home

After a busy week of last minutes and good byes -- I am home. This week may end up being nearly as busy as the last for all of the things I am squishing into the time before my new job starts! But it certainly won't include any of these things:

- A trip to Papallacta Hot Springs in the "land of the potato" (translation of papallecta in Quechua), the area between Quito and the Amazon basin, up a big mountain pass from the city. Cold (but not in the water) and beautiful with views of volcano Antisana. Myriam and Donald braved the cold, cold creek water to hot pool, but I only made it into my knees (wuss).

- Cleo having her kittens (again). SO cute. She had three but one didn't make it. She decided to give birth on the pile of dress shirts in Steve's closet while we were out at La Merced. haha.

- Crying at the migration office when they told me that I didn't have all of my papers in order, again (note: three visits to get the so-called exit permit and censo).

- Strange bonding experiences with my University of Toronto masters supervisor. EG. hiking and hanging out, cooking dinner together, doing laundry (oh yeah -- that red underwear -- that's mine)

Picture at the top of the mountain pass on the way to Papallacta with view of the glacier on Antisana
(Was taken in at dusk, so excuse the bad touch-up)

Not allowed to leave

Those of you who remember my Ecuadorian visa fun (read 'fun' = a long list of strange requirements and 11 visits to the Consulate office in Toronto before being rewarded with the return of my passport just before having to step on the airplane) may not be surprised to hear that the jumping through hoops continues.

After I arrived in Ecuador in January I had to register my passport with the Ministerio del Extranjero (translation = Ministry of the Foreigner), which took 4 visits to the office in Quito (never once getting the full list of requirements for how to do so). So, once I had officially registered I decided to avoid any more Latin American bureaucracy at all costs. Now, unfortunately, I must return for another round.

A friend who carries the same visa as I do (for 3-6 months, good for students, scientists and other professionals) told me that he just got his 'permiso de salida'...

"Your what?!"
"You know your exit permit! The one that says you are allowed to leave Ecuador"
"I need a WHAT?"
"Yeah, because you have a visa"
"You CANNOT be serious"

So, what I also never knew was that I should also have a censo, an Ecuadorian identification card that identifies me as a Canadian with a visa. This was supposed to happen by mid-February, oops?! Was that written down somewhere? No? How was I to know? OH. AND that without the censo, I am unable to get this so called 'permiso'.

Tomorrow I am on my way to Migración to sort out the paperwork (for the second time I should add...was also there on Saturday AM). It is incredible how accustomed I am to how things work here now, and how less frustrated I am now compared to if this had happened to me 5 months ago (wait! it sort of did).

It is going to take a major adjustment to get used to 'Canadian' schedules and work ethic. Expect me a little late to any meetings or dates when/if I manage to get home! :)