True Confessions

So much for the glamour of the Oscars, now it’s time to get back down to earth and forget about trips, happiness and flag waving, not to mention figure hugging gowns. So let’s get serious about something that is usually preying on every woman’s mind during the winter months. Weight gain.

I expected to lose some weight while I was away but when I went on the scale yesterday I discovered I weighed the same as when I left. At least I hadn’t gained any weight. While away I read Richard Simmon’s blog every day and I have certainly learned a lot from him. A lot of what Richard writes about is wisdom we all know, having learned it from other sources over the years. I find Richard very inspirational and the only reason I wasn’t staying on course was because there was no room to exercise. I couldn’t even walk very well because the terrain was unsteady (and sometimes muddy).

But no more excuses. It’s time to get control of my eating habits and my exercise. I say that with a box of Pot of Gold at hand (my brother gave them to me for Valentine’s Day). Chocolates are my true weakness. I can forego cupcakes, cookies, chips, buns, and so forth. But it is really hard for me to say no to chocolate. The last couple of years I wouldn’t buy any candy over the Christmas holidays but I was weak this year.

Onwards and upwards. Richard lead the way!

Oscar rights

At least I got the rest correct. Natalie & Colin - what lovely speeches.

Best picture ---- The King's Speech

3/5 ain't bad . . . .

Christian Bale?

I really thought Hollywood would kibosh him because of his bad behaviour this past year --- I guessed wrong - #2 down.

I will cry if Colin loses.

Off The Cuff at Oscar Night

Holy cow, wrong on the first count -- sure it would be Helena after Ben Mankiwiecz agreed with me (didn't know the story about Melissa Leo taking out the add) - yet Melissa won.

And good lord, I thought that Michael Douglas would take off the mask --- can you believe that was Kirk? He looks older than George Burns!

Red Carpet

Now we have to get ready for the Red Carpet! When they first put on the Red Carpet show it was rather interesting because we got to see the stars walking down the carpet in their glamorous gowns and wonderful jewels and up-dos. But it is all too much these days, there are so many different award shows, one after the other and whole afternoons of just yakking about the gowns and hairdos. It has become a big yawn for me. All that being said, I do like to see what the actresses are wearing (let’s face it, one tuxedo looks pretty much like another, sorry guys. In the human world, men are NOT the peacocks).

In the past, some of my favorites have been Nicole Kidman’s gorgeous yellow gown, Oprah’s yellow gown (some years ago now at the Emmys), and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ green dress at the Golden Globes this year, very nice glamour. My own preference is for cream colours for evening wear but in 2009 when Penelope Cruz wore that lovely cream coloured gown, I agree with the critics, not the right colour choice for her skin tone, it should have been a more vibrant colour on her. Again, in 2009 I did not agree with the critics’ comments on Kate Winslet’s gown. I thought it made her look boxy. The gown would have been nicer if it was strapless rather than that one shoulder thing of which I’m not a fan. Either go strapless or do the halter or double straps. I feel that a one shoulder gown gives a very off appearance because no one has a perfect figure.

The young folks often seem to make some pretty big mistakes – but can you tell me why Helene Bonham Carter wore that THING at the Golden Globes? This is an awards evening, not part of the movie, girl. She’s so lovely she shouldn’t do that to herself. Bad mistake! Almost as bad as Bjork – remember the swan outfit. Someone ought to go deer hunting rather than design clothes. Poor Bambi!

I love gowns, I love browsing through the magazines and picturing myself in the different ensembles, but let’s face it, where would I wear it? As you may recall, I do not do Christmas parties so . . . it’s all just a pleasant dream. Fortunately dreams are free!

And one more thing, have you noticed that frequently there appears to be a theme colour - everyone either wears, white, black, nude and only a few daring ones go outside the "colour of the night"? Boring. Let's have more splashes of colour! Let's see blues mingle with greens and pinks. Reds mingling with bronze and orange! Come on Hollywood, let's get some pizzazz going!

Guess in advance, Angelina will be ever gorgeous, she has the height and figure to carry anything off and she does have good taste in gowns. Nicole Kidman, ditto. Surprise of the evening, Anne Hathaway, I’m sure she will give them all a run for their money. Disappointment? I don’t care to predict that one, because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Be prepared for my “off the cuff” later today as the Oscars get underway! Meanwhile I have to deal with the unglamorous reality of CLEANING MY HOUSE. I still have Christmas stuff to put away!

This Girl Has OPINIONS

There’s always something to talk about at our house. Mom and John are always listening to the news and being who we are, we always have opinions about whatever. Erik sometimes gets on his soap box and tells us we shouldn’t be making opinions when we don’t have “first hand knowledge”. Like are we ever going to have first hand knowledge about OJ? Wasn’t it obvious the very first afternoon when we saw him being chased down the LA highway by police helicopters that he was guilty as all get out? Please, I didn’t need to give him the benefit of the doubt. I was never going to be his jury nor was anyone outside our circle going to know what I was thinking.

Anyway, Erik and his soap box. When are we okay to have an opinion about a media topic and when should we stay quiet? That is the question for today.

My feeling is that if you aren’t going to affect the outcome (like the OJ case) there isn’t any reason why you can’t voice your opinion to your family and friends. However, before a person makes a judgment call, one should remember that the media hardly ever provides us with the full story and that should weigh as part of a person’s opinion. In other words, one should say something like “with the information given, it does seem thus and so . . .” For instance, when that bus driver smashed into the truck some years ago and a child was killed and others injured, the rumour was that she was on her cell phone. If that information was correct, naturally a person could give an opinion. In this case, no surprise to anyone who knows me, I wondered yet again why there was no law banning cell phones while driving?

My own family has been the subject of discussion on several occasions, via media, and there has been a lot of misinformation about this or that incident. Does it hurt me to know that people have made judgment calls? Well, yes, however, since I don’t hear them first hand it ought not to affect me and for the most part it doesn’t. The people who render the judgments are basing it on what they heard and I cannot fault them for that. Those at fault are the media but that is a topic for another discussion!

Generally I like to know about the subject that I am talking about or I will take a back seat in the conversation. If I am not solid in my information I can only give a tentative opinion about a subject. The other day Erik and I were talking about aliens (again) and I told him that I could really only be on the fence on the subject because I had never seen a UFO nor an alien. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in the possibility of aliens. I don’t need to be on the fence about OJ because to me it was pretty clear that an innocent man would not be driving down the highway and obviously trying to escape the police. Erik brought up the Mike Tyson rape charge. I vaguely remember the story and I don’t think I really had an opinion at the time. What I did have an opinion about was that around the same time one of the Kennedy clan was also charged with rape. Mike was convicted and the Kennedy kid got off. I had an opinion about that – can you guess? Somehow, someone didn’t get justice.

Opinions. I think it’s good to have opinions, and it’s good to talk about them. But when you do, at least be somewhat savvy about what you are talking about or you might come off a bit silly.

Is Sanne savvy or silly? Anyone?

Oscar Predictions - 2011

Before I give you my picks for the Oscars I want to tell you a bit about my love of the movies. I would say that I probably fell in love with movies when I was about 7 years old, when I saw BenHur at the drive-in. That film has stood in my mind from that day to this, and that’s 50 years ago! (The story of my phobia will be told at a different time).

I was raised up on the westerns though. Saturday afternoons on television there was always a double feature of westerns. I remembered being utterly disgusted with my father when he said that the real cowboy was Gary Cooper. “Gary Cooper!” I exclaimed scornfully. “Why, everyone knows that Randolph Scott is THE cowboy.” And today everyone would agree that John Wayne is the ultimate cowboy.

My favorite movie of all time is “Gone with the Wind” (for true aficionados we say GWTW). I was utterly appalled when the Academy named “Citizen Kane” as the top of the One Hundred List. No one outside of Hollywood has ever seen all of Citizen Kane, puhleez! GWTW is a timeless classic, and I mean that in the best possible way. It is ranked as a 1939 movie but watching it today I am still amazed at the perfect sets, the superior acting and the strength of the screenplay. There is nothing schmaltzy about this film. It truly deserved its Oscar. It’s a crying shame that Clark Gable did not win for Rhett because there is no one who could have played the part better than he. Perfect casting except for Ashley, Leslie Howard was way too old and ungodlike for the part. And yet his very disdain of the part caused him to have that “remote” feel which is part of Ashley’s character. But I am getting carried away.

Movies, I enjoy most genres but my favorites are the romantic comedies or the period pieces like “The King’s Speech” (you can guess where this is going). Generally these films don’t get much recognition at the Oscars so that’s why I am going to root for “The King’s Speech” this year. I figure my guesses are as good as the critics since I usually pick at least half of the winners!

So here are my picks:

Best Actor Colin Firth

Best Actress Natalie Portman

Best Supporting Actor Geoffrey Rush

Best Supporting Actress Helene Bonham Carter

Movie The King’s Speech

Down for the Count

I was going to write about the Oscars today -- in fact I have it prepared. However, I feel so sorry for myself with this nasty sore throat and cough that I wanted to share it with my followers (not the illness, just the news of the illness) and gain some sympathy.

There isn't much that is worse than feeling down and out with a bad cold, flu or in this case sore throat and cough. The worst of it is that one feels so darn guilty missing work but then if you drag your butt in to work you feel guilty spreading germs to your colleagues. I was at work yesterday (and on my commuter bus) and just coughing away with this disgusting feeling in my throat. I felt rotten for potentially making someone else sick. But I felt rotten being at work and hanging over my desk with no energy, my head was fuzzy (still is) and just plain feeling useless.

I know I am not special, we all feel the same way -- but why do we have to feel guilty about calling in sick. I just hate it. I hem and haw and even get myself dressed to try to get in there but in the end I feel dizzy and nauseous and . . . . you get the drift.

Well, I will be hovering between sleeping and the computer today as I will be "working from home" -- that is one consolation. I can still work with the magic of computer technology.

Do You Like Heidi?

I’ve been on the soap box long enough this last week so today let’s have some fun and talk about . . . “Do you like Heidi?”

When my sister Jeanette and I were kids we shared a bedroom. We were pretty bad kids about going to bed and would drive my mother crazy some nights when we were still full of ants in our pants and would be giggling like anything. She’d come in and turn out the lights and tell us to be quiet because our brothers were sleeping in the next room and we were waking them up. But often we were in bed by 7:00 p.m. and weren’t ready to sleep. What do do?

Sometimes we’d make up stories and sometimes we’d tell about our dreams the night before. Often we’d play games and forget about being quiet. One game we liked to play was slipping out from our side of the bed and sliding under the bed and up the other side to scare the other one. You had to be really quiet and gentle to get off the bed without the other one hearing. Mostly we did hear and we’d be ready for the other one. That’s when we’d start laughing and Mom would come in with the wooden spoon. We’d get a few whacks in the butt and out she would go again. Some nights we liked to make a bigger fuss about the whacking and we’d yell our fool heads off and twist and turn, putting our hand (she was holding the other one) over our butt. Of course, she didn’t want to hit our hand so she ended up hardly hitting us at all.

When she left the room we’d ask “Did she get you?” and we’d say “No” and start giggling. Years later Mom told us that she’d be standing outside the door and would hear us talking and giggling. She couldn’t help laughing at us too. LOL

Then we’d sober up and we’d pull the covers over our heads and whisper. Invariably we’d ask the question.

“Do you like Heidi?”

She was one of our playmates and she was a real show-off. Even though we liked playing with her and her sister Cindy we would often be annoyed with Heidi and we’d make fun of her in our bed at night. After a while it got to be a joke when we didn’t know what else to talk about but wanted to stay awake. We’d ask “do you like Heidi?”

Forty years later we still do that when there is a pause in the conversation.

”Do you like Heidi?” J J J

The Glass is Half Full

Below I’ve set out an article about Optimists and Pessimists. The good news for me is that I am definitely an optimist. The good news for the pessimists out there, optimism can be learned to a large extent. Follow the link to find out more and how you can help yourself to a gentler outlook on your life and the world around you.

Optimists

Optimists explain positive events as having happened because of them (internal). They also see them as evidence that more positive things will happen in the future (stable), and in other areas of their lives (global). Conversely, they see negative events as not being their fault (external). They also see them as being flukes (isolated) that have nothing to do with other areas of their lives or future events (local).

For example, if an optimist gets a promotion, she will likely believe it’s because she’s good at her job and will receive more benefits and promotion in the future. If she’s passed over for the promotion, it’s likely because she was having an off-month because of extenuating circumstances, but will do better in the future.

Pessimists

Pessimists think in the opposite way. They believe that negative events are caused by them (internal). They believe that one mistake means more will come (stable), and mistakes in other areas of life are inevitable (global), because they are the cause. They see positive events as flukes (local) that are caused by things outside their control (external) and probably won’t happen again (unstable).

A pessimist would see a promotion as a lucky event that probably won’t happen again, and may even worry that she’ll now be under more scrutiny. Being passed over for promotion would probably be explained as not being skilled enough. She'd therefore expect to be passed over again.

What This Means

Understandably, if you’re an optimist, this bodes well for your future. Negative events are more likely to roll off of your back, but positive events affirm your belief in yourself, your ability to make good things happen now and in the future, and in the goodness of life.

Fortunately for pessimists and realists, these patterns of thinking can be learned to a degree (though we tend to be mostly predisposed to our patterns of thinking.) Using a practice called ‘cognitive restructuring,' you can help yourself and others become more optimistic by consciously challenging negative, self-limiting thinking and replacing it with more optimistic thought patterns.

Quoted from this link:

http://stress.about.com/od/optimismspirituality/a/optimismbenefit_2.htm

Unravelling Celebrity - Part Three

Ah, you thought I would be done with the celebrity chat but no, I have more to say. In a word, charisma.

When I was in my early twenties by father told me flat out that I didn’t have any. Harsh. To be fair to Dad the conversation went something like this, that while I was beautiful and Cher was not, she had charisma and I did not.

So yesterday when I talked about luck that is only a part of the equation. Superstardom or even plain old stardom has that extra thing called charisma. Trudeau had charisma. Princess Diana had charisma in spades. Marilyn Monroe had it. I’m not talking about sex appeal. I’m talking about that charm that seems to ooze out of pores. It’s a certain radiance. I remember watching a biography of Marilyn Monroe and you could see this wonderful spirit in her eyes. Towards the end of the documentary it struck me that it was gone, her eyes looked flat and dead. It was terribly sad because I had the distinct impression that she was already dead inside. The real Marilyn Monroe was no longer there.

Princess Diana is without a doubt the most celebrated personality of the 20^th century. From the time of her engagement until well after her death her face was on countless magazines on a weekly basis. You couldn’t go to any cash register without seeing her face staring back at you. Now, Diana was not a classical beauty, but she had that charisma that just brought people to her.

So here’s the question, are you born with charisma or is that something you can acquire? Before Diana Spencer came into the public eye did people stop in the street and look back at her? I suspect not. But once she started dressing her “part” she was a head turning figure. Did people stare at Marilyn on the beach when she was Norma Jean? Probably, since she was a gorgeous looking girl even with naturally light brown hair. Did people look at the teenage Elvis? Probably. Cher, probably not.

Does the media create celebrities? Think Paris Hilton or Zsa Zsa Gabor.

In the end, I think that we, the people, create celebrities by buying into the media hype. We buy the rag mags, we watch Entertainment Tonight, we talk about Michael Jackson. But the ones who stay successfully on top for years on end have that elusive charm we regular folk succumb to.

Charisma.

This little charmer was selling gum, do you think I bought some?

Unravelling Celebrity - Part Two

Years ago my sister Charlotte asked the question “How do people get to be so famous?”

Since then we have pondered it many times. What I have observed in another avenue of success is that women became successful in one of two ways. They either were dead broke and so had nothing to lose by throwing themselves into a risky career, or they had a spouse supporting them. Women like myself who were single and had a mortgage had to be conservative in their choices or risk losing what they already had. So to be successful you have to be prepared to risk everything, to take the gamble and make choices that for someone a bit cautious (like me) would be too scary.

I have to say that when I hear about young people who graduate from high school and head off to NYC or LA with dreams of stardom in modeling or acting careers or even photography careers I admire their gumption even though I wonder what their parents are thinking. Most of the ones I know about have returned home but they are still pursuing their dreams, only in a Canadian environment. It’s cheaper and they have a support system close to hand.

So I think that nerves of steel and an unswerving belief in their goal is very strong in the people who are successful.

I also think that those who reach that pinnacle of success have luck on their side. I say that not to denigrate their talents and hard work, but because there are hundreds if not thousands of truly talented people in the world who never get “the lucky break” despite trying hard. Anyone who doesn’t believe in luck hasn’t much imagination, in my opinion. They are also pretty arrogant about their talent, drive and success.

I’ve met Lady Luck so I know – luck is part of any success story. But talent, hard work, integrity, confidence and belief in one self are part of the package too.

So ask yourself, are you feeling lucky today?

Unravelling Celebrity - Part One

So let’s talk about celebrity and about the ones who only get their 15 minutes (or so) of fame. People like Bobby Sherman, Veronica Lake, The Cowsills, Flip Wilson, even Sandra Dee.

The first thing I want to say is that parents should think long and hard before they throw their children into the fame game. The first child star I remember from my generation who died of an overdose was Anissa Jones from Family Affair. Since then we have been almost inundated with the tragic drug and alcohol infested lives of most of the child stars right up until the recent exploits of Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus. (I cringe to even use their names on this blog). Even the sweethearts like Melissa Gilbert and Maureen McCormick have come out with their drug and alcohol problems in recent autobiographies. The pressures, immaturity and exploitation of the celebrity game shouldn’t be something parents would want for their children. Let them getting their grounding first and they can seek their fame as adults.

Then there are the stars who, for one reason or another, walk away from their fame. Bobby Sherman was my heartthrob when he was on “Here Come the Brides” but soon after the show folded he left the bright lights and has since had a great career as a paramedic in his home town. A sweet success story out of the limelight. There is life after Hollywood. Others who seemed to walk away, Fess Parker, Charlene Tilton (of Dallas fame), Eve Plumb (Brady Bunch). But stories like these are few and far between.

Why do people seek fame and stardom? I think in the beginning most people go for the goal because of money, not the celebrity. But I think celebrity becomes an addiction. People seem to want to see their name in tabloids otherwise why do they go to the parties and the hot spot bars? Why do they misbehave and apparently make no attempt to cover it up? Why do they bed hop and steal husbands? Do they even have a moral compass?

Tomorrow I will talk about another side of celebrity.

Aliens

So what do you think about aliens? Do they exist? Is it all a bunch of hooey? When my sister Charlotte adamantly argues that there are aliens among us I laugh her to scorn or kid her about her beliefs. But I do that mostly to get a rise out of her (I am so bad).

I’m on the fence on this question. I feel that when I am listening to Art Bell and the folks out in the desert (Coast to Coast) that they are trying to get attention. Most of them sound kind of nutty to me. But I mentioned a while back that I met someone who used to be a US Marine and he said that not only he, but everyone on the base in Alaska, saw UFOs (more than one) and the sightings were never mentioned in any report nor were they talked about. He could have told me a lot more but my friends weren’t interested so I missed out on a lot. He mentioned Project Blue book so I am investigating that online. Here’s what I discovered. Wikipedia has a huge article on Project Blue Book and essentially it appears from this that the U.S. Air Force has covered up or otherwise tried to debunk any possibly valid sightings of UFOs.

Reading the article causes me to refer back to what my friend in Ecuador said about what was seen at the air base in Alaska.

I read “Chariots of the Gods” when it came out in the late sixties and thought it was very interesting. Since then I have generally had an open mind about the possibility of intelligent life forms in outer space. But quite seriously, I find it hard to believe that aliens could be amongst us for decades without it coming out into the open. I know the theorists out there will say that the cover-ups are because of the “control” issue. The government doesn’t want to lose control of the situation nor of its people by letting us know that there are other beings on this planet. But I find that ridiculous.

I probably shouldn’t. When I think about the way we are governed in the Twenty First Century I realize that we are governed by unintelligent despots most of the time whose bottom line is money. They probably want to use aliens for profit. Doesn’t that make you sick?

Being Canadian

I don’t think I have really taken being Canadian for granted. I was raised by parents who lived through German occupied Denmark in WWII and I heard plenty of stories about little food, no bananas or oranges, using ropes for tires on bicycles, getting shot at in the streets and so forth. I understood at an early age that my parents planned their immigration carefully. For instance, Dad rejected South Africa because there were snakes (my phobia does come from somewhere but that’s for another time). He rejected Australia for the same reason (Black Mamba). He rejected the United States because they had the draft. Canada was the place for us.

I reconfirm that decision wholeheartedly after my trip to Ecuador. Things that I have taken for granted are things you probably also use or do without a second thought. Like turning on the tap and getting hot water. Drawing a bath and having a bubble bath, in hot water. Doing your dishes, in hot water. Brushing your teeth without fearing the tap water will make you throw up. Flushing toilet paper down after doing your duty (in Ecuador you have to throw the tissue in the bin). Walking down the street and not seeing men guarding a shop or casino with machine guns (the first time I saw this the guys actually wore masks. I quickly crossed the street and tried to breath normally). Walking to the restroom by the food court in a mall and not seeing 4 guards with machine guns. Going to bed and not waking up with your arms completely covered in bites (still to be determined if they were bed bugs or mosquitoes, let’s hope the latter). Getting a proper education. Being able to speak English, the international language (get a clue people).

Gosh, that last comment makes me sound like an American who thinks the world revolves around America. Sorry folks, but truly, don’t you think that an international airport ought to have staff that speak English?

Oh yes, one more thing. When you go to pay your cab, your restaurant bill or other purchase, let’s make sure the vendors have change for a $10 or $20 since that is the currency that comes out of the ATM machine. Hello people, we know you want us to give up and walk away from the $5.91 change because we are impatient. If you are in business, at least have the stupid change to run the business.

Canada is safe to walk the streets in the daytime at least. Even at night, most places you can walk around your neighbourhood in safety. And if, God forbid, something should happen to you at least you know the police are not corrupt.

I’m so proud to be Canadian and so thankful that I live in the best place in the world. I’m thankful that I have a job that allows me to live above the poverty line and allows me to save a pittance for my little vacations. Next year, Canada is the place for me! I have a friend in Nova Scotia that will be surprised to see me. J

Dofino Cheese and Other Things

I enjoyed my first toast with Dofino Cheese (it’s a Canadian version of Danish Havarti cheese) this morning. My nieces and nephews will all tell you what my standard breakfast is. When they were young and had a sleepover at my house that is what we had for breakfast. I made it interesting for them because in the beginning I would tell them this was my special breakfast and they couldn’t have any. Naturally they immediately wanted Dofino cheese for breakfast. I believe that most of them still enjoy this cheese on occasion.

After a quick breakfast (my alarm clock was out by 15 minutes) I got washed and dressed. I naturally am dressed to the Nines, my New York City red sheath, Luis Lopez jewellery and yes, my hair is decent! I will be wearing my NYC coat on the bus this morning so that I can truly feel that I am back to my Uptown Girl status!

Cherie is sitting on my lap as I attempt to type, nudging my arms for hugs and pets. He has obviously forgiven me for abandoning him to Uncle Erik for 5 weeks. Thumper has cozied up to Erik but Cherie is a one woman cat (super grin J ) and has eyes only for me! LOL

I am happy and looking forward to my first day back at work. Who would have thought that five weeks ago? No don’t send me to the psych ward unless I start writing about a 5 week trip to Paraguay!

The Eagle Has Landed

I'm ecstatic to be home. John picked me up and took me to MacDonald's for a Big Mac!

I've had my hot bath, I've cuddled with Cherie and Thumper, I've napped and I've talked to my Mom and my friends. And lastly, I've watched American T.V. -- V and The Good Wife.

It's so good to be home.

Back to work tomorrow. Reality sets in!

Arriverderci Ecuador

I can't say Ecuador hasn't given me something. I have a new rash of bites -- bed bugs I think. Ugh

Valentine’s Day

“I’m leaving in, on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll get back again”

I don’t have much time to say everything that is on my mind and not even sure if this will make it to “post time” for the 14^th but will try to write a bit about what is on my mind.

This is a day for love so I will dedicate it to the lovebirds around the world!

Being romantic isn’t just about lovebirds though. Being romantic can just be enjoying a scene or a feeling that has nothing to do with couple-dom. For instance, there is a romanticism about watching “Little House on the Prairie” on Christmas Eve that is stronger than mere nostalgia. It’s romantic to be alone at night watching the stars. It’s romantic to walk quietly in a beautiful garden even if you are alone. It’s romantic to sit quietly by the fireside reading a good book.

I guess what I am saying is that Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It’s for everyone with a heart full of love for the world around us.

Be happy today!

This is the orchid Oswald gave me.

Last Day in Ecuador

Through some of this vacation I didn’t think that this day would ever come but looking back on my time in Ecuador I must say that I am grateful for the experience. I have learned a lot about South America, Ecuador, people and most of all myself!

Ecuador is a beautiful country with incredible vistas of lush scenery but with the severe contrast of ill repaired homes everywhere we went except in Cuenca. Cuenca’s homes were gorgeous and since we drove around a good portion of the city I would say it is for the most part in excellent condition. I was told that Cuenca is an international historical site so the older part (where our hostal was) was in good condition.

There are several distinct peoples here. The true indigenous people, the “Ecuadorian” (mixed race) which is the largest part of the population, the old Spanish people (about 4,000 according to one source) and lastly the expats. People from all over the world choose to retire in Ecuador because of the low cost of living, good medical care, temperate climate all year round and because they fall in love with the people.

I loved Mexico for its shopping but I have to say that Ecuador is even better for shopping though you have to appreciate the quality items and not just buy junk or kitsch as they seem to be calling it these days.

There is a lot to see in Ecuador and sadly we barely scratched the surface. Would I come back? Possibly. But first and foremost I would want to be fluent in Spanish. That is my first recommendation to anyone wanting to travel to Ecuador – learn Spanish because virtually no one here speaks or understands English. One of Barb’s friends told us that we were truly living on the edge by travelling without our own vehicle and not knowing any Spanish. Wow, good to know but a little late to be telling me this halfway through my trip!

But I have had lots of rest and lots of sun. Seen plenty, shopped even more.

To quote my grandfather “Ud er godt, men hjem er bedst” --- out is good but home is best!