Swim Team Goes to the Lake

You may remember that back in September I competed in an open-water swim up in Otavalo. And if you read the post, you’ll recall that it was quite the harrowing experience for me. Well, this weekend my coaching partner and I did it again, but this time we took our swim team!

My coaching partner explained that every year the swim team used to take this weekend trip together, and that swimming the lake became not only a highly anticipated event for the team each year, but also a rite of passage. For whatever reason this tradition discontinued and the trip had not been made in some many years. Our school was a little sketched out about the liability concern (and I can’t say that I blame them), so we made this an “unofficial” team trip. Parents had to make all their own arrangements and provide their own transportation. So after much planning and preparation, we had 9 swimmers from our team of 21 that decided they would go swim the lake with us.

Warm-Ups

We stayed overnight in a hotel on the edge of the lake and hired two boats to follow us and, if needed, haul a swimmer out of the water. I’ll remind you that the water is a chilly 18 degrees C (or 65 F). We held a meeting the night before in the hotel restaurant with all the swimmers and their parents, assuring them that their children’s’ safety was our top concern, and how this was going to be a little scary – for the swimmers to swim and the parents to watch. We explained that due to months of training, this challenge was not going to be a matter of physical endurance – because our swimmers had that, but rather this was going to challenge them mentally – to fight through the shock of the cold water and to get over the fear of swimming in open-water. At this point we noticed some of our swimmers’ smiles gradually change to looks of concern. After all the questions from parents were answered and we had sufficiently scared the daylights out of students, we went to bed.

Time to Get Ready!

We met in the parking lot at 6:30 am for some light exercise and warm ups and then we loaded up into the boats – parents on one boat, swimmers on the other. My partner and I had already divided the swimmers into 2 groups. One group would swim a full 3,000 meters and the second group would swim 2,200. Her husband was going to swim with the first group, and she and I were going to swim with the second group. (So yes, this means I had to swim in that ice cold lake AGAIN!)

Off You Go!

The boat took us out to the desired distance and then we all jumped in and started swimming! Immediately there were two kids who started panicking and wanted to get out but we wouldn’t let them. Remember – this is going to take mental toughness, we told them. We’re not going to let you drown, but we’re not going to let you quit, either. So together, spread out in groups of two and three, we started swimming across the lake. My partner and I had the task of swimming back and forth in between the groups and shouting words of encouragement to our swimmers. And if just treading water and obsessively doing head counts of swim caps won’t tire you out enough, try having to coax along a reluctant swimmer as well. No easy feat!

Braving the Cold Water

Remember that scene in Titanic when Rose and Jack are clinging to a piece of flotsam and they are slowly going into shock from hypothermia but they are professing their undying love for each other? It was sort of like that. I’ll never let go, Jack!

Push through the Cold and Fear of Lake Monsters!

Finally, after about an hour of swimming we all reached the shore. It was a little hilarious when some of the girls got tangled up in some algae and started screaming their heads off. I would be lying if I said their own parents weren’t laughing at their histrionics. Next, we were shuttled out to the big boat where we were welcomed by proud parents, warm clothes, and jugs of cinnamon water and hot chocolate.

Approaching the Finish Line

I was so proud of our kids to be able to complete this challenge. I’m sure at one point or another they all wanted to quit. And I saw the looks of strain and concern on all of their faces at one point or another during the swim, but they did it and they did it together and it was such a cool thing to be a part of.

We received so much love and gratitude from the parents. They really understood what we were trying to teach their children with this experience – about grit and toughness and perseverance. One girl even said that it was “the best day of her life.” And I hope this can once again become a regular tradition for the swim team here as I believe it was an invaluable experience for all of those who did it, myself included.

VICTORY!!!

Ano Viejo-The Old Year

Poor Widow

After spending Christmas with family in Orlando, Justin and I returned to Quito on the afternoon of the 31^st.  And while we were still heartbroken over losing Howie, we were determined to try to start the New Year off on a positive note.

I’ll admit that last year I think we were both a little too shy to get in on the traditional Ano Nuevo celebrations – burning effigies in the streets, paying alms to the men in drag (symbolic widows of the Ano Nuevos) harassing cars at street corners. But this time we dove right in. First, I picked up a bottle of champagne from the duty free store in the airport. Next, we walked down to the corner to purchase an Ano Viejo.

This is a stuffed doll effigy with paper mache face that is supposed to symbolize the old year. The faces on these things are all slightly terrifying, and the fact that their bodies are made of what appear to be old infant clothing is a dad unsettling. However, we picked an ugly old hag doll, paid $5 and then returned home.

Creepiest Shopping Experience Ever

Next we scouted out a good patch of sidewalk to set this thing on fire. Armed with Ano Viejo and two plastic cups of cheap champagne, we set off. Justin spent about 15 minutes trying set this thing ablaze. Finally, we had to tear holes into the onesie it was wearing and light some of the shredded newspaper stuffing inside. After much ado it finally started to burn. We sat on the curb sipping our champagne and watching the flames.

a lighter, our

Got One!

Next it was time to make an affirmation for the New Year and as is Ecuadorian custom, to jump over the Ano Viejo as it burns. We thought about the loved ones we lost in 2015. Though they may no longer be with us on this earth, we know they live on in Eternity and in our hearts, stories, and memories.

And with that, we jumped over the old year and landed with two feet into the New.

Leave 2015 Behind

Goodbye Old Friend

I debated whether or not to write this post for a while. There are some things that are meant to be kept to oneself and to be kept private, and things that aren't interesting to all the people who read our blog. Over the past year Shannon and I have gone through the trial of losing loved ones while living far away. Our distance kept us from being able to say our final goodbyes in a way that was gut wrenching for both of us. I say this now only to highlight the sort of events are meant to be dealt with on a private level, or with family only instead of publishing on the internet. However, the flip side of that token is that one of our primary uses of this blog is to capture our lives as we travel abroad like a time capsule. I want to read this one day and experience the same sorrows and joys that I am feeling at this time because it all makes up our lives as we are living them. What's a time capsule without realism? To remember only the exciting, fun, or convenient is to do a disservice to ourselves and anyone who happens to read this blog. That's why I decided ultimately to share some of our most recent experiences on the blog.

A week ago, our dog, a member of our family, and one of my best friends in the world, Howie, died of a traumatic and sudden cause. I adopted Howie at a pet shelter in NJ in 2005 and have had him ever since. You will recall if you've been keeping up with this blog that moving to Ecuador without Howie was never an option. He was a main part of my life, and the only constant from the time I was 18 until last week. He was by my side playing, walking, and guarding my house when it was a small apartment in a bad neighborhood in NJ, then a nicer area in Florida, then a house with a yard when my house became our house and he and I moved in with Shannon, and ultimately here in Ecuador. He was a part of our family and he will be missed.

I will save some details and feelings for myself but mention this. Howie was an incredible dog whose kind spirit, obedience, loyalty, and playful nature will not be forgotten. He was by my side when I was a punk teenager making my way through college, feeling out my career, and then when I found Shannon and we embraced this lifestyle of nomadic adventure. He was an omnipresent figure in my life and in our family. I will always be thankful for the way he taught me responsibility and unselfishness as a young man and Shannon and I will always cherish the memories we all had together.

Few people know the joys of having a dog, but those who do truly understand that they heighten everything in your life. The feeling of coming home after a long day and seeing the eyes of a dog glaring up at you excited by your mere presence is unmatched by almost anything in this world. Dogs bring great joy, companionship, and stabilizing calmness to the lives of anyone they are around. But their loss often exemplifies the worst a person can feel.

Howie lived a good life. He played on the Pacific beaches of coastal Ecuador, ran around in the mountainous parks of Quito, sunbathed beneath palm trees in Florida, and ran around on the streets of New Jersey. Thank you to Meagan, Candy, Tom, Ellen, Bethany, and any and everyone who helped us bring him to Ecuador when we moved. It was not an easy task. A special thank you goes to Howie for completing our family and for all the memories. Good bye my old friend.

R.I.P. Howie 2004-2015