We've been ROBBED

Dear Mom and Dad,

I should not have titled my previous blog post "a boring update" because it jinxed us. Yes, the inevitable has occured, and we have been robbed. It happened on the bus ride to Montañita. (This is where we have currently been.) We knew something was odd because the guy sitting in the back of the bus made like eight people rearrange seats in order to sit behind us, but we just thought he wanted to sit next to his girlfriend. (This bus had assigned seats.) Well, it turned out that we were the biggest gringos on the bus and therefor the easiest targets. Charlie ALWAYS does a good job protecting our stuff, but for the 60 seconds it took him to get up out of his seats to buy me a sandwich (it was a long ride) the asshole grabbed our daybag from under the seat and ripped open the zipper with our lock, and quickly got off the bus before our scheduled stop. We didnt realize that the zipper had been tampered with because the lock was still in tack. Here's a picture to demonstrate what I mean.

The only thing the prick was able to steal was my cellphone, and we definitely learned our lesson! Charlie is super upset that he was "outsmarted." I can deal with a $90 loss, and NEVER let it happen again.

After this incident, I made a list of the things that I miss the most about home. In no particular order..
- Nice people
- my family, and in particular going out with my sister
- diet coke
- ranch = homemade version
- salsta = not ketchup because that's what they consider salsa here...ketchup
- Medium Rare steak = or any redmeat for that matter
- peeing with a toliet seat
- my mom or grandma's roastbeef and mashed potatoes/gravy
- desserts like cake and brownies = they do have better ice cream here.
- music = my ipod
- reading materials = books and magazines
- jewlrey and nailpolish
- skim milk
- my favorite pillow
- texting
- gossiping with my friends
- wearing black and gold
- regulated warm showers
- going to the YMCA with Dan
- my brother's smile
- I had dresses, but I just bought a cute pink sundress!

Things I do NOT miss....
- cleaning
- working
- driving
- cold weather = snow, ice, sleet, whatever you want to call it
- small town drama = this also kind of appears on my list of things I do miss "gossiping with friends" it does go both ways
- watching TV
- waking up early

Even though my "do not miss list" is shorter, I don't miss being in Iowa right now, here some pictures of what Charlie and I have been up too....and the main reason I'm content in being here....

Confession....I didn't actually surf...I just wanted to pose next to the board to appear like I was a surfer girl. I did lay out and work on my tan. Charlie did excellent, and I'll have pictures of him on my next post. The camera died before I had a chance to capture any good ones. He's stiff and sore now, but don't feel too bad for him as he is currently drinking a beer and listening to some locals jam on the bongos.

The next picture is of the view from our hostel. The ocean is just past the palm trees.

We also have a hammock to relax on when the sun is just too hott. I'm sporting my new pink sundress with a matching hand stiched handband. A girl has to accesorize even when space is limited. Charlie keeps warning me that he is NOT going to carry any of my stuff. I'll ditch a pair of pants before I ditch my dress.

 Dad, do you remember the survival kit you got me a long time ago? Well, Charlie and I bought the entire thing with us, and suprisingly we use it a lot! Charlie wears the whistle everyday because it has a compass on it, and he likes to know which direction we are going at all times. I like the whistle because there is a mirror on the inside. The matches, candle, and flashlight have also come in handy because we have lost power a few times here. He also gives me the whistle everytime he goes to the bathroom or leaves me for even a second. I can just blow it, and he'll come running. It's actually a really smart idea.



There has been a few times when we are riding the buses for a long distance, when the police stop the bus and make every male from the ages 17 - 50 get out. They then pat search the people and go through all of their bags. For some reason, Charlie has NEVER had to do this. They always let him stay on the bus. I guess he doesn't look like a criminal with illegal guns or drugs. I don't know how they know he isn't ecuadorian.

I'm glad everyone likes our alpaca hats. They do double as warmth in the mountains and to cover bad hair days. My Spanish is improving or maybe it's just my confidance; whatever the case, I like it! In fact, just now I had no problem in telling the computer guy that I stuck the memory card in a wrong spot on the hard drive and he was going to have to unscrew the plates to get it out. Opps, still a blonde american at heart.

Again, Charlie and I are happy to read everyone's comments! I'm sorry there is such problems in posting them, but we really do value reading them. Mallory, I'm glad to see you have not let your dog outsmart you even though she is writing in Spanish. :)

We don't have any major plans in leaving. It's sunny and hott here. Why would I leave this gorgeous beach town? The people are super friendly and love to have a good time. Charlie and I went out dancing last night. It was "ladies night," so open bar for the women. Charlie made sure to tip the bartender for his drinks, so he also had the previlage of drinking for free the entire night. People in the service industry just get it.

Well, I've clearly overstayed my welcome in this cafe, so I better get going. Peru is looking like our next destination, and I'll let you know when and where our next move will be.

Love always,

Matti Jo and Charles Dale

PS. Stay warm