Chillin´

Hey There,
I know it has been a while but we have been on a bit of a wirlwind tour here and sitting down to write has not been easy. I know, I know, you all feel terrible for me and share in my pain and for that I thank you. Nic and I are currently in Mancora, Peru. We are enjoying the beautiful weather and beaches and having a great time surfing and relaxing with Josh and Tanis, two friends from back home. It sure is great to see a couple familiar faces and we have been having a great time. It has also been great to get off our feet for a couple days and just relax with nothing to worry about.

Surfing is a blast, it is as hard as hell but man is it ever a good time. I haven't quite reached the level of pro yet but having a great time learning nonetheless. It is stinking hot here and we have had to get used to it as it was freezing most days in Ecuador. An adjustment both Nic and I are willing to make. We are staying at Pilar's Laguna Surf Camp and it is amazing here. Pilar is super fun and really quite amazing. Besides owning the surf camp, she was once the female world surf champ, owned a bakery for four years (had her mango cheese cake today, wow) and still manages to raise her two children and get in a surf or two almost everyday. So yeah, she is pretty much the coolest chick ever (next to nic...ofcourse).

As of now we are just flying by the seat of our pants as we have no schedule until we have to be in Pisco on the 16th of May to start our volunteering. So our next stop is as much of a mystery to us as it is to you. I am leaning towards mountain biking and hiking in the Andes but everyone here keeps on talking about this place called "Machu Pichu" that we should visit but I am pretty sure you can't mountain bike there.

As we have had time to relax here we have also had time to reflect on our time in Ecuador. I've been thinking long and hard about what to write about, I've been wondering how I can explain to you my experience or what these kids mean to me. And then I realized that I can't and it wouldn't be fair to try. I can tell you this though, I sure am going to miss those little bears. I have never seen such joy, I have never heard so much laughter and I have never enjoyed myself more. I know it is cliche and I have probably said it before myself but honestly, these kids taught me more than I could ever teach them. So I leave you with a few photos and the names of the kids from the school. And I leave them with a thank-you. Thank-you, you little bears, I had an amazing time and I will miss you all very much but something tells me, this won't be the last time we will meet....

Grade 1: Kuri Carlos, Nusta, Rosita, Monica and Jose Luis

Grade 2: Tupac, Sisa, Brian, Luis and Alex

Grade 3: Arillo, Jefferson, Byron, Norma, Miriam, Irma, Nancy and Raimy

Grade 4: Cesar

Grade 5: Inti and Henry

Grade 6: Nancy, Norma, Blanca, Veronica and Christian

Grade 7: Freddy, Edgar, Sisa, Sisa and Lucila

Simply Amazing!