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The microwave has become my new clothes dryer. It has been said that living in Ecuador is a lot like camping, you improvise. The Airbnb is typical of many Ecuadorian homes, there’s a washing machine, but no dryer.   Instead there are clotheslines.

Did I mention that it rains every day in Cuenca?  And that the clothesline is not under cover?  Think of your laundry  getting a second rinse, complements of mother  nature. Free! After a day on the line I was heating up all cotton clothes in the microwave to get them to dry faster. The jeans with metal snaps? Those are in the oven. Mmmmm… scorched cotton.

The washer is older, worn.  For guests the host has conveniently labeled the start button with the English word “Play”. This tiny touch  reminds me of my terrible Spanish speaking skills which I like to refer to as Tarzan Spanish. My most recent Tarzan masterpiece was giving directions to the cabbie. “That office with words, green! We go! Here!

We landed in Guayaquil. The hotel sent a driver holding a placard with my name to escort me to the hotel.  The hotel, a Holiday Inn, had all the employees wearing suits.  The bellman was so clean and crisp and eager all he needed was a tiny pillbox hat to transport me back to the 1950’s. The hotel is also associated with our first disaster. We left behind FuzzyMan’s backpack.

The backpack had a computer, 2 kindles, a US telephone, his wallet and $2000.  We did not discover this until we arrived in Cuenca, 5 hours away. We were able to coordinate the return of this treasure chest to us in Cuenca within 36 hours.

The backpack arrived intact.  This is just one of many kindnesses we have received in our first week.  Dan and I tease each other about these kindnesses: “BLEEPING ECUADOR!!”

We are glad we came, though damp underwear leaves something to be desired.