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When we woke up this morning, it was so cold! It was 51 degrees in the casita. Brrr! But the good part is that the truism "clear and cold" was in effect. Even at 1 p.m., the sun was out, there were barely any clouds in the blue sky, and the mountains were completely visible. Mount Cotacachi had much less snow than even the day before, a testament to the strength of the equatorial sun! And the gleaming white snow-capped Mount Cayambe was shining in the sunlight as well. Craig was not feeling well this morning (headache, dizziness, body aches, stomach problems, etc.) We feared that it was an MS attack, and he stayed in bed all day without any energy. But when the kids got home from school (and Antonio got home from guiding tourists on a Lago Cuicocha hike), they were all feeling sick as well. Only Rosa and I were spared (knock on wood!) So it seems much more likely that there is a bug going around, and that Craig has fallen victim. That is actually a big relief! I heard pigs squealing from my office and looked outside. Rosa had tied up 3 of the piglets, harness-style, using a rope made from braided fabric. Cinnamon was especially unhappy, squealing and bucking. I went down to see what was happening and Rosa said that they need to be forcibly weaned. Their mom Juanita is becoming too thin, and unable to bulk up again because they keep nursing. Why only 3 of the 4 piglets? They only have three ropes. Sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct one. I think the one who is not tied up is the runt, and therefore could use some more milk, as opposed to the other three (who include a very fat black piglet!) It turns out that they are only being weaned during the day (I found this out when three of them, ropes dragging, entered the kitchen during dinner.) At night they are allowed to cuddle with Mom for warmth at bedtime. - P1230330
Piglet - P1230339
Mount Cayambe - P1230377
In the afternoon, two biologists from a college in Iowa arrived (Molly and Dawn), as well as their guide and driver from Quito. They stayed in the guest house overnight. When they arrived, I was hanging laundry, as the internet was unavailable from 2 o'clock on, and I was unable to connect to work. I chatted with them, and then they went with Rosa to deliver some party leftovers to her brother-in-law and get a look at the village. We all ate dinner together, except for Craig and Antonio, who were in bed feeling sick. Craig never even left our casita all day! Molly and Dawn gave the family some gifts, and the kids played with a deck of cards with Iowa on the back. - P1230389
Sonam prepares peppers for dinner - P1230390
Sonam prepares peppers for dinner - P1240289
Sea cucumber - P1240298
Blue sea star - P1240319 - Copy
Giant damselfish - P1240342 - Copy
Chocolate chip starfish