Ecuador 2012 - Day 13

Ecuador Day 13 - The last day there. 4 photos tell the very simple story. Children sleep in clothing, warm shower, farewell to Gecko, and stuck in Miami thanks to American Airlines and its quasi-striking. Until next time!

Day 13 Photos

Ecuador 2012 - Day 12

Day 12 - The pilgrimage comes to an end. It is our last full day in Ecuador. We visit family in Quayaquil, see some elaborate effigies, and we pray at Saint Narcisa's farm, where she grew up. Tomorrow we leave for the airport at 4 a.m.

Day 12 Photos

Ecuador 2012 - Day 11

Ecuador Day 11 - It is Sunday and things begin winding down a bit. Some morning laundry, followed by Sunday Mass with the black Jesus, and then time with family. 

Day 11 Photos

Ecuador 2012 - Day 10

Ecuador Day 10 - We pray at the hacienda's chapel, shop local markets, eat at the best restaurant yet, and fly back to Guayaquil.

Day 10 Photos

Ecuador 2012 - Day 9

Ecuador Day 9 - We are off to Colombia to visit our Lady of Las Lajas.  God really did bless us with a great trip. Day 9 was a Friday, so the day's pilgrimage and its physical exertions were our penance. Only 3 days left...

Day 9 Photos

Ecuador 2012 - Day 8

Ecuador Day 8 - We begin our trek out of Quito and head north towards Ibarra. We visit a Gothic church, two middle of the worlds, and our Lady of Quinche. Another long day in the car, but our Lady keeps our spirits up.

Day 8 Photos

Ecuador 2012 - Day 7

We do a walking tour of Quito. Gold covered churches, masonic assassination plots, weathervane roosters that come to life and beat the crap out of drunkards, cable cars to 13,000 feet, hamster balls on water, and a woman with a crown of twelve stars and wings! It was a big big day. 

Photos Day 7

Ecuador 2012 - Day 6

Day 6 - We fly to Quito and squeeze in a visit to the churches of San Francisco and San Domingo to pray and admire what the Faith can build.

Day 6 photos.

Ecuador 2012 - Day 5

Day 5 - A restful, laid back day. We started by visiting family in the cemetery and praying that they may hasten through Purgatory and enter Heaven ASAP. We then stopped for some ice cream, took local public transportation (the kids had been begging for this since Day 1), and visited my mother's side of the family (ones that were alive) in Banife, the next town over. The rest of the evening was spent preparing for the next day's flight to the capital city, Quito.

Photos of Day 5

Ecuador 2012 - Day 4

Day 4 - We woke up in Playas, Ecuador. The town is literally called "Beaches" in Spanish. There are two very popular beach towns in Ecuador. Salinas is like the Miami Beach of Ecuador. Parties and nightlife. Playas is like the Cape Cod. More laid back. After Sunday Mass, we enjoy the Pacific Ocean, the pool, hammocks, hand-squeezed orange juice, and coconuts.

Ecuador Day 4 Photos

Ecuador 2012 - Day 3

Day 3 - My parents' good friends, Marco and Betty, drive us to Cuenca. We find closed sites, meet a real Angel who teaches us some interesting things, eat Guinea Pig, and see some amazing scenery.

Click for pictures.

Ecuador 2012 - Day 2

 A little basketball in Grandpa's front patio, then lunch at Cousin Hector's, followed by a visit to a family member on my mother's side: Saint Narcissa of Jesus, an incorruptible. She died in 1869 and even in the hot humid climate 

God has kept her body free of decomposition. She was canonized by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 12, 2008. We were sure to ask that she pray for all those whom we know back home.

Ecuador - Day 2 - Click for pictures.

Ecuador 2012 - Day 1

We prayed at the Cathedral in Guayaquil, but before entering we spent some time in the plaza looking at the plaza's inhabitants.

Day 1 Photos