Riobamba, Ecuador

Riobamba is one of Ecuador's major cities with a population of 160,000 as of 2010. It is situated close to four different volcanos one of which, Chimbarazo is currently active. It is not uncommon to see plumes of ash coming from the volcano, to hear rumblings, and to wake up with ash covering the city. We have been informed that traditionally the volcano is active for thirty years and at which time it will blow its top in a major eruption. The plateau that Riobamba is situated on was formed by one of these eruptions.

I mentioned before that we have friends here, Jesse and Maria Allan. I worked with both Jesse and Maria for a time in Kelowna. Maria grew up in Riobamba and Jesse's parents have implemented and operated an orphanage in this city for some twenty years. Jesse was kind enough to pick us up from our bus, show us the city, help us find accommodation, and take us out for dinner on the day we arrived. Yesterday I worked out at Jesse's gym in the morning and we visited the orphanage in the afternoon. We plan on visiting the orphanage in the afternoons for the next couple days to help where we can.

Familiarity is a wonderful thing. Ashley and I have definitely missed friends, family, routine, and a home in the passed few weeks. Seeing familiar faces and chatting with friends has been a welcome respite from the traveling life-style. It is also wonderful to have conversations in english without having to try to define a word or play charades to communicate what is meant. As much as we are hoping to "help" at the orphanage we are receiving the greater benefit of familiar faces and a safe environment to enjoy.

This leg of the trip comes at a fortunate time for us as we are both feeling the effects of new bacteria introduced to our systems. We both feel quite fatigued and dehydrated with a lack of appetite. The latter was fully displayed yesterday when we ordered lunch at a restaurant. We both ate a few bites and realized we were full. We also didn't realize that we ordered a three course meal each as we usually share meals. Soup followed by a meatloaf with rice and noodles, finishing with a tamale. I powered through my meal leaving only some the rice on my plate which I ended up paying for later both fiscally and intestinally.

We are both feeling better today with less audible complaining from our innards. One positive is that I think we have achieved our weight loss goals which have been eluding us for the past couple years. Hurray.