June 22, 2008

I believe this day Jennifer is in the midst of the Ironman, running the race that tests the mind, body, and spirit. I pray that she completes it as I did a year ago and finds the wonder of the strength with in. Oh that I could run God’s race with the effort and sweat I put into training for that day!

Today Quito dawns overcast and grey after having rained the night through. My high school friend, Lilli, has come for two weeks to explore Ecuador. Lilli and I took Mr. Creighton’s Spanish class way back when. I don’t remember much from the class except that Señor Creighton made enchiladas from chicken feet and played “Señora de Tal” from the record player. I do remember that it was my first taste of cultures unknown and a look into the lives of others so different from my own.

Now Lilli and I embark to explore a bit more of the Ecuadorian culture, for a time seeing what they see and tasting the produce of their land. Yesterday was spent in Otovalo, Ecuador’s most famous market. We haggled with the best of them and came home loaded with leather bags, sparkly purses, silver jewelry, blankets, tapestries, linens, and even peanuts.
The goods for sale were only part of the fun. The Otovalanian women in their black skirts, embroidered white blouses, and gold beads were walking displays of art themselves. The market banter, wide-eyed babies nestled in their blankets, and workers trundeling past laden with textiles and vegetables were a vision as well.