Pre-Departure

I'm scheduled to leave in one week.  One night in DC, 3 days in Quito, and then 3 months in Cayambe.  That is the orientation and training schedule as far as I know.  Halfway through, they will tell me where I am to be posted and I will get to check it out.  

Ecuador is not a huge country; everyone writes that it is about the size of Colorado, but it contains some very diverse ecosystems.  I've been trying to read up as much as possible, but there is a whole lot to know.  I plan on treating this blog like a learning record for my observations--- uh. gotta run to the dojo. i'll pick this up later