Friends, Equa Fam and Protests

 Day two has been wonderful even if the country is now being paralysed by protests.  In the morning we went to see, Juan, Luis's best friend, and his new wife, Joni, before they flew back to Miami.  She is lovely and it was great to see Juan.  And what a small world, she told me her best friend from College saw a comment I made on her wedding announcement and said 'how in the world do you know my favourite teacher?'! I knew exactly who she meant before she said another word, Melissa June from Basel, also one of my favourites.  I was slightly horrified that she was asking me about my former student but there we go!

We then went to lunch at Andrew and Belen's, two of the original Ecuador family who also came to our wedding.  They have two little girls, Mia who is 5, and Lily who is 3.  Sebastian had the best time, in fact we all did.  It was so lovely to catch up with them.

We then got the phone call to start making our way home.  The protestors had entered Quito, things were closing and everyone preparing for what could turn out to be the overthrowing of the current government.  Fun times.

Off to Quito

 We arrived in Quito on Saturday night, the first night of a new curfew placed on the city.  Not for Covid but instead to curb protests that are happening all over the country.  It means our time here will change slightly but it has still been great to see most of the family (half down with Covid!).  No protesting is going to stop us from having quality time with the family.

Our first full day fell on Father's Day.  We celebrated all the great fathers here and not with us anymore.  A day full of food and fun.  Sebastian is so excited and happy to be here.

Good Bye Bahamas Family

 You never know what you have until it is gone is so true.  But these last few weeks I began seeing how amazing we had it.  Yep, it is super expensive and the vegan food is well nonexistent BUT the friends we have made are amazing.   Through the toughness of Covid, online teaching, and watching an island pull together to rebuild after hurricanes we have made lifelong friends.  I just cannot believe it all went by so fast.  The night before we flew to Quito, we spent with our Bahamian family in the spot where many of our friendships started.

A lovely evening.  A sad evening.

The Andersen's

 One day in October we wanted something to eat, After a long week at work we fancied a treat,

We thought it would be a quiet lunch at banana bay,

We had no idea our lives would change this day,

That after we had some food and a bit of play                    

We would meet Ewan, Emmi, Pete, and Nae Nae,

We knew within minutes we had made quite a find,

This family was certainly one of a kind,

I quickly invited them to our Friday night pub,

For our weekly drinks, dancing and grub,

They accepted without missing a beat,

That Friday they came with their dancing feet,

From that night they became our family here,

We bonded over much but mostly wine and beer,

Chez Nae Nae soon became our favourite place to eat,

Her salads, desserts, vegan Meixcan are a treat

We have loved Diamonds Days and dinners at Shoreline,

The friendship that we have created is one of a kind

I cannot even count the days of fun,

And know that this story is far from done,

For now, we say a heartfelt goodbye,

But I know it is no time to cry,

We will miss our days together in the warm sand,

But know we will see you soon in sunny Thailand!

Our Bahamian Family.

Last Night Sand Bar

We will miss our local bar, a five minute walk down our beach.  At a different time in my life I am sure we would have been a lot more over the past two years.  Like every day possibly!

Not goodbye yet for the families.. but the tears have started already. It will be a hard one. 

Week of Goodbyes... Shea

 Tuesday was Shea's last night here.  I have loved this gal since the minute I met her.  Bubbly, positive and just makes you feel happy.  She is off to the UK for a few months and then she is unsure but I am sure we will see her in Asia soon.

Card and poem made by me :)

It will be a long week of goodbyes!

Blue Hole Day

 It is now all about checking boxes and making sure we have a proper moment with everyone.  Sunday we went to brunch to The Stoned Crab to say goodbye to all there and finally have their signature drink, The Blue Hole.

If you read this often, you have probably realised that this is no place for vegetarians/vegans.  If you wanted to have a vacation all about eating fish, then this is your place.  But I have struggled here.  This is one of my favourite places, as they always have something for us that is not just french fries.  Sebastian loves his veggie plate here.

There it is the sharing blue hole drink, possibly not 'Covid' friendly but it had to be done!