There was another wonderful parade and then festivities in the square this past Monday in honor of International Womens Day. I love the parades here, they happen weekly, sometimes there are several in a week.

Tuesday I went to the Mall del Rio to check it out and look for new sun glasses, I lost mine somewhere. The mall is similar to malls in Canada, lots of clothing stores and such and a large food court. The one big difference is you can get beer in the food court, a buck for a bottle of national beer and there is a 'huge' screen TV. Lots of guys hanging out there, I assume while the ladies shop.

I am going to the Pacific coast on Monday and will be staying at Hosteria Mandala in Puerto Lopez. The hosteria is located right on the beach and I am told it is a beautiful place to stay. When I came to Ecuador I had planned on taking in the Galapagos Islands however I have had to let that go because the cost to go is more money than I can spend at this time. The next best thing is to go to Isla de la Plata and Isla Salango. Isla de la Plata is sometimes called the poor mans Galapagos, the small island will give me a preview of the Galapagos. While visiting the island I will be able see blue footed and masked boobies, frigates, sea lions, coral reefs and lots of colorful tropical fish. I really want to tour the Galapagos and will do it for sure next trip. I have been able to talk to a lot of people who have been there and finally, though not soon enough before I have to leave, I have learned how I can see it more economically.

I will be hiking and exploring the islands with a guide, like the Galapagos the islands are part of a national protected park, Machalilla National Park

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I have included a picture of Susana, my landlady, and her family, Susana is the one in the stripped orange top. They are wonderful people who have added so such to my stay here in Cuenca and I will really miss them when I return to Canada in 2 weeks.