A Brand New Year (2021)

      I am SO happy that it's now 2021!  May this year be better than 2020!  The year, 2020, was not a bad year on a personal level.  It was a bad year when it comes to world events.  Especially, COVID-19.  Whatever COVID-19 is it killed more businesses and livelihoods than people.  On a personal level, we bought land with a house on it in Guachapala, Azuay, Ecuador, which is not too far from where we live.  It is beautiful just like the land we live on here in Puente Europa, Azuay, Ecuador.  We are growing food and our avocados, blackberries, strawberries, cabbage, zucchini, etc., are doing well.  May 2021 be a better year for travel.

     Randy went to the US for a few days to pay for the land we bought.  He left Saturday, January 2nd, and will return Wednesday, January 6th.  Only a PCR test is needed, vaccines are not necessary.  May vaccines never be necessary.  Using our immune systems should always be an option.  Our 18-year-old son, Kobe, is doing well.  This COVID-19 is making it difficult for him to earn his GED.  He cannot earn his GED in Ecuador and every time we try to schedule a test outside of Ecuador, it gets canceled.  He will take the test, even if he has to take it in Japan.  It appears that to further one's education and/or career, it has to be done online in most cases.  Online is nice, but it should not be the only way to get ahead.  I still dream of visiting other parts of Ecuador.  There is more to Ecuador than only where we live.  

     One thing that does keep me hopeful is music and exercise.  It is much better than being sad and doing nothing but eating and watching Netflix.  I am hopeful that Randy will return to Ecuador safely.  We shouldn't have to fear not being able to return home after traveling because of the possibility of the world being locked down again.  It's sad that some people are offended when the subject of travel is brought up.  Thinking about traveling is not a crime.  Even people who claim to be loners need human contact.  Humans are not destroying the planet.  The fear of COVID-19 is destroying the planet.  

The view of  our property in Guachapala, Azuay, Ecuador from the road.

There is nature all around our property. 

The view of the Guachapala Valley. 

The Guachapala Valley is full of green hills and trees.

This is the trail that Randy, Myles McEachern, and I, hiked to the property.  Myles and his wife, Janice, are the Caretakers.  Rodrigo Saca drove us to the property.

Myles (left) and Randy (right) are in the background.  This is right before we hiked the trail to our property. 

Myles and a friendly male St. Bernard.  He is owned by our neighbor.  We don't know his name.  He posed with everyone.  The dog also adored Randy, but I didn't get a chance to get a picture of the dog with Randy.

Rodrigo and the St. Bernard. 

Here I am with the St. Bernard.  We just love him! 

Here I am photobombing Randy and Rodrigo!

Rodrigo and his truck taxi.  

Lemon Trees 

Our Golden Pond 

The quaint little house on our property.

Our son Kobe (age 18).  He did not want to visit our property in Guachapala.  He prefers the property where we live.  The portrait was painted by our artist friend who lives in Paute, Azuay, Ecuador (Freddy Rokano).