My itinerary

Oct. 17 ... Begin my journey, flying to Miami via Minneapolis.
Oct. 18 ... Continue journey to Quito, Ecuador, via Costa Rica.
Taxi to dorm room offered by Alliance Academy Int'l (http://www.alliance.k12.ec/dorms.html).
Notify Compassion Int'l contact person upon arrival, and confirm schedule for visit to Dany.
Do some sightseeing, shop for supplies for El Inca Prison inmates, find an internet cafe.
Meet with Joan Ewan (Prison Ministry contact person) and her husband, for dinner.
Oct. 19 ... Visit prison with Joan Ewan, for Bible Study and to bring donations.
Take bus to Otavalo and check in at Hostal Dona Esther (www.otavalohotel.com)
Explore the outdoor markets and shops around town.
Oct. 20 ... Meet Dany and his family today! Maybe see Peguche Falls, San Pablo Lake, and other cool sites.
Oct. 21 ... Daytrip to Cotacachi, known for its hundreds of leather shops, and to Cuicocha Lake for some great photo opps!
Oct. 22 ... Up bright and early for Saturday morning animal market just outside Otavalo, and big market day in town.
Move to next lodging, Hostal LaLuna (http://www.hostallaluna.com/about_us.html)
Oct. 23 ... Church in the morning, exploration and photography of surrounding areas.
Oct. 24 ... Bus to Cayambe, for horseback riding, relaxation, and great photo opps!
Lodging at Hacienda Guachala (http://www.guachala.com/english/)
Oct. 25 ... Bus to back to Quito, for 2nd visit to El Inca Prison with Joan.
Bus down to Riobamba, lodging at Hotel Montecarlo (www.hotelmontecarlo-riobamba.com)
Oct. 26 ... Train ride from Riobamba to Alausi, to la Nariz del Diablo (the Devil's Nose), back to Alausi.
Bus or train back to Quito for the night. Lodging at either the Alliance Academy dorm again,or maybe a hostal called Casabambu? (http://www.livetravelguides.com/south-america/ecuador/quito/centro-historico/centro-historico-hotels/casa-bambu/)
Oct. 27 ... Off to the airport, and back to the States, via Costa Rica.
Oct. 28 ... And home via Minneapolis!

Pictures of Dany

This is the first photo (at left) that I received of Dany, back when I started sponsoring him in 2003 through Compassion International.

The photo on the right is a more recent one, received from him in February of this year.

My, how he's grown!!!

Dany's first language is Quichua, the language of the indigenous people around Otavalo. But he also speaks Spanish. I am learning some Spanish from language CDs that I purchased, but I'm sure my grasp of the language will be cause for much amusement to the people of Ecuador!

I'm getting REALLY excited about my trip now!!! The only thing that has me a little nervous is that I haven't yet received my new passport. My old one expired in 2002, and of course I waited till the last minute to send in my renewal! Why do I do these things to myself???