Getting to Loja (Aug. 2012)

Big newsy catch up

When we cancelled our telephone at the end of Aug. we didn't get around to getting our contact information off the email programs we had been using for years. Oops! We would love to hear from you at cooksinecuador@gmail.com. We can then add you to our contact information.

There is a lot to tell from the time we left home. We were not quite ready for our renters when they came on the 20th. We were carrying things out the back door as they were carrying things in the front door. We were so happy to be done all the cleaning and packing. We stayed in Edmonton at Kyla and Sean’s the next two nights. We spent Tuesday getting ready, shopping for last minute things and repacking to distribute the weight evenly. In the end, we had space to take more but we would have had to pay for any additional weight as we were already over our limit for TAME in Ecuador. It was difficult saying goodbye to the kids in Edmonton as the evening got later.

We didn't go to bed until about 1:00 and then had to get up at 3:00 so Kyla could take us to the airport. The trip was rather uneventful up to Quito. Now we think Dave left his camera in one of the security checks along the way.  It has not turned up anywhere. We had a six hour wait in Houston, but it didn't seem that long. Since we had had so little sleep the last while (packing and cleaning and preparing to leave) we slept on every flight and bus ride. Neither of us could seem to stay awake. We had no trouble with immigration or customs in Quito except that the line was very long and it was late (although we did get into Quito about 11:00 pm,  20 min. early). The other teachers from the states had flown in the day before and they were waiting with a sign that said "COOK". We were very happy to see that sign since it meant that we would be taken care of the rest of the way to Loja. It was a short taxi ride to the guest house. It was about 1 a.m. by the time we saw our beds. The taxi came back for us at 6:30 the next morning to get the flight to Cuenca. We had our hundreds of dollars ready for the extra baggage fees. When she said 34.50 we thought we heard wrong. The Loja airport is closed for modernization so the last 200 kms are by bus. In Cuenca we had to get our luggage to put on the bus.... no problem. We've checked luggage many times. We got it put on but then there wasn't enough room on the bus for all of the passengers. There was a van behind the bus but that didn't have enough room either so we had to wait for a second van to arrive. In the meantime, the bus with our luggage, including the carry-on with Loretta's cameras and our wads of cash, had left. The van ride was a bit harrowing since our driver liked to take the curves at speeds much greater than the speed limit, and it was all sharp curves. We heard screeching tires (ours) many times. He also liked to take the inside lane on the left turns and pass on solid lines.  If you get a chance, check Google Earth for the PanAmerican Highway from Cuenca to Loja....high mountain passes with continually twisty turns. The trip usually takes just under 4 hours. We made it in about 3 1/2 hours but that included a 15 min. bathroom break, two police checks and two stops for construction. Luckily, we were too tired to stay awake for much of the trip. When we got to Loja the van driver took us to the airline office to get our luggage. At first it appeared as if no one was there but someone did come to the gate. He opened the door and there were all our bags.

We stayed at the Loja Mission Centre for the first six nights until we could get our apartment cleaned, organized our way, and get used to things around here a bit and until we could get cell phones. We had our own little apartment in the LMC. We have been well looked after since our arrival. The first day one of the missionary families brought us supper - spaghetti, homemade sauce, carrots, cucumber and a tomato. It was actually really nice to just be by ourselves instead of meeting more new people. We were really tired those first couple of days and enjoyed several naps. Since then we have been invited out by other missionaries and have received practical advice about living in Loja and had many offers to help with anything we might need help with.

Loretta and Dave