Continents

Once again during our summer travels, the family returned to the United States from Ecuador. The two oldest kids, Sophie and Dom, had a great time, so we asked for their observations. Here is Sophie’s – An Eleven Year Old’s Observation of Ecuador

the entire family returned to the United States from Ecuador where we had spent eight days running around the central spine of the country along the Andes. We brought our two oldest kids, Sophie and Dom. We asked for their observations. This is a Nine Year Old’s Observation of Ecuador.

Every year as students run out the double doors of school after following the last final exam onto summer jobs and family vacations, I pursue my summer goal, leave the country. I try to visit a new country every year. Sometimes it happens, other times it does not. Occasionally, a summer will present multiple summer travel possibilities. This is one of those summers. Each trip is unique.

Leading up to a year and a half in Peru and Bolivia, a visiting priest, either in ignorance or false hyperbole, described the poverty and struggles of Peru. “All they had to offer us was cuy or our guinea pig. That’s all they had to eat.”

In 2012, I decided to spend my 40th birthday doing some things that I love. Thus the idea of cycling around Belgium to various Trappist monasteries and drinking their delicious homemade brew was born.

The Pink Elephant in the Cafe Our final day of group riding was also our shortest. From the sparsely population of Chimay

Our peloton of novice bike riders hit the pavement towards the Hainaut province town of Mariembourg on our way to Chimay, the last big day of cycling.

I left A c’t’heure dînant an hour later with a silly grin on my face and two hands transporting a cardboard box full of Westvleteren.