I'll Miss You, Dad

Missing out on life events at home, is a hard part of the Peace Corps Experience....

Frank Edward Wandell

May 17, 1928 - April 19, 2018

My dad passed away yesterday. He recently suffered a head injury and a series of strokes, and he was ready to go. I wasn’t there to hold his hand, kiss his cheek or smell his old-spice after shave. But in his last minutes, I talked to him over the phone. I like to think that he heard me.  

I told him that I appreciated all of his support over the years. He wasn’t crazy about my college major, my choice of jobs through my 20’s, or my independent, ideal, liberal ideas. But he listened and tried to support with some sage advice. That was his job. He was being a dad. As a lifelong mechanic, he could fix anything. From him, I learned how to work hard for what you want, solve problems, always be practical, and understand how an amortization table can really increase the value of a loan. He proved that to me when I bought my first car from him.  

Although Dad wasn’t the kind of guy to play on the floor with his children, I told him that his greatest gift to me was his time during our family vacations. We spent hours together on our boat, in our big Cadillac, or in our motorhome. I used to sit up on the front seat of the Winnebago, as his co-pilot, in charge of the route. I’d get us to Yellowstone or the Gulf Coast, navigating the maps and campground guides along the way. At night, we’d sit around the campfire, watching the stars above. From my dad, I gained a lot of confidence, a sense of responsibility, a love for the outdoors, boats, and travel, and many special memories along the way.

I thanked him for being a good role-model. My dad was the compassionate and sensitive one of the family. He lived his life as a good citizen of the community, joining many civic organizations and making life better for others. He taught me how to get involved, put myself out there and get things done. My dad loved being social, it was a great platform to show off his incredible wit and comic one-liners. I’m not as funny as my dad, but I’ve dedicated my life to the betterment of my world. I'm a lot like my Dad.

In the few minutes that I talked to him, I told him all of this and more. I told him that it was OK for him to just let go. To go in peace. To know that his legacy will carry on in all of us. I told him I loved him. I asked him to say "Hi" to Mom for me.  

In the time that it took my sister to carry the phone out of the room and hang it up, my dad passed away. I was the last person to talk to him. Even though I’m here, I’m so lucky I got to be there.

I’m going to miss you, Dad. 

My First Birthday in Ecuador

Didn't you know? April 17th is the Best Day of The Year! 

It's my Birthday!

Thanks to Kendall for making Cheese, Mushroom and Chard Enchiladas

Everyone helped prepare the enchiladas, salads, homemade salsas and churros for dessert:
Alex and Kendall (Texas), Elias (Washington), Rachel (California), and Regina (North Carolina)

Thanks to all the Imbabura-area Peace Corps Volunteers
who helped make my birthday very special.

And thanks to Lucy, my host parent, who made me a beautiful cake:
Chocolate with blackberry filling, and vanilla chantilly frosting.
We topped it with almond ice cream.  Yummy!

A Hike Around Lago Cuicocha

This weekend, my site mates and I met up for a famous hike in the Imbabura Region.  This is Lago Cuicocha, a crater lake at the base of Volcan Cotacachi. The lake sits at 10,650 feet and we hiked the 8+ mile rim of this caldera.  

The day started out beautifully warm and sunny, and we were ready with lots of sunscreen!  

This entire lake is protected in the Cotachachi- Cayapas Ecological Reserve,
and you can take a hike around it, or take a tour of this lake by boat. 

Cotachachi Peak, peaking through the clouds

This lake is sacred to the local Indiginenous people and this spot is used as an
offering site during the Sun Festival or Summer Solstice.  

We climbed higher and higher, from the visitor center at water level, to the rim.
Our view of all the farms in the fertile Otavalo Valley below. 

At the rim, we could see in all directions, and discern the islands of lava domes in the center of the lake.  A little Googling, and I found out that the lake is highly alkaline and supports very little life.

Kendall and Alex Ogle are from Texas and we are all teachers in Ibarra. 

From the rim, the beautiful Paramo stretched out around us. A little more Googling taught me that the páramo is the high tropical mountainous ecosystem above the continuous forest line, yet below the permanent snowline.  It exists in the northern Andes of South America and southern Central America.  The grasses, flowers and ferns were very similar to the Pacific Northwest, yet there were cactus and huge tropical plants as well. 

As thunder is sounding in the distance...
"That storm's really rolling in fast.  I think we're going to get wet!"

Wet and Cold. Check.  Today I learned that at 10,000 feet, the weather and temperature can change drastically and rapidly.  I had brought some of my 10 Essentials, but next time I will add a better rain coat, hat and gloves to my must have packing list. About 2 miles before we even finished, we came upon a nice man who was out touring for the day.  His car was on a side road nearby.  He took one look at us and offered us a ride off the mountain and back to shelter.  We immediately agreed that we could finish the hike another day.
Back in town, we found an awesome place for Gluten Free Pizza and a glass of wine to warm up.  All in all, not such a bad first outing into the wilds of Imbabura! 

I'm a Peace Corps Volunteer

It's official, after 11 weeks of training, and 28 years of dreaming about this moment, I promised to serve my country 

in the spirit of peace and service to all.  

On April 3, 2018, I swore-in as a 

United States Peace Corps Volunteer!

Michael Donald, our Country Director, giving a speech

Martha Aquirre from our Omnibus, speaking for our group

Taking the Pledge

We pledged our service to the United States and the people of Ecuador in both English and Spanish.  What an honor!

               
Thank you to President Kennedy for starting this amazing program.

With my old friend, and Ecuador Country Director, Michael Donald

With the US Ambassador Todd Chapman, and my host Mother, Amparo Alvarez

Graduating Members of Peace Corps Ecuador Omnibus 119
(That's the 119th Peace Corps Group serving Ecuador)
After graduation, we packed our bags and headed off around the country ready to begin our service.  I'm going to miss seeing many of my new friends everyday, but will love hearing about their adventures over the next two years.

My New Ecuador Home

After 11 weeks of training, interviews, and a big flowery ta-doo, the Peace Corps staff finally announced our new assigned sites.  I was hoping for the green hillsides of the Sierra highlands and I got my wish.  I am moving to the city of Ibarra in the northern Ecuadorian province of Imbabura. 

Alex (Texas), Elias (Seattle), Kendall (Texas), Rachel (California) and I are all going to be neighbors and English teachers for various communities of the Imbabura Province. I'm lucky to share this site with some of my favorite fellow volunteers!

Ibarra is a colonial city (population 140,000) with a lot of spanish influence.  I'm going to enjoy the relaxed feel of its tree lined plazas, Colonial architecture and European style cafes.  It's only about two hours north of Quito, but because its elevation is only at 7,300 feet high, it will be a little
warmer throughout the year.  Bonus:  It's latitude is still considered 0 degrees, so I'll officially be living at the Equator during my two years of Peace Corps service. 

This is Lucy!  A single mom and my Cooperating English Teacher at the high school where I'll be working.  She has agreed to host me in her home for at least my first six months.  Lucy is from a big family here in Ibarra, loves to be active and is patient with my Spanish.  I think we're going to get along fabulously!

This is Lucy's home, high up on the hills on the outskirts of Ibarra. 

This will be my view of the city of Ibarra, the valley and Lucy's neighborhood.

Volcan Imbabura looms in the distance out my bedroom window.
I'm going to climb this mountain before my service is complete! 

Stay tuned for more pictures of Ibarra. 
I am permanently moving there after our graduation and Swear-In to Peace Corps service tomorrow!

Host Family Appreciation Day

     As our time is Peace Corps training comes to an end, the Ecuadorian Peace Corps staff have come up with so many creative ways to help us integrate into their culture. To say thank you to our families who have hosted us these 11 weeks, we created an Appreciation Day.  Many of my fellow trainees are very talented and they sang, played guitar, and acted in cultural plays.  I participated in a traditional dance with Hannah (from New Hampshire), Kendall and Alex (from Texas), and Melissa (from Florida). It took us many hours to practice for the day, but our families seemed to enjoy the nod to their traditions.

This week, I'm moving from my host family's home.  
Thank you to Amparo and Camilita for taking care of me. 

And thank you to Jenny and Donna for helping me to laugh through it all. 
You've been great host cousins. 






Finally, thanks to Horacio and Lily for greeting me at the door every day, and helping me to feel welcome, too!

La Samana Santa- Ecuadorian Style!

Since Ecuador is primarily a country of Catholics, La Semana Santa (Easter), and the 40 days of Lent leading up to it, are a big deal. In the United States, Easter Sunday is the important holiday.  Here, Good Friday is the day of remembrance, memorialized with long church services, re-enactments of Jesus' walk to the cross, the crucifixion, and the laying of Jesus to rest. 

Quito, is known for its Easter reverence, and I joined my friends and family to experience this cultural tradition in the streets. 

The most famous of all traditions is the Procession for Jesus del Gran Poder.  Men and women chosen by the church take part in a Good Friday procession to commemorate his walk to the cross, and the his suffering for our sins. 

Thousands of men and women chosen by their church join the procession as Cucuruchos. They wear their veil of penence and many walked barefoot, dragging chains, in order to gain redemption.  

Some were burdened with heavy wooden crosses, others had whips or nettles to self-flagellate, while others carried instruments playing the same death march music over and over again.

Some floats of flowers, honoring the Virgin Mary, or Jesus himself, were carried as well. 

After awhile of standing in the crowds, we decided to climb the Basilica to view the procession from above. 

The sea of purple penitents along the parade route of Quito.

At the end of the parade, thousands more poured into the streets to walk the route of Jesus.  Rain began, umbrellas came up, and the sea of moving colors captivated me from above.

It took almost 6 hours for these thousands of people to walk almost 5 km under the weight of their burdens.  I almost felt guilty sipping tea from the cafe above. Almost.

Upon returning home from Quito that evening, I rounded the corner of the main square in my town of Tumbaco, only to find the packed church getting ready for their evening mass.  I wish I would have taken a photograph of the altar, it was completely enshrined in the most beautiful wall of greenery and palm fronds.  A wooden Jesus statue was tied to the cross among the fronds.  Curiosity got the best of me, and I found a family friend to sit with, who could interpret the service.  Before long, as the story of the crucifixion was being narrated, men dressed in robes climbed up the scaffolding and very methodically, and symbolically, removed the statue from the cross.  When it was lowered, they placed it into a lit casket and started a procession out into the streets.  A huge puppet-like statue of the Virgin Mary was carried into the procession, as well as other characters in the historical story. 

All of a sudden, I was apart of a beautiful candle-lit procession through the streets of Tumbaco. 

The body of Jesus being carried through the streets with another thousand people joining the procession through the night.

After winding through the streets for probably 45 minutes, we returned to the church to find ALL the greenery gone, and the stark whiteness of light in its place.  By Saturday, the altar had been altered again into a display of beautiful white roses, with more processions in the streets throughout the weekend.

I feel so lucky to have witnessed all the beauty surrounding this important religious holiday.