I arrived on August the 7th 2012 to Cuenca and Ecuador. I would wonder around the streets taking tons of pictures of the buildings the sky and the amazing doors here. Very large ornate doors with these old world latches that I fell in love with. My love affair with Cuenca and Ecuador was on big time. The tears that I shed were wonderful tears detoxing me and cleansing me from my old life and renewing myself in this new life. It was a wonderful magical experience unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. I felt alive, this new awakening of life and feeling everything again, especially to feel alive again and not emotionally numb was enough to bring on the tears of joy and love.
The Ecuadorian people are so loving and accepting with warm smiles on their faces when smiling back at me was such a new experience. After living in the U.S. all my life and my experience with people there being so different this is a breath of fresh air. That first month passed quickly and was shear magic and it turned into September I knew that I was home to be sure. I was in my apartment one night and at 8pm there was a knock on my door. I thought to myself who could that be and as I opened my door there stood my apartment manager and he does not live in the building. Juan said there are some people down stairs and I do not know if you want to talk to them or if you are interested. I thought I wonder what this is about and I said sure not knowing what was coming. I went down stairs and there were two Ecuadorian women standing there and they said hello and introduced their selves to me. Well as it turned out they were from the school across the street from my apartment just a few doors down and were looking for a North American to volunteer at the school helping the students with English. I did not hesitate and said sure I would love to! I started the very next day and what a wonderful experience to have fall in my lap! I did not know then that it was one of many wonderful experiences to come my way. I do not have children of my own but here in this place in time I am blessed with many children. The children at school range in age from 1st grade to the oldest, I adore my children and love seeing them on the streets and having them come up and wrap me in their arms and caring on conversations that I really can not keep up with but it is just so natural and are hearts are one in the same so communication is not so important because there is love.
I will be attending graduation of the oldest children on July the 4th, I am like a proud parent of these children and they all hold a special place in my heart and always will.
