Travel Day/Day 1 of Many!

Yesterday was our travel day.  After selling all of our possessions at the auction Sunday, we slept on the floor with the pets.  We thought of staying at a friend's house or a hotel, but Bill and I both knew we wouldn't really get any sleep, so we spent one last night in Henryville.

The flights were smooth and everyone was friendly as Bill and I escorted our dog, Abby, and cat Cami, through four different airports.  We had heard horror stories about people entering Ecuador with their pets only to have them quarantined or turned away.  I have to say, it was very easy AFTER we made sure to have the proper documentation. The customs official seemed at little shocked after I gave him a BIG hug as he signed off on our paperwork. Bienvenidos a Ecuador!

My friend Beth asked me to describe the process of transporting our animals.  First, we contacted the airlines online and printed their "emotional support animal" document.  I did not want my pets to travel in the cargo portion of the plane.  If you have a doctor sign this document, then your pets are considered service animals and can fly in the cabin with you.  However, that being said, we did call both of the airlines we used and double checked to make them aware they were coming.  We also found the Ecuadorian document needed to bring pets in the country online.  Your vet has to be certified to fill these out.  Once the animals are checked, all shots are updated, and records are collected, then I had to travel to the USDA office in Indianapolis to have them approved and certified. This must happen within TEN days of departure.  We had Abby on a leash and carried Cami in a carry-on approved soft-sided container. The only hiccup through the day was that we have had to leave the TSA approved area to let Abby relieve herself.  Time was an issue for us, and Abby usually has no problems while we were at work, so she made it through the day.  She was so excited to be petted by everyone, I don't think it occurred to her to go! 

So now we are in our temporary house on the beach.  Bob and Rox, our gracious hosts, made sure we had everything we needed for our first night.  They even supplied a litter box and food for each pet! If you are ever interested in coming to Ecuador, Bob and Rox have two lovely places for rent right on the beach.  Let me know, and I'll be happy to put you in contact with them.  We will start looking for a long term rental on Thursday, but we know we have several options.  Abby and Cami (and Bill) are taking much needed naps as I speak and things are calming down.  

We walked down the beach earlier today to our favorite lunch-time restaurant, Rocio's.  We found this little cabana in June as I saw several workers' trucks parked in front and many people eating there, so I knew it must be good food.  They have no indoor seating.  Everything is under a thatched roof, steps from the Pacific Ocean.  Most restaurants have a lunch special for $3 (US), which includes a soup, main course of a meat, rice and plantains, and freshly squeezed "jugo del dia" (juice of the day). Today's juice was tamarind fruit.  It was yummy.

The soup was a vegetable-beef with large pieces of meat and potatoes as well as sliced corn on the cob. The main course was a stew with fried plantains, rice, fresh limes, and pico de gallo.  The daily special changes every day.  It was delicious food.  

On our way home, I bought everything needed to make fresh guacamole for $3.  I thought I'd make a little snack as we watch the election results come in tonight. Bill is in charge of the fruity drinks.   

Thanks again to all the friends and family who came to see us these last few days in the United States, and thank-you to our Ecuadorian friends for helping us through the process of moving our lives here.  I may join the nappers, now.  

Peace.