We're going to take a break from describing events of the summer and flash forward to more recent events. Sheilah turned 46 today and we celebrated with a very cool hike in Cajas. The trailheads in this incredible national park are about a half hour drive from our house. Our hike today was at about 13,000 feet and took us through the moorish highlands for which Cajas is so renowned. The pictures I've posted also feature a primary forest of Polylepsis trees that is truly magical. These are among the highest growing species of tree in the world. This tree is also known as Arbol de Papel because of its papery bark. Cajas Parque has approximately 235 lakes and you can't hike very far without seeing a few of them. As you can see from the way we were dressed it was a little too cold to swim but we stayed warm as long as we kept moving. Sheilah was very happy with the day and tonight we will eat at our favorite parillada and come home for some cake we purchased at Cuenca's only German bakery. We're feeling pretty good.
The kids start school on Monday. The most they will admit to is that school is more interesting than hanging around the house all day. We think that this will be a much smoother beginning than the one they had last March. Liam said it took him a week before he realized just how much work his Spanish really needed. One thing we all agree on about going to school in Ecuador: it is the only way Liam and Ailish will really learn Spanish.
Sheilah and I have been handing out resumes at almost all the English language schools in Cuenca the last week or so. We were excited to get a couple of offers yesterday. The school where we will begin on Monday is a nice walk or bike ride from our house (this is key as it looks increasingly like we won't be getting a car while we are living here) and in a leafy neighborhood near the University. We don't know too many details yet but it's exciting to (almost) have responsibility again. It could also be a little bit of a shock to our system. The "jubilado" (Spanish for retired - note the root is the same as jubilation) life style is awfully nice.
Mark
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