"tu cacapopopish!"

after three flights, two hours of waiting in customs, and three airplane meals, i am HERE!
the picture posted below is proof that i truly am in ecuador.
it's the friendliest billboard i've ever seen!

so here is my readers' digest version of my travels.

slc:
wait, wait, wait for two hours.
hop on plane.
eat sandwich.
head to....

houston:
arrive just in time.
sit down.
relax.
watch 17 again [highly recommended].
eat grossly delicious cheeseburger, salad, and two cookies.
watch race to witch mountain [dumbest movie ever].
look out the window at lights of quito.
practice spanish with a man on the plane.
arrive in...

quito:
wait in customs for almost two hours.
experience the crazy drivers of ecuador.
sleep sleep sleep.
wake up late.
drive to airport [again]
run to shuttle.
shuttle to plane.
sit down.
take off.
eat sandwich and DELICIOUS PEACH JUICE.
see cuenca from a birds eye view.
fall.
in.
love.

this is the view from my balcony.

seriously, though... i love it so much. i never want to leave.
it is HARD WORK. and there are some shifts that are so frustrating that i just don't know how to deal with it.
but loving those kids, receiving those slobbery kisses and abrazos, and knowing that they are safe and happy and loved is totally and completely worth it.

i'm hugging orphans for all y'all.
i'll post some pictures tomorrow [or probably friday] that i took of our visit to a shelter for women and girls on monday. so. fun.

chao!