"somebody you know" was disappointed and did find the answer and does want you to bring home the cards.....another somebody else you know wasn't supposed to tell you the answer!!! my new teacher bag has been working to perfection! i've carried a huge binder in it all week and you'd never know it! you guys are getting a lot of messages, i hope you're reading and replying to them all!!!tienes muy divertido ninos!!!

Dear Maya and Braden, your last post was a really wonderful description of your your adventure to the cloudburst forest, thank you! Can't wait for the next missive.

Val, Clem and Jaky

HEY YOU TWO!!

Well we all miss you very much and I am loving the adventures your on and secretly jealous of them (guess it's not much of a secret now). Reading about the trip to the waterfall was the best because i could hear your voices and what you guys would have been saying, it sounds like a rowboat moment to me!!! Hope you guys are still doing great.

Miss you and love you tons!

Kimmie

Hi Maya and Braden,

It has been great reading your messages. Wow - you are having quite the adventure. I was wondering the same thing as your Mom and Dad - were you the only ones hiking and climbing the waterfalls? I'm looking forward to telling Lindsay all about your hike (sliding down in the mud, scaling waterfalls, walking through streams) - she will be very impressed.

Looking forward to reading about more of your adventures.

Love to you both

Michelle, Carter, Lindsay and James xoxo

Braden and Maya, Thanks for writing and letting us know what you are doing - I think! Most of your adventures sound very exciting and I know you are learning lots! However, your cautious mother is reminding you to 'be careful'.

Don and I took the puppy for a long walk yesterday, we explored more of the trails near Calais Road. When we got home we walked to the lake so the dog could swim - she loves the water.

Take care and thanks again for the great messages!

Love Mom

Wow, what a week-end you two had! Were you two the only hikers in the that Cloudburst Forest? How did your hair stand up ,Maya? I guess you had better take some salsa lessons right away in order to really enjoy the nightlife there. Maya, the book Things Made by Inuit , arrived today, thank-you so very much, it will be very special to have. Love to you both

Oh my gosh Branden, wish I could learn Spanish that fast! Yours plans sound exciting! We are all pretty much moved into our new house - phew- what a couple of weeks. Sebastian had to stay an extra day (missed his booked flight back to Toronto from Alberta of course) because of food poisoning. We took him out for a nice "goodbye" dinner at EARLS(!) and he was so sick the next day he missed his flight. Luckily we got another flight the day after and right from Medicine Hat too. So he is back in Toronto ready for his (finally) last semester. Daisy finished her essay and is threatening us with her thesis defence next Christmas - I think we will all head to Mexico is that is the case. Have fun.

somebody you know was disappointed that you quit the game after 15 minutes. She said the answer to the first question was male and female. what a stumper is that. She's hoping to get her hands on it when you get back to try some of the other questions. (somebody you know used a helper).

Hey Maya and Braden,
the cloud forest sounds like a wonderfulr idea; will you go with a tour group or visit one of the eco-lodges? Hopefully you'll see some beautiful birds, and maybe even get a picture or two! The Otavalo market also sounds like fun - there are many wonderful pictures on the internet showing the food, craft, and animal markets. Enjoy the hustle/bustle, but look out for pick-pockets!
How is the activity of Tungurahua currently? I read that it was spewing lots of ash last month, but I gather that's par for the course? Banos itself looks beautiful, tucked in between the mountains.
Enjoy the old town and the forest this weekend, and send an update when you can. (Apparently Otavalo has lots of internet cafes, so maybe you'll find a faster computer there so you can post pictures?)
Take care, -E.

Hey guys we just got connected today to slow dial up because usless Dell is giving us problems with our wireless of course so we can't wait to get up to speed with your travels. Our connection is really, really slow for now (might as well be in the jungle - grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr) so have a great trip. Sebastian returns to Toronto today - boohoo

Val, Clem and Seb and Jaky

hey kids, i really thought a couple of smarties like you would be able to get those questions.....i guess you'll have to re think your grad school applications and consider a more appropriate career level. 15 min....not too impressive. so anyways...i'm jealous...no more to say....and just so kim gets it right i believe the correct saying is..."what would joe do?"

Hola intrepid travellers, bravers of the stray dog and stale
bread! Loved your first travel log. So happy you arrived
safely and your accomodations are up to Maya's standards of
cleanliness (as per her room...:). Just kidding (because you know you already miss that)! And Maya, just so you know we love you as much as Braden, the card was only mostly for Braden because you'd already received a similar gift. And also, the card forgot to mention it was hoping to be part of your meal plan. Silly card. MISS YOU ALREADY! Hope you're having too much fun to miss us! Enjoy every day and
post some pictures! Love, -E.