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A Week at the Temple

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 We returned to the Quito Temple for a week of worshiping and recharging. The temple has a split schedule (or a siesta schedule) so they open in the morning, close for the afternoon, and then reopen for the evening. This means we can attend an endowment session and then an extra ordinance before leaving for lunch.  On Monday we arrived about 4pm and went to the Scala Mall for dinner. They are adding a 4th floor, so in the 6 weeks we have been gone, they opened the new food court up there. It is an exact replica of the 3rd floor. As you look across the open area of the mall (with its tarp roof), you can see where the 3rd floor was open. We would eat KFC there by the windows. Today we are enjoying McDonalds for the first time in over 2 years. On Tuesday-Friday we walk up from the Scala Mall on this wonderful ciclovia. Some of its largest trees were blooming with huge yellow flowers. One of the most popular restaurants in Cumbaya, El Palacio de la Fritada, is always busy. I ordered the ve
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From the Street

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 We see amazing things on the streets everyday. As we drive around corners, we often come across animals. This time it was a group of goats, all tied together, stretching across both lanes of the road. Paul loves a local Papi Pollo (chicken and fries) but it doesn't open until 6:30pm. Usually we have one big meal in the middle of the day, so it's difficult to wait that long. When we walk in the morning, we walk by the cart. Deli Crunch sounds so good, doesn't it? I don't know if that chicken in the yard is in any danger. Almost no homes here are built with wood due to this below. Termites are everywhere. However, their homes look very much like ant homes. If you take a stick and hit this termite home, you could destroy the entire thing pretty easily. But if you were mistaken, and it was an ant home, you wouldn't physically be able to escape without being attacked.  One researcher has a great experience with these Amazon ants: "One afternoon, I was sitting  on t
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35th Anniversary

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 We are celebrating our 35th anniversary in Coca, which is all decorated for Valentine's Day. Even though the Christmas decorations are still up. I stopped by for a piano lesson at the branch president's home. This little kitty is not allowed inside, but she still gets treats and pets when she cries. I was surprised to see a screen on this window as they are very rare here. We stopped by Papo's for a delicious anniversary dinner. Big platters of meat, salad, beans, and rice were served with juice. The next day I was playing for sacrament meeting and couldn't believe how hard it was to get this first measure right. I've sung this song for 50 years in English. But because the words are translated, the rhythm has been changed as well. I am a Child of God.
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Sewing Birdies

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 Since I was able to find some cotton fabric in Quito, I have been appliqueing little birdies. I follow Jo Avery and she has the cutest bird patterns . Because particular dimensions don't matter to me, I just drew out the pattern on the back of a 9" square and began back basting the applique pieces. If you're unfamiliar with the process, here is a great video. Here are my little birdies. I've found some felt to use as batting and have been hand quilting around them. Perhaps the final product will be a bird book, like Jo Avery shows. The difference between the applique and stitching with perle cotton is quite amazing. How about a flower to spice things up?
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Enjoying Coconuts

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 I've been meaning to stop by one of the many coconut vendors and get myself and young coconut. This particular seller has them in a cooler in his home so the juice is cold when he hacks it open. After creating a quarter-sized opening showing a thin layer of coconut flesh, he used his machete to peel it open. I picked up a straw and began drinking. It was another hot day and it was delicious. I think it contained about 20 ounces of coconut water. Since it is a young coconut, the flesh layer is very thin and undeveloped, so it just went in the trash. For $1 it was refreshing and fun.
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The Excitement of the Airport

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 Walking alongside the airport is very exciting. Sometimes it's difficult to hear whatever I'm listening to (currently Austen's Persuasion). But I do like seeing the planes taking off and landing. And we're not the only ones enjoying the view. Most days people like to congregate around this open fencing to watching the landings and approaches. This walking path is often full of runners and bicyclists. I was attacked by this little girl named Kiera today. I talked to this young man about his shirt because I didn't realize a Munich team would be popular in the Amazon.
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Our new favorite place

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 Papo's is our new favorite spot to eat. They always give you lots of food and it's delicious. I was starting to feel a cold coming on, but it was still nice to go out and eat. We picked up some of these fried bananas on the way out of Quito and they were the most delicious snack I've had. I should have bought more. They were only $1. Crunchy, sweet, and delicious. In the middle of our trip, we hit a pothole and got a flat tire. Right in the middle of the Andes. Luckily, Paul found a bus stop to pull over into because there are no shoulders on the road. He put the spare on and we drove the 100 miles home on it. And it wasn't raining. What a blessing!
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