Deelish dinner and hilltop retreat

I went for dinner last night with Charlene, a fascinating women who has lived, worked and traveled all over the world, I really enjoy her company, more about her later in this post. The meal was sooo good. The restaurant called Tiestos, is owned by the charming chef Juan Carlos Solano, tall, dark, handsome, so personable and attentive. He continually visited the tables to chat and ensure everyone was happy . The open kitchen allows him to see diners enjoying his food, and he is in full view of diners wanting to watch him, he is lovely to look at. We ordered ' lomo fino a la crema y tomate' medium rare, which are medalians of beef, the crema a delicious reduction with cream added, the meat was first rate, tender flavorful and perfectly cooked. We were first served a basket of bread accompanied with 7 little bowls of an assortment of salsas, eggplant, mango, hot pepper, garlic and parsley, others I do not know what was in them but they were good. The main course was served with four side dishes all yummy too. The deserts we ordered were art on a plate, I ate mine slowly savoring every bite. Along with the meal we had a bottle of red wine and ended with a liquor. Total cost of this feast for two, $33.90. I will be going back, next time I will try for a picture of chef Juan Carlos Solano.

Charlene, who gave me the OK to show her name and picture here, now lives in Ecuador and owns a chicken and trout farm. She has a manager who does most of the work while she oversees. Her home is a 100 year old colonial style u shaped around an outside terraza. The house is now in the midst of being renovated. She has lived in Hawaii, India, Japan, China, Taiwan, Australia and is originally from Oregon. She came to South America a year ago with the intent of travelling through out all the countries starting in Columbia. She got to Ecuador loved it so much never went any further and decided to stay and live here. Her son, his wife and child have also moved here. She has stories to tell.

I have booked a single cabin here, http://www.izhcayluma.com/en/frameset.html, for four days starting next Tuesday. I decided I need a holiday from my holiday and this seemed the perfect place. Massage, facial, Reiki, hiking the hills, a day of horse riding. Cost per night is $24..

I am enjoying this respite from my real life in Canada, a real life I love, and feel so blessed to be able to do this every once in while, explore different countries and cultures, but my roots are deep in Canada I won't be moving here or anywhere I else I travel to. I do like Ecuador and the people I have met here and I am thinking I might return next year for another visit.