Life in Shell

Walking over the suspension bridge to ITEC is an interesting experience. This very high bridge sways and bounces under your feet and makes loud, booming and popping noises. One time it started bouncing and I heard a loud thunderous noise behind me. When I looked back, 20 children were running over the bridge toward me. After that, I had more confidence in the bridge and was able to relax and enjoy the view along the way.

It's a LONG way down!

The less advisable option is to take this windy road over the river and up a steep hill. 

Dogs. Dogs are everywhere. Some roam the streets during the day and are put on the roof at night to guard their owners home. It takes awhile to get used to seeing dogs looking down on you as you walk past. Others don't seem to have a home. They sleep in the streets and beg for food. Some are missing a leg from what I assume is the result of being hit by a car. My heart would sink when hearing my children ask, "Is that dog sleeping or dead?" Usually it was the former, but sometimes the latter.

At the 90 day mark, we had to request a visa extension. Sounds easy. It's not. It took three visits to two different immigration offices that were one and two hours away by bus. The weirdest part was being denied because our visa hadn't yet expired. The officials advised us to wait until we overstayed our allowance and then come back for the extension. It felt like a trap, but that is exactly how it worked.

On our first attempt, we stayed the night in Banos at Balcon del Cielo and enjoyed breakfast on the outdoor patio with this fabulous view.

By this time we had moved into our friend's house within the same compound, to take care of their home while they were in the US for a few months. Chili and Chavo are good dogs that unfortunately had a bout of botflies while their parents were away. I assisted a nurse friend while she expelled a couple of them. Another addition to my list of new experiences. (Gross!)

Next to our compound is the town's futbol stadium. 

It's a beautiful field where games are played everyday, rain or shine.

View overlooking Shell from the top of the bleachers with the Andes mountains in the distance.

Most days the weather is overcast and rainy, but on the rare blue sky days, the sun comes thru and you wish you were in a pool. Fortunately this pool was walking distance from our home.

My kids, even at 8 years old, were still using 5-point harnessed car seats back home. A couple days in Shell and we were riding unrestrained in the back of a truck. Oh boy.

Due to the high humidity and daily rains, mold happens in a matter of days. In the second house we had a light bulb in the closet which kept items dry. I ended up storing my camera in there as well after  moisture ruined my friend's lenses. This mold happened in less than a week!

A few photos of our compound.

Daddy used a motorcycle to get around. He took a couple trips with friends. One particular trip was to a pitahaya (dragon fruit) plantation which required loading the bike on a type of zipline/cable platform to cross the river.

Thanks to technology and internet, we were able to video chat with friends and family. The kids even played hide and seek by one of them hiding the iPad with the twinners on FaceTime. The other would find them with the twinners making noises to give hints when necessary. Pretty creative kids!

We had the honor of attending a few birthday parties and even a baby gender reveal while in Shell. They all had beautiful decorations, I helped make handmade giant flowers for a quincenera. There was dancing and craft-making, and lots of delicious food.

We hosted a farewell party for friends who were leaving Shell just a week before us. They have built a home for themselves deep in the Amazon jungle as they've been called to minister to the Waodani people that live there. If you're interested in receiving their updates or supporting them. Send me a message and I will connect you.