House Calls, Vilcabamba, Ecuador

We are picking up the keys for our new house in Vilcabamba today! After seeing two properties, we decided on the simpler of the two in an effort to be closer to town (and by simpler I mean it´s cheaper and not nearly as luxurious as the other one). Spanish lessons are next on the list, we´re hoping to find a tutor to work with us around 5 or 6 days a week. Yesterday we took our first Vilcabamba hike. We are surrounded by rolling green mini mountains, so we don´t expect a lack of things to do any time in the near future. The young lady who we´re renting from is actively involved in the local community center...we found out there is yoga twice a week for $3 and a lot of volunteering opportunities with the local children (guitar lessons, gardening, mobile library). When all the lights go out in town the animals here start to sing. It sounds like there is a boxing match going on in the distance...and for those of you city folk following, roosters crow all. night. long....all night.