This past Sunday, Jared woke up bright and early for a run, as he was winding through the streets of Cuenca he began to notice people were wearing masks or scarves. The air did look cloudy, but nothing serious, until he decided to sit on the grass and stretch and began to notice a black dust covering his clothing. He quickly asked a passer by why he was wearing a mask and he responded "MUCHO BOOM QUITO". Jared realized it must be the TUNCURAHUA volcano near Banos, which we had actually booked to stay at the base that night and the following two days, but a hiccup in pay had cut our trip short.
The next couple days the ash was everywhere, Coco and I wore scarves each day and tried not inhaling too much ash. The city of Cuenca decided to "sweep" up the ash rather than use water to spray the streets because they were worried about it clogging the sewer system of the city, so you can imagine how much of it was being pushed into the air. We've since heard conflicting stories that Cuenca has only had ash like this once 60 years ago and someone else said its never experienced this before. Either way we of course felt honored to be participating in this amazing event, not.
Actually we felt very grateful that we were far from Banos and how close we had come to being there. Seems like Jared and I always have close calls when traveling places, like while in Morocco our favorite restaurant that we would go to each day, was bombed 1 month to the day of our being there by a suicide bomber. The hot air balloon ride we took over the Nile in Egypt, the same balloon burst into flames only a couple months after we took our ride and a plane we had flown on from Rio to Manaus Brazil crashed into the amazon jungle a week after our flight. Then of course there's the earthquake in Haiti, we had only been there one month prior to that tragic event. So this was the first time we were actually stopped prior to the adventure. So needless to say we are grateful for everyone's prayers on this journey.
ANNOUNCEMENT
So as many of you know we announced the future arrival of our new family member this coming fall. What's really amazing and not many people know this but we have been trying for over a year and have had no luck, but as soon as we step out in faith and move here it happens. :) We are absolutely excited and I would've never expected after so long to find out while on this amazing adventure. We are elated. Coco is over the moon with excitement which is why we felt we needed to let the news out so soon, as she tells "EVERYONE" that Momma has a baby in her tummy.
Today, she looked at my belly and said "see Momma you're belly is getting so big".... my reaction yikes.... I shouldn't be showing yet, lol!! :)
OUR NEW NEIGHBORS
We finally met our new neighbors and they were a nice couple from Colorado. They became instantly upset when the Internet was slightly spotty, which usually happens when you have too many people streaming. They were here for missions with the Jehovah's Witness, whom you would've thought would've made them aware of some of these conditions, especially in the old part of Cuenca.
We only really saw them for two days, because their first morning here we happened to all get up and use the showers (in our separate apartments) at the same time, which blew the power out. :( In order to get this fixed our landlords (who are amazing at getting whatever we need done promptly) had to call the power company and it wasn't fixed until 3:00 p.m. We had told them we would be happy to figure out a schedule so we wouldn't end up showering at the same time again, but between the spotty Internet (which really isn't spotty they just used it, ALOT), the power having gone out and the propane stove cooking, most of which they knew prior to leasing the flat, they moved out two days later.
Coco was soooo sad to see them go as they were super friendly and nice to her, but honestly we are pleased to have our peace and quite back... :) They were constantly complaining about stuff.
DADDY'S DAY WITH COCO
I had to do work, so Jared took Coco out for the day. They had an absolute blast exploring the city. He somehow found a staircase to the top of the cathedral and they enjoyed the views and ate their oreo cookies.
The next couple days the ash was everywhere, Coco and I wore scarves each day and tried not inhaling too much ash. The city of Cuenca decided to "sweep" up the ash rather than use water to spray the streets because they were worried about it clogging the sewer system of the city, so you can imagine how much of it was being pushed into the air. We've since heard conflicting stories that Cuenca has only had ash like this once 60 years ago and someone else said its never experienced this before. Either way we of course felt honored to be participating in this amazing event, not.
Actually we felt very grateful that we were far from Banos and how close we had come to being there. Seems like Jared and I always have close calls when traveling places, like while in Morocco our favorite restaurant that we would go to each day, was bombed 1 month to the day of our being there by a suicide bomber. The hot air balloon ride we took over the Nile in Egypt, the same balloon burst into flames only a couple months after we took our ride and a plane we had flown on from Rio to Manaus Brazil crashed into the amazon jungle a week after our flight. Then of course there's the earthquake in Haiti, we had only been there one month prior to that tragic event. So this was the first time we were actually stopped prior to the adventure. So needless to say we are grateful for everyone's prayers on this journey.
ANNOUNCEMENT
So as many of you know we announced the future arrival of our new family member this coming fall. What's really amazing and not many people know this but we have been trying for over a year and have had no luck, but as soon as we step out in faith and move here it happens. :) We are absolutely excited and I would've never expected after so long to find out while on this amazing adventure. We are elated. Coco is over the moon with excitement which is why we felt we needed to let the news out so soon, as she tells "EVERYONE" that Momma has a baby in her tummy.
Today, she looked at my belly and said "see Momma you're belly is getting so big".... my reaction yikes.... I shouldn't be showing yet, lol!! :)
 |
| Of course we smeared ash on our face to make the photo more dramatic. :) I loved that Coco wanted us to write when it comes to the Brown Familia "We're Loco, From Coco" |
We finally met our new neighbors and they were a nice couple from Colorado. They became instantly upset when the Internet was slightly spotty, which usually happens when you have too many people streaming. They were here for missions with the Jehovah's Witness, whom you would've thought would've made them aware of some of these conditions, especially in the old part of Cuenca.
We only really saw them for two days, because their first morning here we happened to all get up and use the showers (in our separate apartments) at the same time, which blew the power out. :( In order to get this fixed our landlords (who are amazing at getting whatever we need done promptly) had to call the power company and it wasn't fixed until 3:00 p.m. We had told them we would be happy to figure out a schedule so we wouldn't end up showering at the same time again, but between the spotty Internet (which really isn't spotty they just used it, ALOT), the power having gone out and the propane stove cooking, most of which they knew prior to leasing the flat, they moved out two days later.
Coco was soooo sad to see them go as they were super friendly and nice to her, but honestly we are pleased to have our peace and quite back... :) They were constantly complaining about stuff.
DADDY'S DAY WITH COCO
I had to do work, so Jared took Coco out for the day. They had an absolute blast exploring the city. He somehow found a staircase to the top of the cathedral and they enjoyed the views and ate their oreo cookies.
 |
| Oreo Cookies=her favorite |
 |
| 800 steps to the top and we're already at 8500 feet!!! She's been so tough this trip. |
She absolutely loves the squares and the flower markets. She doesn't ever pass one without bringing her Momma a flower :)
OUT AND ABOUT
Here are some more pictures of our days and walks around Cuenca. I have been feeling VERY tired, but then again we are still walking about 4 to 5 miles a day.
 |
| The most popular square in the city Parque De Calderon |
 |
| Coco thought this mural was cool, she thought it looked like it was going to grab her. :) |
 |
| Taking a much needed break on one of the many beautiful stair cases throughout the city |
We will be leaving Monday to the amazing village of Vilcabamba, south towards the Peru boarder. It is known as the "valley of longevity" because there are many people over a hundred living in great health. We will be checking it out!! :)
On a final note: We have been enjoying the church we've been attending here in Cuenca
Last week's message I thought was hugely appropriate with the city being covered in ashes and our announcing of our pregnancy the pastor preached an amazing message titled
"BEAUTY OUT OF ASHES"
Sometimes that's how I feel on this journey, we were literally feeling exhausted, miserable and having no time for each other as a family and desperately needed a "time-out". We now truly see all God was doing when He sent us on this journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment