We work with some tremendous public servants! Our U.S. Consulate employees raised several thousand dollars to provide gift cards to some of the families of folks who protect us everyday, and several thousand more to support a large orphanage in the neighborhood. Last Saturday afternoon, we took several carloads of gifts, food, and clothing to the orphanage, and spent several hours with the kids. It was a fun, uplifting afternoon of food, gifts, play and singing. We were once again reminded how fortunate we are, not that we have material goods, but that we Americans have charitable and generous hearts. It is once again a special honor and pleasure to serve this great country of ours with such extraordinary colleagues. Happy holidays!!!
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| Shelly's new friends |
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| All the kids are learniing music |
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| Singing about Rudolph and reindeer games |
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| Jingle bells too |
Ecuadorians are getting ready to say good-bye to 2014. The tradition known as Ano Viejo involves buying a large papier-mache doll, filling it with firecrackers and notes of bad things from the past year, and lighting them afire on New Year's Eve. These very ornate, colorful, and highly amusing figures are an impressive art form.
