1st Invasion Wave Landed

11:30ish local time Quito (1 hour behind home due to daylight saving) so a looooong, long day so far and while it's not quite over yet (still need to get from the airport to hostel), the end is in sight.
Successfully navigated the customs gambit with nary a furled brow on the part of our agent who couldn't have been nicer or more efficient. Part of that MAY have had to do with our "secret weapon" (more on that to come) but we didn't notice anyone actually having any "issues" on our flight.
So next it's on to that wonderful family game we all love to play...."Will MY luggage be the only one to fail to make an appearance at the end of the belt?"
Let's review the odds - three flight legs involving two different airlines, three countries, three gate changes, arriving in the middle of the night in a foreign country with language skills approaching  those of deaf parrot. Real good chance this is going to work out favorably.
Then, just to add a little bit of drama to what is rapidly becoming a hotbed of frazzled nervedom - consider the fact that our US cell phones became dysfunctional ornaments after leaving Orlando and we've not been able to confirm our hotel shuttle pickup at the airport. Once again....in a world where one could actually "count on" others doing their jobs it wouldn't be an issue, in ours though................
Somehow it all came together. Call it proper star alignment, luck of the draw, living the righteous life (hey, 1 out of 2 should count for something!), or the Shamanic influence of the Andes - call it what you will and we're ok with it.
In hindsight, we're putting our money on two specific items.
First, someone had the foresight to design the trip in such a way as to mentally "prepare" the participants for what might lie ahead.
First leg EWR to MCO. Domestic leg with bags checked through internationally. Does the $50 fee for first (and every) checked bag apply or not? (It didn't) As is always the case at EWR, our flight is assigned to the gate at the VERY end of the terminal (are ALL flights assigned to that gate?). Then, of course, when you hear the announcement that it's boarding - BUT going to West Palm instead of Orlando guess why? - gates been changed to the one all the way at the other end of the terminal. Hey, at least they are consistent- that should count for something.
To the rescue our "secret weapon" to which I alluded before.
Our final party will consist of three generations - my Mom, us, and our Son. He will be arriving tomorrow and traveling alone but with the same itinerary. Today it's just us and my Mom who at her age amazes all that know her with her willingness to hop in the car or on a plane at the proverbial drop of a hat and "go". While she continues to put to shame many a mere fraction of her age, there comes a time when doing an "OJ" through the airport to react to a last minute gate change that requires crossing multiple county lines - just isn't going to happen.
Hence the "secret weapon" reference.
For those of you contemplating airline travel we can only suggest you include in your plans your version of my Mom. Yours, if she's available, a suitable substitute relative, or if none are either available or willing grab anyone off the street that meets the qualifications if need be. Trust me, if the positive "family" benefits aren't enough to convince you to do the right thing, the "secret weapon" benefits will be.
All kidding aside, I don't have a clue what it was that prompted the airlines (at least those we dealt with) to become some proactive when it comes to accommodating (at least some of) the needs of our seniors and others of those with "accessibility" issues. I'd like to believe it was borne of a good heart and burning desire to be good corporate citizens and just do the "right thing". I'd like too to believe in the Tooth Fairy. Whatever the reason, and to whomever it is that we owe a debt of gratitude for getting it accomplished, I am thankful for the results have been a significant increase in the ease in which they are able to navigate the strictures of modern day airport confines.
Both Continental and Copa Airlines provided exemplary service in what would otherwise had been essentially an impossible situation on more than one occasion, given the time constraints and physical distances involved.
While I am in NO WAY suggesting or inferring that anyone abuse the system that they have in place for those truly in need, I will wholeheartedly advise that you avail yourself of it should your circumstances dictate the need.
There isn't much "nice" that can be said about air travel these days. In the course of my lifetime they've (that elusive "they") managed to transform what was a truly enjoyable, efficient, positive experience and turn it into one that ranks right up there on the "drudgery" list of things to do.
That at least one small portion of it can make life a little easier for those that deserve it most - matters.

Joy, Sadness, Great Expectations, and a little Politics

To describe our lives over the last couple weeks as an "emotional roller coaster" might qualify as the understatement of the year.
Every June, for as long as either of us can remember, the end of yet another school year would bring a range of feelings from "phew" to pride in the accomplishments each and every kid made during the year, to sadness in recognition of the fact that we'd not have those smiling faces as an integral part of our daily lives, to joy in the expectation of a summer together as a family.
This June, though, is indeed singular in virtually every aspect.
Our impending departure on a 5 week odyssey in Ecuador, now a mere 4 days away, is, of course a source excitement and expectation. It seems impossible to believe that we made lodging and air travel reservations months ago and have spent countless hours "researching" everything from the geography to local customs to the food.
The one big regret we have is that despite our "best intentions" to become at least somewhat familiar with the language it has become apparent that doing so requires something more than just thinking about it. At least our record of success with New Year's resolutions remains a perfect 100% - or 0% depending on your point of view. We did, however, pick up a few words along the way and one in particular seems to fit not only this situation but what we hope be will the tenor of our lives once we land in Ecuador on a permanent basis.
The word is "manana".
At first blush, you are probably saying "manana = tomorrow" - everyone knows that. What does that have to do with the "tenor" of your future lives?
Well, at least in Ecuador, "manana" doesn't actually mean "tomorrow" - the definition is more like "not today". Might be tomorrow, might be next week, might be......
A common thread among the musings of many who have expatriated to Ecuador deals with the "manana" phenomenon. The cliff notes version is that it represents a very basic, distinct, and major cultural difference between the Ecuadorians in general and those accustomed to life in the good ole USA.
Essentially it boils down to the fact that most Ecuadorians are loathe to disappoint and don't want to say anything that they think might. So "manana" (sometime the future) is a state of mind - not a point in time.
For two, decidedly "A" type personalities, becoming acclimated to the manana culture will likely be a bit of a chore. Indeed, many of those who know us are betting the ranch on it not happening - we'll see.
So looking forward to our trip has indeed been a source of excitement but has also been much more subdued than it might otherwise have been due to a number of "issues" that have occurred over the past few months.
The untimely death (is it ever "timely"?) of Marilyn's principal and close friend Ms. Dorothy McDonald was a devastating blow both on a personal level and to the community as a whole. Dorothy was, in the eyes of everyone who had ever come in contact with her, the epitome of the "Perfect Educator". She embodied all that is right with education and had a unique ability to bring out the best in all those she came in contact with. Parents, Teachers, co-workers, and Kids alike literally worshiped the ground she walked on and all were thankful, and better people, for having been in her presence. To this day, and in the light of subsequent "issues" which faced the Clarksville community many will ask "What would Dorothy do?" when faced with difficult decisions.
And the flood of "difficult decisions" had only begun.
On the heels of her loss the District embarked on the annual ritual of "selling" the School Budget to an increasingly antagonistic electorate.
Ours is, by comparison to other districts and as defined by the state Education Department, an "affluent" district. The District includes portions of two very distinct towns. The largest segment (~95%) a fairly typical, "upscale", "bedroom", "affluent" town, the population of which includes a significant percentage of State, Federal, and other governmental and public employees.
The second segment consists of a relatively small portion of a neighboring town and is decidedly more rural in nature and, on average, of lesser means. For as long as anyone can remember there has existed an uneasy truce between the towns residents and despite protestations to the contrary, frequent comments of disdain hurled at the "hillbilly" kids by their more "uppity" classmates.
During the "good" economic years an onslaught of  "McMansion" neighborhoods brought with it an increase in enrollment and subsequent overcrowding of existing facilities. Decisions were made regarding a new Elementary facility and additions to existing structures based on enrollment projections and Board of Education policies regarding school size and neighborhood proximity. In hindsight, many question the wisdom of the decisions made and certainly no one foresaw the economic calamity which hit the nation as a whole.
In an attempt to "close" a projected budget gap (and to present a budget that the community would vote in favor of) various cost cutting measures were advanced - one of which was the closing of Clarksville Elementary.
I'll not burden you with the specifics but suffice it to say the debate was mean, bitter, ugly, pitted town against town - neighbor against neighbor, and exacerbated an already "snob vs hillbilly" mentality that infected not only the lives of adults who should know better but those of their (our) kids as well.
True to its legacy (and to Dorothy's), Clarksville remained a monument of "learning" to the bitter end. The Community united and mounted a response that far outweighed its overwhelmingly small percentage of the electorate. The group which was comprised of parents, teachers, and community members with no direct relationship with the school but concerned none the less, dug into the "facts" and challenged many of those presented by advocates of closure.
In the end, justice "didn't" prevail.
Tuesday was the last day for the kids of Clarksville, Thursday was my last day.
Today, Marilyn locked the door behind her for the very last time with the knowledge that she can say that she did "what Dorothy would do".
That is a legacy of which one can be proud - unlike the legacy those who advocated, voted for, and ultimately prevailed, will have to live with the rest of their lives.
To see the kids of Clarksville demonstrating what a "class act" is all about, right click here
and select "view in new tab".
To read the article, right click here
and select "view in new tab".

It's Getting Close......

"It", being.....
- retirement,
- old age,
- the promised, "golden" years,
- packing it all in and relocating to Ecuador.....

Take your pick of any or all.

For the moment though, the "It" that's getting close is our embarking on an "exploratory" visit to what we hope will be not just a geographical relocation, but also a new (and exciting) segment of our lives.

Picking up and moving to a "third world" country, especially at this stage of life, isn't a decision that's right for everybody. Indeed, many of our friends and acquaintances respond to the news that we are considering such with mouths agape and blank stares that shout, without words, that "they really have lost it".

Be that as it may, from everything we've read and learned so far we think it's what is best for us at this point in our lives.

The first question everyone always asks is "have you been there?"
The answer is simple, "no" - but that will change in 17 days.

"How on earth can you seriously consider such a move without ever having been there?" is the next, logical question (which usually goes unspoken by the "they've lost it"-ers).

Truth is, you can't (or at least, shouldn't).
But in this age of the "internets" there is a wealth of information available out there free for the taking and it really is possible to garner an understanding of what life would be like pretty much anyplace on the planet should you desire to do so and are willing to put in the requisite "surf time".

The hundreds of hours of "research" we've put in over the last year or so have brought us to the point where we think a move to Ecuador is a very real possibility - a definite "maybe". It's time for "boots on the ground" as they say to confirm (or deny) our current impressions. With tickets purchased, plans made, and suitcases ready to be packed the final countdown to June 28 is underway.

None of this would have been possible without the efforts of those countless bloggers who have preceded us - blazing the trail by having already made the move and, more importantly, spending the time to post their experiences for others to share.

The list of bloggers we have been following (and to whom we are indebted) is much too long to include here and "memory" being what it is in this decade of our lives, we would undoubtedly "forget" to include some. But, as time goes on we'll be pointing you to many of them. For the time being, if you are interested in expanding your horizons beyond our musings we'd suggest you start here. (right click on the word "here", select "Open in New Tab"). The link will take you to the "South of Zero" blog which is a wonderful site that is updated daily and contains a list of those blogs which have published new posts that day.

It's in an effort to "repay" the expat blogger community from which we have gained such an incredible insight that we are initiating this blog. Hopefully, we'll be able to add something to the body of knowledge available to those considering a similar move in their futures.

So, whether you are seriously thinking about a permanent relocation in your future, or just want to follow the next phase of our "adventure" - jump on in, the water's fine!

By way of "disclaimers" we ask that you bear with us, at least initially, since we are new to the world of "blogs" and learning as we go so the mechanics of the site may be something less than professional, at least at first. Hopefully, as time goes on we'll work out the kinks and in the meantime we would appreciate any suggestions you have that might make it more "user friendly".

Over the next few days, prior to our departure, we'll be filling in some of the blanks as to who we are and how we got to this point for those of you who may be interested.

Thanks for taking the time to read and please feel free to "follow" our blog and use the "Post Comments" section below.