Miami (my mammy)

Having spoken to and seen Gio’s mum on Skype we decided to surprise her with a visit. She is currently visiting Gio’s brother, Ronnie, at his home in Fort Lauderdale. So we booked some last minute flights to Miami and off we went. I wish we had had a video camera for when Gio’s mum answered the door – it was a perfect reaction with plenty of tears, and it felt good to back with family.

Not only did we very much enjoy spending time with family and being able to share the stories of the trip so far, it was bliss to wash our clothes properly and sleep in a big wonderful bed. We spent every evening being fed to the brim by Ari’s (Ronnie’s wife) absolutely amazing cooking and with Ronnie very generously plying us with plenty of delicious red wine. We hadn’t realised how much we had missed creature comforts and the easy life!

Ronnie's garden

Sunday Ari had a party for a few friends, and it was a great opportunity to practise our Spanish with friends from Colombia, Peurto Rico, Dominican Republic and Ecuador – lots of Spanish and a real boost of confidence to be able to understand what everyone was talking and joking about. And to actually be able to say something!

As a surprise, as Gio’s mum loves them, Ari organised a Mariachi band to come to the party. We were ALL completely shocked when they came in to the garden singing – it was brilliant. Once more Nina was shocked to tears!

So, food, food, food, and a little shopping. The week zoomed by and I am not quite sure what we have to show for it. Ari helped me practise my Spanish which was great, but apart from that it was just spent relaxing. A holiday from a holiday – lucky, lucky us.

And so we returned to Quito, not sure what the next few days/weeks/months would hold but knowing that we were going to very much miss the amazing hospitality and Gio’s lovely family. And the bed, oh the lovely, lovely bed!!

The sunset view in Ronnie's garden: