criplomats

John and I landed in Guayaquil Thursday night and are staying at a beautiful old hotel. It was previously used as a retirement home and a home for other people in need, then was relocated “brick by brick” to the historic part of town. It’s in a park setting, complete with a small zoo next door. It’s really lovely.

We were thrilled to learn our friend Jenae just arrived here to be the consul general, so we met her for dinner last night. We’ve worked with her in both Juarez and Buenos Aires— it was fun to catch up with her and have some yummy Ecuadorean food.

Yesterday our friend Francoise picked us up for lunch and some sightseeing. We rode the cable cars over the (really wide) river and then over the urban areas. It was a neat way to see the city. Afterward we had lunch at a small local place that was delicious.

Earlier in the week we kept Nugget, the little pug, for two nights. She’s so cute!

John and I went to our first cricket match Friday night. It’s a big stadium with a fun atmosphere. There were cheerleaders, fire baton twirlers, and even a very creepy robot thing that walked around and did dances – I’ve seen them on TV but never “in person.” I’m still not sure I understand all the rules of the game, but it was fun to be there amid all the excitement — and yes, Guyana beat Jamaica!

I’ve been glued to the television set this week, watching the US Open tennis tournament. There have been some really great games and I’m so glad I have the luxury to watch the opening rounds!

We’re going to dog-sit a night or two this week for one of the consular officers, so she brought the dog over today to meet me – what a cutie patootie! She’s a little pug and just the sweetest thing – I can’t wait to have an animal in the house again!

John and I watched the Star Wars series “Andor,” which we enjoyed, and have started the newest season of “Ted Lasso.” I finished all six seasons of “Girls” – while cringey at times, I thought it was really good, and amazing that Lena Dunham was only 26 years old when she wrote it and starred in it. I read and enjoyed “Buckeye,” by Patrick Ryan – thanks to Joan for the recommendation.

My last few days in Hot Springs were a lot of fun. I had a good visit with Kathy W at her darling apartment Monday afternoon, then Ann came down to spend the night. We sat up late yakking, then sat outside Tuesday morning drinking coffee and watching six to eight hummingbirds go crazy over the feeders. I felt so bad Wednesday night when I had to take them down before flying out Thursday morning! I couldn’t even sit outside Thursday morning because I felt so guilty watching them fly around the porch looking for the feeders!

I flew out Thursday and got home in the wee hours of Friday morning. It’s great to see John again. It’s still so hard to come home and not have little Flavia waiting for me. I have to catch myself when I walk in the door and remember she’s not here.

We went to a fun retirement party for Matt in the consular section last night at Celia’s house. I met a few new folks and enjoyed catching up with others. Nice party.

John and I went to see the silly but fun movie “At the End of Oak Avenue” yesterday afternoon. I’ve been binging “Girls” and also am excited to start watching the US Open tennis match!

It has been crazy hot this week with temps routinely over 100 every day! Yikes!

Pam headed home last Sunday morning and I stayed in the rest of the day, just watching tv and relaxing. I rewatched “Somebody, Somewhere” and I have started on Lena Dunham’s “Girls.”

Bright and early Monday morning, I went to a new-to-me dentist here to have a crown replaced. Great service and he manufactured the crown while I waited, so I was happy to walk out before noon and know I didn’t have to return! Peewee and I went to Capo’s for happy hour later in the day and had fantastic guacamole.

Mary came down Thursday afternoon and spent the night, and we had a nice dinner out at Luna Bella. We were thrilled that a storm blew through that evening and we were able to enjoy the porch before we went to sleep and to have our coffee the next morning – hooray!

I’ve also enjoyed visiting with David and Alison, popping over for coffee in the afternoon, etc. David treated me to pizza this afternoon. I also enjoyed a visit with neighbors Jim and Kathleen Saturday afternoon.

I’ve been joining some of the retirement classes on Zoom this week, plus getting in a few yoga classes. I really enjoyed a Saturday class with Lily.

Yesterday I drove to Fayetteville to have lunch with Ginger in the dining room. We had a good visit, and it was a nice day for a drive — although it was depressing to see the burnt trees on the mountains due to the heat and lack of rain.

I tried to read “Theo of Golden” and “My Friends” this week, but just wasn’t enjoying either of them, so I put them down. I listened to Lena Dunham’s book, “Not that Kind of Girl” and really enjoyed it. I finished — but didn’t really enjoy — reading Vigdis Hjorth’s “Long Live the Post Horn!” She’s a Norwegian writer and I guess I just didn’t get it.

I flew back to Arkansas Monday night and have been enjoying being home despite the extremely hot temperatures here. I went out Wednesday night with Alison and Peewee, first to Splash for a glass of wine with some of their Hot Springs doyenne friends, then to a Mexican restaurant where Alison and Peewee made a new friend in the parking lot. Thursday we went to lunch together (with David) to celebrate Alison’s birthday at Fisherman’s Wharf. Happy birthday, Alison!

Friday afternoon Pamela came for our Scrabble weekend. We enjoyed playing, relaxing, and catching up!

I’ve continued dialing in to my classes, although I missed Tuesday since I was traveling.

John had a busy week after I left when the #2 at the State Department visited Guyana. John was in several meetings with him, Ambassador Theriot, and the Guyanese president.

I finished reading “Yesteryear” and enjoyed it although its “trad wife” theme is part entertaining and part scary as all get out! I tried to read “Theo of Golden,” but just wasn’t enjoying the writing or the story so I put it down after 50 pages. Pam and I started re-watching “Somebody Somewhere,” and I’m continuing with that today — it’s such a sweet story.

Parting shots: