Arriving in Ecuador

Well, we made it to Ecuador. Our plane landed basically on time, we picked up all of our luggage (all 6 50+ lbs. suitcases plus our carry-ons) and sailed through customs. What we didn't know yet was that Suzette spent nearly 3 hours begging the customs agents to allow us to bring our bags into the country. The rules have changed since the first of October in that Ecuador doesn't want people bringing charitable donations into the country without getting shook-down first. Fortunately, Suzette was convincing (I wouldn't want to stand in her way, even if I was the president of Ecuador when it comes to the kids up the mountain in Quito) and an agent agreed to look the other way while our bags went through the x-ray machine. We came through the gate to find some very relieved people waiting to see us. We then got whisked off to our hotel and collapsed into our beds.