Rio Tomebamba

Seth and I, Catherine and Patricio went shopping today, truck shopping that is. The first stop was a mechanics just outside of town with a red Toyota hilux in our price range that used to be a taxi in the Amazon. It drives pretty well, things work, it doesn't have too many bings and bangs though Patricio doesn't quite trust it or the guy selling and neither do I. So we move on...passing through the local truck market on the way back into town, a dubious dirt lot alley crammed with cars and trucks of every description. Not what we're looking for though. The search continues...

The search end and I took Seth to a spot near the river that has WIFI and we caught up on internet errands communicating with our boss back in the states over lunch. We wandered into the city center. We took out money from the bank, bought a new cell phone, office supplies, and walked along the Rio Tomebamba on the way to our mechanic's to pick up a new battery for Big Blue.

The big news came at days end. I cannot begin to attempt a thourough explanation of Patricio's many amazing skills but earlier driving around the test truck he happened to find another one that is even more perfect. Catherine and him met us at the mechanic's with the owners and we jumped in for a test drive. Another Toyota hilux, four wheel drive with new tires, low mileage, barely been driven and the owners mostly just drive their kids around and go to church in it. It is green and even has a wrap across seat in the cab that will accommodate another person. It is almost too good to be true, but it all checks out. Thumbs up and a pass in flying colors. And so...

We got a new truck!

.....finally!!!

....photos forthcoming. *And please for forgive me for being such a hopelessly delinquent blipper!