Chicken (almost) Marsala

The dinner duties have been divvied up depending on who has night classes. It's been changing a lot lately because of our schedules changing. Often times, one of us gets home and we have a conversations something like... R: "I thought you were making dinner tonight."T: "I thought you were making dinner tonight." You get the picture. It's late and we're hungry and there's nothing made. Last week we had one of these nights and I decided that I would go ahead and make dinner, as Ryan had been making dinner a lot lately. I was completely uninspired to make anything, but of course we were both pretty hungry. So I consulted the usuals (smittenkitchen, 101 cookbooks, budget bytes, and sing for your supper) but nothing sounded oh my word, i have to make this right now good. Plus we didn't have too many ingredients in the house. I decided on Chicken Marsala after browsing Taste Spotting for inspiration (always does the trick). But of course, we don't like mushrooms and we didn't have actual Marsala. So I took a little from this and a little from that and the result was delicious!

Here's what I did for the two of us:

CHICKEN - Salt, pepper and flour two chicken pieces (bone in and skin on). Heat oil till hot. Sear on each side for 3 minutes. Remove from heat but keep them warm (I put ours on a plate in the toaster oven).

BACON - Reduce heat of the oil. Add chopped bacon. Brown. Remove from heat but keep warm (I put the pieces on the plate with the chicken in the toaster oven).

VEGGIES - Chop 1 onion and 3 peppers. Mince lots of garlic. Put veggies and garlic in the pan over medium low heat. Season. Add chicken. Cook until veggies are tender and chicken is almost done. Add a big handful of spinach, the bacon and about a cup of red wine. Cover. Simmer until ready.

I served this garlic mashed potatoes and lemony green beans. Everything was ready in about 30 minutes and it was delicious. Make sure to enjoy it with the rest of the wine! Even we were fancy and had wine from the bottle (not a box)!

Ryan's Back

That's right! Ryan is back to blogging. He should be posting at least one blog a week. So all y'all who prefer him to me, give him a hard time when he doesn't post enough!

MULUB,
Taylor

Taxis

At the behest of Taylor I am writing a blog. Lets start of with a little poll to see what people know of the subject matter:

So? How'd ya do?

Really, in Ecuador, this is more of a philosophical/metaphysical question than an absolute. As such, there are no right answers, so be prepared for some SOCRATIC METHOD to be thrown at your candy ass!!!

The Macho Man is not impressed with your faulty logic,OHHH YEAAHH!!!

I'll just tell you that from my layman's knowledge, a taxi driver is someone who picks you up and drives you where you to go.


Now from my experience this is not always case. Say, for example, I have an empty tank of gas and I want to get up the hill to the bodega so I can refill it. I'll put out my hand to hail the taxi and the driver will look me in the eye and go all Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo on me.

REJECTED!!!

Typically in this situation, I have to take an unregistered cab (and by unregistered cab I mean "guy with a car who wants to make a few bucks"). Which is fine, but I usually have to wait a little longer and often wake up in a bathtub full of ice; but you gotta bite the bullet. Sometimes you just need gas.


Another time we were waiting with our cart outside our friendly neighborhood Megamaxi, which looks like this during the day:

.... and this when danger strikes:

So Taylor and and I were waiting by the curb and I hailed a cab. He drives into the circle and sees our cart and motions "no not you, them" and points at a couple of bimbos just walking out of the store with just a few bag. Well, you can guess where this is headed. The bimbos entered the cab. It was obvious that we had been waiting and had also hailed the cab, but why should they worry their pretty little heads about common human decency or an unwritten code. This isn't Nam. There are rules.

The next cabbie to pass me up is going
to enter a world of pain.

To conclude, if you are a cabbie and you have no fare and I hail you. Please, don't pass me by. Pick me up. You're making me feel like Danny Glover.

Quilotoa Weekend

Last weekend we went to Quilotoa with Sebas and Chuki! It was a great time, seriously a great time, but you probably wouldn't think that due to the lack of posting about it! Well, Ryan and I have been super duper busy with classes lately so, at least for me, there's been little extra time as I get used to my new schedule.

Let's start with last weekend -

Sebas came and picked us up from our place on Friday night and took us to his awesome house in Cumbaya (the valley). Ryan and I are both pretty sure that he likes Sebas's house more than he likes our house. He's no fool either, at Sebas's he has a big kennel, a big yard and more people to play with him. He basically loves it!

Sebas's Yard

The Kennel at Sebas's House

We spent the night at Sebas's because we were getting up early to head to Quilotoa. His Aunt made us dinner and it was delicious guatitita! Something we MUST learn how to make before we come home, which I believe will involve purchasing a pressure cooker which in turn will make Ryan SUPER happy!

Saturday we got up and left around 8 or so for Quilotoa. The men strapped Chuki's crate into the back of the pick up and off we went. This was the longest time Chuki's ever spent in his crate (by a lot!) and he did OK. He sat for most of the trip, which I can't imagine was comfortable but whatever! No crying, no whining, no trying to escape and actually no potty breaks.

Chuki's crate in the back of Sebas's pick up

We got to Quilotoa and it was just as beautiful as I expected. We hiked down to the water, ate our sandwhich lunch that I had made that morning and then hiked back up to the rim of the crater.

Quilotoa

The clouds coming down into the lake

A little bit later in the afternoon

As we were getting ready to leave one of the other dogs in the parking lot stole Chuki's big knuckle bone that we had bought him in Chicago! Ryan chased the dog down for a bit but without success. We left knowing we probably had just made that dog's year!

On our way to Banos we stopped in Salcedo for ice cream. According to Sebas, it's an Ecuadorian tradition. Every family has 'their helado' spot. This was his family's place!

Then we went to Banos because Sebas's Aunt has a house (different Aunt then the guatita making Aunt) there. It was such a cool old house! We both told Sebas that he needs to fix up the house and start renting it out, it was that cool!

The entrance to Sebas's Aunt's House

We went for dinner at Luna Runtun, which is a beautiful hotel on Tunguragua (a currently active volcano) that over looks all of Banos. It was really beautiful. Then we spent the night dancing in a couple of the different discos in downtown Banos.

At dinner at Luna Runtun

Downtown Banos

Sunday morning Chuki and I got up and went on a hike in Banos to the Virgin.

The city of Banos from above. 

Not a bad way to start the morning, with the beauty of the Andes. 

Then we drove home but the drive was INCREDIBLE. The way between Banos and Quito is called Ruta de los Volcanes because you're supposed to be able to see all of the volcanoes. The problem is we've gone that way tons of times and it's never been clear enough to see all of them. Well Sunday, we were in luck and we got to see every single one CLEARLY!

Chimborazo

Cotopaxi

Illinizas

Antisana

When we got home we were so tired that we just watched movies and napped all day. Chuki slept straight from when we got home (about 11am) until the next morning at 7am. It was an amazing weekend! THANKS SEBAS!

MULUB,

Taylor

Egypt

Here are a couple of links about the conflict in Egypt. I can't help but think about our 'baby' coup we had here in Ecuador last September. All that is happening in Cairo really puts that in perspective. My first thought goes to all of the young foreigners, like myself and Ryan, who are in Cairo studying or teaching English trying to broaden their understanding of the world and happen to experience history in the making. One of the girls I studied abroad with in Prague, Reilly, is currently living in Cairo studying at the American University there. It's been so interesting to follow her updates and posts on facebook that I thought I would post some of them for you. Keep Reilly and the whole nation of Egypt in your thoughts and prayers today and until there's peace.

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/world/middleeast/29unrest.html?_r=1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12311007

Here are just a couple of her status updates

1 hour ago - 

I know! We must be the only ones left with internet. Just trying to spread the word. Curfew just established. Heidi and I are bringing water and supplies to the injured men downstairs. This. Is. History.

2 hours ago -

full out riot on my street, so much tear gas, so many injured men....

3 hours ago -

can now smell tear gas from my window. have some friends downtown that just saw police beat a man to death. journalists are being barred from traveling. most of the city is on complete lock down. agreed, cv! scary but exciting.

4 hours ago - 

most internet services down. mobile services down. potentially the largest pro-democracy protest in Egyptian history! please watch and repost

Today in Tahrir Square

And here's a photo that Reilly reposted. She's actually headed to Tahrir Square now.

MULUB, 

Taylor

Quilotoa

Not too much to report besides that we're taking a little trip this weekend with dear friend Sebas! Quilotoa and Banos here we come! The best part... Chuki gets to come! At least this is the plan. I'm learning to be flexible, as this is Ecuador and all, so the plan might change and that's ok.

Quilotoa!

MULUB,
Taylor

Oh My Soul

Lately, don't laugh, I've really been craving traveling. I know you may ask, 'how can that be? you live in Ecuador!' Yes, but I live here. Like, moved in, set up camp, Ecuador is home type of thing. And because of our lack of funds, we haven't really done a ton of traveling lately. But that is all changing, and I know this craving will subside once we pack up our backpacks and take off more regularly. But until that's in full swing (think: February), I'm really, really craving traveling. Some of you will understand this, some probably not. It's kind of a persistent heart-soul-mind-body ache/longing... Anyways, if you get it, you know.

So I figured, I'd indulge myself for a little while, while I can't sleep (maybe, because I fell asleep before 8pm tonight with my ever-so-intriguing Penguin History of Latin America across my lap.) Here are some photos (from them internets) of my current top 3 that, for me, keep hope alive!

1. Greece and Turkey

I'd like to be spending a slow evening here with lots of delicious food, wine and laughter! 

There will be sailing in Greece.

2. Prague (I know, I know but I haven't been there with Ryan, so it's justified!)

the opera every night

and my favorite church

3. India, Nepal, Tibet

and trekking, lots of it

Well, someday... until then we've got lots of trips planned here in Ecuador that I'm REALLY excited about like...

the Amazon 

Cuenca

Intag River Valley

Tulcan topiaries

Montanita

This is just to remind me... I LIVE HERE!

 

MULUB, 

Taylor