turtle nesting beach (actually witnessed a couple mating in the water) before an afternoon snorkel at Champion Islet – some of the sea lions joined us in the water - so cool!

The Otavalo Market was one of my favorite destinations in Ecuador. Otavalo is in the Imbabura Province of Ecuador. The town has about 90,000 inhabitants, mostly indigenous. They speak Kichwa instead of Spanish. The market on Saturdays is amazing with everything from live animals, to fruit, flowers, grain, lentils, garage sale type items, and colorful handmade items.

The restored colonial architecture in Quito's Centro Histórico (Old Town Quito) is amazing. I was fortunate to be able to visit both at night and during the day. Incredible to see the details during the day and magical at night. There are many stories and legends behind Quito's churches which make them that much more interesting and unique.

After a three day snow delay in St. Louis, I arrived in Quito, Ecuador to be greeted at the airport by my warm and friendly Spanish teacher, Mariana. I was welcomed into her home along with a young man from England and a retired couple from Colorado. Living with Mariana, her husband Frank, and children Jon Pierre and Marie Jose was a wonderful experience.

Their home is in the Los Chillos Valley with a beautiful view of Quito and the mountains. I felt a little like a kid at camp as I settled into my bed and slept soundly to the sounds of clicking frogs, barking dogs, and roosters (who seem to think 4 am is a good time to rise).

“The presence of dignity doesn’t mean poverty is absent.”

This sentence truly hits me in the heart of what I witnessed last week on my trip with the Compassion International Sponsorship Tour to Nicaragua. My first impressions were more distant – seeing the homes and destitute situations from our air-conditioned bus; attending worship services at Be Tania Baptist Church in Ciudad Sandino; even the visit to the project in Hilario Sanchez where the children greeted us with smiles, laughter, and a beautiful program of music and dance. None of this prepared me for the heartbreak I felt after walking down a dirt road to visit a rural family home.

After a brief conversation with Carlos at the counter I learn there is not another flight to Richmond today, but he could get me to Norfolk. If I am willing to do this he can give me a round trip ticket anywhere AirTran or Southwest flies in the next year. Norfolk is not that much further from Fort Lee – sounds like a good deal for me! Plus, I feel so good when the father who had forgotten to check in for the flight  thanks me as he stands holding his little girls hand wandering if they are going to make this flight. I can hang out at the airport much easier than they would be able to.