Getting here

IMG_2601
Well February 1st has finally arrived, we are at the Ottawa airport checking in our luggage. We have been so careful not to go over the fifty pounds allowed, although we could each have had 2 suitcases we only had one each. We had not been as careful with our carryon luggage as we were told by others they usually don’t check the weight. Leo’s camera equipment was over 3 lbs and my carry on was over by 2. It took a lot of ‘what should we be doing’ and maybe not arguing with the lady and she quit saying I should not allow this to go one and she finally put on an “approved sticker”. WHEW we got that through. Boarding passes and passports in hand headed to the plane. Quick flight to TO . Which should have been a 1 ½ layover changed to 5 hour layover because of plane to Peru problems.Finally on the Air Canada Rouge, the rouge did not mean a high classed plane, like no leg room, it smelt and was huge. We had noticed in the loading all the young mothers with little ones on their own. The stewardess’ and stewards of looked like they were right of a Vogue cover page. The one steward really stood out not only did he look like a model but exactly like Elvis, .helping a young mother carrying here baby while she attended to her other toddler, quit the picture….This flight was a torturous 8 hours long, food was bearable, tea horrible and booze very expensive. The night was very long, neither of us slept and kept walking to the back of plane to beg for some water. The airport in Lima was massive lots of neat stores and restaurants. We ate at Millers Brewery Pub looked safe, had a Montreal smoked sandwich and an organic beer all very good for a total of $38.98 not including tip. Headed to the loading area to try and catch some sleep before our next flight to Quito. Layover in Lima about 4 hours, flight to Quito was only 2 1/2 hours on Avianca, beautiful plane, lots of room food and wine good and service excellent. Six hour layover in Quito ( airport is gorgeous with a look of mountains outside), shuttle bus to plane met a guy from Quebec who had been affiliated with El Mirador (the project where we are staying), small world. Very short flight to Manta, Leo ended up with excruiting pains in his ears with the sudden decent to the Manta airport. Manta airport what can I say very small quaint. Got our luggage, YEAH all was there and none had been lost considering all of the stops. Outside was a very friendly face holding a sign with our names on it, our driver Jo Lynn.