One of the main attractions of Ecuador is the Galapagos Islands.
I won a trip there when I was in Ecuador in 1991. I had the best Hallowe’en Costume at an AFS party and I got flight, 3 nights and 4 days aboard a small touring vessel.
It was a bit of a bittersweet win, because I remember a friend being upset that I won, because he thought that he should have won.
But in my defence - look at my outfit. Seriously.
I spent MONTHS putting this together. I sewed that entire thing together. I MADE the hair. I did my makeup. Everything.
I have decided that I will not be returning to the Galapagos on this trip. I do have the time, but it is quite expensive and taking month off work is already going to take it’s financial toll.
BUT… I opened up my facebook messenger and this is the message awaiting me from my host cousin, Hjalmar.
Hjalmar - "vas a visitar el oriente o galápagos?" (translation - "Are you going to visit the jungle or the Galapagos?")
Me - "No to the Galapagos... not much time."
Hjalmar - "my gift"
Me - ?
How is one supposed to take that? MY GIFT? Is the gift a trip to the Galapagos Islands?
Hjalmar - "for Christmas"
Me - "Que?"
WHAT is for Christmas??? Again... not sure how to take this.
Me - "You confuse me."
I'm really trying not to look a gift horse in the mouth right now.
Hjalmar - "jajajaa"
Is this implied laughter? Does he know that he is literally bread crumbing me with thoughts of the Galapagos Islands?
OUT of control... I'm actually starting to really get excited!
Me - "What are you getting me for Christmas?"
Now he's killing me.
Hjalmar - "remember I'm your best friend in Ecuador."
The kind of friend that would take me to the Galapagos?
Me - "Si"
Me - "You're still confusing me."
Now the truth comes out...
Hjalmar - "Cuando vengas te tengo un rico ceviche de camarón y mucho love" (translation - "when you come I have a delicious shrimp ceviche and a lot of love:)
Great.
I'm getting a shrimp and rice dish...
I'm a lucky girl.
Basically, I have NO idea how to respond... so I did the best I could.
Me - "Sin cilantro por favor" (translation - "without cilantro please")
That's all I could come up with.