1 and blast off…

Started the day with the rain and not much motivation; seems that I will forever need the sunshine to energize me. Lo and behold though, the sun popped out for it to be bright and clear, and I was “on the go!”

Spent much of the day, again, on the phone to doctors and nursing home personnel. I called my Mom at lunchtime and a friend was visiting and answered the phone. (When my mother’s in bed, she can’t really move well enough to answer it.)  So I timed this call with this in mind. Yesterday, she said she had a great day: walked and everything. Today was not so good and it really depressed her. I encouraged her to eat and gain her strength and it will all work out, but with patience. I definitely leave my Mom in God’s hands, but also very dear and supportive lifelong friends to care for her wellbeing while I am out of the country. This sounds much easier to write, than to do. I pray for the day to see her again, in her house, in May, upon my return.

Met Jake (ECSU media student) at the Smith Library for a lesson on my new camcorder. If you read the previous post, you remember that he and I eyeballed a few Best Buy ads for, ah, a best buy, and I bought the JVC he suggested. Today, I found out that it is a little more complicated than “point and shoot.” We opened Windows Moviemaker, and darn, if we didn’t shoot some video and see it on my laptop! I guess that I’m ready to try it solo. Good thing!

Lolly, one of my college buddies from 40 years ago (ahem), just moved from Pittsfield, Mass to about 2 miles from our house in Mansfield. She arrived tonight for her first day in her new apartment. She gets here, and I leave! Some friend!!

Okay, it was day 1 and counting down, but it is well past 1:00 AM, and I must pack. Hey! I leave in less than 12 hours!! For luggage, I will bring one carry-on (laden with media equipment: 17′ laptop, digital camera, & camcorder; must be under 40 pounds), one suitcase (up to 50 lbs.) to check; and one personal item (my purse, for heaven’s sake!). Delta has sent me an email to check-in online. Maybe I should do that next…

Counting down to one

Yet another frantic day. Today was a day to get things done; I bought extra batteries for the digital camera, & a new camcorder battery for back-up, too. Went to the bank to get money to put on a Triple A Visa Travel Card in Manchester. Got to the dentist for my 6-month cleaning. Met my husband at the attorney’s office to read and sign our new wills together. Called my Mom’s nurses and her doctor, too.

At the 40th reunion of Newtown H.S. this summer, the foreign exchange student, Marcia (from Ecuador), attended. George and I struck up a conversation with her and she has become an important person in my Ecuadorian/Galapagoan travel adventure. She lives in Guayaquil, but has been kind enough to give me the name of friends in Santa Cruz.

Another Galapagos visitor and lover, Margaret (from ECSU), has given me the name of a long time (native?) naturalist in the Galapagos that she knows and has corresponded with, too.

It feels good to have a few names of persons there, even if I don’t actually know them!

 Tomorrow I pack!

4 days and counting…

Just as my whole month has been so far, today was an event filled day.

I found the Media student that I met over Intercession who helped me pick out my camcorder (JVC mini-DV, fits in my hand, & is very cute!) and he will also help me figure out how to use it before I leave. A big Thank you! to all Eastern students who know about these new media and are willing to share their expertise with those who don’t.

Today, I received my e-ticket from Sr. Luis Molina, Head of Volunteers, Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). I will be leaving mainland Ecuador at 7:30 AM to fly to the Baltra Airport on the island of Santa Cruz. You shld be able to click this map of Santa Cruz showing the airport on So. Seymour/Isla Baltra & the CDRS (Charles Darwin Research Station), Puerto Ayora, and Academy Bay at the southern end of Isla Santa Cruz. There is a good description of Isla Santa Cruz, a.k.a., Indefatigable, on this map.

I am excited to find out that Monday, February 4th (the day I fly from Quito to Galapagos), and Tuesday Feb. 5th are holidays on the island. It is carnival(!) and the Foundation and the Research Station are closed. I will start working in the Library on Ash Wednesday. Welcome to the Lenten season! Easter sure is early this year.

Sr. Molina suggests that I take these two days to be a tourista and familarize myself with the Estacion Charles Darwin and Puerto Ayora, the neighboring town.

5 days and counting down

My Mom is recouperating nicely. Slow on the rehab, but she will stand and walk soon. She can eat and is regaining her color and strength. Thank you Lord. Amen!

Forgot to mention that my family ate Chinese take-out from the Tiger Bowl restaurant in Westport on Sunday. My fortune read: “Your present plans are going to succeed.” Like, whoa!

Confirmation for my room at The Magic Bean hostel in Quito arrived today. “My” room is Private Room Number 4. Check it out at http://www.magicbeanquito.com/english/hostel.html