On the most bright and clear day, you can see Sangay, a perfectly symmetrical volcano, off in the distance. This was our first time to witness it since on all other days the clouds have shrouded the mountain and kept it from view.
El Altar, a string of mountain peaks is just a little further off to the right. These we see with just a hair more frequency but still the clouds obscure our view on most days.
This is the view into town on our right as we walk to school. Down the hill where the truck is unloading is our small grocery store. Apparently more items from Quito have arrived to restock the shelves.
Then we walk down the road toward the bridge. The bridge was constructed several decades ago and connects the area around the hospital's compound with the other compound where the Shell guesthouse is located. One can only enter with a key. So, the kids have to either walk with me, with Doug, or with someone else who has a key. Today Sethy awaits at the gate.
Usually, when I cross the bridge, I have to look straight ahead with only the occasional glance around. The rest of the family--not so much. The kids, less afraid of heights, peer over the railings as if this is a walk in the park. Meanwhile, I'm trying to steady my breathing to keep from hyperventilating and get across as calmly as possible.
When we cross, the stream trickles about 75 feet below. That would explain why we feel as if we're among the treetops (as you can see above). Sethy got a head start going across.
When many people cross the bridge at the same time, it sways and feels as if it tilts to one side. This is my least favorite part of the walk.
After the bridge, one enters the other compound where we'll find the guesthouse, a watertower, a few small buildings, and a couple of duplexes where some of the teachers and other HCJB missionaries live.
We cut through this compound and out another gate. For fifty yards we walk on a lower sidewalk along the busy road which leads from Shell to the bigger town of Puyo. Then the school finally comes into view just beyond the last locked gate.
This is the center courtyard. All six classrooms and the office/teacher workroom face this small green space.
From this location, if you turn around, this is a view of the cancha (covered play area) where the kids play and on Fridays have lunch. In the grass on the right there is a swing set and monkey bars. Then, on the other side of the fence, there is the street leading to Puyo. Beyond that, as seen in the picture, are airplane hangars and the airstrip. So, with classroom windows open all the time, the kids listen to buses and trucks, and on sunny days, the continual departure and arrival of small airplanes.
I caught one on camera taking off this morning as we were just outside our house headed toward town.
Finally, here's a picture of Jacobey who has decided to learn to play soccer. You know what they say, when in Rome....
Blessings and thanks for checking this out.
Kim
Love the pictures! We saw the new movie, End of the Spear, about Jim Elliot and his friends. Would love to hear about that from you!
ReplyDeleteLove you guys!